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Football · Level 9: Master · Sub-level 9.92

Pelé, Cruyff & Maradona

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

Three careers in detail: Pelé at Santos, at four World Cups and in New York; Cruyff at Ajax, Barcelona and in 1974; Maradona from Argentinos Juniors to Napoli and two World Cup finals.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Pelé at SantosTake a test

  1. He was born in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, and grew up in Bauru in São Paulo state.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · recall

  2. De Brito had coached Pelé as a boy in Bauru and told Santos he would become the best in the world.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. He was 17 and had just won the World Cup; no one has matched that total in the Paulista since.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. After Pelé beat most of the Fluminense side to score at the Maracanã, a journalist had a plaque made in its honour.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  5. Italian and Spanish clubs were bidding for him; the decree made a transfer abroad politically impossible.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. Their quick exchanges of passes, the 'tabelinha', carried Santos to two Copa Libertadores titles.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. Santos won the play-off at the Maracanã 1-0 without the injured Pelé.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. Debut in 1956, the Libertadores in 1962, the 1,000th goal in 1969 and the farewell in 1974.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. He was 15 at his Santos debut in 1956, 16 against Argentina in 1957 and 17 against Wales in 1958.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. Pelé scored twice in the 3-2 first leg in Rio and three times in the 5-2 win in Lisbon.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 2Pelé's World Cups 1958-66Take a test

  1. His goal was the only one of the match in Gothenburg.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  2. He and Garrincha came into the side for the last group match, which Brazil won 2-0.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. Brazil won 5-2, with Pelé's three goals coming in the second half.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. Amarildo scored twice against Spain and once more in the final.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  5. He scored against Mexico in the opening match and was hurt in the goalless draw that followed.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. Morais's challenges went unpunished and Brazil, down to ten fit men, lost 3-1 and went out.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. Brazil won most of those matches and drew a few, but never lost with both on the pitch.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. A group match, the quarter-final, the semi-final and the final, all in June 1958.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. Fontaine scored 13 for France, Pelé six and Vavá five.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. Brazil beat the hosts 5-2 in Stockholm, Pelé scoring twice.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 3Pelé at the CosmosTake a test

  1. He had left Santos in 1974 and signed for the Cosmos in June 1975.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · recall

  2. The NASL ran from 1968 to 1984; Major League Soccer only began in 1996.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. Steve Ross of Warner and the Ertegun brothers of Atlantic Records bankrolled the club.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. Beckenbauer arrived from Bayern Munich for what became Pelé's last season.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  5. The Cosmos beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in Portland in his final competitive match.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. The two clubs of his career met, and he switched shirts at half-time.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. Chinaglia came from Lazio and became the NASL's all-time leading scorer.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. June 1975, spring 1977 and October 1977.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. Pelé in 1975, Best in 1976, Beckenbauer in 1977 and Cruyff with the Los Angeles Aztecs in 1979.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. Crowds of more than 70,000 watched the Cosmos at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 4Cruyff at AjaxTake a test

  1. Buckingham gave Cruyff his first league game in November 1964, before Rinus Michels arrived.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  2. Milan won 4-1, with Pierino Prati scoring a hat-trick; two years later Ajax won their first final.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. The Romanian took over when Michels left for Barcelona and gave the players more freedom.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. He won it in 1971, 1973 and 1974.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · recall

  5. Coming back from injury, he handed his shirt to Gerrie Mühren, took 14 from the basket and kept it.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. Hurt by the vote at the pre-season training camp, he pushed through his move to Barcelona.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. Rep headed in after four minutes and Ajax completed three European Cups in a row.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. 1971 against Panathinaikos, 1972 in Rotterdam and 1973 against Juventus.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. 1964, 1965, 1969 and 1971.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. Ajax won 2-0 in Rotterdam, a match often cited as Total Football's finest hour.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 5Cruyff the Barcelona playerTake a test

  1. Barcelona paid around six million guilders, more than any club had paid for a player.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  2. Barcelona had not been champions since 1960, and Cruyff was the difference.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. The win in Madrid made Cruyff a Catalan hero and all but settled the title.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. Registering a Catalan name was difficult under Franco; Cruyff's choice was seen as a statement.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  5. Barcelona beat Las Palmas in the final; Cruyff then left for the United States.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. He played a handful of matches for Levante in the second division in 1981.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. Angry that Ajax did not renew his contract, he joined their rivals and won the double at 37.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. Ajax from 1964, Barcelona from 1973, the Aztecs in 1979 and Feyenoord in 1983-84.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. Summer 1973, February 1974 and April 1978.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. He leapt to meet a cross from the right with his heel at head height, a goal still shown on Barcelona's screens.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 6Cruyff and 1974Take a test

  1. Neeskens and Cruyff scored in Dortmund to knock out the holders.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  2. Cruyff had a personal deal with Puma, so he had one of adidas's three stripes removed.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. Cruyff was named player of the tournament although the Netherlands lost the final; Lato was top scorer.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. Müller turned in the box and scored just before half-time.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  5. Two against Argentina and one against Brazil.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · recall

  6. He said in 2008 that an attempt to kidnap him in 1977 changed his view of life; not, as often claimed, a protest against the hosts.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. The final was at the Olympiastadion in Munich on 7 July 1974.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. The opening group match, the first and third games of the second round, then the final.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. Neeskens in the second minute, Breitner after 25 and Müller after 43.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. Cruyff shaped to cross, dragged the ball behind his standing leg and left the defender Jan Olsson behind.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 7Maradona before NapoliTake a test

  1. He grew up in a shack in Villa Fiorito, south of the city.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  2. The 'little onions' were Argentinos Juniors' youth side and went on a long unbeaten run.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. He came on ten days before his 16th birthday and nutmegged an opponent with an early touch.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. Menotti judged him too young; Maradona called it one of the great disappointments of his career.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  5. The tackle earned Goikoetxea the nickname 'the Butcher of Bilbao' and kept Maradona out for months.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. He joined Boca in 1981 and won the title in his only season there before leaving for Spain.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. Frustrated as Argentina lost 3-1, he kicked João Batista and was shown a straight red.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. 1976, 1981, 1982 and 1984.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1982.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. Argentina beat the Soviet Union 3-1 in the final in Tokyo; Ramón Díaz was the top scorer.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 8Maradona at NapoliTake a test

  1. The San Paolo was close to full for a presentation with no match attached.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  2. Bianchi's side won the league and cup double that season.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. The first syllables of the three names spelled 'magic' in Italian.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. It made 1986-87 a league and cup double, a first for a club from the south.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  5. He juggled and danced to the Austrian band's song in front of the cameras before the second leg against Bayern.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. The ban lasted 15 months; when it ended he joined Sevilla.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. The San Paolo took his name days after his death in November 2020.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. Marchesi was in charge when Maradona arrived, Bianchi from 1985 and Bigon from 1989.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. July 1984, May 1987, April 1990 and spring 1991.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. Napoli beat Stuttgart over two legs in the final, their first European trophy.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 9Maradona in 1986 and 1990Take a test

  1. Argentina won 2-0 in Mexico City, three days after the quarter-final against England.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  2. One against Italy, two against England and two against Belgium, plus several assists.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · recall

  3. Matthäus kept him quiet for long spells, but could not stop the pass that won the match.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. François Omam-Biyik headed the goal in Milan, and Cameroon finished the match with nine men.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  5. Maradona ran at the Brazil defence and slipped the ball to Caniggia, who rounded Taffarel.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. Pedro Monzón of Argentina was the first player sent off in a final, and Gustavo Dezotti followed.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. Ephedrine was found after the win over Nigeria, and he was sent home from the United States.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. They beat Brazil, won two shoot-outs and lost the final to a late penalty.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. West Germany had come back from 2-0 down; Burruchaga's goal in the 84th minute won it 3-2.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Test 10The three comparedTake a test

  1. An internet vote favoured Maradona and FIFA's own panel chose Pelé, so both were honoured.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  2. Cruyff won in 1971, 1973 and 1974.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  3. Non-Europeans at European clubs became eligible only in 1995; both later received honorary awards.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  4. Ajax retired the number 14 in his honour in 2007.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · recall

  5. John Huston's film about a match against a German side in wartime Paris used many real players.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  6. From 1995 to 1998 he pushed through the 'Pelé Law' on players' contracts and club governance.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  7. O Rei was Pelé, El Matador was Mario Kempes and El Príncipe was Enzo Francescoli.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  8. Pelé won three, Maradona one and Cruyff none, losing the 1974 final.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  9. Pelé was born in 1940, Cruyff in 1947 and Maradona in 1960.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

  10. Cruyff died in Barcelona in March 2016, Maradona in November 2020 and Pelé in December 2022.

    Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona · applied

Sources

FIFA and UEFA official records / club records / contemporary match reports / published histories and biographies / audited club accounts

  • Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona100