Maradona is the greatest.

Andrew, Beijing, China

The only thing that made Maradona notorious was the hand of God? What about his Napoli years? He only had one buddy to play with: Careca. Do you think tha Pelé could acomplished such a journey without Didí, Zagalo, Garrincha, Pepe, Coutinho, Rivelinho, Jairzinho and Tostao?

Francisco Appiani, Buenos Aires, Argentina

As for cheating England out of that WC anyone remember Terry Butcher saying England's plan was to kick Maradona off the field? How does premeditatedly trying to injure the opposing side's genius compare to a spur of the moment hand ball in terms of cheating? Mara more sinned against than sinning

Andrew, Cork,

Of course Engalnd were good enough to win in 1986! They had greats such as Steve Hodge and Peter Reid controlling midfield!!

John Bunny, Dublin,

Both were exceptionally talented players, but Pele will always be the greatest as he was a role model as well as a great footballer, conducting himself well off the pitch.

Oh, and John Bunny, I think you'll find most english fans know we didn't win it because we weren't good enough to.

Alex, London,

There is nothing to compare. Maradona against Pele. Pele has won everything since he starts playing. his team Santos and Brazil Team has dominate football for years with him. Also no compare in the numbers, goals etc...
Before Maradona, I choose Garrincha and 5 more.
Pele is the King......

John, Beijing, China

Every person has virtues and flaws. Pele is a person whose virtues overwhelm his flaws, Maradona is the opposite. If Maradona doesn’t like what someone say about him, he should take it as an indication that he has to improve his behaviour instead of “lashing out” against the critic. I don’t know which one of them has more talent but I know that Pele has more achievements.

Fabio C, London, UK

Thanks for your note John.
England won the 1966 final 4 - 2, so even if the goal had been discounted they still would have won the world cup.
In the 1986 quarter final, by contrast, the score was 2 - 1 to Argentina, meaning Maradona's handball had effectively won the match.

Ed, Edinburgh,

"Notorious for his "Hand of God" goal"?
Maradona is notorious for a bit more than that, namely, for being the greatest football player in the world

CM, London, UK

And the second goal against england ?

defty, London,

So, who was the greatest: Pele, Maradona, Zidane or di Stefano? As Harry Hill would say: "there's only one way to find out ..."

Paul Randall, Chichester, West Sussex

Maradona exposes the classic English "blame culture". In their eyes it was his fault that England lost the '86 World Cup! If German fans/media kept referencing the 1966 final and the non-goal that Geoff Hurst "scored" I think the media in the UK may have an alternate view. Hipocricy at its best.

John Bunny, Dublin,

The trouble is that, in England, I am afraid that his genius will always be shadowed by the feeling that he cheated England out of a good chance at the World Cup. After all, we did not really see him play for clubs and rarely in international matches we cared about. Then again, I doubt he cares...

David, Kabul,

I think Deigo Maradona is exceptionally talented footballer ever to grace this world. In my opinion, though some may not agree, he is far more talented than Pele (with due respect to GENIUS, Pele).Pele is more famous because of his good off-field behaviour, he is no doubt a good ambassador to sports

Suresh, Huntingdon, United Kingdom

Maradona isn't notorious for his Hand of God goal. No, he's exceptionally famous for his footballing genius. Just as virtually every player one could mention who's taken a dive isn't notorious for that one act.

Andrew, Cork,