Edison Arantes do Nascimento -- Pelé
Known as "The King of Football" (O Rei do Futebol), "The King Pelé" (O Rei Pelé) or simply "The King" (O Rei), Pele is widely regarded by football experts (and through polls of players and fans) as the greatest footballer in the history of the game. During his career he scored 760 official goals, 541 in league championships, making him the top scorer of all time. In total, including unofficial and unsanctioned matches, he scored 1281 goals in 1363 games.
Pelé began playing for the São Paulo side Santos at 15, and the Brazilian national side at 16. He is the all-time leading scorer of the Brazil national football team and is the only footballer to be a part of three World Cup-winning squads (Sweden 1958, Chile 1962, and México 1970).<br>
With Pelé within their ranks, his club side, Santos, won the 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club competition in South American football.
Pelé played the position of inside forward, also called the playmaker, where his technique and natural athleticism were renowned, as were for his dribbling and passing skills, his pace on the ball, powerful shot, and exceptional heading ability. (Archive)
Diego Armando Maradona
Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, Maradona began his professional career Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors, before moving to Europe, playing with Barcelona, Napoli, and Sevilla, finishing his career back in Argentina with Newell's Old Boys. His moves from club to club often set world-record contract fees.
In his international career, Maradona earned 91 caps with Argentine national side and scored 34 goals. He played in four FIFA World Cup tournaments, including the 1986 World Cup where he captained Argentina and led them to victory over West Germany in the final, winning the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
In that same tournament's quarter-final round he scored two goals in a 2–1 victory over England that entered football history, for two very different goals. The first was an unpenalized handball that came to be known as the "Hand of God", while the second was a spectacular 60-metre weave through six England players, commonly referred to as "The Goal of the Century.” (AP Photo )
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima – Ronaldo
Nicknamed Il Fenomeno, Ronaldo was one of the most prolific scorers in the world in the 1990s and the early 2000s. He won the Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year in 1997 and again in 2002. He is one of only two men to have won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times.
Ronaldo has played for Brazil in 97 international matches, amassing 62 goals. He was a part of the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups.
In 2007, he was named as one of the best starting eleven of all-time by France Football and was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest footballers compiled by fellow countryman Pelé. In 2010, he was voted Goal.com's 'Player of the Decade' in an online poll and was also included as Centre Forward in the 'Team of the Decade'.
He currently plays for the São Paulo side Corinthians. On February 23, 2010, Ronaldo announced that he will retire after the 2011 season. (Archive)