Pele, the Brazil World Cup legend, has hailed Ronaldinho, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo as the most exciting players in modern football.

Ronaldinho, the Barcelona forward, has long been considered one of the top players on the planet, winning the Fifa World Player of the Year award in 2005 and 2006, while Kaka of AC Milan and Manchester United’s Ronaldo have seen their stock rise considerably in the past two years with a string of stunning displays both in the Champions League and their respective domestic leagues in Italy and England.

But the 67-year-old, who was speaking in Sheffield to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Sheffield FC, the world’s oldest football club, was also quick to lavish praise on French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who he describes as the best player he has seen in the past 15 years.

While hailing his majestic ability Pele also revealed his sadness about the way Zidane’s career ended when he was dismissed in the World Cup Final for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi, the Italy defender.

“There are so many good players at the moment, like Ronaldinho, Kaka and Ronaldo,” Pele said.

“But in the last 15 years the top player was Zidane, no doubt. Unfortunately it wasn’t a good ending for him and he didn’t have the control. The way he acted was bad.

“Ronaldinho has been the best after Zidane. Now we have Kaka, who has had a very good two years.”