CENTURY'S BEST: Footballer

By John O'Sullivan

THE CANDIDATES: Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, Best, Beckenbauer, Yashin.

Pele (Brazil) - He first graced the international stage as a 17-year-old in the 1958 World Cup finals. Scored twice in a 5-2 victory over Sweden. Missed out four years later when Brazil triumphed again, pulling a thigh muscle early in the tournament. But in 1970 he was the pivotal member of arguably the greatest team ever in helping Brazil to a third World Cup triumph. Will be remembered for two outstanding pieces of skill - the attempted lob over Czech goalkeeper Ivo Viktor from the halfway line and a dazzling run which included a nutmeg on the Uruguayan goalkeeper in the semi-final. It was his header that made English goalkeeper Gordon Banks famous when he tipped it round the post during the 1970 World Cup match. All three incidents failed to produce goals. Scored over 1,000 goals in his career which finished in America. Played for only two teams, Santos (Brazil) and the New York Cosmos (USA). Simply the best.

Maradona (Argentina) - His "hand of God" goal against England deflected from a stunning performance in the 1986 World Cup finals that saw Argentina triumph 3-2 in the final against Germany. Scored two of the greatest individual goals of all time against England and Belgium in that tournament. Volatile, he was sent off in the 1982 finals and lucky not to be dismissed in the 1990 Final. Three world record transfer deals, elevating the unfashionable Napoli to a force in Italian and European soccer underlined his ability. Career crashed with positive drugs tests in 1991 and the 1994 World Cup finals.

Johann Cruyff (Holland) - The fulcrum of the Dutch team that swept to the 1974 World Cup final. Cruyff was almost unstoppable and just seconds into the final drew the foul from Uli Hoeness that brought a penalty: Holland lost 2-1 to Germany. Left Ajax and "total football" for Barcelona. Retired before 1978 World Cup finals after a row about tactics. Coached both Ajax and Barcelona to national and European titles. A wonderfully gifted athlete.

George Best (Northern Ireland) - Belfast-born, outrageously talented wingman who proved to be the best player ever to emerge from Britain and Ireland in a short career. Helped United to their 1968 European Cup victory over Benfica, scoring the first goal in injury time. Northern Ireland's lack of impact in international football deprived him of a world stage on which to parade his talents. Booze and beautiful women lured him away from the game. United released him in his mid-twenties and he flitted to Fulham and then to America.

Franz Beckenbauer (Germany) - Known as Der Kaiser, he has won every major club and international competition, either as captain or coach. Defined the libero role, having played in the 1966 World Cup final against England in midfield. Played in Germany's victory in 1974 final and coached them to World Cup success in 1990. Great reader of the game with a languid style. Won the European Cup and Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, the latter both as player and coach. Did more than anyone else to glamorise defending, given his ability with the ball.

Lev Yashin (Russia) - Nicknamed the Octopus because of his great reach, the legendary Russian goalkeeper was almost lost to soccer when he failed to make it into the Dynamo Moscow team initially: he considered a career in ice hockey. Attired in trademark black he played for the USSR between 1954 and 1970.

THE VERDICT: Pele