This thread requires you to have a little knowledge of players and their insights into the game. I would like 'us' to compile a list, which details as many all-time players and their all time footballing hero. HEre are a few I know straight from the players' mouth. Denis Law - Alfredo DiStefano George Best - Alfredo Distefano Ronaldo- Zico ------ I seem to recall both Beckenbauer and Cruyff saying DiStefano as well, but am not 100% bonafide on that, can someone with this knowledge help out? I'd like as many players we consider 'the best' listed in a rolling thread fashion if possible. I seem to recall Maradona saying his was Pele...but was that him being politically correct or is that common knowledge amongst Argentines?? If you know any all time greats' fav players please contribute. Thanks.
I know for a fact Cruijff said he thought Di Stefano was the best player ever, I'm not sure if he was also his favorite but Cruijff always was a big fan of pure class so a good chance he was his favorite. Bergkamp was named after Denis Law, but the Dutch authorities thought Denis was to girl-like so he was named Dennis instead.
Beckenbauer was influenced by Giacinto Facchetti. Watching Facchetti made him think "if the left full back can play offensively like a forward, why can't the centerback do it as well?" If you go by admiration factor, Beckenbauer's idol was Pelé (after watching the televised games of the 1958 World Cup). Johan Cruijff's major influence was definitely Alfredo di Stéfano.
Zinedine Zidane's favorite player was Uruguay, Racing de Paris, Marseille, and River Plate superstar Enzo Francescoli, now co-owner of GolTv here in the States. Zidane named his son Enzo.
I have read that he truly admired Santamaria as well. Is this true? Shevchenko has been influenced by Marco Van Basten, who also played for AC Milan.
oh yahhh. I remember an interview by this kid where he said robson was his hero. thanks for reminding me SOURCE
Player----------------Idol Sheva----------------Van Basten Henry----------------Van Basten Van Nistelrooy--------Van Basten Platini----------------Cruijff
i think jairzinho, gerson and rivaldo's idol was garrincha...i read rudi voeller was a great fan of the little bird too
Yes, this is true. I saw a program where they said Maradona considered Rivelino as his idol. Well, my idol is Zidan (if any one cares )
In his autrobiography, he listed Rivelino as the 2nd best in history after Pele. He also mentioned that he had a picture of Rojas on his bedroom.