The big two in the soccer world are generally considered as being Pelé and Diego Maradona. This is not to take away from the achievements of George Best, Yohan Cruff, and other soccer stars through the ages, but for one reason or another it is Pele and Maradona who always lit up the soccer scoreboards, and who have been placed on the podium as the best of the best.

Fewer people, however, can agree on who was the better of the two…on who was the greatest ever.

Personally, I think that Maradona edges it. The highlight of his career was his stunning performance in the World Cup of 1986, when he played some of the most inspired soccer ever seen. His second goal against England will always be remembered as his best, as well as probably the best goal ever scored in the international arena. In ten seconds of pure skill, he beat no less than six English defenders and the goalkeeper before slotting home.

Pelé was a phenomenal goal scorer. The soccer scoreboards showed that he scored a total of 1283 goals in his long career and was a World Cup winner three times. However, he played in one of the best teams ever; the Brazilian squad of the 1960s. In 1962 they were victorious, and this was without the then injured Pelé. This proved how capable the team was even without him.

In addition, Pelé was an out-and-out striker. He was on the team purely to put the ball into the net, whilst he was not so accomplished at ‘midfield’ duties, such as linking play and creating chances for other players.

Whilst Maradona lifted the World Cup only once, he did it single-handedly. He was the leader of a team that was not so gifted, and he inspired them to victory. Many people believe that his presence and contribution was so great for Argentina, that he could have won the Cup playing in any of the 8 teams in the 1986 quarterfinals.

In the semi-final he scored two fantastic goals against Belgium, and created the goal that decided the final. He was phenomenal at club level too, leading his team Napoli to two Serie A titles as well as a UEFA Cup win. Before Maradona played for Napoli they had never won anything, and they have yet to win a thing since he left.

Maradona has a wider skill range than Pelé. He would often start his runs deep in the midfield, beat a defender or two before executing a perfectly delivered assist or finishing himself with his fantastic shooting ability. He was very dangerous from set pieces too, and scored many goals directly from free kicks.

Without doubt the most creative player the world has ever seen, Maradona possessed technical brilliance and had outstanding vision. Whilst not wanting to take away from the many achievements of the great Pele, Maradona’s boarder range of skills wins it for me. The question on the lips of modern day soccer supporters right now, is whether Messi can reach the great heights of his predecessor and fellow Argentinean. Personally, I think he can, but for this he has to perform at the highest stage – at the World Cup.

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