Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as the soccer genius Pele, is the most famous footballer of all time. He played on three World Cup-winning teams with Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970) and helped launch soccer in America when he came out of retirement to play for the Cosmos in 1975.

Runner-up: Diego Maradona.

Worthy of consideration: Walt Frazier, Guy Lafleur, Zinedine Zidane.