Maradona's Top 100 - The United Chapter

FIFA commissioned Pele at the turn of the century to compile a list of 100 Greatest Living Footballers. Although, the Brazilian legend ended up choosing 125 players, the official version of the document came to be known as FIFA 100.

It's no secret that Pele and Diego Maradona have no love lost between them. Shortly after Pele's FIFA 100, Maradona's biography, El Diego hit the stands. Along with his life's story, Maradona compiled a list of 100 Greatest Footballers of all-time. In his own words:

"There are players who have delighted me, who have, I confess disappointed me too, and there are too many to try to create the perfect team. It seems easier just to throw out some names. Ping-pong is what they call it, right? Well, I'm going to hit the ball against the wall, first with my left, then with my right. Here it goes, pic, pac, pic, pac ... One hundred shots. It's not a ranking, eh? I'm numbering them just to show there are a hundred names, a hundred players, and a few words about each one. And it's only one hundred. There are so many more - I could have filled another book."

Interestingly, Pele's list included nine United players - George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton, Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel, Roy Keane, Juan Sebastian Veron, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, David Beckham and Michael Owen.

While, Maradona hasn't been as generous to us, restricting his choice of United players to five - here it is what he says about them. In the words of Diego Maradona:

  

GEORGE BEST

 

 A great player, but crazier than me.

ERIC CANTONA

A partner, a friend. Also, more importantly, crazy and a rebel just like me. They suspended him for being honest. And his game wreaked havoc. Ask the Manchester fans: they always chose him as number one.

DAVID BECKHAM

Another one too pretty to go out on the pitch. Although he worries too much about his Spice Girl, now and again he finds the time to play and he can play well, really well - he's got a great touch. He won everything with Manchester United. And he had to eat the hen that El Cholo Simeone sold him in France 98'. But he paid us back. 

JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON

One of the best players we have in Argentina. He plays a really open game and has a strong personality. He let the tortoise get away with some of the things he said about me, he let it get away badly, very badly. That's why it's now an issue with no solution. 

 MICHAEL OWEN

For me, the only good thing to come out of the '98 World Cup. Speed, cunning, balls. I hope injury doesn't destroy him.

Diego, Diego, Diego! Only if you'd looked closely at the troika of Keano, Giggsy and Scholesy - they gave Seba a run for his money; although I rate Veron very highly. But hey, your opinion is your opinion. After all, they say that you're supposed to be better than Pele, Messi and Cruyff. My opinion? Sorry, I rate Scholes more than all of you put together. 

I'm a United Troll!