I would still think Bayern Munich were a bigger club than Fiorentina in the late 80s/early 90s, besides the history of winning three ECs, they made the final of EC87 losing to Porto through that wonderful goal by Madjer. They made a couple more semifinals during this period plus won the UEFA Cup in 96. Fiorentina was part of the "Seven Sisters" in what is the most dominant period by a league in European history, and reached the UEFA Cup final in 90, but still I would not put them as similar level to Bayern. B Laudrup has a very strong international career, by the way I don't much rate the Confed Cup performances, but the WC and Euro gives him a chance. Still, I don't think it's unjust to remove him in favor of Rai, who led Sao Paolo to consecutive Libertadores and Intercontinental titles, beating the two great European sides of the era in Japan. Also Rai has legend status at the Ligue 1.
Pavoni is certainly greatest left-back ever for Independiente, and arguably greatest left-back for Uruguay unless Rodriguez Andrade is considered for that position. Stam and DeBoer would be behind Krol and Koeman for Netherlands.
Yeah, I'm not against Rai being in really - Brolin might make way alternatively but I'm not against his inclusion either. I just meant Fiorentina were a Serie A club spending big money to buy him and although npt a bigger club or better team at the time, it was more a case of the spending money to buy him rather than Bayern off-loading him. I did notice in the Shoot magazine from August 1997 I found (and have posted from today on Puck's thread about the PL and 1st Division ratings) that Brian Laudrup is interviewed and said that the Rangers chairman told him he'd rather keep him than accept £5m (Manchester United and Ajax were interested - Barcelona had also wanted to buy him in 95 but he decided to stay at Rangers) - interesting given he went on a Bosman a year later. Also regarding him, a reader had sent in his top 10 foreign imports to Britain and he was 3rd in that list behind Zola and Bergkamp - I'll post that on Puck's thread too in a minute actually. You mean you don't feel he really played that great in the Confed Cup, or just that it's not really a major tournament? I guess Neymar in 2013 has that 'bonus' too, although it was a bigger tournament by then to be fair too.
I just don't rate the Confed Cup, it doesn't say anything significant about international football even now. That Brazil won it in 2013 is enough proof. Even only up to 2000, besides Zola and Bergkamp I would rate Charles, Best, Jennings, Brady, Souness, Dalglish, Ardiles, Hansen, Molby, McGrath, Irwin, Yorke, Limpar, Cantona, Ginola, Solksjaer as surely greater EPL imports than B Laudrup.
In the head to head were equal, but England won more HBC. Also its amateur and professional intl. matches, I think give England the edge, more depth too. But, yeah 34 vs 20 is maybe too much.
In the period 1916-30: Could be name out: Makepeace, Craig, Bowie, Pacheco, all of them (half)backs. So, I guess the idea is to safe a place to them. From the CFs/IFs, I think the weaker are McLean and Carricaberry. Another possibility is to move Piendibene and Schlosser to previous era. Some candidates to be in: Plattko (GK) - Bidoglio, Harry Dénis (FB) - Keenor, Nitsch (HB) - Dewaquez, Wesely (WG) - Robert Coppee (many IFs) I'd consider A.Gonzalez as CF, Ohaco, Alcántara, Baloncieri as IFs. Other players moving from central trio could balance the list: Romano, Carricaberry as WG, Petit as halfback
I was probably not clear/detailed enough but 'imports' in this case had meant from outside Britain&Ireland to inside Britain&Ireland really. I think he played his prime (best 4 years of his career; or best 3 plus an extra one maybe albeit at the end of that one he played a good WC even if his capabilities might have not been optimal at that point IMO - makes sense that a quick, elusive, agile player is not at his best once in his late 20s I think) in Scotland so like I say at club level that makes things a bit more uncertain. I think there were some behind the scenes reasons he left Chelsea so soon too (and I think it was Gullit who had brought him to the club or set the move in motion and then Vialli who was the manager when he arrived, and he just played a few games including coming on as sub), but I think like with Shevchenko had he gone to England in his mid 20s he'd have done very well (just my perception of course, but probably others would have shared it when they were in their mid 20s). In Scotland (not just imports but overall) over the last 20 or maybe 40 (some might suggest all-time but surely others would challenge that) him and Larsson stand out (though Gascoigne was probably in their class for a short period too), but I suppose its harder to judge (just like, in a different context, it was for Neymar to give him another mention, when in a Brazilian league missing lots of players who'd been sold to European clubs, and with a thrashing by Barcelona as only intercontinental evidence - lots of European clubs and their star players had that too though! - but although one-off results can be misleading it was certainly different in Rai's time but again we shouldn't mix up quality of teams with quality of their best players either I suppose). Anyway, yeah in summary, it's just one view/vote, but I'd suggest B.Laudrup back in and a bit of shuffling around (Albertini can go from 2000 I think as described - we have to keep 'close enough' to the idea of best footballers of the year I think even when going for a list of legends overall; otherwise Brolin perhaps rather than Rai might be the one to go from the earlier 90s if Kohler moved back say).
For me Scifo was more successful in Europe for his clubs. In 1985-86 a semi finalist and a notable role in eliminating Bayern Munich. In 1991-92 UEFA Cup finalist with Torino (although there was and is controversy surrounding the club; read Declan Hill's excellent overviews). Champions League semi final in 1993-94 with Monaco and in 1996-97 UEFA Cup semi final with Monaco again. His best and most decisive phases were 1984-1985 as an 18-19 years old player at Anderlecht; the three seasons at Bordeaux and Auxerre (player of the year as you say); the first season at Torino (strong rating at Gazzetta and also the less reliable DBScalcio indeed); 1993-94 and 1995-96 at Monaco. He didn't have the career that could have been, but on the other hand I also think it's not entirely his fault whereas that is with Gascoigne more the case. In contrast to simplistic perceptions, players are not fully the agent of their own destiny (exceptions prove the rule ). Lots of things surround it. He did have an attitude problem (and lack of settling well, and help with relocation) in 1987-88 at Inter. This was resolved a couple of years later when he got to Torino. What helped him was his form as a youngster. For country but also for his club against the big European teams. That established his name (even without no major 'megaphones' behind him, if you get what I mean).
Yes, I think that all makes sense. Gascoigne did show some very promising form for Newcastle, but Scifo was as a teenager a predicted wonder player and in current time seen as in the world class bracket already. Maybe for this project, both would be in (or not) as and when they showed their best form though. I think trying to judge their years in isolation is ok in their cases probably.
Yeah, I saw that the 1986 guide you recently posted noted "great things being spoken e.g. 'New Cruyff'". The same was also done with a young Michael Laudrup around that time (I suppose it was an easy parallel to make with young prospects from relative outsider countries - not Italy or an Uruguay - and most of all being from northern europe). Before the 1986WC he had established somewhat of a name based on games at European level.
Yeah, I think his impact in European club games had been very notable - goals and general creative play. When it comes to the Wisden method maybe 1984, 1985 (his goals tally in 84/85 plus a nice qualifying goal would stand out) and even 1986 (even if it seems his European game impact might have been out-doing his general domestic form around that time, and his WC impact was perhaps notable moreso for his age rather than being one of the very best performers which some might have expected of him? - another qualifying goal added with a long range header in Ireland in September too though) might be considered. Yes, that's the only reference to him being called a 'new Cruyff' I've seen I think and I tend to think the comparison was more apt for Laudrup in terms of attributes/style, and Scifo's other comparisons I've read about (Platini, Rivera, Kopa) seem better as a guide to his talents and role. But it does show just how highly people were thinking of him. Maybe it's indicative of just being a young superstar - I can't remember now if Michael Owen was compared to Pele or something (although one newspaper in England did compare Rooney to Pele in Euro 2004 I remember for whatever reason, even though to that point the play on his name had led to Brazilian Ronaldo being the one picked out - not really to compare style/ability but just so they could call him Roonaldo I think though!).
For the Wisden method we need to wait for the opening year to be selected don't we, and for lists to start being made from that point, but could be an idea to outline where the top legends will enter the scene? Judging by Lara getting his entry for the 1994 season and not before (although it was skewed towards impact on the English game and we'll be looking worldwide instead) maybe Pele in 1958 (not 1957), Maradona in 1979 (not 1978) and Cruyff in 1967 or 1968 (not 1966)?
@PDG1978 In case you're interested, this is a very good map showing the supporters and fanbases in NL. http://www.tubantia.nl/extra/datajournalistiek/voetbalkaart Both where clubs are dominant, and where they have - relative to population - fans. Not unsurprisingly, the more distant areas - where Ajax scores the lowest but also the other clubs from 'De Randstad' - are also the ones where the Financial Times was recently looking. Not always matching the expectations they hoped to encounter To the very north (about ~20 miles away where Arjen Robben grew up and ~10 miles away from where he went to school) https://www.ft.com/content/c44350c6-f85f-11e6-bd4e-68d53499ed71 To the very south: https://www.ft.com/content/d29b0662-e880-11e6-967b-c88452263daf There's more of an overlap between support for a football club and these sort of things than might initially appear. LOL. Recently it were also the typical 'city politicians' who pressed through a widespread legalization of recreational drugs (it will be fully legal to produce and sell cannabis; after it was for 30 years in limbo). When I said who should be in, in my view (as a 'certainty'), I tried to be objective and even-handed.
I think we could make a start on the Wisden method, suggesting players for certain years. But I would quite like to do the Wisden method on the Wisden basis, giving more credit to notable feats rather than simply good play. So I think @lanman and myself mentioned Roger Milla for 1990. Another one I thought of was Van der Sar in 2009 for his clean sheet record.
I've got a few further thoughts on the Wisden method. Will post them when I get back from work tonight.
Yeah, I remember always thinking that Feyenoord vs Ajax was a big rivalry. But you are not against giving due praise to Ajax and their players by any means. In England, I guess the 'North/South divide' could possibly influence views, but not a lot I think, and I am in the middle anyway.
Yeah, I guess it should be notable/famous feats and/or brilliant overall years (or at least very good) without any consideration necessarily of previous greatness, but perhaps promising or partially brilliant years (without being on a big stage) might not be enough. It seems reasonable to pencil in a few options who'd get there in their famous/notable year I think yeah (where it's clear they don't get in before - as with this method the earliest inclusion rules out any others).
I think it would be fun to do a true Wisden method and take things one year at a time trying to replicate their criteria, not thinking to much about future years, e.g. saving Van der Sar for 2009 if he fit in an earlier year.
If we're going to take the Wisden method on, I would prefer to do it chronologically - it would give a more realistic approach to it. Firstly, we need to agree on the criteria. Wisden is based on the players who had the most impact, and I would suggest we follow that. My proposals for consideration are, in no particular order: Positive impact at the World Cup - either outstanding performance or a memorable impact. There should always be at least a couple in a World Cup year, as its the highest profile tournament. An outstanding cup campaign in a tournament other than the World Cup. High performance throughout a league season that is seen as comparable to the top seasons of recent times. A memorable performance in a one-off match. Record setting. A feel good or surprise performance that grabs headlines. A major influence on how the game is played. Exemplary sportsmanship. Sentimental inclusion (if there are not 5 candidates from the above). It should also be noted that Wisden were not averse to selecting players from outside the county or test games, and we should also consider lower division players and also those from the women's game who meet the criteria. We also need to pick a starting point. The 19th century will probably be too difficult to accurately rate. @Tom Stevens suggested 1920 or 1924. I'm going to suggest 1921 when Jules Rimet became President of FIFA. This gives us 97 years if we include this season. I would then add 3 further selections of 5 to bring us to 100. These would be selected from the years before 1921 - The Amateur Era (Before 1888), The Early League Era (From 1888 to 1904, when FIFA was founded) and The Early International Era (From 1904 to 1920). These could be done retrospectively, but using the same criteria. It might also be worthwhile while when discussing a year to highlight the key events in order to facilitate the choices.
This is worth highlighting. It wouldn't necessarily be the 5 best players in a given year, and some all time greats will probably not get a nomination. It's less of an issue with Wisden's list, as there are far less players to chose from each year than we'll be dealing with.
Your suggestions are very good but "exemplary sportsmanship" is going to give a chance to too many mediocre players. Also, why not 1920, it's when European leagues resume activity after WWI and has three notable international tournaments: Olympics, British Home Championships, and Copa America. I would make a guess that most legendary players who make the list will make it young.
It would need to be something truly headline grabbing, and it would be a filler criteria if there are no outstanding candidates from the other options. Fair enough - I was just trying to get a round figure for the approach. I would still like to do the three additional selections from the early years as a recognition, however. That's probably the case.
This is what I have decided to do. In short Mazali, Zsák, Keenor, Bidoglio, Gestido, Rainer, Caligaris, Wesely, Gibson, and Plattkó all in Dodds, Bowie, Carricaberry, Ferguson, Craig, Stephenson, González, Camsell, Makepeace, Hirzer all out André Mazali in 1924, Joe Dodds out, Rene Petit to 1917 Károly Zsák in 1918, James Bowie out Fred Keenor in 1927, Alfredo Carricaberry out Ludovico Bidoglio in 1927, Hughie Ferguson out, Julio Libonatti to 1921 Álvaro Gestido in 1928, Alex Craig out, David McLean to 1915, Felix Sesúmaga to 1919, György Orth to 1920, Elisha Scott to 1922, Pedro Petrone to 1923, Héctor Scarone to 1924, Hughie Gallacher to 1925, Anton Schall to 1927 Karl Rainer in 1926, Clem Stephenson out, Hans Horvath to 1925 Umberto Caligaris in 1930, Aurelio González out, István Avar to 1929 Ferdinand Wesely in 1929, George Camsell out Jimmy Gibson in 1928, Harry Makepeace out, Alberto Ohaco to 1915, José Piendibene to 1916, Ricardo Zamora to 1920, Alan Morton to 1929 Ferenc Plattkó in 1926, Ferenc Hirzer out New List 1872: Walpole Vidal, CW Alcock, Albert Meysey-Thompson, William Ker, Bobbie Leckie 1873: William Kenyon-Slaney, Arthur Kinnaird, Alex Bonsor, Robert Smith, David Wotherspoon 1874: Fred Anderson, Cuthbert Ottaway, Angus McKinnon, Charles Mackarness, Jim Thomson 1875: Henry Renny-Tailyour, Robert Gardner, William Merriman, PG von Donop, Joseph Taylor 1876: Billy MacKinnon, James Weir, Thomas Highet, Alex McLintock, Hubert Heron 1877: John Ferguson, William Lindsay, Frank Birley, Charles Wollaston, Tom Vallance 1878: Henry McNeil, John McDougall, Alex Kennedy, Andy McIntyre, Jimmy Richmond 1879: Charlie Bambridge, Norman Bailey, Edward Christian, Billy Mosforth, Bob Parlane 1880: Charles Campbell, John Baird, Moses McNeil, Robert Neill, Francis Sparks 1881: George Ker, Andrew Watson, John Smith, Davie Davidson, George Gillespie 1882: Eadie Fraser, William Harrower, John Kay, John Morgan, Bill Anderson 1883: John McPherson, James McAulay, William McKinnon, Peter Miller, Jack Hunter 1884: William Cobbold, Walter Arnott, John Forbes, Bob Christie, Fergie Suter 1885: Joe Lindsay, James Brown, Jimmy Forrest, Arthur Walters, Joseph Lofthouse 1886: Nick Ross, Herby Arthur, William Sellar, Percy Walters, Ben Spilsbury 1887: Archie Hunter, Leitch Keir, Geordie Drummond, Bob Kelso, James Trainer 1888: Tinsley Lindley, Fred Dewhurst, James Kelly, Bob Roberts, James McCall 1889: John Goodall, David Russell, Bob Holmes, Bob Howarth, Johnny Graham 1890: Jimmy Ross, George Dewar, Andrew Hannah, John Gordon, William Townley 1891: Jack Southworth, Edgar Chadwick, Billy Moon, Alf Shelton, Fred Geary 1892: John Campbell, Billy Bassett, Willie Groves, John Auld, Ned Doig 1893: Jimmy Millar, Harry Wood, Johnny Holt, Harry Allen, Fred Spiksley 1894: John Devey, Sandy McMahon, Jack Reynolds, Dennis Hodgetts, Dan Doyle 1895: Hughie Wilson, Davie Russell, Isaac Begbie, Andrew McCreadie, James Hannah 1896: Johnny Campbell, William Lambie, Alexander King, Alf Milward, Archie Goodall 1897: Steve Bloomer, Fred Wheldon, James Cowan, William Foulke, Charlie Athersmith 1898: Ernest Needham, Frank Forman, Rab Howell, Charles Wreford-Brown, William Oakley 1899: GO Smith, Jimmy Crabtree, Fred Forman, Henry Thickett, Albert Buick 1900: Robert McColl, Neilly Gibson, Nicol Smith, Jack Bell, Bill Garraty 1901: Bobby Walker, Alex Raisbeck, Robert Hamilton, Stephen Smith, Henry Rennie 1902: Jimmy Settle, Jock Drummond, RE “Tip” Foster, Alex Smith, Robert Orr 1903: John Tait Robertson, Harry Johnson, Peter Boyle, Jack Robinson, Andy McCombie 1904: Herbert Burgess, Tommy Crawshaw, Alec Leake, Stanley Harris, Alf Common 1905: Grenville Morris, Andy Aitken, Colin Veitch, Leigh Roose, Howard Spencer 1906: James Howie, Jack Sharp, George Wilson, Dicky Bond, Arthur Bridgett 1907: Jimmy Quinn, Alex Young, Jock Rutherford, Alex Bennett, Bobby Templeton 1908: Vivian Woodward, Andrew Wilson, George Holley, Sandy Turnbull, Billy Meredith 1909: Bert Freeman, James Stewart, Peter McWilliam, Ben Warren, Billy Wedlock 1910: Harry Hampton, Joe Bache, Harold Fleming, Sam Hardy, Jimmy Brownlie 1911: Albert Shepherd, Willie Reid, Charlie Roberts, George Wall, Jimmy Hay 1912: Jock Simpson, Jimmy Gordon, Bob Crompton, Bill McCracken, Nils Middlebone 1913: Charlie Thomson, Jesse Pennington, Charlie Buchan, Billy Gillespie, Jackie Mordue 1914: Jimmy McMenemy, Alex McNair, George Elliott, Bill Lacey, Val Harris 1915: Bobby Parker, Joe Smith, Pichichi, Alberto Ohaco, David McLean 1916: José Piendibene, Patsy Gallacher, Isabelino Gradin, Jimmy McColl, Alfredo Foglino 1917: Imre Schlosser, Angel Romano, René Petit, Carlos Scarone, Jorge Pacheco 1918: Kálmán Konrád, Alfred Schaffer, Tommy Cairns, Vaclav Pilat, Károly Zsák 1919: Arthur Friedenreich, Joseph Braun, Pedro Calomino, Vilmos Kertész, Felix Sesúmaga 1920: Karel Pesek, Heinrich Staulfauth, Armand Swartenbroeks, György Orth, Ricardo Zamora 1921: Josef Uridil, Bob Kelly, Américo Tesoriere, Julio Libonatti, Richard Kuthan 1922: Paulino Alcántara, Manuel Seoane, Neco, David Jack, Elisha Scott 1923: Renzo De Vecchi, Ephraim Longworth, Billy Walker, František Kolenatý, Pedro Petrone 1924: José Leandro Andrade, Sven Rydell, Max Abegglen, André Mazali, Héctor Scarone 1925: Josep Samitier, Hans Horvath, Jimmy McMullan, Davie Meiklejohn, Hughie Gallacher 1926: Alex Jackson, Ferenc Plattkó, Roy Goodall, Hector Castro, Karl Rainer 1927: Jimmy McGrory, Josef Silný, Fred Keenor, Ludovico Bidoglio, Anton Schall 1928: Dixie Dean, Jozsef Takacs, Adolfo Baloncieri, Álvaro Gestido, Jimmy Gibson 1929: István Avar, Manuel Ferreira, Antonín Puč, Ferdinand Wesely, Alan Morton 1930: Jose Nasazzi, Josef Smistik, Guillermo Stabile, Pedro Cea, Umberto Caligaris 1931: Rudolf Hiden, Alex James, František Svoboda, Friedrich Gschweidl, Josef Blum 1932: Bernabé Ferreyra, Raimundo Orsi, Matthias Sinderlar, Karl Zischek, Walter Nausch 1933: Cliff Bastin, Jacinto Quincoces, Virginio Rosetta, Gianpiero Combi, Angelo Schiavio 1934: Giuseppe Meazza, Oldřich Nejedlý, Luis Monti, Frantisek Planicka, Eric Brook 1935: Ted Drake, Eddie Hapgood, Raymond Braine, Delfín Benítez Cáceres, Enrique Guaita 1936: Raich Carter, Eraldo Monzeglio, Karl Sesta, Josef Košťálek, Luigi Allemandi 1937: Peter Doherty, György Sárosi, Francisco Varallo, Fritz Szepan, Carlos Peucelle 1938: Arsenio Erico, Silvio Piola, Michele Andreolo, Pietro Rava, Giovanni Ferrari 1939: Gyula Zsengellér, Domingos da Guia, Tommy Lawton, Ernst Lehner, Teodoro Fernández 1940: Josef Bican, Herminio Masantonio, Enrique Garcia, Leonidas, Ugo Locatelli 1941: Franz Binder, José Manuel Moreno, Atilio García, Roberto Porta, Jose Maria Minella 1942: Adolfo Pedernera, Anibal Ciocca, Schúbert Gambetta, Bibiano Zapirain, Mundo 1943: Severino Varela, José Perácio, Ernesto Lazzatti, Isidro Lángara, Antonio Sastre 1944: Zizinho, Fernando Peyroteo, Carlos Sosa, Mario Boye, Karl Decker 1945: Ángel Labruna, Norberto Méndez, Ángel Perucca, José Salomón, Félix Loustau 1946: René Pontoni, Heleno de Freitas, Rinaldo Martino, Angel Zubieta, Ferenc Szusza 1947: Valentino Mazzola, Wilf Mannion, Neil Franklin, Stan Mortensen, Néstor Rossi 1948: Stanley Matthews, Gunnar Gren, Stjepan Bobek, Tom Finney, Danilo Alvim 1949: Jair da Rosa, Ferenc Deák, Estanislao Basora, César Rodríguez, István Nyers 1950: Alcides Ghiggia, Obdulio Varela, Ademir, Giampiero Boniperti, Karl Åge Præst 1951: Gunnar Nordahl, Telmo Zarra, Nils Liedholm, Ernst Ocwirk, Faas Wilkes 1952: László Kubala, Walter Gómez, József Bozsik, Vladimir Beara, Branko Zebec 1953: Nándor Hidegkuti, Ferenc Puskás, Lennart Skoglund, Robert Jonquet, Nat Lofthouse 1954: Sándor Kocsis, Fritz Walter, Víctor Rodríguez Andrade, Helmut Rahn, Zlatko Čajkovski 1955: Billy Wright, Gerhard Hanappi, Zoltán Czibor, Bernard Vukas, Juan Alberto Schiaffino 1956: Igor Netto, Julinho, Lev Yashin, Óscar Míguez, Enrique Hormazabal 1957: Alfredo Di Stéfano, Duncan Edwards, Omar Corbatta, Nilton Santos, Eduard Streltsov 1958: Just Fontaine, Didi, Raymond Kopa, John Charles, Zito 1959: Antonio Angelillo, José Altafini, José Sanfilippo, Kurt Hamrin, Luis Suárez 1960: Uwe Seeler, José Santamaría, Francisco Gento, Valentin Ivanov, Omar Sívori 1961: Danny Blanchflower, Alberto Spencer, Juan Joya, Mário Coluna, Germano 1962: Garrincha, Josef Masopust, Leonel Sánchez, Amarildo, Coutinho 1963: Jimmy Greaves, Pele, Djalma Santos, Pepe, Dave Mackay 1964: Denis Law, Jair da Costa, Antonio Rattin, Amancio, Amadeo Carrizo 1965: Giacinto Facchetti, Sandro Mazzola, Eusebio, Paul Van Himst, José Augusto 1966: Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Silvio Marzolini, Pedro Rocha, Valery Voronin 1967: Jimmy Johnstone, Roberto Perfumo, Flórián Albert, Ademir Da Guia, Ladislao Mazurkiewicz 1968: George Best, Dragan Džajić, Gerson, Pirri, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger 1969: Gianni Rivera, Tostão, Billy Bremner, Luigi Riva, Ove Kindvall 1970: Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Willem van Hanegem, Wolfgang Overath, Albert Shesternyov 1971: Berti Vogts, Luis Artime, Direcu Lopez, Velibor Vasović, Ferenc Bene 1972: Günter Netzer, Piet Keizer, Gordon Banks, Wlodzimerz Lubanski, Hector Chumpitaz 1973: Dino Zoff, Luis Pereira, Pat Jennings, Gerd Muller, Arie Haan 1974: Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Kazimierz Deyna, Grzegorz Lato, Johan Neeskens 1975: Norberto Alonso, Oleg Blokhin, Elias Figueroa, Teófilo Cubillas, Sepp Maier 1976: Rivellino, Daniel Passarella, Ivo Viktor, Rainer Bonhof, Nelinho 1977: Allan Simonsen, Roberto Bettega, Ubaldo Fillol, Toninho Cerezo, Roberto Dinamite 1978: Mario Kempes, Paolo Rossi, Ruud Krol, Rob Rensenbrink, Osvaldo Ardiles 1979: Kevin Keegan, Graeme Souness, Hans Krankl, Peter Shilton, Liam Brady 1980: Sócrates, Giancarlo Antognoni, Jan Ceulemans, Bruno Pezzey, Uli Stielike 1981: Zico, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, César Cueto, Paul Breitner, Marco Tardelli 1982: Gaetano Scirea, Zbigniew Boniek, Bruno Conti, Pierre Littbarski, Claudio Gentile 1983: Kenny Dalglish, Paulo Roberto Falcao, Morten Olsen, Júnior, Ricardo Bochini 1984: Michel Platini, Ian Rush, Enzo Francescoli, Jean Tigana, Antonio Cabrini 1985: Julio Cesar Romero, Preben Elkjaer Larsen, Alain Giresse, Bernd Schuster, Hans Peter Briegel 1986: Diego Maradona, Gary Lineker, Careca, Manuel Amoros, Karlheinz Förster 1987: Ruud Gullit, Michel, Carlos Valderrama, Hugo Sanchez, Jean-Marie Pfaff 1988: Ronald Koeman, John Barnes, Rinat Dassaev, Eric Gerets, Glenn Hoddle 1989: Marco van Basten, Giuseppe Bergomi, Bebeto, Walter Zenga, Roberto Donadoni 1990: Franco Baresi, Lothar Matthäus, Dragan Stojković, Paul Gascoigne, Andreas Brehme 1991: Jean-Pierre Papin, Dejan Savićević, Gianluca Vialli, Rudi Voller, Oscar Ruggeri 1992: Frank Rijkaard, Tomas Brolin, Peter Schmeichel, Thomas Häßler, Rai 1993: Roberto Baggio, Eric Cantona, Giuseppe Signori, Ruben Sosa, Michael Laudrup 1994: Paolo Maldini, Romario, Gheorghe Hagi, Dunga, Hristo Stoichkov 1995: Jari Litmanen, George Weah, Jürgen Klinsmann, Gianfranco Zola, Rui Costa 1996: Alan Shearer, Matthias Sammer, Marcel Desailly, Ryan Giggs, Davor Suker 1997: Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Lilian Thuram, Fernando Hierro, Jürgen Kohler 1998: Denis Bergkamp, Edgar Davids, Alessandro Del Piero, Laurent Blanc, Bixente Lizarazu 1999: David Beckham, Rivaldo, Roy Keane, Gabriel Batistuta, Hernan Crespo 2000: Luis Figo, Redondo, Juan Sebastián Verón, Demetrio Albertini, Zinedine Zidane 2001: Michael Owen, Francesco Totti, Stefan Effenberg, Raul, Cafu 2002: Michael Ballack, Oliver Kahn, Patrick Viera, Christian Vieri, Sol Campbell 2003: Pavel Nedved, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes, Henrik Larsson, Alessandro Nesta 2004: Deco, Thierry Henry, Andriy Shevchenko, Wayne Rooney, Roberto Ayala 2005: Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Adriano, Carlos Tevez 2006: Fabio Cannavaro, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Gianluigi Buffon, Miroslav Klose 2007: Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Juan Román Riquelme, Javier Zanetti, Clarence Seedorf 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Andrey Arshavin, Iker Casillas, Rio Ferdinand 2009: Xavi, Carles Puyol, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Vidić 2010: Wesley Sneijder, Diego Forlán, David Villa, Didier Drogba, Maicon 2011: Lionel Messi, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Edwin van der Sar, Thiago Silva 2012: Radamel Falcao, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Agüero, Mats Hummels, Zlatan Ibrahimović 2013: Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Arturo Vidal, Thomas Muller 2014: Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos, Diego Godin, Manuel Neuer 2015: Neymar, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Sanchez, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne 2016: Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Luka Modrić, Gareth Bale, N'Golo Kante
Inter War Golden Age for Europe, Isolation for South America 1931: Rudolf Hiden (Austria, Wiener AC, Goalkeeper), Alex James (Scotland, Arsenal, Inside Forward), František Svoboda (Czechoslovakia, Slavia Prague, Inside Forward), Friedrich Gschweidl (Austria, First Vienna, Inside Forward), Josef Blum (Austria, First Vienna, Fullback) 1932: Bernabé Ferreyra (Argentina, River Plate, Center Forward), Raimundo Orsi (Italy, Juventus, Winger), Matthias Sinderlar (Austria, Austria Vienna, Center Forward), Karl Zischek (Austria, Wacker Vienna, Winger), Walter Nausch (Austria, Austria Vienna, Wing Half) 1933: Cliff Bastin (England, Arsenal, Winger), Jacinto Quincoces (Spain, Real Madrid, Fullback), Virginio Rosetta (Italy, Juventus, Fullback), Gianpiero Combi (Italy, Juventus, Goalkeeper), Angelo Schiavio (Italy, Bologna, Center Forward) 1934: Giuseppe Meazza (Italy, Inter Milan, Inside Forward), Oldřich Nejedlý (Czechoslovakia, Sparta Prague, Inside Forward), Luis Monti (Italy, Juventus, Center Half), Frantisek Planicka (Czechoslovakia, Slavia Prague, Goalkeeper), Eric Brook (England, Manchester City, Winger) 1935: Ted Drake (England, Arsenal, Center Forward), Eddie Hapgood (England, Arsenal, Fullback), Raymond Braine (Belgium, Sparta Prague, Center Forward), Delfín Benítez Cáceres (Paraguay, Boca Juniors, Center Forward), Enrique Guaita (Italy, Roma, Winger) 1936: Raich Carter (England, Sunderland, Inside Forward), Eraldo Monzeglio (Italy, Roma, Fullback), Karl Sesta (Austria, Austria, Vienna, Fullback), Josef Košťálek (Czechoslovakia, Sparta Prague, Wing Half), Luigi Allemandi (Italy, Roma, Fullback) 1937: Peter Doherty (Northern Ireland, Manchester City, Inside Forward), György Sárosi (Hungary, Ferencvaros, Center Forward), Francisco Varallo (Argentina, Boca Juniors, Inside Forward), Fritz Szepan (Germany, Schalke, Center Half), Carlos Peucelle (Argentina, River Plate, Winger) 1938: Arsenio Erico (Paraguay, Independiente, Center Forward), Silvio Piola (Italy, Lazio, Center Forward), Michele Andreolo (Italy, Bologna, Center Half), Pietro Rava (Italy, Juventus, Fullback), Giovanni Ferrari (Italy, Inter Milan, Inside Forward) 1939: Gyula Zsengellér (Hungary, Ujpest, Inside Forward), Domingos da Guia (Brazil, Flamengo, Fullback), Tommy Lawton (England, Everton, Center Forward), Ernst Lehner (Germany, Augsburg, Winger), Teodoro Fernández (Peru, Universitario, Center Forward) Position Center Forward (11) Inside Forward (10) Fullback (9) Winger (7) Center Half (3) Goalkeeper (3) Wing Half (2) Not to big of a disparity between attack and defense, although there is somewhat of a lack of halfbacks. Part of that is two of the more famous ones for this period are right outside the time frame Locatelli (40), Minella (41), Smistik (30). Country Italy (13) Austria (7) England (6) Czechs (4) Argentina (3) Germany (2) Hungary (2) Paraguay (2) Peru (1) Northern Ireland (1) Belgium (1) Brazil (1) Scotland (1) Spain (1) This seems like overkill on Italy to me. They should probably have the most players, but they always seemed to be on a similar level to the Czechs, English, Hungarians, and Austria. Should probably give a few of their spots to Hungary, or the Czechs.