Who, they wondered, is the best player in the world; someone so gifted that he could be set apart from the rest to become the footballer of footballers, but almost as soon as the question was posed, the answer arrived in the shape of a young Brazilian starlet who had so many names that just one was chosen for him - Pele.
For several years, Pele was internationally renowned as the king of football players, and yet this was an era with no shortage of contenders for the crown.
After what seemed an eternity as the top dog, and as he was entering the twilight of his career, a new king of football emerged, a European this time; a classy and gifted son of Oranje, Dutchman Johan Cruyff, and his reign, like Pele`s before him, was universally acclaimed.
With better international television coverage, it became possible for the football public to see more of the contenders for the accolade of the game`s finest performer, and the successor to Cruyff; Argentinian, Diego Maradona, God`s gift to football, was also on a different level from the rest, an undisputed footballing deity.
Pele, Cruyff and Maradona were monarchs of all they surveyed during their eras, but now, with worldwide coverage of football piped into every home that wants it, the picture has clouded somewhat, and the world`s best player is not necessarily an obvious choice.
We`ve seen the Brazilian Ronaldo, Zidane and Ronaldinho accorded top spot in the world, but not with as wide a range of opinion backing them as was enjoyed by Pele, Cruyff and Maradona.
Presently, we have Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka vying for the top position, but the mere fact that there is a contest suggests that an obvious choice is not present, either that or we`re too familiar with the candidates and have become over-critical.
Perhaps we are unconsciously looking for someone who is the best there has ever been, and while Kaka and Messi have their undoubted attributes, neither is likely to surpass the big three; Pele, Cruyff and Maradona, for greatness.
We each have an opinion on who is best, but if there was a player out there who was a genuine standout, surely our opinions would coincide, as used to be the case, to laud the new king - or are we too intimate with each candidate nowadays to call it as we truly see it?