Most elegant footballers

[phil80]

As of now....

Iniesta, Pirlo, Riquelme, Berbatov, Xavi

and to a lesser extent....Diego, Cesc, Arteta

[Scolari]

As of now....

Iniesta, Pirlo, Riquelme, Berbatov, Xavi

and to a lesser extent....Diego, Cesc, Arteta

Kaka much?

[phil80]

yes i would probably include kaka as well, but i also think he is more of a one-directional type of player (towards goal) and focused on directness rather than elegance, sort of like Messi. BTW, that is not a bad quality but just slightly different than the other players listed.

[Scolari]

I find the way Kaka moves about the pitch to be rather elegant.

Might even list Pato there......the way he played in Milan's last UEFA Cup tie was pretty impressive. Really natural movement, beating players left and right.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Some people see elegance in simplicity.

[Habitat]

Zidane - George Best - David Beckham (can't say he doesn't play with elegance..atleast off a dead ball) had someone else that was more current but don't remember.

[Scolari]

Some people see elegance in simplicity.

If you put it that way, then Kaka. Extremely conventional style of dribbling, yet extremely effective. Doesn't bother with many of the often surplus moves other players do.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Precisely.

[kingkong1]

If you put it that way, then Kaka. Extremely conventional style of dribbling, yet extremely effective. Doesn't bother with many of the often surplus moves other players do.In that aspect Dunga was better ;) ...

[Antonio81]

Zidane France
Platini France
Cantona France
Francescoli Uruguay
Valderrama Colombia
Hoddle England
Matthews England
McCoist Scotland
Bremner Scotland
Okocha Nigeria
Cryuff Holland
Bergkamp Holland
Zico Brazil
Rivelino Brazil
Ronaldinho Brazil
Eder Brazil
Falcao Brazil
Figo Portugal
Hagi Romania
Arellano Mexico
Baggio Italy
Antognioni Italy
Libuda Germany
Litmanen Finland
Nakata Japan
Chilavert Paraguay
Maradona Argentina
Redondo Argentina
Ortega Argentina
Messi Argentina
Enrique Spain

[bosterosoy]

chilavert was elegant?

[dor02]

Zidane France
Platini France
Cantona France
Francescoli Uruguay
Valderrama Colombia
Hoddle England
Matthews England
McCoist Scotland
Bremner Scotland
Okocha Nigeria
Cryuff Holland
Bergkamp Holland
Zico Brazil
Rivelino Brazil
Ronaldinho Brazil
Eder Brazil
Falcao Brazil
Figo Portugal
Hagi Romania
Arellano Mexico
Baggio Italy
Antognoni Italy
Libuda Germany
Litmanen Finland
Nakata Japan
Chilavert Paraguay
Maradona Argentina
Redondo Argentina
Ortega Argentina
Messi Argentina
Enrique SpainBremner wasn't elegant. He was rather thuggish. I wouldn't consider Maradona and Chilavert to be elegant because of their build. If you look at the most elegant footballers, most of them were rather slender (eg. Beckenbauer, Platini and Antognoni).

Most of the others are good choices.

[Semi-Crazed]

Rafa Marquez-Mexico

[Antonio81]

Bremner wasn't elegant. He was rather thuggish. I wouldn't consider Maradona and Chilavert to be elegant because of their build. If you look at the most elegant footballers, most of them were rather slender (eg. Beckenbauer, Platini and Antognoni).

Most of the others are good choices.

I personally think Maradona was one of the most elegant ever, though I understand why most posters won't rate him.

[Real Ray]

You never are more impressed than when you are young, growing up. So for me, the elegant players who first stood out were:

Dominique Rocheteau: watching him on the outside, the long hair..I thought wow, this guys a rock star. I only saw Best in the NASL, so this was like my George Best.

Uli Hoeness: For me, Beckenbauer was imperial, majestic. Hoeness-before he wrecked his knee-he was an elegant footballer.

Zico: What's there to say that hasn't been said?

[Yañez]

Andrea Pirlo
Kaka
Zidane
Rud Van Nistelrooy i consider plays elegant.

[Gibraldo]

you simply have to mention Stojkovic, Savicevic, Prosinecki, Boban and Mijatovic.

[Martininho]

You never are more impressed than when you are young, growing up.

Well said. Repped.

Dominique Rocheteau: watching him on the outside, the long hair..I thought wow, this guys a rock star. I only saw Best in the NASL, so this was like my George Best.

Even his name screams...excuse me, exudes...elegance.

Uli Hoeness: For me, Beckenbauer was imperial, majestic. Hoeness-before he wrecked his knee-he was an elegant footballer.

Not for nothing is he called "Der Kaiser".

Zico: What's there to say that hasn't been said?

But, could he play a piano? ;)

[Real Ray]

Funny, there is a line at the beginning of Goodfellas, where Henry describes the local boss Paulie by saying:

Paulie might have moved slow-but it was only because Paulie
didn't have to move for anybody!

That was El Pibe Valderama during the end of his MLS career. And there was something so elegant in that economy of energy. I always enjoyed watching him in person for all of the subtle things that you miss on TV.

Hmm...There's and interesting idea for a thread: players whose true value isn't captured on TV.

[dor02]

you simply have to mention Stojkovic, Savicevic, Prosinecki, Boban and Mijatovic.Good choices. Savicevic really stands out. He wasn't called Il Genio (the Genius) for nothing.