THE LIST: The greatest players in the history of football, Nos 10-1

Lionel Messi staked his claim to be regarded as greatest player in the world with a sublime performance in the Champions League final.

• The Barcelona forward was in breathtaking form as he guided the Spanish giants to victory over Manchester United in Rome.
• Messi’s display again prompted comparisons with his Argentina hero Diego Maradona, one of the game’s true superstars.
• But just who are the greatest players to ever grace the sport?
• In our latest List, Sportsmail’s team of experts have selected the Top 50 footballers in history.
• This was clearly no easy task and there were stacks of legendary men who failed to make the cut. Now it’s your turn – please tell us your greatest ever players by leaving your comments below or on our message boards.
• The elegant yet dominant midfielder was twice European footballer of the year and captained West Germany World Cup glory in 1974.

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• Di Stéfano, nicknamed ‘Blond Arrow’ was the force behind Real Madrid’s domination of European football in the 50s. Helping them to five – that’s FIVE – successive European Cup victories.

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• The engine room of England’s victorious World Cup winning side of 1966, and remains the national side’s all-time top goal scorer.

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• Top goal scorer and voted best player at the European Championships of 1984. Regarded as one of the best passers and finishers of all time.   
• Scored 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary and 157 goals in 182 games for Real Madrid. Puskas definitely knew where the goal was.

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• Top goal scorer and voted best player at the European Championships of 1984. Regarded as one of the best passers and finishers of all time.   
• Scored 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary and 157 goals in 182 games for Real Madrid. Puskas definitely knew where the goal was.
• FIFA World player of the year three times, World Cup and European Championship winner. ‘Zizou’ was always famed for using his head and, in the end, he used it a bit too much.

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• Perhaps the greatest British footballer to ever live, Best never played at a World Cup but made up for this involving himself in many extra-curricular ‘activities.’   

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• The Dutch master was the catalyst for a great era in his country’s football history. So good, he even had a football turn named after him. Nice.

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• A career dotted with magical moments and controversy in equal measures, no better highlighted than at Mexico in 1986, when his ‘Hand of God’ goal was followed minutes later by one of the greatest goals of all time.
• Officially the greatest player of all time. Why? Helping Brazil to three World Cups is more than enough for this footballing legend.