Who was the best to ever lace up a pair of boots?

I think that its hard to really look into it equally. Is a great defender better than a great midfielder? What is greatness?

The best is widely seen as Pele but some will say Best was the Best and others Maradona.

I'd like to hear your thoughts and if you need reminding about how good some of the players were then check out our Legends Section

George Best was on a different planet to everyone else. He had is all and had a great lifestyle to boot. I know Maradona had the drugs but Best had the booze and the women - which would you prefer?

I was always a fan of Dixie Dean - he scored more than a goal a game for England and at club level 349 in 399 for The Toffees - what more could you want from a front man?

I don't think there is too much surprise as to who I think is a proper legend. This guy was quite a player and some manager as well. I miss him on Tyneside

I think my username shows who I rate. Donkey Adams was a proper defender. I have to admit to a bit of surprise as to the lack of Paul McGrath anywhere in the 'legends' section - he was a proper footballer who was the best defender to of ever walked on the face of the planet.

I'm a Chelsea fan but for me it has to be George Best for me no one comes close to him. I have videos of him playing at home that I should try to put on youtube at some point of him playing the ball off another player back to his feet.

The man was a genius!

I believe Dixie Dean was good in that...

This post has been edited by Neil Monnery, 2nd Dec 2008 - 10:13 AM

I second Paul McGrath as the best defender I ever saw. Talk about making defending an art form without needing last ditch tackles. He knew exactly where to be on the field of play. No-one can touch his positional play one jot.

I think ronaldo is good

He's clearly class but do you think he can stack up with the all time greats?