Explore every episode of the podcast Soccer History and Stories Legends

Bobby Charlton is of the most deeply-respected, celebrated and influential footballer ambassadors in the history of the beautiful game and arguably the most naturally gifted English football player ever.

When it comes to debates on the greatest football players of all time, the list is often only two names long: the Brazilian legend Pelé and the one they called the El Pibe de Oro, Diego Armando Maradona.

Edison Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé. His name given as Edison on birth certificate, born 21 October 1940 – however, Pelé himself claims that he was born on 23 October, is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is regarded by many experts, players, and fans as the best player of all time.

The World Cup is the most watched sporting event on Earth. It has made footballers such as Pelé and Diego Maradona into legends. This season's tournament in Qatar is an opportunity for today's players to immortalize themselves on the pages of history.

Soccer, football – whatever you prefer to call it, is a game of passion. It stirs the soul and evokes the strongest of emotions amongst even the toughest of crowds. Unlike the game itself, the history of soccer hasn’t always been so beautiful.

As the most popular mass spectator sport across the world, soccer generates key moments of significance on and off the field, encapsulated in events that create metaphors and memories, with wider social, cultural, psychological, political, commercial and aesthetic implications.