Greatest Soccer Players of all Time

partyguinness

jmayo wrote: »

I think Ulysses Gaze and later Nerdlingr gave the best response to your point.

Maradona took a team that had won nothing and they were competing in probably the best league in the world.
Juventus in 1985 had beaten Liverpool in the infamous Hysel European Cup final.
Roma had lost to Liverpool in 1984.

Platini was playing for Juve up to 1987.
Rummenigge was playing for Inter upto 1987.
As Trappatoni's Juventus dominance was coming to an end, Berlusconi's Milan arrived with the Dutch trio of van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard and homegrown talent of the likes of Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, Donadoni, Ancelotti.
Sacchi's Milan team of 89-90 was once voted the club team of all time.
Remind you of Barca's accolades ?
Inter added the Germans Matthaus and Brehme in 1988 with Klinsmann arriving in 89.
They had Italian long term stalwarts such as Zenga, Bergomi, Ferri, Berti.

Meanwhile Napoli most well know guys apart from Maradona were Brazilian Careca, and Italian internaionals Ferrara, Bagni, De Napoli.
Not exactly overflowing with famous names.

For anyone old enough that used to watch Seria A highlights on Monday nights TV some of those names will definitely ring a few bells.

***Virtual high five***

The first game I can remeber watching was the 86 WC final. I started following football seriously just before Euro 88. My father was well into it and I rememebr him listeing to the qualifiers on the radio and it all being too much (Bulgaria esp). I watched the now legendary Bulgaria v Scotland qualifier and Michael Lyster tearing up his script live on TV after the game in delight....:)

For me, the player with the greatest presence on a pitch was without a doubt was Diego Maradona. I swear you could wheel him out today and just have him stand in the centre circle for 90 mins and Argentina would drive on to win the world cup. The WC in 94 should have been won by Argentina but that's a different story.

I think the only player that has come close to sheer presence in the past 20 years is Zidane. He is not as good as Maradona but my God he had presence.

TBH honest, we should have Top 5 for each position. Not ideal, but here goes, my top 5 is going to be within the past 26 years:

1. Maradona
2. Messi (I have found myself standing up and applauding in the living room)
3. Zidane. Aforementioned
4. Maldini. Say no more....what a legend
5. Mattheaus. Hard bastard and any player who playes international for 20 years has to get on my list. Was fortunate to see him play live.

I am taking a more rounded approach and not just based on pure technical abilty.

5.

Skylinehead

M!Ck^ wrote: »

OO Del Perio forgot all about that legend, wikid shot he had

There's an entire section of the goal named after him for a reason. Class act.

partyguinness

Even though I included Zidane in my list, the one thing that nags at me was the amount of times he gave away the ball.

What I loved about Maradona was that he loved the game. He loved playing and just got on with it. His love for the game was infectious. Yes toward the end he got more cynical and narky but really it was due to the constant kicking he got.

He was such a huge personality that it's highly unlikely we will ever see that likes again we will never see the likes again.

I have a hard on...:o

extra gravy

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

James Richardson.

Great show.

Brilliant show, was my introduction to Italian football. Used to look forward to seeing Batistuta's goals every weekend...still have a soft spot for the Viola thanks to him. Back to the greatest players, would love to have seen this guy in the flesh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJYXvqenhVs

Nerdlingr

M!Ck^ wrote: »

Loved that tune (Goooalll Lazioooo or something like that) & show on Channel 4 & TnG I think, what was the baldy headed guys name again??

Chooooooooooooooooooooooon!!!
Best into music EVER!
Ah the memories...:rolleyes:

A_Sober_Paddy

In my lifetime

Ronaldo(Brazilian)
Messi
C. Ronaldo
Zidane(Great Player,but never a fan of him as a person)
Maldini(I remember his later years the best, but possible the greatest defender to ever lace up a pair of boots)

Tipsy McSwagger

Brazilian Ronaldo was so good that when he was off form Brazil lost a World Cup final but when he was on form they won one.

Nerdlingr

Nerdlingr wrote: »

Chooooooooooooooooooooooon!!!
Best into music EVER!
Ah the memories...:rolleyes:

This is getting converted for my ringtone :cool:

Nerdlingr

M!Ck^ wrote: »

This is getting converted for my ringtone :cool:

Ha ha, I'm actually doing the same!! :pac:

Forgot to Mention Roberto Baggio (other than his peno miss)

and Francesco Totti. Amazing to watch.

M!Ck^

M!Ck^ wrote: »

And the fact that at the time, Italian football was at it's strongest. Loved the piece he used to do on the Italian Tabloid reports.

should have posted this;
See @ approx 3.25 mark.

I ended up watching the lot out of nostalgia.
Peter Brackley had a great tone to his voice when commentating.
He was also the legend behind some hilarious commentary in Pro Evolution soccer on the PS2 :P

Jesus Wept

PHil BAbb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJNhkJIqCQE

The Golden Miller

All these people mentioning C. Ronaldo as one of the top players of all time, seriously need to cop the fcuk on. The lad isn't even close. Further away to it than I am of walking to Mars. Not even fit to lace the boots of some of the more modern mercurial greats like Del Piero, Nedved, Baggio, Hagi, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Zidane, Van Basten, Batistuta, Pirlo, Romario, Stoichov and so many many many many more. That's before you even get into the Maradona's, Pele's, Cruyff's and Platini's of this world. Seriously, anyone who ranks C. Ronaldo even close to anywhere near the top 5 off all time, pull your head out of your arse, and get a fcuking proper footballing education. Clowns

Hank Scorpio

SM01

Well i wasn't expecting that! I respectfully disagree about C. Ronaldo. Begrudgingly I admit that he is a stunning player. He has amazing awareness and skill, he's a consumate professional and a monster of an athlete. He's just consistently brilliant and it's hard to find a flaw. I'm not sure what more can the man do to be accepted as one of the greats.

inforfun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vashrNoXTE

Exactly 25 years ago today.

The greatest i have seen play.

carraig2

Ronaldo
C Ronaldo
Zidane
Maradonna
BERGKAMP (all day every day)

Unearthly

The Golden Miller wrote: »

All these people mentioning C. Ronaldo as one of the top players of all time, seriously need to cop the fcuk on. The lad isn't even close. Further away to it than I am of walking to Mars. Not even fit to lace the boots of some of the more modern mercurial greats like Del Piero, Nedved, Baggio, Hagi, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Zidane, Van Basten, Batistuta, Pirlo, Romario, Stoichov and so many many many many more. That's before you even get into the Maradona's, Pele's, Cruyff's and Platini's of this world. Seriously, anyone who ranks C. Ronaldo even close to anywhere near the top 5 off all time, pull your head out of your arse, and get a fcuking proper footballing education. Clowns

Late night drinks Eamon?