With the Football World Cup, the biggest single sporting event in the world, beginning in less than 30 days, maybe it’s time to briefly look at the greatest footballer of all.

Most people when you ask them would say Pele. The complete player! Undoubtably he is in the top 5 of every list. Another player who mesmirised the world game was Diego Maradona in the 80’s and early 90’s.

Then many people would say Franz Beckenbauer. The elegant german player who invented the position of “libero” or sweeper. Graceful and some say perfect. He is still the only World Champion player and couch.

Then people could say Johann Cruyf - the dutch master. Or maybe Zinedine Zidane (my favorite) or currently Ronaldinho?

All great players without doubt, but what about Arthur Friedenreich. WHO, you ask?

Some say he was the greatest player of all time.

Born on 18 July 1892 in Sao Paulo the young Arthur was son of a german immigrant (engineer) and a black brazilian mother (cleaner). Thanks to his father being white and german (at the time a wealthy subculture within Sao Paulo) Arthur was the only black person allowed to play for the brazilian national team. He led his country to its first ever international title, the Copa America, in 1919 and again in 1922. He won the national title 7 times. On Brazil’s first trip to Europe they played against France and won 7-2. In 1925 he was claimed to be the “King of Football” by the French.

He scored more goals than any other player EVER! More than Pele, more than Gerd Müller etc. However, he always struggled racism throughout his career.

FIFA voted him as the best striker of the 20th century!