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#3 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is the epitome of a modern-day attacking footballer. The Argentine maestro scores, assists and dribbles like no other, and can create chances from close to nothing. He is one of the most creative players every season, and has been the top assist provider in the La Liga for the last few seasons.
The versatile attacker finally won a trophy with his national team this summer when Argentina won Copa America 2021. Messi picked up the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards at the tournament after registering four goals and five assists.
In recent years, Messi has started dropping deeper and dictating play with his incredible distribution skill and vision. He is all set to start a new chapter in his career with Paris Saint-Germain, where he is expected to create plenty of chances and win titles.
#2 Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff is one of the few players who succeeded in propagating the same principles as a player and a manager. During his playing days, the Dutch international displayed glimpses of brilliance from the very beginning, and by the time he reached his prime, he could play seamlessly in any attacking position.
The precision of his passing and his awareness of space were best summed up by Times sportswriter David Miller, who was so mesmerised by Cruyff's skills that he termed the player 'Pythagoras in boots'.
The late Cruyff possessed one of the best footballing brains ever seen. He had the ability to create goalscoring chances from any part of the pitch. Despite being a centre-forward, he never hesitated to drop deep.
#1 Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona is arguably head and shoulders above most players in the game. The stocky Argentine footballer was gifted with probably the greatest left-foot ever seen in football. His talent combined with his passion drove him to the game's pinnacle, and also got him into a lot of trouble off the pitch.
Maradona is considered the most complete No.10 to have stepped onto the pitch. His dribbling skills, unparalleled vision, close control and creativity with the ball at his feet were simply sublime, to say the least.
Only a few players after him have been able to match Maradona's potency in front of goal. His legacy as one of the most impactful football players of all time will likely continue forever.
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