| Football (Soccer) |
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Why not Maradona? A lot of people have asked why Diego Maradona is not included in our Top 10. The answer is simple - Maradona was a cheat. Not because of the "Hand of God" thing, but because he was caught using performance enhancing drugs. No matter how gifted he was with a football - he's out! If we included Maradona in our Top 10 Soccer Players, we would have to include Ben Johnson in our Top 10 Greatest Athletes, and Hansie Cronje in our Top 10 Cricketers! |
1. Zinedine Zidane
Zedane had it all. He was powerful,
aggressive, skillful, and passionate.
He was the kind of player who could
control the game. Unlike many
superstars, Zidane had a massively
high work rate. He covered every blade
of grass on the pitch in every game he
played. Defenders were terrified of him
- and rightly so! He could turn any
defence inside out with his creative
running and his perfect passing game
- and he could score goals from
anywhere, Whenever Zidane got the
ball - anything could happen. He is our
number one choice.
Zedane had it all. He was powerful,
aggressive, skillful, and passionate.
He was the kind of player who could
control the game. Unlike many
superstars, Zidane had a massively
high work rate. He covered every blade
of grass on the pitch in every game he
played. Defenders were terrified of him
- and rightly so! He could turn any
defence inside out with his creative
running and his perfect passing game
- and he could score goals from
anywhere, Whenever Zidane got the
ball - anything could happen. He is our
number one choice.
2. Pele
Pele had the huge disadvantage of
playing before the days when
players were protected by the rules.
Pele was kicked out of almost every
major game he played. Yet he still
managed to treat us to some of the
greatest footballing moments in
history. Imaginative, lightning fast,
and totally in control of the ball at all
times, Pele was the ultimate
entertainer. He could create
something out of nothing and he
could score the most spectacular
goals. A total genius who lacked
nothing. His pace was terrifying!
Pele had the huge disadvantage of
playing before the days when
players were protected by the rules.
Pele was kicked out of almost every
major game he played. Yet he still
managed to treat us to some of the
greatest footballing moments in
history. Imaginative, lightning fast,
and totally in control of the ball at all
times, Pele was the ultimate
entertainer. He could create
something out of nothing and he
could score the most spectacular
goals. A total genius who lacked
nothing. His pace was terrifying!
3. Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff was a footballing genius. He
controlled the entire match from his
midfield position - and he terrified those
who had to mark him. He was the
ultimate captain - leading by example.
He had lightning pace, perfect balance
and the skill and imagination to destroy
any defence. He led the Dutch Total
Football revolution in style. And he could
score goals from anywhere on the pitch.
Whenever Cruyff got the ball - the crowd
held its breath - because something
amazing was about to happen. Possibly
the most intelligent of all the football
legends in out top ten. A true genius.
Johan Cruyff was a footballing genius. He
controlled the entire match from his
midfield position - and he terrified those
who had to mark him. He was the
ultimate captain - leading by example.
He had lightning pace, perfect balance
and the skill and imagination to destroy
any defence. He led the Dutch Total
Football revolution in style. And he could
score goals from anywhere on the pitch.
Whenever Cruyff got the ball - the crowd
held its breath - because something
amazing was about to happen. Possibly
the most intelligent of all the football
legends in out top ten. A true genius.
4. Eusebio
They called him the Portuguese Pele.
Eusebio was a class act. A perfectly
balanced athlete who was impossible
to stop without fouling him. Probably
the most powerful striker of a football
in the history of the game. He could
blast a shot into a goal forty yards
away - from a standing position! A
true gentleman of sport, and still a
legend in Portugal. Without Eusebio,
Portugal were very ordinary - but with
Eusebio in the team - they were a
serious threat in any competition.
Perfect timing and perfect power.
They called him the Portuguese Pele.
Eusebio was a class act. A perfectly
balanced athlete who was impossible
to stop without fouling him. Probably
the most powerful striker of a football
in the history of the game. He could
blast a shot into a goal forty yards
away - from a standing position! A
true gentleman of sport, and still a
legend in Portugal. Without Eusebio,
Portugal were very ordinary - but with
Eusebio in the team - they were a
serious threat in any competition.
Perfect timing and perfect power.
5. Franz Beckenbauer
Beckenbaur earned his place in our top ten
because he is the finest team captain of all
time. He organised his team like a general.
He pretty much invented the " sweeper" role,
and even at the highest level he hardly ever
needed to move faster than a gentle jog
because his positional skill and his ability to
read the game were second to none. He led
West Germany to two world cup victories,
without breaking sweat.
But on the rare occasions when it was
necessary, he could find tremendous pace
and could break from defence to score goals.
Highly intelligent and massively talented.
Beckenbaur earned his place in our top ten
because he is the finest team captain of all
time. He organised his team like a general.
He pretty much invented the " sweeper" role,
and even at the highest level he hardly ever
needed to move faster than a gentle jog
because his positional skill and his ability to
read the game were second to none. He led
West Germany to two world cup victories,
without breaking sweat.
But on the rare occasions when it was
necessary, he could find tremendous pace
and could break from defence to score goals.
Highly intelligent and massively talented.
6. Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore was the ultimate team leader -
possibly even better than Beckenbaur! He
led England to the 1966 world cup vicory at
Wembley - and we danced in the streets!
Not the quickest player - but his perfect
football brain and his ability to read a game
made him one of the most respected
defenders in history. Nobody in football has
ever timed a tackle like Bobby Moore. He led
by example, and was a credit to his
profession. A superstar in every sense of
the word. The finest captain that England
ever had - or ever will have. Sadly, Bobby
Moore died long before his time - but we will
never forget him. Viva Bobby Moore!
Bobby Moore was the ultimate team leader -
possibly even better than Beckenbaur! He
led England to the 1966 world cup vicory at
Wembley - and we danced in the streets!
Not the quickest player - but his perfect
football brain and his ability to read a game
made him one of the most respected
defenders in history. Nobody in football has
ever timed a tackle like Bobby Moore. He led
by example, and was a credit to his
profession. A superstar in every sense of
the word. The finest captain that England
ever had - or ever will have. Sadly, Bobby
Moore died long before his time - but we will
never forget him. Viva Bobby Moore!
7. George Best
George Best was a flawed genius. His ball
control, his pace, his balance and his ability
to torture defenders was second to none.
He could bring the ball under control with
any part of his body - including his face! If
the ball went anywhere near George - at any
pace - he controlled it in a heartbeat. It was
almost impossible to tackle him without
fouling him - but even if you fouled him he
would most likely come after you and win
the ball back. A great dribbler, with perfect
pace and balance, and a superb goal-scorer.
Sadly, his Northern Irish birth prevented him
from appearing at world cup level - so we
will never know just how good he really was.
George Best was a flawed genius. His ball
control, his pace, his balance and his ability
to torture defenders was second to none.
He could bring the ball under control with
any part of his body - including his face! If
the ball went anywhere near George - at any
pace - he controlled it in a heartbeat. It was
almost impossible to tackle him without
fouling him - but even if you fouled him he
would most likely come after you and win
the ball back. A great dribbler, with perfect
pace and balance, and a superb goal-scorer.
Sadly, his Northern Irish birth prevented him
from appearing at world cup level - so we
will never know just how good he really was.
8. Stanley Matthews
The magician. First of the great
dribblers, Matthews could turn
defences inside out - wearing
hobnail boots and using an ancient
leather, lace-up ball. His first class
career continued into his fifties!
The only player to have a cup final
named in his honour. After his
performance in the FA Cup final at
Wembley - the match was named
"The Matthews Cup Final!" Stanley
was a selfless worker for his team,
creating goal after goal for his
center forward. He was the ultimate
winger.
The magician. First of the great
dribblers, Matthews could turn
defences inside out - wearing
hobnail boots and using an ancient
leather, lace-up ball. His first class
career continued into his fifties!
The only player to have a cup final
named in his honour. After his
performance in the FA Cup final at
Wembley - the match was named
"The Matthews Cup Final!" Stanley
was a selfless worker for his team,
creating goal after goal for his
center forward. He was the ultimate
winger.
9. Alferdo Di Stefano
10. Ferenc Puskas
| The Top 10 Soccer Players of All Time |
