# Pelé, Cruyff & Maradona · Football Level 9: Master

Football · Level 9: Master · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/football/level-9/pele-cruyff-maradona/)

Pelé, Cruyff & Maradona in Football (Level 9: Master) on Insporta: 100 sourced facts behind 10 tests. Covers: pelé at santos; and more.

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.

## Test 1: Pelé at Santos

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## Test 2: Pelé's World Cups 1958-66

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## Test 3: Pelé at the Cosmos

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- June 1975, spring 1977 and October 1977. (Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona)
- 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)
- 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)

## Test 4: Cruyff at Ajax

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- He won it in 1971, 1973 and 1974. (Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 1964, 1965, 1969 and 1971. (Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona)
- 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)

## Test 5: Cruyff the Barcelona player

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Summer 1973, February 1974 and April 1978. (Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona)
- 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)

## Test 6: Cruyff and 1974

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Two against Argentina and one against Brazil. (Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## Test 7: Maradona before Napoli

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 1976, 1981, 1982 and 1984. (Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona)
- 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1982. (Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona)
- 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)

## Test 8: Maradona at Napoli

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## Test 9: Maradona in 1986 and 1990

- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

## Test 10: The three compared

- 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)
- Cruyff won in 1971, 1973 and 1974. (Source: Club and FIFA records; biographies and contemporary reports on Pelé, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)

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

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