Greatest Modern Player ??

[phil80]

Back on topic:

Maldini, Nesta, Buffon, Makalele and ones that will be in the future Messi, Casillas. IMO Ronaldinho in his prime had the skill to compete with some of the all time legends, but in terms of his overall career leaves him as a question mark.

[Moishe]

You are simply pathetic, just because Messi has been mentioned doesn't make your comment about my messi posts directed to teso relevant. How you could even think these two things relate is beyond me, but then again it has become expected from you.

Your Riquelme worshipping as an idol is pure fanboyism no matter how you like to sugar-coat, get over it, you're not fooling anyone. I'm tired of dealing with your immaturity, so if you can't stay on topic, then leave and let the adults do the discussing.

The Messi comments came up long before you and Teso. You really are the only one that has an issue with me so I think maybe you should hold up a mirror and realize exactly what you are.

As far as my "fanboyism", I've never hidden my admiration for Riquelme nor have I hidden my criticisms. I've also never boasted him to be one of the best ever. Sugar coating? If you say so but then again you just can't deal with folks not agreeing with you. Have you ever wondered why so many people butt heads with you but not with me? It certainly can't be that you are the only knowledgeable one on here could it? As far as leaving and letting the adults discuss, go ahead and log off and let us carry on.

[phil80]

The Messi comments came up long before you and Teso. You really are the only one that has an issue with me so I think maybe you should hold up a mirror and realize exactly what you are.

Have you ever wondered why so many people butt heads with you but not with me? It certainly can't be that you are the only knowledgeable one on here could it? As far as leaving and letting the adults discuss, go ahead and log off and let us carry on.
English comprehension must be hard for you, it is the messi debates that you brought up not just the player.

And as far as butting heads, just review your world rivalries threads where you constantly butt heads with other immature posters. Go back and stay in those threads that is obviously where you belong and quit derailing this topic.

[Moishe]

English comprehension must be hard for you, it is the messi debates that you brought up not just the player.

And as far as butting heads, just review your world rivalries threads where you constantly butt heads with other immature posters. Go back and stay in those threads that is obviously where you belong and quit derailing this topic.

Phil Phil Phil. World Rivalries and the rest of the boards are two different worlds, so it's pointless to bring that into the equation. Besides most of those guys that I butt heads with I happen to get along with in the rest of Big Soccer. Of course when you factor that 99% of those threads are not futbol related.....

Here is a real simple solution, if you don't agree with me and don't want to read my opinions (which some/many agree with) then place me on ignore and carry on. It's pretty simple isn't it?

Now really quickly, but wasn't your bringing up Riquelme derailing in itself?

Personally my choices for greatest modern player in no particular order are Maldini, Van Basten, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Batistuta. Are those okay?

[Jr Galaxy]

he definitely carried the french team, he was very instrumental for its success in the last 12 years or so. about defenders carrying the team lol, first of football is not one man job, defenders did their job and zidane did his and they all benefited.

about his club performance, you contradict yourself, first you acknowledge him as being one of the most skilled, then you degrade him by saying he was surrounded by better midfielders wtf. he was great a player where ever he played. at bordeaux he won ligue 1 and was runners up in the uefa cup, at juventus marcelo lippi made him the playmaker, at madrid he lived up his transfer record by bringing the CL to madrid. so which midfielders are talking about figo, beckam.

he met his fellow team mates at madrid on international level and conquered them one by one figo, beckam, ronaldo, and others

A lot of Zidane bashers here. Why? Its not his fault he was surrounded by talent! Throw all the greats in crappy teams and they wouldnt do jack either. He was obviously both skilled and effective at the highest levels of world soccer. Winning big games is part of what legends are made of.

[Moishe]

A lot of Zidane bashers here. Why? Its not his fault he was surrounded by talent! Throw all the greats in crappy teams and they wouldnt do jack either. He was obviously both skilled and effective at the highest levels of world soccer. Winning big games is part of what legends are made of.

Of course it wasn't his fault he was around the talent he was in fact it's a testament to the fact he was talented. You likely could throw many of the greats into mediocre squads and they'd never win any silverware but that isn't exactly what it's about. It is about how much they raised the level of the players they had around them. Zidane was fantastic but in no way was he the reason his teammates had the successes they did.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

A lot of Zidane bashers here. Why? Its not his fault he was surrounded by talent! Throw all the greats in crappy teams and they wouldnt do jack either. He was obviously both skilled and effective at the highest levels of world soccer. Winning big games is part of what legends are made of.

Zidane did 'jack' the majority of the time despite being in great teams.

[ChelseaForTheCup(s)]

France probably would've had another WC under their belt if not for Zidane's idiocy.

[coppa]

France probably would've had another WC under their belt if not for Zidane's idiocy.

France doubtfully even gets to the final without Zidane but nice try.

[Iaquinta]

Zidane did 'jack' the majority of the time despite being in great teams.
His stats are pretty meh as well.

[kingkong1]

The frequency and passion with which discussions revolve around the name of Zidane in this (any) Forum are a definitive proof that he's at least among the three best of the last 15 years.

Side by side with Romário and R9 ;) ...

[phil80]

His stats are pretty meh as well.
It is pointless to use stats when measuring the influence of players like zidane, pirlo, xavi. They allow for team continuity and are the creative minds behind their squads.

[Iaquinta]

It is pointless to use stats when measuring the influence of players like zidane, pirlo, xavi. They allow for team continuity and are the creative minds behind their squads.
I think it’s relevant when you consider how overrated his influence on the game actually was. So I’m just pointing out his stats are pretty mediocre, especially compared to other attacking midfielders.

[kingkong1]

I think it’s relevant when you consider how overrated his influence on the game actually was. So I’m just pointing out his stats are pretty mediocre, especially compared to other attacking midfielders.He was not just an attacking midfielder (with the sole obligation of scoring goals or proportionate the opportunities for them to be scored).

He was also a mid who cared about destruction and consequently his own defense.

He controlled the overall pace of his team.

A team with Zidane played with equilibrium and confidence.

And that cannot be measured with stats.

[kingkong1]

See?...

In favour or against, people just talk about Zidane.

Gotta be him :D ...

[Tribune]

It is pointless to use stats when measuring the influence of players like zidane, pirlo, xavi. They allow for team continuity and are the creative minds behind their squads.

The problem resides in the fact that Zidane is given 1000 more credit than a Xavi or Pirlo. It's indeed pointless to use stats for such players, but there is a reason why Xavi and Pirlo are not rated among the best players ever.

[Iaquinta]

He was not just an attacking midfielder (with the sole obligation of scoring goals or proportionate the opportunities for them to be scored).

He was also a mid who cared about destruction and consequently his own defense.

He controlled the overall pace of his team.

A team with Zidane played with equilibrium and confidence.

And that cannot be measured with stats.
He's not the only player to control the pace of his own team. This really doesn't help his case at all anyways imo.

[phil80]

The problem resides in the fact that Zidane is given 1000 more credit than a Xavi or Pirlo. It's indeed pointless to use stats for such players, but there is a reason why Xavi and Pirlo are not rated among the best players ever.
Yes but zidane was superior offensively and more creative. he was a greater threat to the opposition and there is no way to change that history favors the more attack-minded players.

[phil80]

He's not the only player to control the pace of his own team. This really doesn't help his case at all anyways imo.

Yes but he controlled the pace of star studded teams and more effective at it than the normal ones that do.

[erick]

What are you talking about?

You say you like a team but you don't like their best player? That's like an America fan saying he doesn't like Memo Ochoa or Salvador Cabañas.

is not the same