Most elegant footballers

Scirea, Antognoni and Rivera were very graceful. They didn't need to trick their opponenents. The ball was glued to their feet and they could dribble smoothly and neatly. Beckenbauer and Platini are the only non-Italians that spring to mind now.

 

My favorite player to watch now is Lionel Messi. I just like watching him play... Id say hes graceful

 

All of the above are certainly legit; I would also add the following (limiting my answers to those whose play I've seen, so players like Garrincha and Meazza remain the stuff of legend):

Beckenbauer (again, and just because), Cruyff, Carlos Alberto, Valderrama, Giacinto Facchetti (I have great affection for those who can "attack from the back"), Baggio, Gullit, Hagi, Platini, Socrates, Zico, Roger Milla, Klinsmann, van Basten, Baresi, Rijkaard, Lillian Thuram, Rio Ferdinand, and of course, Pele who could combine both explosiveness with consummate grace. No doubt I have omitted worthy players that others will add.

 

Kaka. He just seems to glide across the field. He's a joy to watch. I was surprised by way Kaka was neutralized by Zidane and Vierra in the WC. Ronaldinho as well.

 

Roberto Baggio

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he made beating an opponent look easy

 

Laurent Blanc ! Absolute class.

 

Tugay.

 

That's a very good call.

 

MATIAS FERNANDEZ(ex Colo Colo, now is at Villarreal,ESP)
He just has so much skill, touch, and potency.
(voted the Best Player in the Americas in 06', succeding Carlos Tevez)

 

nobody seems to remember redondo?

i'd say when he is on, riquelme.

 

cryuff...I love his style of play

but I think he is more of an explosive footballer

 

it´s difficult to remember all graceful soccer players... but come on MARADONA.... i can name a few I love, henry, zizou, robinho,pele, platini,ronaldinho, aimar... sooo many

 

Glenn Hoddle, Jim Baxter, Davie Cooper, Frank LeBoeuf, Ruud Gullit, Jan Molby,
Brian Laudrup, Liam Brady, Laurie Cunningham.

 

hes a player that is filled with class honour and a true sense of loyalty...

Madrid fans loved him... and he refused to be payed his wages by the AC Milan board when he was out with his lengthy injuries..

 

Zola!!!!!!!

 

I agree but where is Ronaldo??? hehe Bien Nanita!!

 

As much as i love the man, Maradonna was a quick player who would dribble through, around, beside, and over (huh huh) the defenders.

As much as i hate this guy and think that he is overrated, Ronaldinho is very graceful.

Mr.Best maybe?

 

Maldini and Rafa Marquez are both elegant as f*ck.

 

Valdo (1990's) and Nené(1980's), both from Benfica.

More recently, Zidane and Rui Costa.

 

I would say Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore, Cruyff and George Best are way ahead
One might add just as great, or even greater players but your key word is elegance.

Would be interesting too, asking the same question per country and era

Theo Peppas

 

I would say Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Bobby Moore and George Best

Theo Peppas

 

Ronaldo

 

Many of you are saying Zidane. If you know who is mentor/idol was while he was coming up in his career you will find the name Enzo "The Prince" Francescoli. Zidane credits him with saving his career and even named his son after Enzo (Uruguay Captain). His play was very graceful and he was named The Prince because of his gentleman approach to the game. As a possesion midfielder he would constantly be fouled and would just get up and continue play. Never retaliated, and if anyone knows how Uruguayan players play you know that they like to foul very hard. Just look at who has the most red cards in the history of Italian Soccer (Paolo Montero - Juventus). Anyway wanted to add his name to the list of these great players everyone was mentioning.

 

He did stay down on the ground in the Denmark vs Uruguay match of Mexico 86. His dribbling was great but when he got fouled, he didn't get up very quicky.