NOTE:: THIS IS PURELY MY OPINION. Don't get offended if you don't like my choices. If you don't like them, don't comment. If you have any suggestions or questions on my choices, feel free to ask.

1. Johan Cruyff

Ahhhh, Johan. Johan and his total football. The man who changed the world. The man's name is ushered in the same breath as Maradona and Pele, but the thing about Johan that separates him from the rest of the crew is that he is the man who changed the face of football forever.

Back in the old days, a RB always was a RB. There was an enclosed amount of space he was allowed to wander in. He could only tackle and clear the ball. Nothing more. No runs up the sidelines, no nothing. Imagine modern day RB's such as Cafu and Junior playing like that. Impossible. But that was the reality back then. Yes, some players like Carlos Alberto DID run up, but there is a big difference between his runs and the Total Football philosophy. And who else to change it but Johan Cruyff?

Cruyff took the Netherlands into the WC in '74 as favorites over West Germany. How? He showed the philosophy of Total Football. Total Football involves players switching from position to position. It allows players to play in multiple positions, and is much more free-flowing. If a RB wishes to wander up to cross, someone else will cover his position. Quite frankly, Total Football is.... what we see today. THAT is the effect Johan Cruyff has had on World Football. He has changed the game forever. Now, whether a child knows it or not, what entertainment he finds in football is largely due to Johan Cruyff.

Total Football aside, Cruyff was also unmistakably one of the most gifted players of all time. Called the "Pythagoras in boots", Cruyff's vision is second to none. His remarkable time at Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona has changed the faces of those two clubs forever. His philosophy in using young players is what made the likes of Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Van Basten, Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Seedorf, Kluivert, and Bergkamp so successful. It is thanks to him we are able to witness such great footballers who succeeded him.

His tenure at managing the "Dream Team" of Barcelona also illustrated his capability. Quite frankly, Johan is unbeatable in all ends. It's just a shame he lost out in the World Cup final of '74 to Franz Beckenbauer's West Germany.

2. Diego Maradona

Old Diego may not have been the most loved player (far from it), but he was certainly the most gifted player of all time. Coming from a family living in one of the poorest parts of Argentina, a young 8 year old Diego was one day interviewed and videotaped. He had to say, really, only one thing.

"I have two dreams..... One is to play in a World Cup...... and the other is to WIN the World Cup" - Diego Maradona, aged 8

Wow. Didn't he just do it in some style. Hounded at the '82 WC for not being the leader Argentina expected their captain to show, Diego rectified almost all that in '86. Regarded as the man who single handedly won that WC, English fans must have a sour taste in their mouth reading this. He tore apart almost every team Argentina faced. Diego had tough competition in the quarters in the form of England, but the "Hand of God", and the "Goal of the Century" caught England off-guard. Although he failed to score in the final, he still did what he had to do by setting up another goal.

He enjoyed relative success in club level. His #10 jersey is retired by Napoli, and is also considered a Barcelona legend despite only playing 2 broken seasons there, which further testifies his talent. Renowned for his notorious dribbling skills, vision, speed, ferocity, and physicality (despite being so small), Diego is considered to be one of the greatest ever.

3. Pele

Known as Brazil's greatest ever talent, Pele has 2 WC's to his name (he doesn't have a medal for '62 because he didn't play enough games) and is the legendary Selecao's highest ever goalscorer. Pele has officially scored 757 goals in 812 games, a remarkable feat.

Known for his heading, vision, trickery, inventiveness, and powerful shots, Pele is regarded as a complete footballer. Although his personal side is rather disliked by many, (see - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1099349-top-5-things-pele-does-not-want-you-to-know), he is still a man remembered for his deeds. With 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil, only the great Ronaldo (62 goals) could ever come close to Pele.

4. Franz Beckenbauer

Rightfully named Der Kaiser ("The Emperor"), Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest defender in history. The former Bayern captain is the one who experimented with and invented the "sweeper" role in football. Many of his goals came from the sweeper position.

Bursting out to the scene in the '66 WC, Franz was given the impossible task of marking Sir Bobby Charlton in the World Cup final. And my oh my, a 21 year old German youngster shipped out basically one of the greatest midfielders in history. Sir Bobby would not see a pop at goal in that match.

Der Kaiser is also the only man to win the WC as captain (1974) and as manager (1990). The Bayern legend also won 3 consecutive European Cups, ushering in Bayern's most successful period in history. Beckenbauer is known for his terrific tackling, vision, and leadership.

5. Lionel Messi

At age 26, Lionel Andres Messi is already regarded as the greatest of all time. I only have ONE problem with putting him as #2 on my list, and that is the absence of a World Cup in his glorious trophy cabinet.

1 WC Leo. That's all it'll take you. Easier said than done, but the only difference between Messi and the 3 above him on my list is that Beckenbauer, Pele, and Maradona all won the World Cup (and Cruyff is on a level all on his own).

Other than that, Lionel Messi is, by far, the most successful club player of all time. His beloved Barcelona has enjoyed a most fruitful time under his lead, and will most likely continue to do so. Messi is also regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers in history, and is known for his dribbling, vision, and brilliant finishing capabilities.

NOTE:: I'll make 6-10 later. Depending on if you guys like my post or not. If I get more than 5 thumbs ups, or 5 positive comments, I'll do 6-10. :)

Just as a mitigating factor, regarding he comment about Beckenbauer and Charlton... they were each tasked with shutting the OTHER out, and didn't realize it until after the game. The two best players on the pitch cancelled each other out, and both were virtual ghosts in that game, thanks to how well they covered each other.

Nitpicky, I know, but you made it seem rather one-sided. ;)

@Lodatz

Well, I made it seem one-sided because it was a 21 year old Franz vs. an experienced 29 year old Charlton. And that was the moment Franz first burst out on to the scene too, so that's why I gave Franz more praise. :)

Btw, I share your view of Cruyff being number one, for all the reasons you gave. :)

@Lodatz

Thanks. :)

great list so far. but to me its too hard to pick 10 players :(

@Rai

Yeah, it's difficult, but if you break it down, 1-10 is pretty simple. 11-20 is very hard though. I tried, and am still working on it. :/

Cruyff n1? supports Germany. Something doesnt add up.

Beckenbauer is no. 1 for me. 2. G.Müller 3. Lothar Matthäus 4. Maradona 5: Zidane

Mario Kempes!? :)

Is this is in any particular order?

@Rama

Yea, it's in #1 to #5.

Cruyff - #1
Maradona - #2
Pele - #3
Beckenbauer - #4
Messi - #5

I gave my reasons for putting them there too, so you can check it out. It's a long read, but hopefully worth it to you. :)

@Wolfie

I don't see what's wrong with being German and liking Cruyff. I'm a football fan before a RM or German fan, so I love anyone who plays beautiful football. Hence, my third-favorite active player in the world right now is Andres Iniesta. I really don't care if Iniesta plays for Barcelona or not, I love him for what he does on the pitch, and that's the exact same way I feel for Cruyff, Messi, Pep, Xavi, Ronaldinho, etc.