My Ten All Time Greats
by Mark Lawrenson


MIRROR columnist Mark Lawrenson reckons the Hall Of Fame is long overdue and says: "It's about time the world's finest game had the means to recognise its all-time greats."

The former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland defender adds: "I watch thousands of players every year in my Mirror role, plus my work for Match Of The Day and Radio Five. This is how I see my heroes:

1. PELE: I defy anyone to choose their ten all-time greats without including Pele. He was quite simply the best there ever was, an absolute genius.

2. GEORGE BEST: He probably came as close as anyone. Say what you like about his antics off the field, but I've never seen anyone with so much natural ability.

3. JOHAN CRUYFF: He had incredible control and an unerring eye for an opening. He made the most complicated things look easy.

4. BOBBY MOORE: The finest English footballer of all time. Read the game like a book and he had class stamped all over him.

5. FRANZ BECKENBAUER: Like Moore, he was an impeccable ambassador for the game and so calm under pressure.

6. KENNY DALGLISH: Incredible natural talent, but he worked so hard to make the most of it.

7. BOBBY CHARLTON: The player who fired my imagination as a schoolboy and really inspired me to become a footballer.

8. LEV YASHIN: I think it's only fair to include at least one goalkeeper in my top ten and the guy I've gone for is the incredible Russian.

9. DIEGO MARADONA: He's destroyed his reputation in recent years, but there's no way you could ignore his claims.

10. MARCO VAN BASTEN: My final selection is a guy whose career was ended by injury, but makes it on the strength of three magical years.'