Kinda hard to make a good decision ... of all three, they were a part of the start of television, not the day of the television ruling the game, and as such, you don't see as much of what they did as we can these days, with Messi, Mbappe, and even that number 7. But Maradona, like Pele just a wee bit before him, were known to be able to run the whole field and get around every player and then even score. it's kinda sad that he is thought of as a cheat, when the best part of his game was his ability to be in the right place to be able to do something, and score. All the greats did that and then some!

The only sad thing, is that Maradona was not a good passer, and as he got older, he became like that number 7 ... kinda waiting for the ball to show up so they could do one thing or two ... a bit too late. Pele, however, was a very good passer and worked a line (Coutinho, Pele and Pepe) that were outstanding passers and they helped each other tremendously. 

But it's really hard to argue against Cruyff, specially since he ended up coaching and did just about as well ... and added to the game. The others, like the way we look at Messi, 7 and Mbappe ... all look like freaks on the field, and I doubt they will make good coaches later on, though Messi is possibly a good candidate as he has an outstanding feel for passing ... but only is he can teach that ... which might be too difficult to "find" when so much of it was instinctive and not a mental exercise.

I prefer Gary Lineker, as he's a more orthodox player, although there's no reason why his religion should come into it. 

Hi,

WOW ... a new religion ... the religion of THE FOOT! 

(... with Monty Python cartoons on it, too!)

Maradona, despite that "hand of god" thing and a sad life outside the field afterwards.

But his slaloms between the opponents are pure magic.

I don' remember Cruyff all that much (I was in Canada during most of his playing career), but I do remember the chain-smoking coach in Barcelona.

Ah yes, I remember the wit and wisdom of Eric Cantona:- "When seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they know sardines will be thrown into the sea."