For anyone who saw him play, it's not even up for debate.
By any fair yardstick, Pele – as Brian Clough might have said – was not necessarily the greatest footballer of all time. But he was in the top one. Diego Maradona? Undeniably a genius, but Pele did not need a grubby Hand of God to help him win the World Cup.
Lionel Messi? Those twinkling feet are fuelled by gifts from the gods, and finally he has lifted the holy grail as a crowning glory. Pele won it three times.
