This is tough, as usual when you try to decide one player out of a list of all-time great talents. And the list could be bigger, since im missing guys like Shevchenko, Van Nistelrooy, Raul...etc etc. But im going to pick Ronaldo Nazario. Why? Because I think he was simply the best player in his peak, simply unstoppable, and had the potential to be a GOAT candidate if not for the injuries he suffered, but prime Ronaldo was (yes, I said it) on Maradona, Pele or Cryuff`s level. The guy was not just a striker, he was the "total-striker" as he occupied a large range of action in the pitch, was equally lethal coming from behing (the 3/4 quarter of the pitch) or in the area and penalty box. Ronaldo from 95 to 98 was winning games alone, and creating his goals and chances out of nowhere. He had an amazing variety of tecniques, was extremely explosive with the ball, great tecnique and skill...and all of this while being very effective at the same time. Even in his Real Madrid days (when he was no longer the real Ronaldo Nazario), he was still the best striker in the world (see the numbers), his coolness at the definition is hardly matched by any 9 in the history of the game. Yeah, Romario and Van Basten are very close and were special players also, but if I had to pick just one player for my team, that would be Ronaldo.
Why are people always referring to Ronaldo's injuries and never mentioning Van Basten's injury in 1986 which limited his mobility and eventually ended his career?
I most admit I sympathise with you on that one. Baggio should be held in very high regard, the fact I'd forgotten about him, much like the thread starter appears to, is a shame. That guy was a beast of a player, so majestic and deadly from set pieces. Damn, Baggio owned, even in his Brescia days when he was well past his best.
van basten / ronaldo .... if van basten doesnt get that injury he will be winning more player of the year..
[Lineker v. Shearer is a hard call to make IMO because they were two different yet complimentary types of strikers: Shearer was a throwback English/British No.9 C-F who was going to "bash & crash" about and force openings in the opposition's defence that "predator" Lineker could hopefully capitalise on...]
[I think that this poll/thread is supposed to be about more of those of the "out-&-out" front man persuasion, mate...]
[If this list is lumping "predator"-type strikers and "card-carrying" No.9 C-Fs together then Alan Shearer is definitely a candidate for this list IMHO...]