Cool Hunting

At the start of the World Cup, we asked you who was the coolest footballer ever. We got loads of entries from all over the world, ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. There were plenty of votes for Pele, and while he is one of the greatest players ever, some of his fellow countrymen beat him in the cool stakes. The final list of names bring something extra than just sweet skills.

Our runners up, who each get to pick a Gelaskin for their iPod, plumped for the likes of Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Garrincha, Marco Van Basten and George Best (all in the banner above).

Our top-prize-winning entry from Lee M. in NYC describes in one succinct sentence, Brazil's Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, more simply known as Sócrates: "For the name, the beard, the shorts and the chain smoking for the few occasions he was actually on the bench--a jinga de verdade, (loosely translated as a truly elegant player)."

May we add that he was also his country's incredibly elegant captain, wore a headband like no other, and was a qualified medical doctor. Too cool.

As well as a Gelaskin, Lee will also receive a top from the Umbro by Kim Jones World Cup capsule collection and the soundtrack CD to Once In A Lifetime.