Argentine Soccer Fan’s Fourth Round Pick: Franck Ribery Clubs: Bolougne, Ales, Stade Brestois, Metz, Galatasaray, Marseille, Bayern Munich Country: France Position: Midfielder **Sorry, I'll mostly paste from wiki, since I made you guys wait already.*** Characteristics: He is known for pace, energy, skill and precise passing. He can play wide on the right or the left and as a playmaker. Career: After spending the first four years of his career in his home country with four different clubs, Ribéry relocated to Turkey in January 2005, signing a three-and-a-half year contract with Galatasaray, with whom he won the 2005 Fortis Turkey Cup by scoring one goal and assisting one other in a 5-1 win in the final against league rivals Fenerbahçe. After a season in Turkey, and a dispute over unpaid wages, he returned to France to play for Marseille. Ribéry made 68 appearances in all competitions and scored fourteen goals as Marseille finished runner-up to Lyon in the 2006–07 Ligue 1 title race. On 7 June 2007, Bayern Munich signed Ribéry to a four-year deal for a club-record €25 million.[4] Ribéry was given the number 7 shirt, which was freed up due to the retirement of club legend Mehmet Scholl at the end of the previous season.[5] He made his team début one month later, scoring twice in an 18-0 friendly drubbing of Munich youth side FT Gern. He made his competitive debut for Bayern on 21 July 2007 against Werder Bremen in the first round of the Premiere Ligapokal, scoring twice. He also netted an early goal in Bayern's 2-0 victory over defending champions VfB Stuttgart in the semifinals, but was unable to play in the final (won by Bayern) due to injury. On 8 June 2008, Ribéry was named the 2007-08 German Footballer of the Year.[6] Ribéry earned his first cap with France in a 1-0 victory over Mexico on 27 May 2006; he started the match but was substituted by David Trézéguet in the 74th minute.[7] He was part of France's roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he scored one goal. He played in the final where France lost to Italy, and his only shot on goal came in extra time.[8] He scored the only goal in France's 1-0 win over England on 26 March 2008. On 17 June 2008, during France's 2-0 Euro 2008 loss to Italy, Ribéry suffered an injury in the eighth minute after rupturing a ligament in his left ankle,[9] and underwent successful surgery in Munich two days later.[10] His return to play happened in the 65th minute of Bayern Munich's 2-0 win over Nuremberg in the third round of the DFB Cup on 24 September 2008. Ribery then scored the only goal in two matches against Lithuania to boost France's chances of getting into the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. For his clubs he has scored 60 goals in 275 matches, including 17 goals in 85 matches for Marseille, and 31 goals in 75 matches for Bayern Munich. For France he scored seven goals in 36 matches, including one during the victory over Spain at the World Cup in Germany. Peak Period: Obviously his whole first division career took place this decade. But I want him to be judged mostly based on 2005-09, which covers his two seasons at Marseille and his two seasons at Bayern Munich, including the World Cup in Germany, where he was one of the most impressive young stars.
Round 4, 51st overall Emerson Ferreira da Rosa Clubs: Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma, Juventus, Real Madrid, AC Milan Best years: 2000 - 2004 A silky defensive midfielder and deep-laying playmaker who was part of the AS Roma squad that won the double in 2001. In 2004, he would be involved in a bidding war between Juventus and Real Madrid. He would eventually play for the former, than the latter, winning titles with both.
Round 4, pick 13 (52nd overall) Gianluca Zambrotta Club(s): Juventus, Barcelona, A.C. Milan Nation: Italy Timespan: 1999-2006
Round 5, pick 1 (53rd overall) Jaap Stam Club(s): Manchester United, Lazio, Milan, Ajax Nation: Holland Timespan: 1999-2007
Round 5, 53rd overall Carles Puyol i Saforcada Club: FC Barcelona Country: Spain Also: Catalan XI Best years: 2005-2009 Arguably the best CB in the world right now. The captain of Barcelona, an automatic selection (and sometimes captain) for Spain, it's almost as if every year in this decade has been better than the last year for Puyol. He started out at RB and was admittedly dodgy his first few years. But with age came experience and now at CB he is head of one of the stingiest defenses in La Liga for Barcelona and the current Euro champions, Spain. He is a tireless iron horse, and can play out wide at SB and join in the attack if need be. He is always a danger on corner kicks and set pieces as well. He would also be the captain of my team. Club honors with Barcelona (through today): La Liga champions 2005, 2006; Champions League champions 2006; Copa del Rey champions 2009; Supercopa 2005, 2006 Country honors with Spain: Euro 2008 champions
Round 5 Team SirManchester/ForeverRed select Willy Sagnol Clubs: AS Monaco, Bayern Munich Country: France Position: Right-Back, Right-Wing Back, Center Back Considered one of the best right backs of his time, at 23 he helped Monaco win a Ligue 1 title which helped him earn a move to prestigious German giants Bayern Munich in which he quickly established himself as its starting right back and solidified himself as one of the best rightbacks of his generation and would soon become one of the best in his position in Bundesliga history. A solid defender but also equally comfortable operating in attacking positions (often as a wing-back) Sagnol's superb crossing ability marked him out as a key player in Bayern's attacking play. He formed a remarkable connection with midfielder Michael Ballack, and then Klose supplying him with crosses which the midfielder and striker almost always on cue headed in for goals. He was instrumental in helping the team get to the Champions League Final in 2001 and win. At Bayern he also won the Bundesliga in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008. He helped them to a DFB Pokal wins in 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008. With France he won the Confederations Cup twice, once in 2001, and then again in 2003, as well as runners up in the 2006 World Cup.
comme and frasermc - 5th Round Selection Roberto Ayala - Milan; Valencia; Zaragoza & Argentina Ayala has captained his national team more than any other person. 63 times on his way to racking up 115 international caps. He made Valencia's defense fearsome as they went on to win 2 La Liga titles in 01/02 and 03/04. He played in two champions league finals and was voted best defender in the CL in the 01/02 season. Positionally astute and a terrific leader and organiser of a defense.
Round 5: Kevin8833 and Friend (semillag I believe his username is) select... Marcos Evangelista de Moraes "Cafu" of AS Roma, AC Milan, and Brazi. Cafu is a fantastic fullback who is great on both sides of the ball. He can hold down his flank defensively and then bomb forward with his endless overlapping runs to put the other team on their heels. His speed, skill, and determination down the flanks make him a tremendous fullback. Cafu's accomplishments include FIFA World Cup Champion 2002, Copa America Champion 1999, UEFA Super Cup 2003 and 2007, UEFA Champions League 2007, FIFA Club World Cup 2007, Scudetto 2001 and 2004, and SuperCoppa Italiana 2004.
The profile I owed: Argentine Soccer Fan’s fifth Round Pick: JAVIER ZANETTI Clubs: Talleres R.E., Banfield, Internazionale Country: Argentina Position: Right fullback, Right Wingback, Defensive Midfielder Characteristics: Known as Pupi in Argentina, Zanetti was nicknamed Il Trattore (The Tractor) after moving to Italy because of his strength, resilience, stamina and his ability to run past opposing defenders when joining the attack from his right back position. More recently, he plays in the right midfield. In the national team, he is usually deployed as a right back in a line of four, and under coach Marcelo Bielsa he played a more attacking role as a wing back in a 3-5-2 formation. Career: Zanetti began his career in the second division club Talleres of Remedios de Escalada, and after one season he moved to first division club Banfield. As a youth he was rejected by Independiente. His strong performances with Banfield where he scored 4 goals in 66 matches, let to a call from the National Team and interest from Argentine giants River Plate and Boca Juniors, but Zanetti chose to move to Italy at the age of 22, and he’s played for the past fourteen years at Internazionale. He has appeared in more than 600 matches and scored 23 goals for the Italian club, and has become their captain. For most of his career he played primarily at right back, but since the 2006-07 season he plays primarily in midfield. For Argentina he has 132 caps and has scored five goals, including one against England in the memorable quarterfinal matchup at WC 2002. He was controversially not called for WC 2006 by coach Jose Pekerman, but has regained his starting spot since then and is the most capped player ever for Argentina’s national team. Highlights during the 1999-2009 time frame: * Serie A: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 * UEFA Cup: 1997–98 * Coppa Italia: 2004-05, 2005-06 * Italian Super Cup: 2005, 2006, 2008 Zanetti has not received a red card in over ten years. Peak Period I’d like him to be judged primarily based on the years when he played primarily at right fullback, between 1999 and 2006.
My fifth pick is: CB Ricardo CARVALHO Country: Portugal Club(s): Porto, Vitória Setúbal, Alverca, Chelsea Best years: 2003-2009 One of the best central defenders of this decade, Carvalho came to prominence during the 2003-2004 season with impressive performances in the Portuguese Superliga and UEFA Champions League, both of which Porto won. He was voted the best defender in the Champions League 2003-2004, showing his strenght and exceptional ability to win the ball in the air. Was a key member of his national team starting eleven during the UEFA Euro 2004 and 2008 Championships and 2006 World Cup in Germany, being ever a notable player in the continental tournaments. In Chelsea he consolidated himself like one of the best defenders in the world year by year, being nominated very often to awards by his constant great performances. Honours Porto Portuguese SuperLiga: 2003, 2004 Portuguese Cup: 2003 UEFA Champions League: 2004 UEFA Cup: 2003 Chelsea Premier League: 2005, 2006 FA Cup: 2007 FA Community Shield: 2005 Carling Cup: 2005, 2007 Individual Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2003 UEFA Best Defender of the Year: 2004 UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament: 2004
My selection: Cristian Chivu Country: Romania Clubs: Reşiţa, Universitatea Craiova, Ajax, Roma, Internazionale Peak teams: 2002 to now. Chivu came to prominence while playing for Ajax. He was named captain of an exciting young squad. He played a pivotal role for Ajax in their Champions League run in the 2002/03 season, when they came to within a minute of the semi-finals. He was also known for his pwerful freekicks.
GringoTex and KB1171 Select: Jamie Carragher A one-club player, and with one of the biggest hearts in football, Jamie Carragher is Mr Liverpool. The vice-captain has been instrumental in the Reds' success over the last decade, during which he's made more than 500 appearances. One of the heroes of Istanbul, it's hard to imagine that famous comeback occurring without him. Carra was an integral part of Gerard Houllier's treble-winning side of 2001, playing 58 games, most of which were at left-back. Carragher is a strong, smart, and positionaly aware defender. You know every time he is on the field you get all this man has. He is a leader at the back and has the versatility to play a number of positions along the backline. As if all that wasn't enough....if our team is ever having trouble we can have Carra's buddies take care of them... From his autobiography -"When my leg was broken in an horrific tackle by Lucas Neill in September 2003, my mates were ready to hunt him down if I gave the go-ahead. -"A few weeks later I received a phone call. "You won't believe this, Jay. We're in the Trafford Centre and Lucas Neill is walking straight towards us. What do you reckon?" -"Did I really want Neill to take a crack? "There's only one problem," added the voice. "Little Davey Thommo is with him." -"That was that. I could hardly let one of my best mates, David Thompson, now a Blackburn player, become a witness to an assault. Besides he'd have recognised the attackers. The impromptu mission was aborted and I sent a text to Thommo telling him Neill should give him a hug of thanks."
with my 5th pick i select: William Gallas clubs: caen, marseille, chelsea, arsenal position: defender peak: 02-03 through to 05/06.
Round 5 selection. Marcos Senna (Villarreal). Sorry everyone...im trying do this using a mobile phone and its not easy.
6th Round selection: David Villa Position: Striker Speedy, streetwise, skillful and razor sharp. An introverted person off the pitch but on it he brings electricity to any team that is lucky enough to have him. His 84 spanish league goals, for valencia, over the last four seasons allied with 25 goals, in 43 appearances, for España is a great testament to his consistency. further resources: wiki
GringoTex and KB1171 select: Nemanja Vidic Club:Manchester United Position:CB Age:27 Country: Serbia Vidic is one of the toughest no nonsense defenders in the premiership today. Despite only being at MU since 05-06 he has made over 100 appearences for them and in that time won 2 Premiership trophies (on the way to a 3rd), 2 Carling Cups, 1 UEFA CL. Vidic known for his strength and aeriel prowess, and this season has chipped in a number of goals. He will fit perfectly next to Jamie Carragher to form a partnership similiar to the Hyypia-Carra partnership that led Liverpool to European Glory.
My selection: Lucio Position: CB Country: Brazil Clubs: Internacional, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich Peak years: 2001 to now For the entire decade, Lucio is widely considered as Brazil's best central defender and a key member of the Brazilian squad's defense. He also contributes in attack, frequently making runs into the opponent's half using his technique and aerial ability to full effect. He helped Bayer Leverkusen to the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final in which he scored to tie the game at 1-1, they would however go on to lose 2-1 to Real Madrid.
My sixth pick is: GK Oliver KAHN Country: Germany Club(s): Bayern Münich Best years: 1999-2004 "King Kahn", the historic German goalkeeper, one of the most successful in recent history, had to be here around. His individual contributions have earned him 4 consecutive UEFA Best European Goalkeeper awards, 3 IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year awards, the Golden Ball at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2 German Footballer of the Year award... an exceptional leader to the defensive line. Honours Bayern Münich Bundesliga: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 DFB-Ligapokal: 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007 German Cup: 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 UEFA Champions League: 2001 Intercontinental Cup: 2001 Individual UEFA Champions League Man of the Match: 2001 UEFA Fair-Play Award: 2001 German Footballer of the Year: 2000, 2001 IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 1999, 2001, 2002 Best European Goalkeeper: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 European Footballer of the Year Bronze Ball: 2001, 2002 UEFA Club Football Awards Best Goalkeeper: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Best Bundesliga Keeper: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2002 Yashin Award: 2002 FIFA World Cup Awards All-Star Team: 2002 Part of the FIFA 100 list
Round 6: Kevin8833 and Friend (semillag I believe his username is) select... Rui Manuel César Costa "Rui Costa" of Fiorentina, AC Milan, Benfica, and Portugal. Rui Costa is one of the best number ten's to ever play the game, his incredible vision and accurate passing as well as his flawless touch and ability to beat defenders made him a handful for any backline and a true legend of our time. With Rui Costa and Zidane we will have incredible skill and creativity in the midfield and they should be extremely difficult to contain. Rui Costa's accomplishments in the decade include UEFA Champions league Title 2003, Serie A Title 2004, Coppa Italia 2001 and 2003, European Super Cup 2003, and made the FIFA 100 list.