Most underated players

[DestroyerDaMarc]

In a time when Mozambique was part of Portugal.

I disagree here. One problem I've always had with colonial powers is the fact that if they have a moment in history where their colony benenfits the motherland then its presented as a historical truth barring in mind the rule or oppresion they put on the populance. And then when it's bad well it the savages fault. When Pauleta broke Eusebio's record for me anyway I was overjoyed that a natural Portugese broke it. I'd feel even unclean in my mind if CR7 or (CR9) broke it due to him not being born in the mainland. Just my opinon.

[revelationx]

I disagree here. One problem I've always had with colonial powers is the fact that if they have a moment in history where their colony benenfits the motherland then its presented as a historical truth barring in mind the rule or oppresion they put on the populance. And then when it's bad well it the savages fault. When Pauleta broke Eusebio's record for me anyway I was overjoyed that a natural Portugese broke it. I'd feel even unclean in my mind if CR7 or (CR9) broke it due to him not being born in the mainland. Just my opinon.

You would not like C Ronaldo to break the goal-scoring record for Portugal because he was born in Madeira? But you liked it when Pauleta broke the record, even though he was born in the Azores?

A somewhat illogical position, imo. Perhaps I misunderstand you.

[glennaldo_sf]

Sacha Kleijsten :D

[DestroyerDaMarc]

You would not like C Ronaldo to break the goal-scoring record for Portugal because he was born in Madeira? But you liked it when Pauleta broke the record, even though he was born in the Azores?

A somewhat illogical position, imo. Perhaps I misunderstand you.

Yeah I screwed up my logic there, someone hit me.

[revelationx]

Yeah I screwed up my logic there, someone hit me.

I get your point about Mozambique though. ;)

[Guilhe]

I disagree here. One problem I've always had with colonial powers is the fact that if they have a moment in history where their colony benenfits the motherland then its presented as a historical truth barring in mind the rule or oppresion they put on the populance. And then when it's bad well it the savages fault. When Pauleta broke Eusebio's record for me anyway I was overjoyed that a natural Portugese broke it. I'd feel even unclean in my mind if CR7 or (CR9) broke it due to him not being born in the mainland. Just my opinon.

While (I think) I understood your point, in my opinion if Mozambique was part of Portugal then Eusébio is Portuguese. If someone born there at the same time wasn't considered Portuguese because that person did something wrong then the problem is in that case not in Eusébio's.

I think you could argue he would not have had the career he had if Mozambique wasn't part of Portugal. If it wasn't for the scouts and the agreements between clubs Eusébio would have (probably) gone unnoticed.


As a Portuguese I don't feel "strange" or unconfortable for having Eusébio, Pauleta or Ronaldo playing for us. On the other hand Pepe or Deco are a completely different issue.

[DestroyerDaMarc]

While (I think) I understood your point, in my opinion if Mozambique was part of Portugal then Eusébio is Portuguese. If someone born there at the same time wasn't considered Portuguese because that person did something wrong then the problem is in that case not in Eusébio's.

I think you could argue he would not have had the career he had if Mozambique wasn't part of Portugal. If it wasn't for the scouts and the agreements between clubs Eusébio would have (probably) gone unnoticed.

I disagree here. George Weah is inside and outside a true Liberian by heart. He was lucky enough to be noticed and did the impossible and play his heart for both club and country. Players' talents are just that, and should be noticed as such. You have no control over where you are born but I believe that most players feel that they'd have the same career weither Mozambuque or Liberia. My argument with the youth is to you Eusebio is a cultural history, and at that time a player like him was well abused because of his background.

He would of had the same career with the talents he had; but my argument is that culturaly, a good colonial helps the motherland but a bad one is viewed as scum. Modern day example, Zidane. If Zidane was just another Algerian immigrant he would of been treated as a dumpster by the public; but his skill and touch helped France win a World Cup. Without that skill and fame I'd dare say the majority of the French public would treat him completely differently, especially in my experience seeing them as the most xenophbic people in Europe. Imagine if he played for Algeria? God help his soul.

[erick]

sacha kleijsten :d


lmao :d

[Guilhe]

I disagree here. George Weah is inside and outside a true Liberian by heart. He was lucky enough to be noticed and did the impossible and play his heart for both club and country. Players' talents are just that, and should be noticed as such. You have no control over where you are born but I believe that most players feel that they'd have the same career weither Mozambuque or Liberia. My argument with the youth is to you Eusebio is a cultural history, and at that time a player like him was well abused because of his background.

He would of had the same career with the talents he had; but my argument is that culturaly, a good colonial helps the motherland but a bad one is viewed as scum. Modern day example, Zidane. If Zidane was just another Algerian immigrant he would of been treated as a dumpster by the public; but his skill and touch helped France win a World Cup. Without that skill and fame I'd dare say the majority of the French public would treat him completely differently, especially in my experience seeing them as the most xenophbic people in Europe. Imagine if he played for Algeria? God help his soul.


I'm not saying I'm sure Eusébio wouldn't have had a fantastic career if Mozambique wasn't a Portuguese colonie, just that it was already very difficult to get noticed and it would be even more difficult if there were less Portuguese scouts. How many Mozambicans played outside of Moazambique/Portugal at that time? Talent isn't enough, you also got to be very, very lucky.

And I do agree that at that time Mozambicans were probably seen by other Portuguese as "second rate" citizens but my point is that that's what was wrong not the feeling proud by the ones who did great thing.

I just saw an interview with another player from Eusébio's time, also born in Mozambique and also one of the greatest players to ever play for Portugal. However, unlike Eusébio after his career was over this player went back to Mozambique, had several jobs in their football structure and lived there since. Eusébio still lives in Portugal and he's a regular figure in Benfica events and National team matches. This to show that it's possible for athletes who were born in colonies to identify themselves with the place where they were born or with the motherland.

Because he was "technically" born in Portugal and of all the influence the motherland itself had on Eusébio's growth as a player I think it's fair to call him a Portuguese player. Since Mozambique as become an independent country I think you can call him a Mozambican player aswell.

[That Phat Hat]

The idea of arguing over the "most underrated' players strikes me as incredibly silly. Not to parrot Bill Simmons' column, but if you are arguing about a player, chances are, he's properly rated. A truly underrated player would be unknown, or you'd be dismissed out of hand for even bringing him up. And it's likely that anyone you chose as "most" underrated is, in effect, overrated.

[DestroyerDaMarc]

The idea of arguing over the "most underrated' players strikes me as incredibly silly. Not to parrot Bill Simmons' column, but if you are arguing about a player, chances are, he's properly rated. A truly underrated player would be unknown, or you'd be dismissed out of hand for even bringing him up. And it's likely that anyone you chose as "most" underrated is, in effect, overrated.

Not nessecarily. One of the huge problems of under or overated players is the information around them. I truely feel a underrated player is one who underappreciated and one that fans truely don't know how important he is to the squad until he leaves ala Robben at Chelsea.

[That Phat Hat]

Not nessecarily. One of the huge problems of under or overated players is the information around them. I truely feel a underrated player is one who underappreciated and one that fans truely don't know how important he is to the squad until he leaves ala Robben at Chelsea.Fair enough. Football is an incredibly inefficient marketplace.

Still, I don't think it's possible to have a reasonable discussion over who's most underrated.

[DestroyerDaMarc]

Fair enough. Football is an incredibly inefficient marketplace.

Still, I don't think it's possible to have a reasonable discussion over who's most underrated.

Vis a vis like I don't think you can have a disscussion on the most overrated as well.

[phil80]

I disagree. You can have players like Iniesta who many years ago before he was a regular starter no one gave him any credit, and people kept overlooking his abilities and his talent. He's a good example of an underrated player that when given the chance really showed his worth.

[DestroyerDaMarc]

I disagree. You can have players like Iniesta who many years ago before he was a regular starter no one gave him any credit, and people kept overlooking his abilities and his talent. He's a good example of an underrated player that when given the chance really showed his worth.

Or Junior Agogo, not good enough for the Rapids but out and out one of the best strikers on the Ghana squad right now.

[shalom82]

one of the most underrated of recent times was makelele when he played for real madrid.
i've heard interviews with those who played with him at real, like zidane and others who said he was the "engine" of that team, and that they thought real has yet to fully find a real replacement.

like roberto carlos at inter. he left, and it took inter milan till 2 years ago to find an even half decent replacement.

[Clinical Striker redded]

- Jeda quality wing forward.
- Modric excellent at times incredible playmaking midfielder / AMF, wasted at a talentless club & league that does do not fit his great qualities.
- Juan Arango quality playmaker.
- Javi Navarro Spanish Materazzi great hard defender in his prime especially. A lot better than the plastic likes of Puyol for instance at the art of defending.

[Kebbie Gazauzkas]

I think that Robbie Keane is being underrated (or at least wasn't given a fair chance to show his worth), he impressed me at Tottenham - scored quite a few important goals, nice passing and positional awareness, as well as a fine work ethic. I still believe that he would be able to shine in a top 4 club.

[That Phat Hat]

one of the most underrated of recent times was makelele when he played for real madrid.
i've heard interviews with those who played with him at real, like zidane and others who said he was the "engine" of that team, and that they thought real has yet to fully find a real replacement.I think everyone except the people running Real Madrid properly rated Makelele's value to the team.

[emmex]

This will probably sound biased cause im South African....But South African players and African players specifically, are very underratted. I think being unknown plays a big part. I have seen matches where players like Drogba, Diouf or Essien are basically equalled or outplayed on that day by other less known players in Africa.

here are some players and my reasons:

Benni McCarthy: (blackburn)
Played for Ajax, Celta Vigo, Porto and Blackburn...
He scored a huge header against ManU and was basically one of the biggest reasons Porto won the champions league. Yet he sits on the bench at blackburn. Put him in a team like Chelsea or ManU and you'll get more out of him. He is better rated in my opinion than to sit on the bench at a team like blackburn. Maybe a team like Everton will suit him where his fellow well rated countrymen Steven Pienaar plays.

Aaron Mokeana (blackburn)
A captain of a national team the size of South Africa, should not be on the bench as much as he is at blackburn. Can play centre back as well as midflield.

Quinton Fortune ( AFC Tubize)
was a great player at ManU...got injured...and now struggles to get a proper team...
could play wing, left back or in centre midflield...

Delron Buckley: (FSV Mainz 05)
Great winger...great commitment...great crosser of ball....Better than most wingers in our country...would do well in the premiership because of his style of play.

Bradley Carnel: (Karlsruher SC)
Great right back...very consistent...would do well in premiership...

Old John Mabizela ( Platinum Stars?)
Played for Spurs...
Lack of discipline off the field..great talent though but his discipline is costing him his career.

Surprise Moriri: (Sundowns)
I consider him a world class player that is a bit undiscovered. On his day he is as good as any midfielder ive seen. Unfortunately not as consistent as he should be.

Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates); Gert Skalkwyk(Bloemfontein Celtic)
great skill and talent and surprisingly missed by european scouts...