Who are the players all time hero's?

[Dark Savante]

This thread requires you to have a little knowledge of players and their insights into the game. I would like 'us' to compile a list, which details as many all-time players and their all time footballing hero. HEre are a few I know straight from the players' mouth.

Denis Law - Alfredo DiStefano
George Best - Alfredo Distefano
Ronaldo- Zico

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I seem to recall both Beckenbauer and Cruyff saying DiStefano as well, but am not 100% bonafide on that, can someone with this knowledge help out? I'd like as many players we consider 'the best' listed in a rolling thread fashion if possible. I seem to recall Maradona saying his was Pele...but was that him being politically correct or is that common knowledge amongst Argentines??

If you know any all time greats' fav players please contribute. Thanks.

[Cassano]

Roberto Baggio's childhood idol was Zico.

[Bertje]

I know for a fact Cruijff said he thought Di Stefano was the best player ever, I'm not sure if he was also his favorite but Cruijff always was a big fan of pure class so a good chance he was his favorite.

Bergkamp was named after Denis Law, but the Dutch authorities thought Denis was to girl-like so he was named Dennis instead.

[Gregoriak]

Beckenbauer was influenced by Giacinto Facchetti. Watching Facchetti made him think "if the left full back can play offensively like a forward, why can't the centerback do it as well?" If you go by admiration factor, Beckenbauer's idol was Pelé (after watching the televised games of the 1958 World Cup).

Johan Cruijff's major influence was definitely Alfredo di Stéfano.

[bojendyk]

Hristo Stoichkov has said that his favorite-ever players were Cruyff and Platini.

[Enganche]

I've heard Maradona say his boyhood idol was Roberto Rivelino.

[argentine soccer fan]

Alfredo Di Stefano's boyhood idol was Paraguay's Arsenio Erico.

[mymaster]

Carlos Valderrama's biggest influence is Peruvian Cesar Cueto I believe.

[mad theory]

Dennis Bergkamp - Glen Hoddle

[Jawz10]

Zinedine Zidane's favorite player was Uruguay, Racing de Paris, Marseille, and River Plate superstar Enzo Francescoli, now co-owner of GolTv here in the States. Zidane named his son Enzo.

[ChaChaFut]

Beckenbauer was influenced by Giacinto Facchetti. Watching Facchetti made him think "if the left full back can play offensively like a forward, why can't the centerback do it as well?" If you go by admiration factor, Beckenbauer's idol was Pelé (after watching the televised games of the 1958 World Cup).I have read that he truly admired Santamaria as well. Is this true?


Shevchenko has been influenced by Marco Van Basten, who also played for AC Milan.

[nuff_said]

Beckam - Sir Bobby Charlton

[Stud83]

Dennis Bergkamp - Glen Hoddle

Wasn't it Denis Law? Oh... wait a second... His parents were MU fans and called him after the King. :D

[celito]

Ronaldinho's idol was Maradona.

[SirManchester]

Beckam - Sir Bobby Charlton


Actually it wasn't Charlton or Law, but Beckham's hero was Bryan Robson.

[nuff_said]

Actually it wasn't Charlton or Law, but Beckham's hero was Bryan Robson.

oh yahhh. I remember an interview by this kid where he said robson was his hero. thanks for reminding me

David Beckham: My football hero has always been former Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson, who is now manager of West Bromwich Albion. I have always looked up to him. Outside football, it has to be former world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who has been through so much and is a world icon.

SOURCE (http://www.thenewspaper.org.uk/sport/pg000195.php)

[burton]

Player----------------Idol

Sheva----------------Van Basten
Henry----------------Van Basten
Van Nistelrooy--------Van Basten
Platini----------------Cruijff

[dor02]

I've heard Maradona say his boyhood idol was Roberto Rivelino.Yes, that's true. He was saying that he idolised Rivelino because he was a left-footer also.

[Jawz10]

Francesco Totti's idol was Guiseppe Giannini

[gscott12]

christian vieri- don bradman