Greatest footballers of all time

[Falcon]

THE TOP 25 PLAYERS OF ALL TIME (according to 'The Greatest Ever Footballers')

1 Pele.............................Brazil
2 Ronaldo........................Brazil
3 Romario........................Brazil
4 Luis Figo.......................Portugal
5 Zinedine Zidane...............France
6 Diego Maradona..............Argentina
7 Lothar Matteus...............Germany
8 Gerd Muller...................Germany
9 Franz Beckenbauer...........Germany
10 Cafu..........................Brazil
11 Roberto Carlos..............Brazil
12 Marco van Basten...........Holland
13 Michel Platini................France
14 Rivaldo.......................Brazil
15 Paolo Maldini.................Italy
16 Zico...........................Brazil
17 Raul...........................Spain
18 Ruud Gullit...................Holland
19 Eusebio.......................Portugal
20 Ferenc Puskas...............Hungary/Spain
21 Johan Cruyff.................Holland
22 Alfredo di Stefano...........Argentina/Spain
23 Bobby Charlton...............England
24 Jurgen Klinsmann............Germany
25 Kenny Dalglish................Scotland


The results are based, firstly, on ‘A’ international appearances - and each appearance is awarded points that are weighted by the following criteria:
* Team played for – For example, appearances for more successful countries (Brazil and Argentina for example) count for more than less successful countries. Being in winning teams and progressing further in international competition also weighs heavier.
* More points from competitive matches over friendlies.
* Captaining your country earns more points.
* Appearances as substitute do not count as much as starts.
* Players who score goals, or keepers and defenders that keep clean sheets are awarded extra points.

Secondly, players pick up points when their team – at domestic or international level – achieves honours.

Thirdly, individual honours – such as FIFA World Player of the Year and English Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year – are also counted.

Lies, damn lies and stats, but I like this list with few exceptions: e.g. Raul has only made it because he played in a star studded team. I'd suppose since United won't win anything, and neither will Portugal, that Christiano will never reach these dizzy heights.

from http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A29619147

[Ali]

hmmn........most of those players i never had the opportunity to see play football :|

i wonder which of the current footballers, if any at all, will make the list in say 10 years :?

[Falcon]

messi

[Scorpio]

Maradona should be higher up, prob second simply bec he carried an otherwise ordinary Argentina team pracically by himself. Are there any other memorable players from Argentina's 1986 winning team ? No, not one !!

[Ali]

kaka and fabregas

[Falcon]

Many would say Batistuta was on top of his game around Diego's time. Ain't that so sacky?

I can't see Kaka or Febregas there based on even the best current form...look at two years ago...there was nothing except light that could come close to Ronaldinho...and now?? 8-)

[Acid]

They have put Romario and Figo against Maradona!

Diego was always the man who carried his team whether it be national or club - He even took Napoli from obscurity into champions in Serie A, Coppa Italia (doing the double in 1987) and UEFA Cup.

Criteria:
1* Team played for – For example, appearances for more successful countries (Brazil and Argentina for example) count for more than less successful countries. Being in winning teams and progressing further in international competition also weighs heavier.
2* More points from competitive matches over friendlies.
3* Captaining your country earns more points.
4* Appearances as substitute do not count as much as starts.
5* Players who score goals, or keepers and defenders that keep clean sheets are awarded extra points.

I think Maradona has done all from 1 to 5.

[Scorpio]

Many would say Batistuta was on top of his game around Diego's time. Ain't that so sacky?



Didn't Basistuta come after Maradona ? Circa 1994 World Cup ?

btw, I noticed you didn't answer my pm's but that cool......

[Ali]

i cyah see how figo higher than zidane :shock:

[sacky]

diego amando maradona,far and above any thing we have seen on a football pitch :evil: :evil: :evil:

[King B]

I will have to laugh at any list that doesn't include Hristo Stoichkov - Bulgeria. That man was brilliant.

[sacky]

and the uruguyan enzo francescolli

[Scorpio]

Enzo Schifo of Belgium.

[Falcon]

if we start calling second tier players then I will join in:
Hagi
Hakan 'Sukerman' Sukur

[Ali]

he's from Turkey ent^ :?

[sacky]

:D :D you real young in true,so from now on is lil falco :D

[lyndon]

Maradona should be higher up, prob second simply bec he carried an otherwise ordinary Argentina team pracically by himself. Are there any other memorable players from Argentina's 1986 winning team ? No, not one !!

Not only that but he helped transform Napoli into a soccer power house when he played for them.....

[The Lumbergh]

Cafu and Roberto Carlos ahead of Cruyff, Charlton and DiStefano..

George Best not even in the top 20?

Theres a lot wrong with that list...

[Scorpio]

Roberto Baggio should be in there too.

[Scorpio]

aye and I just realised that Ronaldhino not on that list too :shock:

[guyguy]

Aye, Falcon; There can be only ONE greatest of anything of ALL TIME. There can be the greatest of the day, month, year, decade, century, but of ALL TIME, there cannot be more than ONE. The word greatest is the superlative and therefore, refers to a single entity. So, the "greatest" footballers [plural], is in itself incorrect and shows that the user has an extremely poor knowledge of the meaning of the word itself. ;) ;) ;)

[Falcon]

Not really Einstein, because any group, regardless of group size, is indeed a separate entity. You can have the greatest group of footballers, and that group in this case includes how many ever players the book decided.

The fact that they didn't spell it out like I have, means that they thought you were of average intelligence enough that it would not have gone over your head. Alas :P .

Great, greater, greatest, students companion rote.
You didn't get the terms of use, of which you must now take note.

ah heading for yuh thread with a red ink marker now! stewwps!!

[Scorpio]

Allyuh is de greatest yes. steups !

[guyguy]

Not really Einstein, because any group, regardless of group size, is indeed a separate entity. You can have the greatest group of footballers, and that group in this case includes how many ever players the book decided.

The fact that they didn't spell it out like I have, means that they thought you were of average intelligence enough that it would not have gone over your head. Alas :P .

Great, greater, greatest, students companion rote.
You didn't get the terms of use, of which you must now take note.

ah heading for yuh thread with a red ink marker now! stewwps!!
The greatest footballers of all time is what was stated. There was no specificity such as the greatest group of footballers of all time. Journalistic precision is your pet peeve, as is mine, therefore, the idiosyncratic demarcation of the phrase "greatest footballers of "ALL TIME" is simply incorrect. The greatest "GROUP" of footballers of "ALL TIME" would be correct.

Put that in yuh pipe and smoke it Sherlock! :) :) :)

[sacky]

ah falco,now you is sherlock :D

[Falcon]

Sherlock Gomes......... Larry bredder. :D

Guy, ah tell yuh what it mean, ah tell yuh the assumptions that the reader is supposed to have. How is that in any universe comparable to a blatantly incorrect fact or use of language? Ah tell yuh what: dis the idiosyncratic demarcation of the phrase "greatest footballers of "ALL TIME" is simply incorrect ent too wholesome in itself and represents the proverbial house that you, my young David, are putting at risk when using your sling. :D
And anudder ting, dis ent no serious thread eh, okay? So keep any serious response to the barest minimum, okay? This thread is for picong and ponging.......OKAY?? :mrgreen:

[Scorpio]

^^^ This is what happens when an un moveable force meets an indestructible object :D

[Falcon]

Scorpio, dat man have belly! OKAY? 8-)

[Scorpio]

Falcon, leave me outta this yes, I just on de sidelines getting kicks. :D

[Falcon]

Yuh done in it already, doan mek hexcuse now!

[guyguy]

Sherlock Gomes......... Larry bredder. :D

Guy, ah tell yuh what it mean, ah tell yuh the assumptions that the reader is supposed to have. How is that in any universe comparable to a blatantly incorrect fact or use of language? Ah tell yuh what: dis the idiosyncratic demarcation of the phrase "greatest footballers of "ALL TIME" is simply incorrect ent too wholesome in itself and represents the proverbial house that you, my young David, are putting at risk when using your sling. :D
And anudder ting, dis ent no serious thread eh, okay? So keep any serious response to the barest minimum, okay? This thread is for picong and ponging.......OKAY?? :mrgreen:
Okay den. YUH RELL DOTISH! Yuh say de reader suppose tuh ASSUME? Wat dey say bout ASSUME again? :) :) :)

[Falcon]

who is dey?
If people tell you something then 'member it and tell d forum, stop blaming dey!!! :P

[guyguy]

who is dey?
If people tell you something then 'member it and tell d forum, stop blaming dey!!! :P
Lemme clarify fuh hard head den - ah have tuh excuse yuh sense yuh went Pres an ting na. "Dey" iz ME. Wen yuh ASSUME, yuh makin ah "ASS" owta "U" an "ME." An sense everyboddy know dat I iz ah ass arreddy, wat dat leave? Eh? Comprendo? :D :D :D

[sacky]

eh eh falco,dont paly worm and wiggle out of this, :roll:

[Falcon]

Ah tink dat means you are Ass squared. Because dat cap nah fit me.

Is dat the correck ansah?

aa, look Wednesday poking fiyah, take care you ent get bun too! :P

[guyguy]

Ah tink dat means you are Ass squared. Because dat cap nah fit me.

Is dat the correck ansah?

aa, look Wednesday poking fiyah, take care you ent get bun too! :P
Yuh see how we Naps men does have tuh read an spell fuh alyuh Pres ... ammm ... ammm ... fellas? Jess now yuh go make me hole meh head an bawl in frustration oui. Boy, why yuh doh go an take ah dip dong "back-ah-dey" sense allyuh cyar swim in dat big pool all ah allyuh spen so much money tuh build? Eh ? Eh? Iz rell dotishness ah seein' here in troot oui. Steuppes .... :D :D :D

[The Lumbergh]

I will have to laugh at any list that doesn't include Hristo Stoichkov - Bulgeria. That man was brilliant.

The same Stoichkov who made 'ooga ooga' noises and monkey impressions at Marcel Desailly when Bulgaria played France at Euro 96...

Great player, but not a great man...

[dancerboy]

GUYGUY, YOU AND FALCON ARE THE GREATEST DEBATERS ON THIS FORUM, BUT I THINK FALCON IS THE GREATEST DEBATER I HAVE EVER MET. DANCERBOY

[guyguy]

GUYGUY, YOU AND FALCON ARE THE GREATEST DEBATERS ON THIS FORUM, BUT I THINK FALCON IS THE GREATEST DEBATER I HAVE EVER MET. DANCERBOY
He's ah rell Master...bater in troot. Dey had ah special class fuh dat wey he went tuh skool buh ah hear he fail dat. :D :D :D

[dancerboy]

GUYGUY, YOU AND FALCON ARE THE GREATEST DEBATERS ON THIS FORUM, BUT I THINK FALCON IS THE GREATEST DEBATER I HAVE EVER MET. DANCERBOY
He's ah rell Master...bater in troot. Dey had ah special class fuh dat wey he went tuh skool buh ah hear he fail dat. :D :D :D
GUYGUY, I GUESS U PASS DAT 'HANDS DOWN' DANCERBOY

[guyguy]

GUYGUY, I GUESS U PASS DAT 'HANDS DOWN' DANCERBOY
Nah. It waz Hands Up an ah always come fuss too even doh ah waz jess 11 years ole at de time. It waz soooo satisfyin' comin' fuss - still is. Falco still tryin' buh ah fella tell meh he jess cyar make. :D :D :D

[Falcon]

Aye Guy, DANCER is the final judge here, so don't fight facts. :lol:

And wham, yuh caan make wid me yuh attacking the judge now? You need to take aim again, and go after your real TARGET, because, after all, THE TARGET REMAINS!! :mrgreen:

Ah sure KFC done tell you areddy, try yh bess.

DANCER, who yuh tink is the best footballer out of the rest of the best?
I missed that Stoichkov incident but if true, that man is a real piece of work. I write he off since them knock Germany out the WOrld Cup. I gave up a day at Las Cuevas with all the family for that! At least ah cry by meself home.

[Falcon]

Lemme clarify fuh hard head den - "Dey" iz ME.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
:D Aye.........maaaannnn...........I like reading what you have to (not) contribute to this forum!!!!!! Hahahahaha.......post on!! :D

[guyguy]

Aye Guy, DANCER is the final judge here, so don't fight facts. :lol:

And wham, yuh caan make wid me yuh attacking the judge now? You need to take aim again, and go after your real TARGET, because, after all, THE TARGET REMAINS!! :mrgreen: .

Laaawwwddd !!!! Wat iz it dey teech yuh orn dat hill boy? Eh? You see me attackin' DANCERBOY? Ent ah agree wit de man dat you iz de bess Master ... bater? All ah say iz dat ah hear dat yuh flunk dat class in skool. Dat doh mean dat yuh not ah better Master...bater dan me. Take win man. Ah concede dat point long time now. Yuh rite doh; THE TARGET REMAINS! Ent? :D :D :D

[dancerboy]

GUYGUY AND FALCON, U GUYS REAL FUNNY. REMEBER I AM DE JUDGE, AND DE JUDGE'S DECISION IS FINAL. However, the greatest footballer is ROHNALDINO(BRAZIL), however, he did not perform as well at the last worl cup. DANCERBOY

[guyguy]

GUYGUY AND FALCON, U GUYS REAL FUNNY. REMEBER I AM DE JUDGE, AND DE JUDGE'S DECISION IS FINAL. DANCERBOY
Jess ah FYI;
The lass fella who set heself op as JUDGE between Falcon an me ... 'bout 7 years ago ... ah hear he end op as part ah de foundation fuh de new waterfront in POS eh. An DAT decision was FINAL! Ah onlee sayin' wat ah hear, eh, sense ah doh know fuh sure. Falcon mite know doh. Ah hear he boys op orn dat hill does still back he op. :D :D :D

[Scorpio]

:D

[Somebody007]

How come nobody on the forum talk about Eric Cantona?

[Falcon]

Cause he can only be a mega-star in england...like Best??

[Somebody007]

Cause he can only be a mega-star in england...like Best??



lol....ah wouldn't mine getting one of he old Man United jerserys though....it might cost ah fortune but if they bring back he jersey and Pele I sure haddah buy one.

[Falcon]

Yep,that would be worth a pretty penny.....

[Chicabonita]

Diego Maradona without no doubt.


Are there any other memorable players from Argentina's 1986 winning team ? No, not one !!

What about Burruchaga?

[Falcon]

I met Burruchaga on a cruise about 3 years ago.....Alvin Corneal introduced me.
Chica, like a bee to honey, I could have guessed you'd post on this thread sooner than later.

[Chicabonita]

Chica, like a bee to honey, I could have guessed you'd post on this thread sooner than later.

Of course! I am a football fan. ;) I think Burruchaga did a pretty decent job. From the 90's Canniggia was magnificent.

[The Lumbergh]

Cause he can only be a mega-star in england...like Best??

Yeah, not to mention over 20 goals for French national side. Cantona's influence is still there at Old Trafford, 10 years after his retirement. People like Beckham, Scholes, Giggs etc. all learned from him. He created a legacy, he transformed United from being a 'good cup side' to a team that is now back to being the powerhouse they once were under Sir Mat Busby.

Cantona was also regarded as a great player in his native France. AC Milan tried to sign him from Auxerre, Cruyff tried to hijack his move to Marseille...Cruyff would try and sign him again for Barcelona in '95 along with Inter Milan while Eric was serving his 8 month ban. You don't attract interest like that for being average.

Best??? Only famous in England?

Your argument is severely flawed.

Pele called Bestie one of the greatest players in the World. People like to make ill informed opinions on players based purely on their performances for their country in various World Cups. Pele was undoubtedly a great player, as was Maradona...but Pele will always have the albatross of not having being tested in European Club football around his neck. It was unfortunate that Best was born in N. Ireland as they were not a great footballing nation and very rarely qualified for major tournaments. But to say the man was only famous in England is absurd. His death made headlines all over the world. Bestie won it all as a player at club level and did it on on the European stage at club level. Every footballing legend still alive refers to him as one of the greatest players who ever lived. Giggs never played in an international tournament, yet many regard him as a true great, Giggs (good as he is) is not a better player than Best. I wouldn't even put Ronaldinho or Cristiano Ronaldo in the same bracket as Best...

Best scored a hat-trick at the Stadium of Light in '66 against (probably) THE top club side in the world at that time, Benfica. How old was he? He was about 18 or 20, I dunno. Eusebio played against him that day and acknowledged that Best was one of the 'best', the Benfica fans themselves fell in love with his talent and dubbed him 'El Beatle'. A superstar was born. Not only did he show up that great Benfica side in their own backyard in '66...but he did it again in '68 in the European Cup final...

Best has been lauded as one of the greatest players who ever lived by his peers, those who played against him and most importantly, the fans...

You're living in a bubble if you think that George Best was only famous within the British Isles...

Jesus, the man even made GQ's 'Top 50 Men of All-Time'...

"I spent most of my money on wine and women...the rest I just squandered" - George Best

[The Lumbergh]

Are there any other memorable players from Argentina's 1986 winning team ? No, not one !!

Now theres someone who doesn't know what they're talking about...

Passarella
Burrachaga
Valdano