The All Time Draft Selection Thread

Discussion in 'The Beautiful Game' started by comme, Jan 9, 2006.

  1. comme

    comme Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 21, 2003
    Drafters: please use this thread to post your official selections for the draft.

    All: Please use the other thread for analysis and comment on the draft selections, but keep this thread solely for picks.
     
  2. minorthreat

    minorthreat Member

    Jan 1, 2001
    NYC
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Since I appear to have first pick, I'll get this started off right.

    Round: 1 (Week 1)
    Selection: 1
    1st overall pick

    Player: Édson "Pelé" Arantes do Nascimento
    DOB: Born October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil
    Position: Midfielder/Forward
    Nationality: Brazilian
    Caps/Goals: 92 caps, 77 goals

    Clubs: Santos (1956-1974), New York Cosmos (1975-1977)

    Honors:
    3 World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970)
    2 World Club Championships (1962, 1963)
    9 Sao Paulo State Championships (1956, 58, 60, 61, 62, 64, 56, 67, 68)

    Bio: (from http://www.planetworldcup.com)

    Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or better known as Pelè was born October 23rd 1940. He went on to become perhaps the best player of all time. He made his senior debut for Santos in 1956, a month before his 16th birthday and ten months later he played for Brazil against Argentina. Pelè missed the first two matches of the 1958 World Cup, before making his debut against Russia. His first World Cup goal came in the 1-0 quarter -final win over Wales and he scored a hat-trick in the semifinal against France and two more in the final over host nation Sweden. At 17, Pelé became the youngest ever winner of the World Cup.

    Brazil defended the title four years later in Chile, but Pelé was injured early on and missed most of the tournament. Injuries also plagued him in 1966 as Brazil were eliminated already in the first round, but in 1970 he was back on top of his game leading Brazil to a record third title. Pelé was excellent and partnered by Rivelino, Jairzinho and Tostao, Brazil formed perhaps the best team ever.

    Scoring goals was Pelè's trademark, but he was also a clever, quick-thinking player who could create goals for others. He scored a remarkable 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances, and various sources suggest that he netted 1281 in 1363 senior games overall. He played his final game for Santos in 1974, but was persuaded out of retirement the following year when he joined NASL club, New York Cosmos in a $4.000.000 deal. He played his last game for Cosmos in 1977 in front of 75.646 fans.

    Pele has achieved more than any other player in the World Cup history. Surprisingly he hasn't been topscorer in either of the four World Cups he played in, but he is on third place of the all-time topscorers table with his 12 goals. His proudest record must be the fact that he is the only player who has won three World Cups.
     
  3. comme

    comme Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 21, 2003
    DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA

    Born: 30 October 1960 in Fiorito at Lanús.

    Nickname: Pelusa, El Pibe de Oro.

    Position: Left offensive midfield.

    Clubs:Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newells Old Boys, Boca Juniors

    Caps:
    Argentina 91 (1977-1994) / 34 goals

    League Games:
    Argentina 240 (1976-1982 & 1993-1997) / 151 goals
    Spain 62 (1982-1984 & 1992-1993) / 27 goals
    Italy 188 (1984-1991) / 81 goals

    International Club Cup Games:
    European Cups 13 (1982-1991) / 10 goals
    UEFA-Cup 19 (1986-1990) / 3 goals
    Supercopa 1 (1997) / 0 goal

    South American Footballer of the Year: 1979 (winner), 1980 (winner), 1981 (2nd), 1982 (3rd), 1986 (winner), 1989 (winner), 1990 (winner), 1992 (winner), 1993 (8th), 1995 (2nd)

    Argentine Football of the Year: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1990

    Trophies & Tournaments:
    World Cup: 1982, 1986 (winner), 1990, 1994
    South American Championship: 1987, 1989
    UEFA-Cup: 1989
    Argentine Champion: 1981
    Argentine runner-up: 1980
    Argentine Cup winner: never
    Argentine Cup runner-up: never
    Spanish Champion: never
    Spanish runner-up: never
    Spanish Cup winner: 1983
    Spanish Cup runner-up: 1984
    Italian Champion: 1987, 1990
    Italian runner-up: 1988, 1989
    Italian Cup winner: 1987
    Italian Cup runner-up: 1989
    Top League Goal Scorer: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1988

    Few players can divide opinion like Diego Maradona. Yet while some call him a god and others a cheat, none would deny that he was one of the most breathtakingly exciting players the world has had the pleasure to witness.
    Maradona began his career at Argentinos Juniors at the age of 15 and shortly after was appearing for Argentina as a full international. Maradona was hugely disappointed to miss out on the 1978 WC in his home country, which Argentina went on to win, but made up for it with a World Youth Cup in Japan in 1979.

    In 1981 Maradona was transferred to Argentine giants Boca Juniors for £1 million having scored 116 goals in 166 games for his former club. His time at Boca was short and he was soon on the move again, this time to Barcelona for a record fee of £3 million. Maradona’s time at Barca is legendary not for his performaces on the pitch but for his excesses off it. Although he played well at Barca Maradona was surrounded by hangers-on, and suffered a devastating injury at the hands of the infamous “Butcher of Bilbao” Goicochea.

    Maradona moved to Napoli in 1984 for another record fee, this time £5 million, and his time here must rank with any in the history of football. Before Maradona, Napoli were a small provincial club with very little to show for their endeavours. Maradona transformed them in to Italian champions, their first ever, as well as adding a UEFA cup and a second championship in his time at the club.

    In 1986 Maradona was at his Zenith and he inspired a less than stellar Argentina side to victory in the WC held in Mexico. The game against England in the quarter finals will never be forgotten by football fans as demonstrating the two sides of Maradona. Early in the second half Maradona challenged shilton for a high ball and clearly punched the ball into the net. The England player were incensed but the referee and linesmen had not spotted it and Maradona wheeled away in delight. When asked about the goal later Maradona replied that it was “a little bit the head of Maradona, a little bit the hand of God”. Only a few minutes after the incident Maradona received the ball in his own half and proceeded to beat almost the entire England side as he scored what is often described a the great goal of all time.

    The 1990 WC was something of a let down following Maradona’s exploits 4 years earlier. Although Argentina reached the final Maradona displayed none of his former self, and his only high point was an inspiration run and pass to his great friend Canniggia that saw Argentina sneak past Brazi. In the semi final against Italy Maradona lost all support as he begged the Neapolitan people (the game was being held there) to support him and Argentina instead of their won nation. They were not convinced, but Argentina became the first team to prize open Italy’s watertight defence, and Argentina eventually won through on penalties. An abysmal final saw Argentina in disarray and Maradona crying in defeat.

    The following year Maradona was banned for 15 months for cocaine, but he came back in 1994. This time it appeared the Maradona of old had returned and Argentina were considered favourites by many pundits. Sadly Maradona tested positive for Ephedrine and was sent home in disgrace. It was to be his last appearance at the games highest level and his career came to something of a disappointing end.

    Despite all his faults Maradona remains in many peoples eyes the most talented and exciting player the game has witnessed and for sheer entertainment few, if any, can rival him.
     
  4. Bertje

    Bertje New Member

    Nov 10, 2004
    Leiden
    Hendrik Johannes Cruijff

    Born: 25 April 1947 in Amsterdam

    Nicknames: Jopie, Nummer 14, El Salvador

    Position: Centre forward

    Caps:
    Netherlands 48 (1966-1977) / 33 goals

    League Games:
    Netherlands 308 (1964-1973 & 1981-84) / 217 goals
    Spain 139 (1973-1978) / 47 goals
    USA 59 (1979-81) / 26 goals

    European Cup Games:
    87 (1966-1984) / 36 goals

    European Footballer of the Year: 1969 (4th), 1970 (7th), 1971 (winner), 1972 (4th), 1973 (winner), 1974 (winner), 1975 (3rd), 1976 (7th), 1977 (5th)

    Trophies & Tournaments:
    World Cup: 1974 (2nd)
    European Championship: 1976 (3rd)
    European Champions Cup: 1969, 1971 (winner), 1972 (winner), 1973 (winner)
    World Club Cup: 1972
    European Super Cup: 1973
    Dutch Champion: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1982, 1983, 1984
    Dutch runner-up: 1969, 1971
    Dutch Cup winner: 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1983, 1984
    Dutch Cup finalist: 1968
    Spanish Champion: 1974
    Spanish runner-up: 1976, 1977, 1978
    Spanish Cup winner: 1978
    Spanish Cup finalist: -
    US Champion (NASL): -
    Top League Goal Scorer: 1967, 1972

    Season - Club - Games – Goals – [Caps / Goals]

    1964/65 Ajax Amsterdam.............10 / 04
    1965/66 Ajax Amsterdam.............19 / 16
    1966/67 Ajax Amsterdam.............30 / 33 [ 1 / 1 ]
    1967/68 Ajax Amsterdam.............33 / 27 [ 4 / 1 ]
    1968/69 Ajax Amsterdam.............29 / 24 [ 1 / 1 ]
    1969/70 Ajax Amsterdam.............33 / 23 [ 3 / 1 ]
    1970/71 Ajax Amsterdam.............25 / 21 [ 2 / 4 ]
    1971/72 Ajax Amsterdam.............32 / 25 [ 5 / 6 ]
    1972/73 Ajax Amsterdam.............26 / 16 [ 4 / 4 ]
    1973/74 Ajax Amsterdam.............02 / 03 [14 / 7 ]
    1973/74 CF Barcelona.................26 / 16
    1974/75 CF Barcelona.................30 / 07 [ 3 / 5 ]
    1975/76 CF Barcelona.................29 / 06 [ 5 / 1 ]
    1976/77 CF Barcelona.................29 / 13 [ 3 / 2 ]
    1977/78 CF Barcelona.................25 / 05 [ 2 / 0 ]
    1978/79 No Club
    1979.... Los Angeles Aztecs.........27 / 14 [11 / 4 ]
    1980.... Washington Diplomats......27 / 10 [ 1 / 0 ]
    1980/81 Levante UD.................. Second Division
    1981.... Washington Diplomats......05 / 02
    1981/82 Ajax Amsterdam.............15 / 07
    1982/83 Ajax Amsterdam.............21 / 07
    1983/84 Feijenoord Rotterdam......33 / 11

    Bio: (from Planet World Cup)

    Hendrik Johannes Cruijff, born in Amsterdam 1947, began his career at local club Ajax in 1964 where he quickly blossomed into a star. His excellent skills on the ball, great pace and ability to lift his team-mates to a higher level, made him an invaluable asset to the Ajax-team that would later conquer Europe.

    In his trademark jersey #14 Cruijff lifted Ajax to heights the club had never been at before. Six Dutch league championships, four domestic cup titles and then three straight European Cup triumphs 1971-73 plus a European Super Cup and World Club Cup title on top of that as well. Johan Cruijff had taken over the torch from Pele as being the greatest player in the World.

    Cruijff left Ajax early in the 1973/74 season for Barcelona after 318 matches and 250 goals when his team-mates elected Piet Keizer as captain instead of himself. It disappointed Johan. "Barca" could offer a better salary as well and that of course helped luring him to the Catalan capital. Cruijff's immediate presence in the team helped Barcelona win a Spanish league championship that same season - their first in 14 years.

    In the summer of 1974, the Netherlands with Cruijff as the conductor and captain, impressed everybody in the World Cup in West Germany. Their "Total-Football" style where every player moved position all the time and somehow made the Dutch outnumber their opponents in every area of the field, gave great results as "Oranje" marched towards the Final in Munich in great style. Cruijff was instrumental in the latter stages when Argentina and Brazil were sent packing.

    The hosts were opponents in the Final and they hadn't even touched the ball when Cruijff was brought down in the penalty area in the first minute. The second Johan, Neeskens, put Holland in front from the spot. The Germans would however come back and win 2-1. The Dutch, though, won most of the hearts of fans world-wide and their performance in that World Cup made lasting impressions.

    Sadly, Johan Cruijff would never play in another World Cup again. He took part in the qualifiers for Argentina '78, but retired shortly before the finals without giving a particular reason. Everybody in the Netherlands tried to persuade him out of retirement, but to no avail.

    However, already in 1979 Cruijff was back out on the field again, this time in the North American Soccer League where many other fading stars had gathered. He turned out for LA Aztecs and Washington Diplomats over three seasons before returning to Europe, first a very short spell at Levante in Spain, then to his native Ajax in 1981. He won two more Dutch league championships there and another domestic cup title before ending his glorious career with rivals Feyenoord in 1984. There he won another league and cup double as a 37-year old with youngsters like Ruud Gullit as team-mates.

    Johan Cruijff then retired after 752 official career appearances and 425 goals. He was European Footballer of the Year (Golden Ball) winner three times and has since also been a highly successful coach at both Ajax and Barcelona.
     
  5. Excape Goat

    Excape Goat Member+

    Mar 18, 1999
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Round: 1 (Week 1)
    Selection: 4
    4th overall pick
    Player: Alfredo Estéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé, aka La Saeta Rubia (the Blond Arrow).
    Position: M/F

    Career Span: 1943-1966
    Nationality: Argentine, born 1926, Buenos Aires;; Naturalized Spaniard

    Caps: 42
    Argentina: 7 caps, 7 goals
    Colombia: 4 caps
    Spain: 31 caps, 23 goals

    Honors: Argentinian Championship: 2 (1945, 1947)
    Colombian Championship: 4 (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953)
    Spanish Championship: 8 (1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964)
    Spanish Cup: 1 (1962)
    Latin Cup: 2 (1955, 1957)
    European Cup: 5 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)
    Intercontinental Cup: 1 (1960)
    Copa América: 1 (1947)

    Individual honors: European Footballer of the Year 1957, 1959
    Argentine League Top Scorer: 1 (1947)
    Colombian League Top Scorer: 1 (1951, 1952)
    Spanish League Top Scorer: 5 (1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959)

    (from wikipedia)Alfredo di Stefano was considered by many the greatest player of all time. He is most associated with Real Madrid, and with Ferenc Puskas was instrumental in their domination of the European Cup during the 1950s, a period in which the club won the trophy in five consecutive seasons from 1956. Di Stèfano also played international football for Argentina, Colombia, and Spain.

    Di Stéfano was a powerful forward blessed with stamina, tactical versatility, and above all vision that allowed him to act as the conductor to Real's symphony of attacking football.

    Born to a family of Italian immigrants, Di Stéfano's career started with River Plate in Argentina, in 1943. He won six league titles in the first 12 years of his career in Argentina and Colombia (playing for the Millonarios in Bogota) before moving to Real in 1953. Their rivals FC Barcelona believed they had secured his services, the Spanish government then proposed a Salomonic solution which was rejected by Barcelona, allowing Real Madrid to secure his services.

    With 49 goals in 58 matches, Di Stéfano was for decades the leading scorer in European club football, his record only being surpassed by Real's Raul in 2005. Perhaps the highlight of his time with the club was their 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960 European Cup Final at Hampden Park, a game many consider to be the finest exhibition of club football witnessed in Europe. He was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1957 and 1959.

    Di Stéfano won numerous domestic league and cup titles with Real, but never graced a World Cup Finals tournament. He moved to Espanyol in 1964 and played there until hanging up his boots at the age of 40.

    After retirement, he moved into coaching. He guided the Argentine clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate to league titles, and won the Spanish championship and cup with Valencia as well as the European Cup Winners' Cup with the side in 1980. He also managed Real between 1982 and 1984. Today, he is honorary president of the Madrid club.

    Di Stéfano is currently the 3rd highest scorer in the history of Spain's top division, with 228 goals in 329 games, behind Hugo Sánchez (234 goals) and Telmo Zarra (251). Di Stéfano is also Real Madrid's highest league goalscorer of all time, with 216 goals in 282 league matches between 1953 and 1964.

    Di Stéfano was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004, and is reckoned by many authorities to be among the half-dozen most talented attacking players in soccer's history, on a par with Diego Maradona, George Best, Johan Cruijff and Pelé himself. During his time as a player, some considered Di Stefano to be even better than Pelé.

    On Saturday December 24, 2005, Di Stefano suffered a heart attack. He is currently stable
     
  6. tpmazembe

    tpmazembe Member

    Jun 13, 2002
    The Midfield (S.Fla)
    Round: 1 (Week 1)
    Selection: 5

    5th overall pick

    Full Name: Franz Anton Beckenbauer.

    Born: 11 September 1945 in Munich/Germany.

    Nickname: Der Kaiser (Caesar, Emperor).

    Position: Libero.

    Caps:
    West Germany 103 (1965-1977) / 14 goals

    Domestic League Games:
    West Germany 424 (1965-1977 & 1980-82) / 44 goals
    USA 132 (1977-1980 & 1983) / 23 goals

    Domestic Cup Games:
    German Cup 66 (1965-1982) / 5 goals

    European Cup Games:
    80 (1966-1982) / 6 goals

    International Club Cup Games:
    European Champions Cup 40 (1969-1977) / 4 goals
    European Cup Winners’ Cup 23 (1966-1972) / 1 goal
    UEFA Cup 13 (1970-1982) / 1 goal
    European Super-Cup 4 (1975-1976) / 0 goals
    Intercontinental Cup 2 (1976) / 0 goals

    European Footballer of the Year:
    1965 (17th), 1966 (3rd), 1967 (4th), 1968 (4th), 1969 (7th), 1970 (4th), 1971 (5th), 1972 (winner), 1973 (4th), 1974 (2nd), 1975 (2nd), 1976 (winner)

    German Footballer of the Year:
    1966, 1968, 1974, 1976

    Clubs
    SC 1906 Munich (1953-1958)
    Bayern Munich (Youth Team) (1958-1964)
    Bayern Munich (1964-1977)
    New York Cosmos (1977-1980)
    Hamburg SV (1980-1982)
    New York Cosmos (1983)

    Trophies won (compact version):
    1 World Cup
    1 European Championship
    5 German league titles (with Bayern and Hamburg)
    3 NASL championships (with Cosmos)
    3 European Champion Cups (with Bayern)
    1 European Cup Winners’ Cup (with Bayern)
    1 Intercontinental Cup (with Bayern)
    4 German Cups (with Bayern)
    2 times European Footballer of the Year
    4 times German Footballer of the Year
    Once Most Valuable Player NASL

    Trophies won (detailed version):
    World Cup: 1974
    European Championship: 1972
    European Champions Cup: 1974, 1975, 1976
    European Cup Winners Cup: 1967
    UEFA-Cup Finalist: 1982*
    Intercontinental Cup Winner: 1976
    German Champion: 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1982
    German runner-up: 1970, 1971, 1981
    German Cup winner: 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971
    German Cup runner-up: -
    U.S. Champion: 1977, 1978, 1980
    Best League Goal Scorer: never

    World Cup Participation:
    1966, 1970, 1974

    European Championship Participation:
    1968, 1972, 1976

    * did not play

    Franz Beckenbauer started to play for Bayern Munich in 1958 at the age of 12. Already at this early stage he possessed his later trademarks of lightfootedness, playful elements and creativity to such a degree that he was soon selected to play for the German Youth team. Due to his maturity his way from the youth team to the seniors went smoothly. During his youth days, Beckenbauer played as an inside forward, but when he first debuted at the Bayern senior team on June 6th, 1964, manager Zlatko Cajkovski (a former world class player) decided to let him play as an outright left, a position he had not played in before. This match took place in Hamburg against FC St. Pauli and despite winning it comfortably with 4-0, Bayern in the end didn`t manage to get promoted from the regional Southern German league to the newly-created Bundesliga first division league. Thus the next season (1964-65), Beckenbauer had to play his first professional year with the senior team in the regional Souther German league, where he played in 31 of 36 matches and scored 16 goals. He soon moved back from forward position to the central midfield, and almost instantly became the crucial player in Bayern`s aspiring team of hopefuls and seasoned players. Also in this season, a new player started to play inside forward for Bayern, his name was Gerd Müller. With Sepp Maier in goal (who already played for Bayern since 1962), the later legendary axis of Maier-Beckenbauer-Müller was beginning to establish itself in German football.

    With this trio of soon-to-be world class players, Bayern began to rule the Souther regional league and finally managed to get promoted after the season. At this stage of his career, before entering the first German division, German managers Sepp Herberger and his successor Helmut Schön already had an eye on the talented youngster, who experts already called “the next Santamaria”. In April 1965, Beckenbauer was first invited to join the German national team in an exhibition match against Chelsea London, with Beckenbauer taking the part of right midfielder in a 4-2-4. Beckenbauer performed very well, but due to him still ‘only’ being a regional player, he was not selected for the next five FIFA A-matches. When the 1965-66 Bundesliga season started, Beckenbauer was first called up to play for West Germany in an official A-match. It was the crucial World Cup qualifier game in Stockholm against Sweden. Beckenbauer was playing in the midfield again. This would be his regular position in the German team for the next 6 years, much to Beckenbauer`s chagrin, who was playing centre back for Bayern since the start of the 1965-66 season, which was his favorite place on the field. Germany won the hard-fought match in Sweden and qualified for the 1966 World Cup in England. From this match onwards, Beckenbauer would be a regular for Germany for the rest of his international career.

    From 1965-66 on, his story was one of almost fairytale-like success. With Bayern he won the German Cup in 1966 and ended up 3rd in the final Bundesliga table, an excellent performance for a newly promoted team. While he performed superbly already in his first Bundesliga season, it were his performances for West Germany in the 1966 World Cup in England that immediately put him on the map of international football. Beckenbauer played centrally in a midfield consisting of Wolfgang Overath, Helmut Haller and him. In the final against England, German manager Helmut Schön decided that Beckenbauer should man-mark England`s playmaker Bobby Charlton, which resulted in both legends neutralizing themselves. In a classic final, West Germany lost 2-4, but the name Franz Beckenbauer was now known around the football world.

    Beckenbauer ended up third in the “Golden Ball” votings of 1966, behind Bobby Charlton and Eusébio, while he for the first time won the German Golden Ball that same year. During the next years, Beckenbauer perfected his interpretation of the “libero” role, the attacking sweeper, which was previously interpreted by players like Joncquet or Santamaria. Through Beckenbauer`s interpretation, the sweeper position reached a whole new dimension, for his interpretation was genuine and near to perfection. Beckenbauer changed the picture most people had of German football, from fighting, ruthless, rigid physical style to a more playful, creative, finesse style by interjecting his own elegant way of play, coupled with superior technical skills. He “played” football, instead of “working” football. His technical abilities allowed him to introduce a new style of defending that didn`t have to rely on tough tackling, but on supreme ball trickery and outdribbling of the opposing forwards. Coupled with his well-timed, incredibly accurate long and short range passes (usually played with the outside of his foot), and his overall elegant, seemingly effortless way of playing, Beckenbauer was a new sort of defender, a number 10 playing in central defense, so to speak.

    With his club Bayern Munich, he won his first European Cup in 1967, beating Glasgow Rangers 1-0 in the Cup Winners’ Cup final in Nuremberg. 1969 would be Bayern`s most successful year to that date, winning both the league as well as the Cup, and only becoming the second club in German football history to win the double. The 1970 World Cup saw Franz still playing as a midfielder for West Germany, despite his great performances for Bayern as a libero and also for West Germany during a 1968 South American tour, when Beckenbauer was playing libero for the first time for Germany in the game against Brazil, due to Willi Schulz’s injury. Beckenbauer played the central part in a midfield consisting of Wolfgang Overath on the left and veteran centre forward Uwe Seeler excelling in the unused role of right midfielder and support striker. Together with Overath and Müller, Beckenbauer was the dominating player in Germany`s 1970 World Cup, and some argue Beckenbauer`s handicap through injury was the main reason why they lost to Italy in the spectacular semi final which the Azzurri won 4-3 in extra time. The third place match against Urugay (1-0) would be the last game West Germany would have to play without Beckenbauer for the next seven years. 1971 and 1972 were to become crucial years for both Beckenbauer and West Germany. In 1971, Helmut Schön finally decided to let Franz take the libero position for good (after Schulz had ended his international career in 1970 and Schnellinger being absent too often due to his engagement with Milan). Franz also ended up as the West Germany captain after Wolfgang Overath (who took over from Uwe Seeler in 1970) got injured for a long period. In 1971-72, the West German “Nationalmannschaft” undoubtly reached its pinnacle. Never before or after has a German team played such adventurous and flairful football, beating Poland in Warsaw 3-1, England at Wembley 3-1 (European Championship quarterfinals), Belgium 2-1 in Brussels (Euro semi final), the USSR 4-1 in Munich and 3-0 in Brussels (Euro final), as well as Mexico 5-0 and Switzerland 5-1. Their style during the early seventies was often referred to as a more realistic approach towards “Total Football” than the much-fancied Dutch version. Franz Beckenbauer and Borussia Mönchengladbach`s Günter Netzer were at the heart of this team, with ultimate goal poacher Gerd Müller being in sublime form as well. Thanks to his supreme performances, Beckenbauer won the European Golden Ball for the first time, he went on to win it for a second time in 1976 (Beckenbauer is the only player to have featured in the top 10 Golden Ball poll for 11 years in a row, coming out second in 1974 and 1975). Bayern ended runners-up in the Bundeslige twice behind Borussia Mönchengladbach (the other dominat force in German club football throughout the 1970s) in 1970 and 1971, but in the 1971-72 season, Bayern set out to break almost all existing Bundesliga records: the first and only team to ever score more than 100 goals (101 in 34 games), the highest number of wins in one season (25), and the highest number of points (55-13). The following season, Bayern were to dominate the Bundesliga even more, winning the league with a 13 points lead over the second-place Cologne team.

    Beckenbauer and in fact Bayern`s and West Germany`s biggest year was yet to come, though. In 1974, Bayern went on to win the Bundesliga for a third straight time (new record), they also won the European Champions Cup for the first time and then Franz and five other Bayern players also won the World Cup! It doesn`t get much bigger than that for a player, but Franz was also the captain in all those wins and the most instrumental player, who took over the charge of Germany manager informally from Helmut Schön after the infamous 0-1 loss against East Germany in the early World Cup group stages. Franz took the command, threw established players out of the team (among them Bayern teammate Uli Hoeness) and brought in fresh players like Rainer Bonhof. Unlike some of his teammates, Beckenbauer himself excelled during the whole tournament, convincing not only in the technique department but also as a fighter and tackler, ultimately leading Germany to a 2-1 win in the Munich final against the fancied Dutch led by Johan Cruijff (taking revenge for the 0-4 thrashing of Bayern by Ajax in the EC1 quartefinal in 1972/73). After this tremendously successful season, Bayern not unexpectedly went downhill, struggling against relegation in the Bundesliga, but due to an energetic exertion by Beckenbauer and Sepp Maier in goal, Bayern went on to defend its continental title in 1975 against Leeds United (2-0) in Paris. They won the European Cup for a third straight time in 1976 (beating AS St. Etienne 1-0 in Glasgow), but this would remain Bayern`s last international triumph for the next 20 years as the Bayern era was now coming to an end. West Germany went on to reach the final of the European Championships in 1976, after a dramatic semi final win over hosts Yugoslavia (4-2 in extra time), but the final was lost in the first ever penalty shoot-out for national teams against the CSSR of Nehoda, Panenka, Viktor, Ondrus and Masny. 1976-77 was possibly Beckenbauer`s strongest ever year, playing extremely well in almost all competitive matches.

    He was expected to lead West Germany to the World Cup in 1978, but due to difficulties in his private life, which was exploited mercilessly by the tabloids, Beckenbauer accepted an offer by New York Cosmos in April 1977, where he was planned to substitute Pelé, who was about to end his career in October. This change to Cosmos in fact also quite aprubtly ended Beckenbauer`s international career, as players playing outside of Germany were not considered to be called up (especially if they were playing on another continent!). Beckenbauer scored a goal in his first match for Cosmos (a 2-4 defeat against Tampa Bay), but the team he found himself playing in seemed to be lacking a concept and the difference of quality between the players was striking. World class players met players of amateur level, almost. For Cosmos, Franz used to play in midfield most of the time, and his performances were so convincing that he won the “NASL Most Valuable Player 1977” in his first U.S. season. Other players starring for Cosmos at that time were Italy`s Giorgio Chinaglia, Brazil’s Carlos Alberto Torres and Peru`s Ramon Mifflin. With the arrival of new manager Eddie Firmani, Cosmos’ approach became more professional and this showed in the NASL championship. Cosmos won the NASL in 1977 by beating the Seattle Sounders 2-1 and repeated this triumph in 1978 by beating the Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-1. In April 1979 he was severely injured for the first time in 12 years and was sidelined for two months. But before and after his injury, he played so strongly that he made the NASL ‘All-Star Team’ for a third time in a row. Despite Beckenbauer`s good form, 1979 turnt out to be the least successful year for him while he was in America, with Cosmos losing the semi final in the NASL Championship against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Cosmos was back on track in 1980, though, winning the NASL for a third time with a 3-0 win against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (who featured Beckenbauer`s old buddy Gerd Müller as well as Peruvian legend Teofilo Cubillas). At that time, Cosmos starred players like Carlos Alberto Torres, Giorgio Chinaglia, Julio Romero, Johan Neeskens, Wim Rijsbergen, Vladislav Bogicevic and Angelo di Bernado. But despite all his success in the NASL, in September of 1980 Beckenbauer accepted the offer of Hamburg SV managing director Günter Netzer to come back to Germany playing for Hamburg in the Bundesliga. He was already 35 years of age and this posed certainly quite a challenge to even as fine a player as Beckenbauer. For Hamburg, he got back to play in his precious libero position once more, finishing runners-up behind Bayern in the 1980-81 season. In 1982 he was plagued by injury and thus only took part in 15 matches for Hamburg, who went on to win the German league and also reached the UEFA-Cup final (losing against Göteborg without Beckenbauer). His farewell match took place in May 1982, but he was still fit enough to accept an offer by Cosmos in 1983 and went on to play one final year for them. In 1984, Beckenbauer became “Teamchef” of the German national team, leading them to the 1986 World Cup final (losing 2-3 against Maradona`s Argentina), the 1988 Euro semi final (losing 1-2 against van Basten and Gullit`s Holland), before leading West Germany to a third World Cup win in Italy against Argentina (1-0) in 1990. Beckenbauer thus became only the second man to win the World Cup both as player and as manager. He also enjoyed success as a club manager in the 1990s, winning the Bundesliga with Bayern in 1994 and the UEFA-Cup in 1996 (Bayern`s first international title in 20 years). At the same time, he was also Bayern`s club president, which he still is today. His latest laurels include the 2006 World Cup being staged by Germany, being very instrumental in the campaign.


    League Statistics per Season

    Season - Club - Games – Goals [ Caps / Goals ]
    1964/65 Bayern Munich.....Second Division
    1965/66 Bayern Munich.............33 / 04 [14 / 7 ]
    1966/67 Bayern Munich.............33 / 00 [ 4 / 0 ]
    1967/68 Bayern Munich.............28 / 04 [ 6 / 1 ]
    1968/69 Bayern Munich.............33 / 02 [ 8 / 0 ]
    1969/70 Bayern Munich.............34 / 06 [11 / 1 ]
    1970/71 Bayern Munich.............33 / 03 [10 / 3 ]
    1971/72 Bayern Munich.............34 / 06 [ 9 / 0 ]
    1972/73 Bayern Munich.............34 / 06 [ 6 / 1 ]
    1973/74 Bayern Munich.............34 / 04 [17 / 0 ]
    1974/75 Bayern Munich.............33 / 01 [ 6 / 0 ]
    1975/76 Bayern Munich.............34 / 05 [ 9 / 0 ]
    1976/77 Bayern Munich.............33 / 03 [ 3 / 1 ]
    1977.... New York Cosmos.........21 / 05
    1978.... New York Cosmos.........33 / 10
    1979.... New York Cosmos.........18 / 01
    1980.... New York Cosmos.........33 / 05
    1980/81 Hamburger SV.............18 / 00
    1981/82 Hamburger SV.............10 / 00
    1983.... New York Cosmos.........27 / 02

    International Club Games

    1966/67 Bayern Munich.....EC II........09 / 00
    1967/68 Bayern Munich.....EC II........07 / 01
    1969/70 Bayern Munich.....EC I.........02 / 00
    1970/71 Bayern Munich.....UEFA Cup..08 / 01
    1971/72 Bayern Munich.....EC II........07 / 00
    1972/73 Bayern Munich.....EC I.........06 / 01
    1973/74 Bayern Munich.....EC I.........10 / 01
    1974/75 Bayern Munich.....EC I.........07 / 01
    1975/76 Bayern Munich.....EC I.........09 / 00
    1976/77 Bayern Munich.....EC I.........06 / 01
    1980/81 Hamburger SV......UEFA.......00 / 00
    1981/82 Hamburger SV......UEFA.......05 / 00

    [Text from Gregoriak's synopsis inThe BigSoccer Profiles Thread ]
     
  7. Real Ray

    Real Ray Member

    May 1, 2000
    Cincinnati, OH
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Round: 1 (Week 1)
    Selection: 6
    6th overall pick


    [​IMG]

    Eusébio da Silva Ferreira (born January 25, 1942 in Lourenço Marques Mozambique) Nicknames: The Black Pearl and The Black Panther

    Considered to be one of the best of his time and is unarguably one of the great all-time players. His trademarks were his speed (he was the under-19 Portuguese champion of 400, 200 and 100 m races), quick dribble and a fierce, tremendously accurate right-footed strike.


    In 1961, Eusébio joined Benfica as a 19 year old from his local club, Sporting Club of Lourenço Marques, for £7500, and immediately became a crucial element on the team. He made his debut for the Portuguese national team that year as well, against Luxembourg. In 1962, he won the European Champions Cup - he scored two goals in the final, played against Puskás' and Di Stéfano's Real Madrid CF. Benfica won by 5-3.

    He was the leading scorer in the 1966 World Cup where he scored nine goals, including four against North Korea. He was the 1965 European Footballer of the Year and in 1968 was the first winner of the Golden Boot Award, as Europe's leading scorer, a feat he repeated five years later. The Portuguese League's top scorer every year from 1964 to 1973, he helped Benfica to 10 league championships and 5 cup wins. He scored an outrageous 727 goals in 715 matches wearing Benfica's jersey. Eusébio was the all-time leading scorer for his country, with 41 goals (in 64 matches), until Pauleta outnumbered this record against Latvia, on 12nd October 2005.

    In 1975 and 1976, Eusébio played for two minor Portuguese teams, Beira-Mar and União de Tomar. He scored a total of 733 goals in the Portuguese League.

    He also played in the much fabled North American Soccer League. He appeared for three different NASL teams from 1975 to 1977: Boston Minutemen (1975), Toronto Metros-Croatia (1976) and Las Vegas Quicksilver (1977). His most successful season in the NASL was in 1976 with the Toronto Metros. He scored in their 3-0 victory at the 76 Soccer Bowl to win the NASL title.

    1976 was a busy year for Euesbio, he also played for CF Monterrey in the Mexican league. He played ten games that season and the team subsequently won the Championship that year.

    The following season (1977) he signed for the Las Vegas Quicksilvers. However, Eusebio's knees "called it a day" and this was his last season playing professional football. Some sources do state that he did appear for the New Jersey Americans of the ASL 2nd Division (American Soccer League) in 1978.


    Honours

    * 1961: Portuguese Championship, World Club Cup runner-up
    * 1962: European Cup, Portuguese Cup, World Club Cup runner-up
    * 1963: Portuguese Championship, European Cup runner-up
    * 1964: Portuguese Championship, Portuguese Cup
    * 1965: Portuguese Championship, European Cup runner-up, European Footballer of the Year
    * 1966: World Cup 3rd place
    * 1967: Portuguese Championship
    * 1968: Portuguese Championship
    * 1969: Portuguese Championship and Cup
    * 1970: Portuguese Cup
    * 1971: Portuguese Championship
    * 1972: Portuguese Championship, Portuguese Cup
    * 1973: Portuguese Championship
    * 1974: Portuguese Championship
    * 1976: Mexican Championship
    * 1976: NASL Championship

    Text copied under Wikipedia terms
     
  8. Ombak

    Ombak Moderator
    Staff Member

    Flamengo
    Apr 19, 1999
    Irvine, CA
    Club:
    Flamengo Rio Janeiro
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
    My selection is:

    George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005), Northern Ireland.

    Mainly remembered for his time with Manchester United F.C., he played for United between 1963 and 1974, helping them to win the Football League Championship in 1965 and 1967, and the European Cup in 1968. The same year, he was named European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year.

    He made 466 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions, scoring 178 goals. Best was United's top scorer for six consecutive seasons. During this run he also topped the first division scoring charts in 1967-68 with 28 goals. He was capped 37 times for Northern Ireland, scoring nine goals. He played mainly as a winger and was known for his dribbling skills and passing. Diego Maradona has frequently named Best as his all-time favorite player and Pelé once stated that Best was the best player he ever saw play.

    Major career stats:

    1963-1974 - Manchester United: 466 games, 178 goals, (Lge 361/137, FA Cup 46/21, Lge Cup 25/9, Europe 34/11)
    1976-1976 - Los Angeles Aztecs: 24 games, 15 goals (NASL Season only)
    1976-1977 - Fulham: 47 games, 10 goals
    1977-1978 - Los Angeles Aztecs: 37 games, 14 goals (NASL Season only)
    1978-1979 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers: 33 games, 7 goals (NASL Season only)
    1979-1980 - Hibernian: 22 games, 3 goals
    1980-1981 - San Jose Earthquakes: 56 games, 21 goals (NASL Season only)

    Bio modified from www.wikipedia.org under license terms
     
  9. Sempre

    Sempre ****************** Member+

    Mar 4, 2005
    NYC
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Poster: Sempre
    Round 1, Week 1
    8th Pick Overall

    Player Selected:

    FERENC PUSKAS

    Born: 2 April 1927 in Kispest.

    Nickname: Öcsi, Pancho Puskas, Canoncito Pum.

    Position: Inside left.

    Caps
    Hungary 84 (1945-1956) / 83 goals
    Spain 4 (1961-1962) / 0 goals

    League Games
    Hungary 354 (1943-1956) / 357 goals
    Spain 179 (1958-1966) / 154 goals

    Domestic Cup games:
    Hungarian Cup 40 (1944-1956) / 50 goals

    International Cup Games:
    European Champions' Cup 41 (1956-1966) / 35 goals
    Intercontinental Cup 2 (1960) / 2 goals

    European Footballer of the Year: 1956 (4th), 1959 (7th), 1960 (2nd), 1961 (5th), 1965 (13th)

    Trophies & Tournaments:
    World Cup participation: 1954, 1962
    World Cup beaten finalist: 1954
    Olympic Tournament: 1952
    Intercontinental Cup: 1960
    European Champions' Cup: 1959*, 1960, 1966*
    European Champions' Cup beaten finalist: 1962, 1964
    Hungarian Champion: 1949/50, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956
    Hungarian runner-up: 1946/47, 1951, 1953
    Hungarian Cup winner: -
    Hungarian Cup beaten finalist: 1955
    Spanish Champion: 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965
    Spanish runner-up: 1959, 1960, 1966
    Spanish Cup winner: 1962
    Spanish Cup beaten finalist: 1958, 1960, 1961*
    Top League goalscorer: 1947/48, 1949/50, 1950, 1953, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964

    * did not participate in final


    In 1958 Emil Oestreicher put his job on the line. Real Madrid needed a new striker, and their manager signed an overweight, one footed 31 year old who hadn’t kicked a ball in anger for over 18 months. Fortunately for Oestreicher the player in question was Ferenc Puskas and over the next seven years he would revitalise a career which had hit rock bottom. Unwanted in Italy (which was Puskas’ first choice) he would forge with Alfredo di Stefano one of the greatest partnerships ever to take the field, epitomised on a memorable night in Glasgow in 1960 where the pair shared seven goals in what many consider the greatest European Cup final and one of the greatest games ever. The fact that he could only use his left foot with any effectiveness was not important - with it he could produce the most sublime piece of skill or unleash the most fearsome of shots. Few, if any, could do as much with just one foot and as Puskas said "If you kick a ball with two feet you end up on your arse".

    During his time in Spain Puskas hit over 150 goals and was four times top scorer as Madrid won 5 titles and never finished lower than second during his time there. He also played in 3 European Cup finals and in addition to the four he scored at Hampden Park he bagged a hat-trick in the 1962 defeat to Benfica, making him the only player with two final hat-tricks (as many as all other players combined).

    At Madrid he also worked hard on regaining fitness but never returned to the level he was at his peak and as such, despite becoming a Madrid legend the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu never witnessed the best of the man who helped change the face of world football with Hungary in the early 50’s.

    He had made his debut for local club Kispest at the age of 16 and his leadership qualities were never in any doubt as he wasted no time in bossing around players twice his age. Two years later he made his national team debut and duly scored against Austria. His sixth game featured the first of five international hat-tricks and saw his goals per game ratio rise to over a goal per game – a level it was not to drop below until his 84th game.

    Hungary in the late 40’s was going through a footballing revolution which was to change the game forever and Puskas was to be its leader. Breaking with the traditional W-M formation, Hungary played a fluid, prototype version of 4-2-4 with players swapping positions constantly throughout the game which would cause opposing teams untold problems. In addition, boots were changed from the heavy, standard ankle length variety into shoes resembling the modern boot, giving the players greater control of the ball. The Hungarian government had also decided that the national team core should play in just two teams and as such Kispest became Honved, the nation’s army team and key players were conscripted to benefit the country. Puskas was the captain and star of this revolution, but this was not totally about one man – Hungary possessed at least seven players who were considered among the top two or three at their respective position in the world.

    These changes, coupled with the great players at Hungary’s disposal turned the national team into a juggernaut crushing almost all before them. Most famously they came to England and became the first team from outside the British Isles to triumph there, although it was the manner of the victory as much as the 6 goals they scored in such style that did much to change the whole approach to the game in the country that gave the world the game. Puskas scored two on that day, one of which leaving Billy Wright (one of the games finest ever defenders) sprawling as he cutely dragged the ball back from the onrushing defender before rifling the ball past a helpless Gil Merrick. Wright himself called it “the most perfectly executed goal” he had ever witnessed.

    England were just another victim on Hungary’s march to the 1954 World Cup final, taking in the 1952 Olympic title on the way, where they were upstaged by West Germany in one of the games greatest ever shocks. Puskas himself must take part of the blame, having declared himself fit after missing the previous two games. It was clearly obvious from his performance (despite his goal) that he should never have taken the field and a fabulous fight back from the underdog Germans stunned the footballing world.

    Still, there was always 1958 when most of the Hungarians should have been reaching their peak. History, however, declared that the Magical Magyars would never meet the Brazil of Pele, as in 1956 Soviet tanks drove into Hungary to quell a rebellion. Honved were in Spain at the time, playing a European Cup tie, and Puskas and two of his star players (Czibor and Kocsis) would not return with the team, seeking exile in the west. The trio were banned for a year, and although Czibor and Kocsis soon found employment with Barcelona, Puskas was less fortunate – as his weight ballooned his stock fell, with no clubs willing to take him on until Madrid made their move. His career with the national team ended with a record of 83 goals in 84 games which lasted almost half a century and will likely never be surpassed by any European.

    Puskas ended his playing career in 1966, but not before he had returned to the World Cup with Spain (who had naturalized him) in 1962. Once again FIFA’s showpiece was not kind to him, as Spain crashed out in the first round, despite a squad including Luis Suarez, Di Stefano, Francisco Gento and Jose Santamaria.

    Following his retirement Puskas became a coaching journeyman, plying his trade in Chile, Paraguay, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Egypt and Greece where he guided unfashionable Panathaniakos to the European Cup Final only to come unstuck against the Ajax of Cruyff and Michels.

    He later settled in Spain, his adopted homeland, but something still was not right. Ever since that fateful night in 1956 he had been dismissed by the Communist Hungarian government (who deleted him from many records, most notably goalkeeper Gyula Grocsis’ book on the great team) and he had never returned to his homeland. The censorship had actually helped Puskas’ reputation at home, and when he was finally allowed to return for an Old Boys game in 1981 the entire People’s Stadium (including the government representatives) rose as one to salute their greatest ever player. Eventually it all came full circle, and in the early 90’s he took over management of the national team for a short period, and the national stadium was re-named in his honour.

    He now resides in a care home in Budapest and has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but such is his standing in the game on August 14th Real Madrid came to play the Hungarian National Team in a benefit match to raise funds for his treatment. Unfortunately, in order to pay for further treatment, Puskas has recently sold his medal collection.

    Even now the real Puskas remains lost too many, knowing only his performances for Madrid and not his halcyon days as spearhead of the most feared team in the history of the game, but those who know him best will always rate him up with the very best.

    “Puskas scared the hell out of goalkeepers from the 30-35 metre range. He did not just have a powerful shot, but precision as well. I thought he was a genius” – Raymond Kopa

    “I was with Puskas coaching in Australia the players he was coaching did not respect him until he put the ball down outside the area and intentionally hit the cross bar ten times in a row” – George Best

    And finally on himself:

    “Gento still likes to tell the story about how he would throw me the soap in the showers and I could catch it with my left foot and keep it up for a while……. It was true”


    Season - Club - Games – Goals – [Caps / Goals]

    1943/44 Kispesti AC........... 18 / 07
    1944 ....Kispesti AC........... 14 / 07
    1945 ....Kispesti AC........... 20 / 10
    1945/46 Kispesti AC........... 33 / 35 [ 3 / 3 ]
    1946/47 Kispesti AC........... 30 / 32 [ 5 / 6 ]
    1947/48 Kispesti AC........... 32 / 50 [ 5 / 6 ]
    1948/49 Kispesti AC........... 30 / 46 [ 5 / 7 ]
    1949/50 Honved Budapest... 30 / 31 [ 4 / 7 ]
    1950.... Honved Budapest... 15 / 25 [ 6 / 12]
    1951.... Honved Budapest... 21 / 21 [ 3 / 4 ]
    1952.... Honved Budapest... 26 / 22 [ 9 / 9 ]
    1953.... Honved Budapest... 26 / 27 [ 7 / 6 ]
    1954.... Honved Budapest... 20 / 21 [12 / 8 ]
    1955.... Honved Budapest... 26 / 18 [12 / 10]
    1956.... Honved Budapest... 13 / 05 [ 9 / 3 ]
    1956/57 suspended
    1957/58 suspended
    1958/59 Real Madrid.......... 24 / 21
    1959/60 Real Madrid.......... 24 / 25
    1960/61 Real Madrid.......... 28 / 27
    1961/62 Real Madrid.......... 23 / 20 [ 4 / 0 ]
    1962/63 Real Madrid.......... 30 / 26
    1963/64 Real Madrid.......... 24 / 20
    1964/65 Real Madrid.......... 18 / 11
    1965/66 Real Madrid.......... 08 / 04
    1966/67 Real Madrid.......... 00 / 00


    European Cup Games:

    1956/57 Honved Budapest.. 02 / 01
    1958/59 Real Madrid.......... 05 / 02
    1959/60 Real Madrid.......... 07 / 12
    1960/61 Real Madrid.......... 02 / 00
    1961/62 Real Madrid.......... 09 / 07
    1962/63 Real Madrid.......... 02 / 00
    1963/64 Real Madrid.......... 08 / 07
    1964/65 Real Madrid.......... 03 / 01
    1965/66 Real Madrid.......... 03 / 05

    Source: Player Profiles Thread (bio. by Ianman)
     
  10. Dark Savante

    Dark Savante Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Become the Tea Pot!!
    Player: Ronaldo Luis Nazario da Lima, aka Fenomeno
    Selection: 9
    Born: Sept 22, 1976 Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
    Position: Forward
    Career Span: 1993-Present
    Nationality: Brasilian

    1 x Dutch Cup 1995-1996
    1 x Spanish League 2002-2003
    1 x Spanish Cup 1996-1997
    1 x Cup Winners Cup 1996-1997
    1 x UEFA Cup 1997-1998
    2 x Copa America 1997, 1999
    1 x World Cup 2002
    1 x Dutch League Top Scorer 1994-1995
    2 x Spanish League Top Scorer 1996-1997, 2003-2004
    1 x Copa America Top Scorer 1999
    1 x World Cup Top Scorer 2002
    3 x FIFA World Player of the Year 1996, 1997, 2002
    2 x European Footballer of the Year 1997, 2002
    3 x World Soccer Player of the Year 1996, 1997, 2002



    Aged just 17 Ronaldo scored 58 goals in 60 games for Cruziero. PSV paid a then
    record fee of £4 million for the prodigiously talented youngster who was an unused
    member of Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning squad.

    After averaging a goal a game in the Dutch league Barcelona won a fierce battle with
    Inter over Ronaldo's signature. An amazing start to his Spanish career saw him collect
    the first of his FIFA and World Soccer player awards. He finished La Liga top scorer,
    scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the Cup Winners Cup final and also scored
    in the Copa America final for Brazil.

    One year after missing out on his signature, Inter snatched him away from Barca by
    paying the £19 million buy out clause in his contract, £9 million more than Barca had
    paid for him the previous season. His relentless goalscoring rate continued earning
    him second successive FIFA and World Soccer player of the year awards and for the
    first time the most prestigious award of them all, the Ballon D'or.

    Ronaldo completed an unwanted hat-trick of second place finishes following a hugely
    controversial defeat against Juventus. While Inter were fuming over the referee's failure
    to award them a penalty for a foul on Ronaldo Juventus promptly went downfield and
    won one their own with a trademark dive. Del Piero converted and Juventus went on to
    seal the championship. Ronaldo helped Inter gain consolation weeks later with a goal in
    a 3-0 UEFA Cup final victory over Lazio.

    Clearly established as the best player in the World Ronaldo lived up to the hype at the
    1998 World Cup. He was outstanding as both goalscorer and goal maker as Brazil
    marched relentlessly towards a record fifth World Cup with victories over Denmark
    and Holland in classic encounters. Ronaldo's name didn't appear on Brazil's initial
    team sheet for the final against France. Rumours that the striker had suffered a convulsive
    fit on the eve of the finals were later confirmed. A lethargic Ronaldo watched on helplessly
    as hosts France thrashed them to win their first ever World Cup.

    Ronaldo ended a frustrating, injury plagued 1998-1999 campaign on a high note by
    helping Brazil retain the Copa America. He ruptured a tendon in his right knee in
    November and lasted six minutes into his comeback in an Italian Cup tie against
    Lazio. Lazio proved to be the striker's bogey club. After missing almost two years
    with injury Ronaldo returned to action in 2002. Inter needed victory away to Lazio to
    win the championship. They were crushed 4-2 and Ronaldo left the pitch in tears after
    being substituted late in the second half.

    Ronaldo would cry tears of joy in the World Cup that summer. Champions France and
    arch rivals Argentina fell in the first round and Brazil took full advantage of a weak field
    to win a fifth World Cup, Ronaldo scored both goals in the final against Germany.

    An unhappy five year stay in Italy ended with a move to Real Madrid. An overweight
    Ronaldo was pillared by the Spanish press following indifferent form but finally came
    good in the second half of the season as Real made up for a champions league exit at
    the hands of Juventus to win the Spanish championship, his first ever league title.

    Knee injuries have robbed 'Il Fenomeno'' of his astonishing pace but he still remains one
    of the deadliest strikers in the game. Has already established himself as one of the all
    time greats.

    Key Attributes : Pace, power, dribbling

    http://soccer-europe.com/Biographies/Ronaldo.html
     
  11. argentine soccer fan

    Staff Member

    Jan 18, 2001
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Club:
    CA Boca Juniors
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    With the tenth pick in the first round of the all time draft, I select...

    [​IMG]

    Manoel Francisco dos Santos, better known as "Garrincha" (songbird/wren): aka "A Alegria do Povo" (The Joy of the People)

    Profile is pasted from tpMazembe's post in the "Draft of drafts" thread. (I couldn't have written it quite as well.)


    Position: Forward / Winger

    Career Span: 1953-1966 (addition years marred by injury and multiple surgeries)
    Nationality: Brasilian (Pau Grande, RJ, 28/10/1933)
    Caps: 50
    Club Teams: Botafogo (1953 to 1965), Corinthians (1966), Flamengo (1969), Olaria (1972)

    Profile / Stats: 2X World Cup Champion (’58,’62), Carioca champion (1957, 1961, 1962), and Rio-São Paulo champion (1962 e 1964)

    The most folkloric of the Brasilian greats.

    Irreverent personality, extraordinary dribbler, blessed with one of the most devastating first-steps in football history. More of a goal creator than a finisher, Garrincha could step-up to carry a team when called upon. During WC 1962, after Pele’s groin injury in the second game, Garrincha led Brasil to its second championship with one of the WC’s more memorable series of individual performances. The jewel in that series of matches was the quarterfinal against England in which he scored two (a header and a 35 meter bomb), leaving his customary right flank to seize control of the game in the offensive third of the field (the game is widely available on VHS and worth a viewing). The Chilean newspaper El Mercurio summarized his WC displays with the headline, “From what planet is Garrincha?".

    Born with physical deformities, his physical appearance didn’t foreshadow football greatness. Both legs were abnormally bent at the knees, and in the same direction (left leg bent outward, right leg bent inward). Additionally, one leg was 6cm shorter than the other. Some have surmised that this optical effect may have contributed to his ability to mesmerize his defenders.

    Scored 249 goals in 579 games; 13 goals in 50 NT appearances. If assists had been properly recorded he probably would have had double those numbers (personal editorial) – check out the ready made goals he sets up for Vava during finals in ’58. The Garrincha-Pele tandem never tasted defeat (we couldn’t allow Team A to re-unite them ). In fact, the WC’66 3x1 defeat to Hungary, in his very last appearance on the world stage, is the only defeat in Garrincha’s NT curriculum -- incredibly, in 50 caps for the Brasilian NT Garrincha lost a grand total of 1 game!
     
  12. Merengue

    Merengue New Member

    Nov 4, 1999
    San Diego
    With the 11th pick in this draft I select:

    MICHEL PLATINI

    biography from Wikipedia:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Platini

    Michel Platini (born June 21, 1955 in Jœuf, Département Meurthe-et-Moselle) is a former French football player, widely regarded as one of the most elegant midfielders of his generation.

    Born in Lorraine by Italian descent, his father Aldo Platini and his wife were Italian cooker, Platini started at French club Nancy-Lorraine before moving on to Saint-Etienne, where he won the league title in 1981. In 1982 he moved to Italian club side Juventus, scoring 68 goals in 147 league games as a midfielder, and being Serie A's top goalscorer three years in a row. Platini helped the club win two league titles, the Italian Cup, the European Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup.

    Platini captained the French national team to European Championship honors in 1984, becoming the top scorer of the tournament with 9 goals.

    Platini was one of the greatest passers of the ball in the history of the game, and, despite nominally a midfielder, also an outstanding goalscorer. In the words of Bobby Charlton, "he could thread the ball through the eye of a needle as well as finish." Platini was also a master of the free kick, which he practised using a row of dummies during training.

    He was voted European footballer of the year (Ballon d'or) an unprecedented three times in succession, in 1983, 1984 and 1985.

    Teams
    US Quiestede, France (1963–1965; trainee)
    AS Joeuf, France (1966–1972; trainee)
    Nancy-Lorraine, France (1973–1979)
    Saint-Étienne, France (1979–1982)
    Juventus, Turin, Italy (1982-1987)

    Honours
    Decorations
    Michel Platini was appointed as "Chevalier" (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur in 1985 and became "Officier" (Officer) in 1988.


    Club honours
    1978 French Cup (AS Nancy-Lorraine)
    1981 French league title (AS Saint-Etienne)
    1981 French Cup finalist (AS Saint-Etienne)
    1982 French Cup finalist (AS Saint-Etienne)
    1983 Italian Cup winner (Juventus)
    1983 European Cup winner (Juventus)
    1983 Serie A top goalscorer (16 goals)
    1983 Ballon d'or
    1984 Italian league title winner (Juventus)
    1984 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winner (Juventus)
    1984 European Super Cup winner (Juventus)
    1984 Serie A top goalscorer (20 goals)
    1984 Ballon d'or
    1985 European Cup winner (Juventus)
    1985 Intercontinental Cup winner (Juventus)
    1985 Serie A top goalscorer (18 goals)
    1985 Ballon d'or
    1986 Italian league title winner (Juventus)

    International honours
    1978 World Cup: First round
    1982 World Cup: Fourth place
    1984 European Championship: Winner
    1985 Intercontinental Cup of Nations: Winner
    1986 World Cup: Third place
    72 matches, 41 goals, captain 49 times. French all-time top goalscorer
     
  13. nicephoras

    nicephoras A very stable genius

    Fucklechester Rangers
    Jul 22, 2001
    Eastern Seaboard of Yo! Semite
    With my first pick in the draft I select......Roman Abramovich.

    Excape - lets talk. I can buy you a few nice yachts, and by now DiStefano should be used to being bought by one team only to be playing for their arch rivals only a few months later..........


    With my real first pick, however, I select the epitome of German efficiency, Gerhard Müller.

    [​IMG]

    Gerd Müller started to play for Bayern Munich in 1964 at the age of 18. Bayern was not his first choice as he always dreamed as a boy to once play for 1. FC Nuremberg, because his idol had always been Nuremberg inside right Max Morlock. But when he contacted Nuremberg`s manager, he was told that they already had three Müllers and couldn`t use another one (true story). Müller had scored massive amounts of goals for his hometown club TSV Nördlingen, which raised the interest of several Munich clubs, among them Bayern and TSV 1860. Bayern won the race to sign the bulky, burly little forward. It took a while before Müller was considered for first-team action by manager Zlatko Cajkovski, but when he finally made his first match in October 1964, he scored two goals right away. Bayern was still playing in the regional Southern German league at that point and were competing for a place in the newly created Bundesliga for the second year in a row. The young Franz Beckenbauer also played his first professional season for Bayern that year, and soon the two developed a partnership that would shake the foundations of German and European football. Bayern were promoted the following summer and in their first Bundesliga season managed to reach the third position in the final table.

    The following year would prove to be Müller’s and Bayern’s break-through year, with his club winning the German Cup for a second time in a row and the European Cup against Rangers in Nuremberg, while Müller won his first Bundesliga top goalscorer title with 28 goals. He would go on to win this title for a record 7 times during the next 11 years. That year, he was also awarded “German Footballer of the Year”. He received his first cap against Turkey in October 1966, taking the place of injured Uwe Seeler, but it wasn`t before April 1967 that Müller would score his first goals for West Germany against Albania in his second match (4 goals in a 6-0 win). By 1969, Bayern had become the dominating team in West Germany after winning the league and the Cup and Müller winning his second “German Player of the Year” trophy after scoring 30 goals for Bayern in the league and scoring 9 crucial goals for West Germany in the 1968-69 World Cup qualification.

    1970 would become Müller’s first ‘annus mirabilis’, when he scored 10 goals for his team in 6 matches at the Mexico-held World Cup, most of them in his unique way, which was dubbed ‘Müllern’ (to ‘müller’ a goal) by German journalists. Müller rarely scored spectacular goals from outside of the penalty box, his area of expertise were ‘little’ goals (as Germany manager Helmut Schön put it), scored from all possible situations, laying on the ground, while sitting, while falling, standing, with his left and his right foot, with his knees, even with his bottom and with his belly, with his thighs, and of course with his head, for Müller, despite being quite small, had massive muscular legs which helped him become a dangerous heading player. Müller scored so many goals he soon earned the nickname “Der Bomber” (though ‘bombing’ was not his specialty). Despite his habit of mostly scoring ‘little’ goals, Müller was a technically sound player who could also lob the ball into the goal and who excelled in neat 1-2s played with his teammates Franz Beckenbauer and Günter Netzer of Borussia Mönchengladbach (some of them being 3-4s rather than just 1-2s). His most common way of scoring goals, however, was the famous turn-and-shoot-in-one-move, which he perfected and in which he scored probably the majority of his goals throughout his career, as well as his most famous goal, the 1974 World Cup final winning goal against Holland.

    His performances in 1970 (World Cup top scorer with 10 goals in 6 games, Bundesliga top scorer with 38 goals in 33 games as well as Europe`s top goal scorer), proved so impressive, he became the first German player to win the prestigious “European Player of the Year” award. The next four years Müller was about to reach the pinnacle of his career, with 1972 and 1974 being the cornerstones. 1972 was to become his second ‘annus mirabilis’, when he set a new Bundesliga record scoring some 40 goals (in 34 games), and was very instrumental in West Germany winning the 1972 European Championships, when he supplied almost all of the goals to the dazzling play of Beckenbauer, Netzer and Breitner. That season, Müller scored 64 times in 47 competitive matches (for Bayern and West Germany), including 11 goals in 9 European Championship games. He also wound up winning the Bundesliga with Bayern three times in a row from 1972 to 1974, and in each of those years he would score over 30 goals in the Bundesliga and over 50 goals in all competitions combined. In May 1974, Müller scored two exceptional goals against Atletico Madrid in Bayern`s 4-0 win in the Champions Cup final, but his biggest triumph would come July, when he helped West Germany beat the seemingly all-conquering Dutch in the Munich final by scoring the crucial 2-1 just before half-time. He decided to quit the German team after that ultimate win, having scored 68 goals in 62 matches. Müller kept on playing for Bayern successfully, helping to defend the Champions Cup in 1975 and 1976. And despite suffering two severe injuries in 1975 and 1977, he kept on scoring goals like no other German player before or after.

    After Beckenbauer left in 1977 to play for Cosmos, things deteriorated for Bayern rapidly. In the 77-78 season, Bayern had to struggle against relegation, but an ageing Müller still ended up scoring 24 goals, winning the top scorer trophy for the last time. When he was subsituted due to poor form for the very first time in his career on February 3rd, 1979, an era in German football was about to end, for Müller was so hurt in his pride, that he immediately decided to leave Bayern for good and to follow Beckenbauer to America. He only played one more Bundesliga match for Bayern (February 10th, 1979 against Dortmund) before signing a contract at Fort Lauderdale Strikers on March 9th. Prior to that season, Müller had publicly announced that he planned to end his career by the end of the 1979-80 season which he later regretted, as he felt that the new (and relatively unknown) manager Pal Csernai wanted to strengthen his position by acting like the strong man in dethroning the legend, Gerd Müller. During his Bundesliga career, Müller had scored 365 goals in 427 games for Bayern, an all-time record. He would be voted “Greatest Ever Bundesliga Player” 25 years later in a huge poll among German football fans, which Müller himself considered to be his greatest victory. Although he enjoyed some success in America by reaching the 1980 NASL final (losing against Beckenbauer`s Cosmos), he found it more and more difficult to score even in America, and decided to call it quits in 1982 (after having joined regional team Smith Brothers Lounge Fort Lauderdale).

    Gerd Müller was arguably the greatest marksman of the modern, low-scoring era of world football. Testimony to his goal scoring prowess is the fact that he topped the goal scorers’ chart in every tournament he participated in, be it domestic or international: Gerd Müller is still the top World Cup goal scorer (14 goals), the best scorer in the European Championships (16), the top goal scorer in all European Cups (64), the top Bundesliga goal scorer (365), the top goal scorer in the German cup (78), and of course his national team`s top goal scorer (68). His record at international tournaments like the World Cup, the European Championship and the Champions Cup is especially staggering, scoring 64 goals in just 60 games at the highest level. During his career, he scored 21 hattricks, four quadrotricks and two quintotricks (only counting competitive games). Seven times did he score five goals in one match, 15 times four goals and 35 times three goals in a single match (only counting competitive games here). In the light of these figures, it did not come as a surprise when Franz Beckenbauer once expressed his gratitude towards his long-time teammate by stating that “everything we became, all the trophies we won and triumphs we enjoyed, we owe only to Gerd Müller”.


    Many thanks to Gregoriak for the bio.
     
  14. Spartak

    Spartak Member

    Nov 6, 1999
    Philly
    Club:
    AC Milan
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Round: 1 (Week 1)
    13th overall pick

    [​IMG]

    Franco Baresi
    Club: Milan
    Born: Travagliato (Brescia), 8/5/60
    Position: Defender
    Ht/Wt: 1.76m/70kg
    Serie A debut: Verona 1-2 Milan, 23/4/78
    International debut: Italy 0-0 Romania, 4/12/82
    Club: Milan
    International caps: 81
    International goals: 1

    Honours:
    6 Scudetto (1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996)
    3 European Cups (1989, 1990, 1994)
    3 European Super Cups (1989, 1990, 1994)
    2 Intercontinental Cups (1989, 1990)
    4 Italian Super Cups (1989, 1993, 1994, 1995)
    World Cup runner-up (1994)


    Franco Baresi was the heart of the Milan back line for so long that to this day Billy Costacurta still seems to be busy looking round for him. The word ‘influential’ barely does justice to his role in the Rossoneri’s most successful side. No wonder they didn’t dare pass on the No 6 shirt after he retired.

    But success did not come overnight to the man known simply as ‘Il Capitano.’ Indeed, it was his battles with adversity which turned him into such an uncompromising opponent. His performance in brushing off injury to return for the World Cup Final in 1994 was typical of the man. Anyone who knew him would have expected nothing less.

    Just the name of Baresi’s birthplace, Travagliato, meaning troubled says much about his upbringing. His mother died when he was 13 and his father passed away four years later. Along with brother Giuseppe, he was effectively brought up by his sister, Lucia. They were tough times just to keep the family going.

    And on the field of play life also liked to throw more difficulties than rewards in the direction of the talented youngster. As a boy he was passed over by Inter who preferred to sign up older brother Beppe. Even Milan turned him down after two trials before he finally made it on the third attempt at the age of 14.

    It was 1978, as an 18-year-old, that he made his debut for the Rossoneri and the following season he played a major part in taking Milan to their tenth title. It was the end of Gianni Rivera’s era at the club. Little did they suspect they had found another ‘bandiera’ - the Italian term for a player who comes to symbolise the side he plays for.

    After this impressive start there were more testing times to come as Milan went through the ignominy of relegation for their part in a corruption scandal rocking the Italian game in 1980. Two years later and the side from the San Siro were back in Serie B again - this time just because they were really not very good.

    These were bleak times for the Lombardy giants which more recent converts to that faith may not properly appreciate. Ambition at the Rossonero training ground in those days was little more than dreaming of a UEFA Cup spot. It was Inter, not Milan, who were lords and masters of the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

    It says much about Baresi that he came through this and was still part of the World Cup winning squad in 1982. Although his path to the first team was blocked by that other elegant libero Gaetano Scirea, it was clear his time would come. After the disastrous Mexican World Cup campaign in 1986 he got his chance and never looked back.

    It was at the same time that Silvio Berlusconi took over at Milan and the club’s fortunes started to rocket. After a couple of strange signings things started to click and his side swept all before them. Franco Baresi was the conductor of some of the sweetest footballing music ever made. When the Milan defence swarmed over an opposition striker it seemed as if they had extra players on the pitch.

    Baresi could time a tackle better than anyone in the game and combined that with a sharp professional brain gave him the ability to foul and get away with it. Add to that the invisible thread which seemed to link his arm to the linesman’s flag and you had one of the most complete defenders the game has ever seen.

    Honours came flooding his way and few players have deserved them more. Six League titles, three European Cups, three European Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and four Italian Super Cups are a pretty impressive haul. By 1997 he had realised the only way was down and decided to hang up his boots after 716 games for his club and 81 for his country.

    Looking back over his glorious career he had little doubt about the best and worst moments. Everyone who watched him scale the heights of the world game would have probably chosen exactly the same ones. As football coverage threatens to reach saturation point Baresi was involved in some of the games most gripping televisual moments.

    "The most beautiful and exciting moments of my career were winning the first European Cup and the first Intercontinental Cup," he said. "Knowing you are the best team in the world is a truly exhilarating experience. But I also think the Italy-Brazil World Cup Final was one of my best games, especially since it came after an injury and not even I knew if I would make it through the match," he added. "It is just a shame how the match finished. At that moment I felt as if my world had fallen in. When you get to the World Cup Final losing on penalties makes you feel powerless."

    The tears he wept were shed by the whole of Italy and Milan supporters were equally inconsolable when he announced his retirement a few years later. There was not a dry eye in the house as he bid his farewell after 23 unforgettable years.

    "Let us just say I’m giving up because I’m not as young as I used to be," he told his fans. "Now I have got a role as Vice-President with the task of looking after the youth side and keeping an eye out for new talent. For the time being I have no desire to be a Coach but in future who knows? I’m happy with my new post and I’ll try to help the club even though I’m no longer playing."

    Nowadays Baresi is busy unearthing the new talent to make Milan a similar force at the start of this decade as they were in the last. He should certainly know a thing or two about what makes a great footballer. And if he can discover just one player anything like himself the Rossoneri will have plenty to thank him for.

    Bio from Calcio Italia
     
  15. Dark Savante

    Dark Savante Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Become the Tea Pot!!
    ChaChaFat PM'd myself and comme with his pick as he wont be online today.

    He chooses:

     
  16. lanman

    lanman BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 30, 2002
    With my first pick I take:

    Didi

     
  17. Teso Dos Bichos

    Teso Dos Bichos Red Card

    Sep 2, 2004
    Purged by RvN
    Passarella, Daniel (“El Guerrero”)

    [​IMG]

    *1953, Argentina, libero
    70 Caps (22 goals): 1976-1986
    World Cup finals 1978 (Champion), 1982, 1986
    451 league appearances (134 goals)
    1971-1974 Sarmiento de Chacabuco (III. Division)
    1974-1982 River Plate
    1982-1986 Fiorentina
    1986-1988 Internazionale
    1988-1989 River Plate

    Daniel Passarella, a unique type of defender who scored an amazing 143 league goals in 486 appearances, is occupying one of two spots in our central defence. A born leader on the pitch Passarella appeared with rare class and killed the possible myth that short players can't excel as central defenders. El Gran Capitan was elegant on the ball, tactically very strong and tricky to pass one-on-one, but the most obvious thing about him was his exceptional timing and vertical leap which enabled him to outjump even the tallest of opponents at both ends of the field. Passarella contributed heavily with success on the attacking third of the field not only as a big threat in the air on corners and free-kicks from the side, but also from direct free-kicks which he often scored from. All this without sacrifising his main duties as defender. His total contribution to the teams he played for easily exceeded anything the most demanding coach could ask for. Injuries (or may be it was another brawl with Maradona?) ended his international career shortly before Mexico '86 where he could have won a second World Cup.

    Credit to Gregoriak and Bauser.
     
  18. Gregoriak

    Gregoriak BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 27, 2002
    Munich
    LOTHAR MATTHÄUS


    [​IMG]


    Born: 21 March 1961 in Erlangen/Germany.

    Nickname: Loddar, Torminator.

    Position: Midfield, libero.

    Caps:
    (West) Germany 150 (1980-2000) / 23 goals

    Domestic League Games:
    (West) Germany 464 (1979-1988 & 1992-2000) / 121 goals
    Italy 115 (1988-1992) / 40 goals

    Domestic Cup Games:
    German Cup 57 (1979-1988 & 1992-2000) / 18 goals
    Coppa Italia 17 (1988-1992) / 7 goals

    European Cup Games:
    98 (1979-2000) / 17 goals

    International Club Cup Games:
    European Champions Cup 48 (1985-2000) / 6 goals
    European Cup Winners’ Cup 5 (1984-1985) / 1 goal
    UEFA Cup 45 (1979-1996) / 10 goals

    European Footballer of the Year:
    1988 (6th), 1989 (4th), 1990 (winner), 1991 (2nd)

    German Footballer of the Year:
    1990, 1999

    Clubs
    FC Herzogenaurach (1970-1979)
    Borussia Mönchengladbach (1979-1984)
    Bayern Munich (1984-1988)
    Internazionale Milano (1988-1992)
    Bayern Munich (1992-2000)
    New York Metro Stars (2000-2001)

    Trophies won (compact version):
    1 World Cup
    1 European Championship
    7 German Championships (with Bayern)
    1 Italian Championship (with Inter)
    2 UEFA Cups (with Inter and Bayern)
    3 German Cups (with Bayern)
    3 German League Cups (with Bayern)
    2 German Supercups (with Bayern)
    1 Italian Supercup (with Inter)
    1 time European Footballer of the Year
    2 times German Footballer of the Year

    Trophies & Tournaments (detailed version):
    World Cup: 1990
    World Cup runner-up: 1982*, 1986
    European Championship: 1980
    European Champions Cup: never
    European Champions Cup runner-up: 1987, 1999
    European Cup Winners Cup: never
    UEFA-Cup: 1991, 1996
    UEFA-Cup runner-up: 1980
    German Champion: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000
    German runner-up: 1988, 1993, 1996, 1998
    German Cup winner: 1986, 1998, 2000*
    German Cup runner-up: 1984, 1985, 1999
    Italian Champion: 1989
    Italian runner-up: 1991
    Italian Cup winner: never
    Italian Cup runner-up: never
    Italian Supercup: 1989*
    Best League Goal Scorer: never

    World Cup Participation:
    1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998

    European Championship Participation:
    1980, 1984, 1988, 2000

    * did not play in final

    Lothar Matthaus stands as one of the most decorated players of the modern era. His international career stretched a phenomenal 20 years and was littered with honours, accolades and success.

    Matthaus began his career at the German club of Borussia Monchengladbach and quickly made his mark in a fine side. In his first season at the club they reached the final of the UEFA Cup losing to fellow Germans Eintract Frankfurt 3-3 on aggregate. Matthaus himself scored in the 3-2 victory in the first leg but it was not enough.
    He made his international debut in the 1980 European Championships as a sub in the 3-2 win over bitter rivals Holland, Germany went on to lift the trophy becoming the first team to win the competition twice.

    At the 1982 World Cup Matthaus was still just 21 and not a key player. Although W Germany reached the final Matthaus himself only made two appearances, both as a sub, in the group stages against Chile and Austria.

    Matthaus final season at Monchengladbach saw the club finish 3rd in the league and heartbreakingly lose the final of the German cup to Bayern Munich. However at the 1984 European Championships Matthaus was a much more important figure for the W Germans than before, although it was not too be one of their most glorious tournaments (the first time they had not made the final of the European Championships since 1968. He came on as a sub in the 0-0 draw with Portugal and started in the victory over Romania and the defeat at the hands of Spain.

    After the championships Matthaus moved to Bundesliga giants Bayern Muninch and won the German title there. It was something of a breakthrough season there as Matthaus was a driving force behind their victory, scoring 16 times in 33 games. Again though the season was tinged with disappointment as Bayern lost the final 2-1 to Bayer Uerdingen.

    The next season Bayern made up for the disappointment winning the domestic double, and although Matthaus was ruled out for part of the season with injury, he still made a major contribution to their success.

    The 1986 World Cup saw W Germany back to form and Matthaus at the heart of the side. The Germans were drawn in a tough group alongside Uruguay, Denmark and Scotland. The opening game saw Uruguay take an early lead which they held until Klaus Allofs scored a late equaliser. In the game with the Scots, the Germans again went behind to an early goal but they responded well and won the game with Voller and Allofs on target again. The final game pitted the Germans against a Denmark side that had already beaten Scotland and thrashed Uruguay and were ably led by Michael Laudrup and Elkjær-Larsen. The Germans lost 2-0 but still progressed to face a Morocco side that had topped its group ahead of England. It was a very tight game which Matthaus finally settled with an 89th minute goal to see off the Africans. In the quarter finals the Germans played host nation Mexico and a dour game forced penalties with the Germans victorious and Matthaus scored the 3rd penalty to reach the semis. There they faced a French team weary from their own epic encounter with Brazil, but desperate for revenge for their defeat at the same stage 4 years earlier and for Schumacher’s infamous “tackle” on Battiston. The Germans took an early lead through Brehme, and in the dying moments Rudi Voller added a second. The final pitted the Germans against an Argentina side led by the great Diego Maradona, who had been in dazzling form to carry his team to their second final in 8 years. In that final manager Franz Beckenbauer decided to use Matthaus as a man-marker for Maradona, just as he had been used in the 1966 final to follow Bobby Charlton. The result was that the attacking threat posed by Matthaus was largely negated and he struggled to get into a game for which the Germans desperately needed him at his best. Argentina won the game 3-2, having led 2-0 before a spirited German fightback. Sadly for Matthaus and Beckenbauer the mistakes of 1966 had been repeated.

    In 1988 the Germans lined up for the European Championships with home advantage and a huge opportunity for fresh success. They were drawn in a tough group alongside Italy, Spain and Denmark, and after drawing their opener against the Italians, saw off the Spanish and the Danes (both 2-0) to top the group and set up a semi-final clash with the Dutch. Matthaus later said that it had been like an away game for the Germans despite it being played in Hamburg, such was the intensity of the Dutch support. Matthaus put the W Germans ahead with a penalty in the 55th minute, but Koeman hit back with a penalty of his own. With the game balanced on a knife-edge the ball was played into Marco Van Basten and he somehow managed to hook the ball into the net from the edge of the 18 yard box. The Germans were somehow eliminated and it was all the more bitter that the Dutch had inflicted it upon them.


    After the European Championships of 1988 Matthaus moved to Italian giants Internazionale of Milan in a spell which would result in great success for both parties.
    Of particular importance was the 1988/9 season in which Mattheus was at his imperious best as Inter marched to Lo Scudetto. Despite being sent off twice during the season, a sign of his temper as much as his will to win, Matthaus netted 9 times, a superb record for a midfielder, as Inter saw of the challenge of Maradona’s Napoli as well as that of fierce city rivals Milan to win the league by eleven points. The following season Matthaus was in even better form, but Inter were unable to hold off a strong challenge from Napoli and eventually finished 3rd.

    The 1990 World Cup was perhaps Matthaus' finest hour as he captained W Germany to their 3rd title and was named the player of the tournament.

    W Germany started the competition with a flourish thrashing dark horses Yugoslavia (in which Matthaus scored one of the goals of the tournament) 4-1 and minnows UAE 5-1. The final game against Colombia was something of an irrelevance as the Germans had already qualified, but they were caught late on by a Freddy Rincon goal which saw them take a draw.
    In the second round the Germans faced the Dutch in a repeat of the 1988 European Championship semi-final. The Dutch bossed the early stages but the Germans rallied and took a two goal lead courtesy of Klinnsman and Brehme. The Dutch were able to pull one back late on through a Koeman penalty but the Germans had won a game marred by the antics of Rijkaard and Voller which saw both players sent off.

    The quarter finals pitted the West Germans against Czechoslovakia their conquerors in the 1976 European final and again the match was settled by a penalty. This time though it was the Germans who emerged victorious in one of the most dull games of the competition. Jurgen Klinsmann won a rather dubious penalty which was hammered home by the captain Matthaus, although the Germans were fortunate not to concede a penalty themselves late on when Lubo Moravcik was brought down in the box (the Czech was remarkably sent off for his protestations).

    The semifinal against England was a classic as most encounters between the two great nations have been. It was W Germany who drew first blood as an Andreas Brehme freekick reared up of the oncoming Paul Parker and looped high over Peter Shilton in the England goal. England were soon back on terms though as Gary Lineker scored his tenth World Cup goal to send the match into extra-time. The added spell could not separate the two teams, despite both hitting the woodwork, and the match went to penalties. Matthaus took the first and made no mistake, neither did the rest of his team mates and the Germans progressed to yet another final.

    It was of course a repeat of the 1986 final as the Germans faced Argentina. Sadly it was a game of few chances and little invention spoiled by the cynicism of both teams. The Argentinians were missing Cannigia, the one player who had made a real impact in the competition, and seemed content to sit and wait for penalties or a moment of inspiration by their talisman Maradona. Indeed the closest the Argentine came to breaking the deadlock was a pass back by (Augenthaler or Buchwald) which sent Ilgner sprawling. The game was marred early in the second half by a crude foul by the substitute Pedro Monzon on Klinsmann who did his opponent no favours with his theatrics, and Monzon became the first man ever to be sent off in a world cup final. After that the final descended into chaos, although Germany were able to win a hotly debated penalty after a "dive" by Rudi Voller following a challenge by Nestor Sensini. Andreas Brehme cooly buried the spotkick to give the German a decisive lead with 5 minutes to play. After the penalty Dezotti was sent off for attempting to strangle Jurgen Kohler. It was a fitting end to one of the most bitter, cynical and petulant World Cups seen.

    In the 1990/1 season Matthaus won his first piece of European silverware, the UEFA Cup with Inter. Inter started the campaign slowly needing extra-time to see of Rapid Vienna in the opening round. The second round pitted them against England’s Aston Villa and it took a massive effort in the second leg in Milan to successfully overturn a 2-0 deficit but they managed it and went through 3-2 on aggregate. Matthaus scored in both legs as Inter brushed aside Partizan Belgrade to set up a quarter final encounter with their compatriots Atalanta. After drawing the first leg 0-0 Matthaus scored a vital goal in the second that saw Inter progress 2-0. The semifinal saw Inter play Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in a tie very similar to that of the last round. After drawing the first leg 0-0 Matthaus scored an early goal which set Inter on their way to a first European final for 19 years. Inter were drawn to play fellow Italians Roma in the final and won the first leg 2-0 (Matthaus scoring again) before clinging on in the second leg to win the trophy.

    In 1992 Matthaus returned to FC Bayern after an overwhelmingly successful spell in Italy.

    The 1994 World Cup saw Matthaus move position to sweeper in a role reminiscent of his great predecessor Franz Beckenbauer. It was not a good move for him. Matthaus did not look anywhere near his best and the German team were all the worse for it. They shockingly crashed out to the tournament’s surprise package, Bulgaria, in the quarter finals.

    In the 1995/6 season Matthaus and Bayern had an excellent season in Europe, picking up the UEFA Cup, the second of Matthaus’ career. The season saw Bayern drawn up against such European heavyweights as Benfica, Nottingham Forest and Barcelona before facing Girondins Bordeaux in the final. It was an easy victory for Bayern eventually winning 5-1 on aggregate.

    The 1998/9 season was one of mixed emotions for Matthaus and Bayern. They won the league comfortably by 15 points from their nearest challengers Bayer Leverkusen. However, the Champions League and Cup campaigns both provided a roller coaster of emotions. Bayern initially faced FK Obilic in a premilinary round which they breezed though 4-0 and 1-1, Matthaus scoring in the second leg. In the group stage they faced an extremely tough task being drawn in with Manchester United, Barcelona and Brondby. Bayern recovered from an early slip away at Brondby to top the group after beating Barca twice and drawing twice with Manchester United.
    In the quarter finals they were drawn against Kaiserslautern their fellow Germans and humbled them 6-0 on aggregate. The semi final was a classic encounter against Dynamo Kiev arguably the team of the tournament so far and the team that had eliminated the defending champions Real Madrid. The first leg saw the two teams draw 3-3 before Bayern eventually overcame them 1-0 in the second leg. Many observers felt Bayern fortunate to make it to the final. However, if their had been any luck in them getting so far it was to evaporate in the final, against Manchester United.
    Bayern went ahead early on through a Mario Basler freekick which seemed to completely deceive Peter Schmeical despite not really deviating. Bayern hit the bar and the post through Jancker and Scholl before Matthaus was substituted with just 10 minutes to go. Matthaus up till now had every piece of silverware worth winning with one glaring exception, the Champions League. Sadly it was to still elude him at the end as United broke the byern hearts with 2 goals in stoppage time through Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. To compound his misery Bayern lost the German Cup final the next month on a penalty shootout with Matthaus himself missing a crucial penalty.

    The next season was to be his last in Germany and he moved to the New York Metrostars where he finished his playing career. He went on to manage Rapid Vienna and Partizan Belgrade and is currently the manager of the Hungarian national team.


    League Statistics per Season
    Season - Club - Games – Goals [ Caps / Goals ]
    1979/80 Borussia Moenchengladbach.... 28 / 04 [ 1 / 0 ]
    1980/81 Borussia Moenchengladbach.....33 / 03 [ 0 / 0 ]
    1981/82 Borussia Moenchengladbach.....33 / 10 [ 8 / 0 ]
    1982/83 Borussia Moenchengladbach.....34 / 08 [ 5 / 0 ]
    1983/84 Borussia Moenchengladbach.....34 / 11 [12 / 0 ]
    1984/85 Bayern Munich.......................33 / 16 [ 9 / 1 ]
    1985/86 Bayern Munich.......................23 / 10 [13 / 2 ]
    1986/87 Bayern Munich.......................31 / 14 [ 6 / 1 ]
    1987/88 Bayern Munich.......................26 / 17 [11 / 3 ]
    1988/89 Internazionale.......................32 / 09 [ 4 / 1 ]
    1989/90 Internazionale.......................25 / 11 [12 / 6 ]
    1990/91 Internazionale.......................31 / 16 [ 7 / 4 ]
    1991/92 Internazionale.......................27 / 04 [ 5 / 1 ]
    1992/93 Bayern Munich......................28 / 08 [ 7 / 0 ]
    1993/94 Bayern Munich......................33 / 08 [16 / 1 ]
    1994/95 Bayern Munich......................16 / 05 [ 5 / 2 ]
    1995/96 Bayern Munich......................19 / 01
    1996/97 Bayern Munich......................28 / 01
    1997/98 Bayern Munich......................25 / 03 [ 7 / 0 ]
    1998/99 Bayern Munich......................25 / 01 [10 / 1 ]
    1999/00 Bayern Munich......................15 / 01 [11 / 0 ]


    International Club Games

    1979/80 Borussia Moenchengladbach.....UEFA-Cup........11 / 03
    1981/82 Borussia Moenchengladbach.....UEFA-Cup........04 / 01
    1984/85 Bayern Munich.......................EC II..............05 / 01
    1985/86 Bayern Munich.......................EC I...............03 / 00
    1986/87 Bayern Munich.......................EC I...............07 / 04
    1987/88 Bayern Munich.......................EC I...............04 / 01
    1988/89 Internazionale.......................UEFA-Cup........05 / 00
    1989/90 Internazionale.......................EC I................02 / 00
    1990/91 Internazionale.......................UEFA-Cup........10 / 05
    1991/92 Internazionale.......................UEFA-Cup........02 / 00
    1993/94 Bayern Munich.......................UEFA-Cup........04 / 01
    1994/95 Bayern Munich.......................EC I................06 / 00
    1995/96 Bayern Munich.......................UEFA-Cup........07 / 00
    1996/97 Bayern Munich.......................UEFA-Cup........02 / 00
    1997/98 Bayern Munich.......................EC I................05 / 00
    1998/99 Bayern Munich.......................EC I................12 / 01
    1999/00 Bayern Munich.......................EC I................09 / 00


    Thanks to Comme for the profile.
     
  19. Kaushik

    Kaushik Member

    Jun 6, 2004
    Toronto
    Round 1, Week 1

    My personal selection #1 and 18th overall pick: ZINEDINE ZIDANE

    [​IMG]

    Full name: Zinédine Yazid Zidane
    Nickname: Zizou
    Date of birth: June 23, 1972
    Place of birth: Marseille, France
    Position:
    Midfield

    Clubs:
    Cannes (France, 1987 – 1992; 65 matches, 6 goals)
    Girondins (France, 1992- 1996; 167 matches, 32 goals)
    Juventus (Italy, 1996- 2001; 190 matches, 29 goals)
    Real Madrid (Spain, 2001-present; 174 matches, 37 goals)

    National team:
    France (1994-present; 98 matches, 28 goals)


    Zinédine Yazid Zidane (born June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France), nicknamed Zizou, is a French football player for Real Madrid and France, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the world. He is a secular Muslim of Algerian Kabyle Berber ethnic origin.
    Zidane is one of the most talented players of all time. An elegant dribbler of the ball, Zidane's amazing vision and passing ability as a midfielder has earned him the nickname of 'genius' and 'magician' by the world's sport media. Zidane's perfect balance make him one of the game's finest artists and the natural successor of France's Michel Platini.


    Career:
    Zidane was a member of the French football team in 1998 World Cup - which France won - scoring two headed goals in the final against Brazil. Two years later, he led his country to the Euro 2000. He has been elected the FIFA World Player of the Year three times (1998, 2000, 2003). In 2001 Zidane transferred from the Italian team Juventus to the Spanish club side Real Madrid on a four-year contract. The transfer fee was £47 million (approx. $66 million US), making him the most expensive player in football history. While Zidane initially took a while to settle in among his fellow 'Galacticos' at Madrid like Raul, Luis Figo, and Roberto Carlos, he was undoubtedly the biggest name of the lot by reputation alone, and as the season progressed his form just got better, culminating in him helping Madrid and scoring the winning goal with a fantastic volley in a 2-1 win over the German team Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001-2002 Champions League Final in Glasgow's Hampden Park.

    Injuries prevented him from performing at his best in the 2002 World Cup. France's defence of their trophy was one of the most unsuccessful in World Cup history; the team was eliminated in the First Round without scoring a single goal. Without Zidane's creativity and vision France looked lost. Zidane rushed back from his injury in time to play in France's last game, but to anyone who had ever previously watched him perform, it was apparent that he was just not himself.

    On August 12, 2004, after the Euro 2004 display of France, the team getting knocked out in the quarter-final by later winners Greece, Zidane retired from international football. He announced on February 4, 2005 that he would retire from the game at the end of his current contract with Real Madrid, at the end of the 2006/07 season.

    After France experienced serious problems in attempting to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Zidane announced on August 3, 2005 to come out of international retirement to make a comeback for Les Bleus. He stated on his official website: "I have gone back on my decision, one year after I said it was categorical." On the same day French teammate and Chelsea midfielder Claude Makélélé, who also quit the French team following Euro 2004, said he wanted to come out of international retirement as well. The same week, Lilian Thuram announced he would come back as well. The trio made their competitive return in the 3-0 World Cup qualifier win against the Faroe Islands on September 3rd, and France would go on to win their qualifying group.


    Legacy:
    Zidane is one of the soccer icons of his generation and is known to be modest, quiet and self-admittedly shy. He is married to a French woman of Spanish descent, Véronique, a former model and together they have four sons, Enzo, Théo, Lucas and newborn Elyas. As a Guardian feature article says, however, Zidane has also occasional flashes of aggression on the pitch. Such a display of aggression, Zidane showed when he was red carded for headbutting Stig Tøfting in a 2000/2001 Champions League match for Juventus against Hamburger SV.

    In 2004, Zidane was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations. In 2004, he was also voted the best European player for the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll.


    INTERNATIONAL RECORD

    WORLD CUP
    * World Cup 1998: Winner; 2 goals in the final
    * Appearances: 1998, 2002

    European Cup:
    * European Cup 2000: Winner
    * Appearances: 1996, 2000, 2004


    CLUB RECORD

    LEAGUE
    * Champions League: 2002
    * Serie A: 1997, 1998
    * La Liga: 2003

    CUP
    * European Supercup: 1996, 2002
    * Italian Supercup: 1997
    * Intercontinental Cup: 1996, 2002


    PERSONAL AWARDS
    * Fifa World Footballer of the Year: 1998, 2000, 2003
    * European Footballer of the Year: 1998


    Ref: Wikipedia
     
  20. condor11

    condor11 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 2, 2002
    New Zealand
    Round: 1 (Week 1)
    19th overall pick

    Bobby Moore
    [​IMG]
    Date of Birth: 12.04.1941
    Died 24th February 1993
    Birthplace: Barking, Essex
    Senior Debut:20.05.1962
    Clubs: Barking Schools, Leyton Schools, Woodford Youth Club, West Ham United, Fulham.
    Position: Left-half
    Major Honours: European Cup Winners Cup 1965, World Cup 1966, Player of Players award in the 1966 World Cup Finals.
    Relevant Career Statistics: 545 league games for West Ham, 124 appearances for Fulham and 108 appearances and 2 goals for England.

    Bobby Moore was England's finest captain, a legend who led his country to its greatest triumph.

    Retired in 1977 but returned as player/coach for Herning FC (Denmark)
    Oxford City manager
    Chief executive of Southend United and later manager.

    Captain of England in the 1966 World Cup. Debut in Lima against Peru. Remembered as much for his game against Brazil as his World Cup winning exploits.

    http://www.sportznewz.com/story/2200.html
     
  21. condor11

    condor11 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 2, 2002
    New Zealand
    Round: 2
    20th overall pick

    Frank Rijkaard

    [​IMG]

    Born: 30 September, 1962, Amsterdam
    Clubs: Ajax (Netherlands) 1980 ~ 1987, 1993 ~ 1995
    Real Zaragoza (Spain) 1988
    AC Milan (Italy) 1988 ~ 1993

    International: 73 caps, 10 goals
    International debut: vs Switzerland, Sept. 1st,1981
    Honors:
    Netherlands League Championship, (1980, 1982, 1983, 1985)
    European Cup Winners Cup, 1987 (Ajax)
    2 Italian Serie A Championship, (1989, 1990)
    European Cup Championship, (1989, 1990, 1995)
    European Super Cup, (1989, 1990, 1995)
    Continental Cup, (1989, 1990, 1995)
    European Championship, (1988)
    Dutch player of the year (1985)

    Comments:

    Rijkaard came very close to become the first man to win the European Championship, both as a player and as manager!

    Frank Rijkaard was considered to be one of the best defensive midfielder, as well as a playmaker, of all times. However, his quick temper was also something we remember well. He retired rather prematurely in 1995. His return as a coach to the National side surprised everyone, not only he was a bit too young to coach but he never coach professionally before! However, he was the first black man to coach a side in Europe, and he took the Oranje to just one game away from the European Championship in 2000. He stepped down shortly after the Oranje lost to Italy in the semifinal.

    http://members.tripod.com/LauD/profiles/Rijkaard/rijkaard.htm
     
  22. Kaushik

    Kaushik Member

    Jun 6, 2004
    Toronto
    Round 2, Week 2

    My personal selection #2 and 21st overall pick: SANDOR KOCSIS

    [​IMG]

    Sándor Kocsis (b. 9/23/1929, d. 7/21/1978)

    Nickname: The Man with the Golden Head

    International:
    Hungary: 68 games, 75 goals (1.1 goals/game)

    Clubs:
    Ferencvaros (1946/1952)
    Honved (1952/1957)
    Young Boys Berne (1957/1958)
    FC Barcelone (1958/1966) [194 matches, 140 goals]

    Honors:
    World Cup Runner-up: 1954
    Olympic Games Gold Medal: 1952
    UEFA Cup: 1960
    Hungarian League Champion: 1949, 1952, 1954, 1955
    Spanish League Champion: 1959, 1960
    Spanish Cup Champion: 1959, 1963
    Fairs' Cup: 1958-60
    World Cup Top Scorer: 1954 (11 goals)
    European Top Scorer: 1952 (36 goals), 1954 (33 goals)
    Hungarian League Top Scorer: 1951, 1952, 1954


    Top scorer in the 1954 World Cup with 11 goals, Sandor Kocsis was a superb header of the ball and known as "The Man With The Golden Head". In 68 internationals he scored an incredible 75 goals, including a record seven hat-tricks. Born in Budapest in September 1929, he began with KTC before moving to Ferencvaros and at 19 helped them win the 1949 Hungarian title. After Ferencvaros were amalgamated into the new Honved team, he established a great partnership with Ferenc Puskas at both club and international level.

    Kocsis made his international debut in 1949 and in the early 1950's was the Hungarian league's top scorer three times. In combination with Ferenc Puskas and Nandor Hidegkuti, Kocsis helped make the "Magical Magyars" the most feared side in world soccer in the early 1950s. He was in the team that beat England 6-3 at Wembley in 1953.

    Having won Olympic gold in 1952 and decimated England at Wembley, Hungary was a justifiably hot favorite for the 1954 finals in Switzerland. Kocsis and his teammates were in explosive form and he scored a hat trick in a 9-0 opening win over South Korea and then four in a memorable 8-3 demolition of West Germany, and two more in the 4-2 second round win over Brazil. The semifinal against defending champion Uruguay was a classic drama in which Kocsis was cast as the hero. Hungary had seen a two-goal lead cancelled out by Uruguay's late equalizer, but Kocsis scored twice in extra time to earn his side a 4-2 win.

    But in the final the Magyar magic ran out. Hungary raced into a two-goal lead against West Germany, briefly threatening a repeat of its eight-goal performance in the first round. But the West Germans fought back to earn a 3-2 win against the tiring Hungarians. Kocsis thus could not add to his 1952 Olympic Gold medal.

    Sadly it was to be his one appearance at the World Cup. The 1956 uprising occurred while his Honved side was on a Spanish tour and Kocsis was among the group of players who chose not to return home. Kocsis became player-coach of Young Boys Berne, then joined Barcelona in 1957 and scored in their defeat by Benfica in the 1961 European Cup final. He retired in 1966, at the age of 37, and died in 1978.


    Bio: various sources
     
  23. Gregoriak

    Gregoriak BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 27, 2002
    Munich
    Round: 2
    Week: 2
    Pick: 22nd

    RUUD KROL

    [​IMG]

    Born: 24th March 1949 in Amsterdam.

    Full name: Rudolf Jozef Krol.

    Position: Left full back and center back.

    Caps:
    83 (1969-1983) / 4 goals

    Domestic League Games:
    446 (1968-1984) / 24 goals

    European Footballer of the Year: 1977 (18th), 1978 (6th), 1979 (3rd), 1980 (16th), 1981 (16th)

    Dutch Footballer of the Year: Poll not held.

    Clubs:
    1968-1980 Ajax Amsterdam
    1980-1980 Vancouver Whitecaps
    1980-1984 SSC Napoli
    1984-1986 AS Cannes

    Trophies won:
    European Champions Cup: 1971, 1972, 1973
    European Super Cup: 1972, 1973
    Intercontinental Cup: 1972
    Dutch Championship: 1970, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1980
    Dutch Cup: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1979

    World Cup finals:
    1974, 1978

    European Championship finals:
    1976, 1980

    Rudolf Jozef “Ruud” Krol, born in Amsterdam, played most of his career for his hometown club Ajax. He was only 20 when he was called up to the national team squad for the first time and stayed there for the next fourteen years. With Ajax, he was part of some of the best club teams European football has ever seen. Three straight European Cups were won in the early seventies and many of his colleagues in Ajax, for instance Johan Cruyff, were also key-players for Holland.

    Krol was a versatile defender who could play anywhere that was required. He was a great reader of the game which also made him successful as a sweeper in the 1978 World Cup. Four years earlier he had been equally successful at left-back. The Dutch team of 1974 is always mentioned when people talk about great teams that never won the World Cup. Krol played in every minute in all seven games and also scored a goal, a cracking shot against Argentina in the 4-0 second phase win.

    Krol was made captain by coach Ernst Happel for the 1978 World Cup and Holland advanced through the rounds much thanks to Krol’s presence. The team suffered from the lack of Cruyff in a creative midfield role, but neither Italy or West Germany could prevent Holland from reaching a second World Cup final in a row. Holland and Krol, once again an ever-present, could not stop Argentina in extra-time as the hosts ran out 3-1 winners.

    Ruud moved to Canada to play for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1980. He returned back to Europe the following year to play four seasons for Napoli and later for Cannes in the French second division where he also ended his career. He was capped 83 times for Holland, a Dutch record that was not broken until 17 years later.

    Profile taken from Planet World Cup.

    League Stats

    Season – Club – Games – Goals
    1968-69 Ajax Amsterdam......... 01 / 00
    1969-70 Ajax Amsterdam......... 34 / 02
    1970-71 Ajax Amsterdam......... 24 / 02
    1971-72 Ajax Amsterdam......... 33 / 00
    1972-73 Ajax Amsterdam......... 34 / 03
    1973-74 Ajax Amsterdam......... 34 / 03
    1974-75 Ajax Amsterdam......... 24 / 01
    1975-76 Ajax Amsterdam......... 31 / 03
    1976-77 Ajax Amsterdam......... 33 / 01
    1977-78 Ajax Amsterdam......... 34 / 02
    1978-79 Ajax Amsterdam......... 24 / 02
    1979-80 Ajax Amsterdam......... 33 / 04
    1980..... Vancouver Whitecaps..NASL
    1980-81 Napoli....................... 29 / 01
    1981-82 Napoli....................... 27 / 00
    1982-83 Napoli....................... 30 / 00
    1983-84 Napoli....................... 21 / 00
    1984-85 AS Cannes................. II. Division
    1985-86 AS Cannes................. II. Division
     
  24. Teso Dos Bichos

    Teso Dos Bichos Red Card

    Sep 2, 2004
    Purged by RvN
    PAOLO MALDINI

    Born: 26th June 1968.

    Position: Left back/ Central defender.

    Caps:
    Italy 126 (1988-2002) / 7 goals

    League Games:
    Italy 568 (1984-2005) / 28 goals

    European Cup Games:
    Milan 130 (1988-2005)/ 3 goals

    European Footballer of the Year: 1989 (23rd), 1992 (14th), 1993 (7th), 1994 (3rd), 1995 (7th), 1996 (22nd), 2000 (10th), 2003 (3rd), 2004 (28th)

    Italian Footballer of the Year: Never

    Clubs:
    Milan

    Trophies & Tournaments:
    World Cup winner: Never
    World Cup runner-up: 1994
    World Cup participation: 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002
    European Championship runner-up: 2000
    European Championship participation: 1988, 1996, 2000
    Italian Champion: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994 ,1996, 1999, 2004
    Italian runner-up: 1990, 1991
    European Cup winner: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003
    European Cup runner-up: 1993, 1995, 2005


    Paolo Maldini began his Milan career at the tender age of 16, joining the club that his father Cesare had captained to glory in the 1960s.

    At the time Milan were in dire straights, but were saved by media mogul Silvio Berlusconi who poured millions into the club and allowed coach Arrigo Saachi to assemble one of the most gifted squads ever seen. At its heart were the Dutch trio of Van Basten, Gullit and Rijkaard and the twin defensive towers of Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini. In the 1987/88 season Milan’s defence was the key as they won their first title in 9 years, conceding just 14 goals in the process.

    In 1988 Maldini made his first appearance in a major finals. Italy opened against the hosts West Germany which resulted in a 1-1 draw, before tight victories against Spain 1-0 and Denmark 2-0. Italy were through to the semis but they were seen off by a strong Soviet Union team, with two quick second half goals. The following season Milan captured the European Cup in true style. Although they had scraped past Red Star Belgrade in the second round on penalties, they switched into overdrive as the competition progressed thrashing Real Madrid 5-0 in the semi final and Steau Bucharest 4-0 in the final. Milan added the Super Cup to their achievements defeating Barcelona before successfully defending their European Cup. Again they faced Real Madrid but beat them 2-1 over two legs and also defeated Bayern Munich en route to the final against Benfica which was won thanks to a single frank Rijkaard goal.

    Italy went into the 1990 World Cup full of confidence that they would recapture the trophy on home soil. The team was one of the strongest Italy had produced in some years, and combined the attacking genius of Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Baggio with the impeccable defensive credentials of Baresi, Bergomi and Maldini. They opened with routine dismissals of Austria, Czechoslovakia and the USA to progress to the second round. They then defeated Uruguay and the Republic of Ireland to enter the semifinals. They were yet to concede a goal and the surprise package of the tournament Toto Schillachi was in superb form. Against Argentina the script was followed in the first half as following a wonderful move involving Giannini and Vialli, Schillachi put Italy ahead with a poachers goal. However, in the second half the unthinkable happened: Italy conceded a goal. Canniggia leapt high above Zenga and took the match to penalties. Sadly Italy lost due in much to the superb Goycochea.

    The 1991/2 season saw Milan in sensational form as they swept to Lo Scudetto without a single defeat. Maldini was at the heart of the victory, marshalling the defence alongside the peerless Baresi.The following season the retained their title and set a new European record of 55 games unbeaten. They also swept to the European Cup final, winning all 10 games and scoring 23 goals while conceding just 1, where they faced Marseille. The game was an uninspired affair which was won by Marseille through a Basile Boli header just before half time. And saw the end of the great Marco Van Basten’s career.

    The next year Milan again retained Lo Scudetto, with the defence to the fore, this time conceding just 15 goals in 34 league games. They also reached the European cup final again, although were widely written off before the game against Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona “Dream Team”. Despite the doubts and the absence of Baresi and Costacurta Milan demolished Barca 4-0 and Maldini again turned in a faultless display.

    That summer Italy went to the USA in search of a record fourth WC title. In their first game they suffered a major shock as Ireland’s Ray Houghton scored a great early goal which won the game. They rallied to defeat Norway in the next game before drawing with Mexico and creating perhaps the closest group in WC history. Italy squeezed through on goals scored to face Nigeria. In this game they were saved by Roberto Baggio who scored in the 89th minute and then again in extratime to progress to the quarters where they faced Spain. Again it took Roberto Baggio to save Italy with a last gasp goal. The semi final against Bulgaria was a slightly more routine affair as Italy went two up early on and bulgaira could not respond. The final was a dull contest which ended with the WC final’s first penalty shootout. Again Italy were unlucky and Brazil captured the cup.

    In 1995 Milan reached their third EC final in a row but lost to a late Patrick Kluivert goal. In 1996 Maldini added yet another Scudetto and yet again performed superbly.

    The 1996 European Championship was major disappointment for Italy and they failed to get out of their group, mainly due to some dismal tactical decisions by coach Saachi.

    The next two years saw Milan bizarrely finish 11th and 10th as vast swathes of players were brought to the club and failed to establish themselves.
    At France 1998 Italy were yet again eliminated on penalties, having started brightly this time by the eventual champions France. The Italians had contained the French despite the return of their mercurial genius Zinedine Zidane. After a tight 0-0 draw the Italians yet again slipped out.
    1999 saw Milan back in form with new coach Alberto Zaccheroni and they managed to snatch the title with a phenomenal late surge thanks as much to the defence as to the brilliance of George Weah and Zvonomir Boban.

    At Euro 2000 Italy again reached the final after a superb run. Italy beat Turkey, Belgium and Sweden in the group stage before dismissing Romania 2-0 in the quarters. They faced joint-hosts Holland in the semi-final and were lucky to take the game to penalties, as the Dutch missed two penalties in normal time. The game went to penalties and the Italians finally achieved a success as the Dutch penalty misery continued. Although Maldini himself missed a penalty it was not important. The final itself saw further heartbreak for Maldini. Italy led initially through a Marco Delvecchio goal, but conceded a 90th minute goal before David Trezeguet scored in extra-time to ruin the Azzuri’s dream. The next two seasons saw Milan achieve Champions League finished but no spectacular successes, and in 2002 Maldini led Italy to Japan/Korea as one of the strong favourites. Italy though only scraped through the first round after a shock loss to Croatia and disappointing draw with Mexico. In the second round Italy were eliminated by South Korea with Maldini uncharacteristically at fault for Ahn Jung-Hwan’s late extra time goal. It was to be the end of his international career.

    The following season Milan were in superb form in Europe, doing (characteristically) just enough in every round to progress to the knock out stage having seen off the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Deportivo La Coruna. In the quarter finals Milan were drawn with a bright young Ajax team, but overcame them thanks in large part to an injury time goal by Jon Dahl Tommason. In the semi-finals Milan were drawn with bitter city rivals in a tie that was to produce a lasting trivia question. The first match ended 0-0, and the the second 1-1 but Milan won on away goals despite the fact that the clubs shared the Giuseppe Meazza San Siro. The final started brightly, but became a game for the purists as Maldini and his new partner Nesta conspired to nullify a Juventus team missing the creative genius of Pavel Nedved. Milan prevailed on penalties after an excellent display by Dida, and Maldini had won his 4th European Cup. What made it all the sweeter was the fact that he emulated his father Cesare who had captained Milan to European Cup glory 40 years earlier at Wembley.

    The next season Milan were almost unstoppable in Serie A, with the additions of World Cup winning Brazilians Kaka and Cafu added to the European Champions. In the Champions League it appeared to be a procession for Milan to march to another trophy but after beating Depor 4-1 at the San Siro, Milan were humbled 4-0 at the Riazor and crashed out. They were able though to recapture their first league title in 5 years.

    In the 2004/5 season Milan added Jaap Stam to the ageing defence with the hope of suring up an area of slight concern. They were drawn in a tough CL group along with Celtic, Shaktar Donetsk and many people’s favourites Barca. Milan won their first 3 group games in style to effectively guarantee their progress to the next round. Their reward for topping the group was an encounter with Manchester United, in superb Premiership form after a slow start. Milan put together a masterclass, epitomised by the passing of Andrea Pirlo, to see of United, thanks to a goal in each leg from on loan striker Hernan Crespo. This set up a tie with city rivals Inter, and after a 2-0 victory in their “home leg” Milan took the lead in the second tie through Andriy Shevchenko. This sent the Inter fans into a frenzy and the Milan goalie Dida was later hit with a flare causing the game to be abandoned and Milan awarded the tie. After a surprisingly tough match against PSV Eindhoven, Milan met Liverpool in the final in search of a 7th CL title. Early on Milan were awarded a free kick near the edge of Liverpool’s box, and the cross in was met on the volley by Maldini to score a stunning goal. After superb work by Kaka, Crespo put the Italians further ahead, 3-0 up at the break. But then in a miraculous 10 minute spell Liverpool somehow managed to level the match and force extra-time. Milan pressed continuously and thought they had scored through Shevchenko but Jerzy Dudek, the Liverpool keeper, made an astonishing save. In the resulting penalty shootout Liverpool held their nerve to record the most unlikely of comebacks. It was a cruel blow for Maldini, bidding for a 5th CL crown, he had put in a flawless display but the Milan players were philosophical after the game.

    Maldini has been the ultimate defender for almost 20 years and he is still going strong. In his prime he was exceptionally athletic and marauded up and down the left touchline, these days he has added great vision to his game. However, his professionalism and love of the game has never diminished and he continues to give his all for his beloved Milan. When Maldini eventually calls it a day he will be missed like no other, a man whose career has been inextricably linked to the club which both he and his father before him captained with such wonderful success.




    League Statistics

    Season-Club-Games-Goals

    1984/85 AC Milan............01 / 00
    1985/86 AC Milan............27 / 00
    1986/87 AC Milan............30 / 01
    1987/88 AC Milan............26 / 02
    1988/89 AC Milan............26 / 00
    1989/90 AC Milan............30 / 01
    1990/91 AC Milan............26 / 04
    1991/92 AC Milan............31 / 03
    1992/93 AC Milan............31 / 02
    1993/94 AC Milan............30 / 01
    1994/95 AC Milan............29 / 02
    1995/96 AC Milan............30 / 03
    1996/97 AC Milan............26 / 01
    1997/98 AC Milan............30 / 00
    1998/99 AC Milan............31 / 01
    1999/00 AC Milan............27 / 04
    2000/01 AC Milan............31 / 01
    2001/02 AC Milan............15 / 00
    2002/03 AC Milan............29 / 02
    2003/04 AC Milan............30 / 00
    2004/05 AC Milan............32 / 00


    International Club Games

    1985/86 AC Milan...ECIII...06 / 00
    1987/88 AC Milan...ECIII...02 / 00
    1988/89 AC Milan...ECI.....07 / 00
    1989/90 AC Milan...ECI.....08 / 00
    1990/91 AC Milan...ECI.....04 / 00
    1992/93 AC Milan...ECI.....10 / 01
    1993/94 AC Milan...ECI.....10 / 01
    1994/95 AC Milan...ECI.....11 / 00
    1995/96 AC Milan...ECIII...08 / 00
    1996/97 AC Milan...ECI.....06 / 00
    1999/00 AC Milan...ECI.....06 / 00
    2000/01 AC Milan...ECI.....14 / 00
    2001/02 AC Milan...ECIII...04 / 00
    2002/03 AC Milan...ECI.....19 / 00
    2003/04 AC Milan...ECI.....09 / 00
    2004/05 AC Milan...ECI.....13 / 01

    Shamelessly stolen from comme.
    (https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232354)
     
  25. lanman

    lanman BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 30, 2002
    For my second pick:

    Jozsef Bozsik

    101 Caps (11 goals): 1947-1962
    World Cup finals - 1954, 1958
    Hungarian titles - 5
    1943-1948 Kispest
    1948-1963 Honved Budapest

    Jozsef Bozsik was arguably the first player we today would regard as a true midfielder. Up to the late 1940's, with the W-M formation prevelant the job of the half-backs was to stop the opposition playing and simply get the ball to their own inside forwards who could do the real damage. Bozsik changed all of this - as accomplished a defender as there was he also possessed the creativity and vision to rival the finest inside forward. With Hungary playing an almost unheard of back four along with 5 attackers, Bozsik would normally find himself up against two inside forwards, and he would usually be the most dominant and influential player on the pitch - Hungary's games were played at Bozsik's pace and were subject to his direction. With the movement up front, his pinpoint passing exploited any gaps - his favourite pass being a long cross-field pass to his childhood friend Puskas.
    As a 5 year old, he took 3 year old neighbour Puskas under his wing, and until the 1956 revolution they were virtually inseperable - signing as youth players together, graduating first to the Honved first team and subsequently the Hungarian national side whilst also running a local shop (remember these are amateur players).
    After the revolution, Puskas sought refuge in the West whereas Bozsik returned home to succeed his great friend as captain of club and country. With the national team now missing three world class attackers and with no suitable replacements forthcoming, Bozsik's football suffered. Forced to carry a team which was a shadow of its former self, his reputation faded, and whereas Puskas became the darling of Madrid, Bozsik passed from international memory.
    He would later manage the Hungarian national side, but sadly passed away in 1978, like his playing abilities, well before his time. His name lives on, however, as Honved now play in a stadium named after him.
     

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