[Twix]

This isn't the thread for the Peles and Maradonas of this world to take mainstage. It's more a thread to see what constitutes modern greatness these days. So while the Henrys and Tottis arguably look out of place in an all timer list, maybe they are what it constitutes a modern great ??

So by modern, I mean after the glory days of Maradona, probably the last all timer to come to the fore. So I ask that only players that were active after 1993 to be considered. Any achievements, active players, goals scored etc., Pre 1993 is irrelevant for the purpose of this thread to prevent people from comparing Stephen Bywater to Lev Yashin, Emile Heskey to Gerd Muller and so on...

The main criteria, is their ability, achievements, personal role in team's success and their overall skill and effiency.

With all that being said, I defy someone to say that Phil Neville isn't the best player of Modern Times...

[Perú FC]

For me, Zinedine Zidane without any doubt, and would consider players as Gabriel Batistuta, Gianluigi Buffon, Romario, Peter Schmeichel, Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Franco Baresi, Kaká, Ronaldinho, Dennis Bergkamp, Andriy Shevchenko, Pavel Nedved, Íker Casillas, Rivaldo, Paolo Maldini, Oliver Kahn, Luis Figo, Edgar Davids, Lilian Thuram, Roberto Baggio, Carlos Valderrama or maybe already Cristiano Ronaldo.

[Sukhwa]

Whether it's true or not, history will remember Zidane as the greatest player of our times. His respectable list of trophies and awards, his longetivity, memorable "big match" performances and crowd pleasing silky skills makes him a media favourite. Sure he's not as great as some people make him out to be, but in my opinion he's as good a choice as any other player.

As for me, Ronaldo is the player I'll remember this era for. His pre-injury performances were so out of this world, I don't think I've ever seen the same level of play from ANYONE ever since his knees gave way. Maybe those few years of superhuman play isn't enough to place him at the top of the list (his post-injury performances sure as hell isn't), but I don't think I can put anyone above him knowing that, back in his "prime", a 21 year old Ronaldo was playing on a different level compared to whoever was playing at the time.

[Twix]

Originally Posted by Perú FC

For me, Zinedine Zidane without any doubt, and would consider players as Gabriel Batistuta, Gianluigi Buffon, Romario, Peter Schmeichel, Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Franco Baresi, Kaká, Ronaldinho, Dennis Bergkamp, Andriy Shevchenko, Pavel Nedved, Íker Casillas, Rivaldo, Paolo Maldini, Oliver Kahn, Luis Figo, Edgar Davids, Lilian Thuram, Roberto Baggio, Carlos Valderrama or maybe already Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nice list but Davids look out of place and Cristiano and Kaka don't deserve contenders yet.

For me at Club level, it's Ryan Giggs
International Level, it's Ronaldo

If forced to back a Greatest all rounder, i would just play it safe and chose Paolo Maldini.

Originally Posted by Sukhwa

Whether it's true or not, history will remember Zidane as the greatest player of our times. His respectable list of trophies and awards, his longetivity, memorable "big match" performances and crowd pleasing silky skills makes him a media favourite. Sure he's not as great as some people make him out to be, but in my opinion he's as good a choice as any other player.

Totally agree. He wouldn't make my top 10 of all time but I agree that he should be a contender for gratest modern player.

[drahnier]

Paolo Maldini is among the most obvious ones to me.

And yes, Zidane is obvious as well.

There's Michael Laudrup, George Hagi. (Ok Hagi might be doubtful, but he was a charming player.)
Cantona?

Oh and Lothar Matthäus, easily.

Picking just one is impossible though, i'm just mentioning some names that weren't mentioned earlier. (apart from the first 2)

[Perú FC]

Originally Posted by MrTwix69

and Cristiano and Kaka don't deserve contenders yet.

That's because maybe you're giving an upperweight to the years of career, could be a reason to making doubts really. That's the reason I can't be sure about Cristiano Ronaldo yet, because I don't remember him in Sporting Lisboa and only I began to watch him in Manchester United, where his first performances weren't too fantastic for his criticized individualism. Otherwise, Kaká, I could watch him since his debut in Sao Paulo 6 years ago, and I think he had always a good level, enough for me to consider him already.

Originally Posted by drahnier

Oh and Lothar Matthäus, easily.

A great player , but if MrTwix69 only considers since 1993, I think his best performances were before.

[Twix]

Originally Posted by drahnier

Oh and Lothar Matthäus, easily.

Matthaus easily...

If Matthaus is an easy one, then Keane is an even easier one as I think he's been better than him in modern times.

Keane was the driving force behind United for 12 years in which they won 7 league titles, 4 FA cups and a CL title to boot. He bossed every midfielder in the league and was rarely outdone. He was a player built to drive teams on to win trophies.

Matthaus was a great player but what he achieved with Bayern and Inter in the 80s is irrelevant for this thread and that weakens his claim.

[Twix]

Originally Posted by Perú FC

That's because maybe you're giving an upperweight to the years of career, could be a reason to making doubts really.

Correct, while aesthetically(sp?) there can be a case for Kaka and Cristiano. The length of their careers are their shortcomings. Compare Kaka to Paul Scholes, while both at a great level, Scholes has been greater for longer.

If Kaka keeps performing the way he is, no doubt he should be included in a couple of years. But him and Cristiano shouldn't even be in the reckoning imo.

[drahnier]

A great player , but if MrTwix69 only considers since 1993, I think his best performances were before

Matthaus was a great player but what he achieved with Bayern and Inter in the 80s is irrelevant for this thread and that weakens his claim.

I missed the part where he said everything before 1993 should be ignored.

Too bad.

[Twix]

Originally Posted by drahnier

Picking just one is impossible though

I agree, might as well revert to a good ol' top 10 list.

1. Paolo Maldini - The best defender in the 'Modern' era.

2. Ryan Giggs - United's most decorated player and a magnificent player to boot. Been doing it at the highest level for 15 years and counting.

3. Ronaldo - Breathtaking but his injury really messed him up. Still scored goals where he went though

4. Keane - The best box to box midfielder the Premier league has ever seen.

5. Romario - May be controversial to put him as low as 4th. One of the great goalscorers of all time even.

6. Zidane - Unnecessarily overhyped, but I struggle not to put him in my top 10. Beautiful player to watch

7. Schmeichel - May be a pattern.. Seriously he was a dominating presence for United and you'll struggle to find many modern keepers that were as influential as him

7. Gabriel Batistuta - A great striker who achieved alot at club and international level.

8. Francesco Totti - Always sparkles. Not many can boast to havin a season that he has just had.

9. Claude Makelele - Galactitos went on a 3 year trophy drought when he left. Chelsea entered a new age of dominance when he came.

10. Thierry Henry - A Domestic God. A scorer of great goals.


.

Honorable Mentions: Scholes, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Buffon, Nedved, Baresi, Shearer, Desially, Figo, Valderrama, Kahn, Cafu, Ballack, Shevchenko, Desailly, Casillas.

I'm shocked at the players I left out... I'll probably look at this tomorrow and regret some of my choices.