Meetings with remarkable men

PELE’S visit to Ireland this week reminded me that I’ve been lucky enough to meet with the five footballers I consider to be the greatest of all time: George Best, Maradona, Johann Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane and ‘El Rei’ himself.

I interviewed the Brazilian legend in Dublin in 1994 when he was on a whirlwind tour of Europe to promote a credit card company who were major sponsors of the forthcoming World Cup in the US.

When I was shown into the room where our chat was to take place, I found the Brazilian absorbed in watching a compilation video of great moments in international football and, just as I approached him, what should pop up only a clip of Ronnie Whelan’s memorable goal for Ireland against the Soviet Union at Euro ‘88, the great man, like any fan, wide-eyed and giving an approving ‘ooh’ as the ball hit the back of the net.