who is the greatest football player of all time?
472184
Pele is the best, he is an amazing performer, and helped lead Brazil to 3 of its 5(soon to be 6) world cup victories. He is also one of the most influencial players to play the game. And the comment about Maradona not being considered an athlete is disrespectful to the game. Maradona was a great player, and drugs had nothing to do with that, if you wanna bet, why dont you go take some steroids or something and see if you become the next Maradona
155885
It's gotta be Jerry Rice.  He pretty much had all the bases covered.  He owns pretty much every record (most by a RIDICULOUS amount), was integral in several Super Bowl victories, and on top of that he was a clutch player who always came through in desperate situations.  Aside from that he had a great work ethic and obvious loved the game, and oh yeah played it 20 years.
1032975
Currently it would have to be Thierry Henry\nBut of all time without a doubt Pele
509335
Jerry Rice, because in my opinion he was the greatest football player that I have ever seen in my era (ok I'm only 25 yrs old give me a break here) :)  Ok, the greatest player while he was playing for the 49ers anyway, he made some awesome runs to make it into the endzone and ducks and dodges so many people like it's a cakewalk.  Then he does that funky chicken dance when he makes a touchdown.  lol
634109
all of those answers are good.  i think the top three greatest players of all-time are wayne gretzky, gordie howe and mario lemieux. the greatest player now is a toss-up between alexander ovechkin and sidney crosby. the best defenseman now is a tossup between chris pronger and nick lidstrom.  the best leader now is steve yzerman.  the best goalie now:  martin brodeur.  the best goalie of all time: a tie between patrick roy and terry sawchuck.  the best leaders in history:  mark messier, steve yzerman, and joe sakic to name a few.
388583
Best footballer in the world is a close one with Ronaldinho, and Theiry Henry.  I am gonna go with Ronaldinho just because he does some much more than score, he controls the whole game, and he is just so incredible to watch.
373430
Pele of course!  For any question asked about the greatest game on earth you can answer with the greatest player on earth, Pele.
820776
Jerry Rice ...no doubt the greatest reciever of all time
95940
Roger Staubach!\n\n(followed by John Elway and Payton Manning :))
425896
I have to go with Barry Sander. Being from Detroit, all I had to watch growing up was the lions, atleast Barry made me cheer. He was so elusive, so tricky with the best moves that I could not help but love football on sundays. Face it, with a team like Detroit, no one can argue that Barry was the best RB of all time. Let me hit you with so info all you Nay-Sayers\n\n Second-leading rusher of all time (15,269 yards).\n Holds all-time NFL record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (10, 1989-1998).\n Tied for NFL record for total 1,000-yard rushing seasons (10).\n Holds Detroit Lions records for most yards rushing (15,269), most touchdowns (109) and most rushing touchdowns (99).\n 10-time Pro Bowl selection (1989-1998 seasons)\n Nine-time Pro Bowl participant (missed 1993 due to injury)\n Five-time NFC rushing leader\n Holds NFL single-season records for most 100-yard rushing games and most consecutive 100-yard games (14 in 1997)..\n 1997 Player of the Year.\n 1989 NFL Rookie of the Year.\n 1988 Heisman Trophy winner.
1140411
football is not really about scoring goals - take control of the game and the goals will come.\n\nand it is not at all about 'transfer value' - football is a sport not a business.\n\nthe greatest england player of all time was probably stanley matthews. i suspect even bobby charlton and gary lineker would agree with such an estimation.
400006
Pele is the best and is recognized as the best\nPele the one and only\nSee\nhttp://www.ifhof.com/hof/halloffame.asp
459806
Pele the KING!\n\nFrom my experience, most people who say Maradona is better tend to be Argentines.  Granted, Maradona is one of the greats of all time, but his claim to the throne of greatest player of all time tends to come from the two goals he scored against England in the 1986 World Cup.  His style also was more based on speed and strength thanks to his short and stocky frame, and strong legs.  Pele on the other hand is poetry in motion, strong yet graceful.  Maradona had many acrobatic plays as well, but his was more of the spectacular, of the spectacle, more flash and dash.  Pele made football an artform.  Plus the guy had 1300 career goals!\n\nThat's just my take on it.\n\nHey if you don't agree, just think about this: In 1970, the two factions involved in a civil war in Nigeria agreed for a 48-hour ceasefire just so they could watch Pelé play an exhibition game in Lagos.\n\nI don't think Maradona ever stopped any wars...\n:)
576760
10. Peyton Manning\n9. Tom Brady\n8. Phil Simms\n7. Jim Kelly\n6. Troy Aikman\n5. Steve Young\n4. Brett Favre\n3. Dan Marino\n2. John Elway\nAnd the best???...Joe Montana\nAll most...\nDoug Flutie\nWarren Moon\nBoomer Esiason\nDrew Bledsoe\nRandall Cunningham\nJim McMahon\nBernie Kosar\nDaunte Culpepper
366379
Football is the universal world sport, played by millions, not confined to North America, and is the inspiration for thousands of children every day.\nPele, the greatest footballer of all time, but it simply when he called it 'The Beautiful Game'.
1019823
i agree. pele was absolutely incredible. he didnt just have the skill but he had the brains and vision of a world class footballer. but for me at the moment it has to be thierry henry closely followed by ronaldinho, then kaka, then steven gerrard
797042
Peyton will be known as one of the best, there are a lot of shoes to fill there and he has not been to nor won the Superbowl yet.  The only 2 really great QB's to not win one are Marino and Kelly.  The best ever?  He has to look up to Bradshaw, Montana, Aikman and Elway  before anyone can claim that for Peyton.  Maybe he will, we will have to see.  Joe Montana was the best QB ever, cool under pressure and very few mistakes and a whole bunch ' o Super Bowl rings.\n\nL.T. by far is the best running back the Chargers have ever had.  But, he too, has a long way to go to stand up to Payton, Brown, Sanders and Thurman.  Walter Payton was the best running back ever.  He NEVER had a really good offensive line and he held the rushing record for a long time before Emmit passed it.  Emmit had a VERY good offensive line for several years, He is good but not as good as a Payton or Barry Sanders.