Awards

Footballer of Century: (FIFA Jury)

1. Pele: 72.8% votes

2. Alfred di Stefano: 9.8% votes

3. Diego Maradona: 6% of votes

Footballer of Century: (online poll)

1. Diego Maradona: 53.6% votes

2. Pele: 18.5%

Final analysis: For fans, Diego Maradona is a God. But, for soccer experts, Pele is Super God. For me, both are legends but I like Diego Maradona as a footballer (but hate as a coach). Pele played in great teams and won 3 world cups. But, Maradona won world cup with a moderate team and won Italian league twice with Napoli.

Respect legends for their achievements and for bringing joy with their skills. Lionel Messi may soon join that elite league of Pele, Maradona, Stefano, George Best, Stanley Mathews, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Ronaldo, Zidane, Banks and Puskas etc.

Why I picked Maradona?

• Argentina and Napoli might not have won trophies without Maradona.

• Brazil might have won world cup even without Pele.

So, Maradona is my “Footballer of 20^th century.” But, it is not good to compare footballers of different generations.  In India, Maradona is undisputed number one.