The All Time Draft Selection Thread

Round: 2

(25th overall pick)


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ARTHUR ANTUNES COIMBRA "ZICO"
Born: 03.03.1953, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Position: Midfielder
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The greatest player in Flamengo history and third highest scorer in Brazilian NT history (52 goals in 72 matches), midfielder Zico played in 3 world cups, 1978, 1982 and 1986. In the 1982 world cup he was part, along with Falção, Cerezo, and Sócrates, of what is often regarded as the best midfield line in Brazilian football history, and also one of the best teams ever. He is considered by many to be the best Brazilian player after Pelé and Garrincha. However, he is also one of the best players never to win a world cup. He suffered a knee injury before the 1986, and was still injured when he played that tournament, where he sadly missed a penalty against France in quarterfinals, which led to a draw after extra time, with France eliminating Brazil in the penalty shootout.

Incredible skills with the ball, a sharp mind and a tremendous shot were characteristics of Zico's play. He was famous for being a two-footed player and for scoring beautiful goals at amazing rates for a midfielder. He might be also one of the best free kick takers ever.

Zico was the youngest of three footballing brothers from a lower-middle class family in the suburbs of Quintino, Rio the Janeiro. He wasn't originally a very gifted athlete, but it was his natural talent that made him great. Because of his lack of physical strenght, he had to become an athlete by following strict diets and training routines. Throughout his career he became famous for his dedication and discipline, qualities that allowed him to have much success in general and particularly in Japan, where he lived, played, coached, and still coaches the Japanese National team. While still a kid, radio reporter Celso Garcia took him to a trial at Flamengo, where he had a glorious career, playing professionally during 1971-1983 and 1985-1989, winning 4 national titles. He was also a star for Udinese in the italian Serie A in 1983-1985.

Bio composed of information on articles courtesy of Wikipedia, Folha Online, and the International Football Hall of Fame.

NATIONAL TEAM STATISTICS

Brazil NT overall record*
1976-1986
Matches played: 72 (52-17-3)
Goals scored: 52

* NT statistics courtesy of RSSSF


WORLD CUP STATISTICS

Code:

Year  #  GP GS  Min G  GPG	
1978  8   6  3  229 1 0.39
1982  10  5  5  443 4 0.81  
1986  10  3  0   92 0 0.00
[B]Total	 14  8  764 5 0.59[/B]

CAREER DETAILS**

League Games:
Brazil ‘Campeonato Brasileiro’ 234 (1971-1983 & 1985-1989) / 130 goals
Brazil ‘Campeonato Carioca’ 290 (1972-1982 & 1985-1989) / 240 goals
Italy 40 (1983-1985) / 22 goals
Japan 23 (1992-1994) / 14 goals

International Club Cup Games:
Copa Libertadores 21 (1981-1983) / 16 goals
World Club Cup 1 (1981) / 0 goals
Supercopa 1 (1989) / 0 goals

National Cup Games:
Italy ‘Coppa Italia’ 14 (1983-1985) / 8 goals
Japan ‘Emperor Cup’ 4 (1991-1994) / 2 goals

South American Footballer of the Year:
1976 (2nd), 1977 (winner), 1979 (5th), 1980 (2nd), 1981 (winner), 1982 (winner), 1985 (6th)

Brazilian Footballer of the Year:
1975, 1982

Trophies & Tournaments:
World Cup: 1978, 1982, 1986
South American Championship: 1979 (3rd)
Brazil Champion: 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987
Champion of Rio de Janeiro: 1972, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1986
Japanese Champion: 1993

Season - Club - Games – Goals
------------------------------Campeonato Brasileiro---Campeonato Carioca
1971......Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............15 / 02 .............00 / 00
1972..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............04 / 00 .............02 / 00
1973..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............26 / 08 .............09 / 00
1974..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............23 / 13 .............27 / 19
1975..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............27 / 11 .............28 / 30
1976..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............20 / 14 .............27 / 18
1977..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............18 / 09 .............29 / 27
1978..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............00 / 00 .............22 / 19
1979..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............05 / 01 .............17 / 26
1980..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............19 / 21 .............26 / 34
1981..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............08 / 03 .............33 / 25
1982..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............21 / 17 .............15 / 02
1983..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............25 / 20 .............23 / 22
1983/84 Udinese Calcio...........................24 / 19
1984/85 Udinese Calcio...........................16 / 03
1985..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............00 / 00 .............03 / 02
1986..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............00 / 00 .............04 / 03
1987..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............12 / 05 .............05 / 01
1988..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............12 / 04 .............06 / 00
1989..... Flamengo Rio de Janeiro.............08 / 02 .............11 / 02
1990..... did not play
1991..... did not play
1991/92 Sumitomo Kinozoku...................Second Division
1993..... Kashima Antlers.........................16 / 09
1994..... Kashima Antlers.........................07 / 05


** Career details by Gregoriak found @ worldcup-history.com

Zico's official website: http://www.ziconarede.com.br/

 

Round 2 (week 2)
26th overall pick



Dejalma Dos Santos, “Djalma Santos”
Date of birth: 27/02/1929
Born in: São Paulo (SP)
Position: Defense, Right back

Clubs:
1948 to 1958 Portuguesa de Desportos (FR)
1958 to 1968 Palmeiras (FR)
1969 to 1970 Atlético (PR)

International: Brazil, 98 caps/3 goals

Honours:
FIFA World Cup: 1958, 1962
Tournament Rio - São Paulo: 1952, 1955, 1965
PanAmericans Games: 1952
Brazilian Cup: 1960, 1967
São Paulo State League: 1959, 1963, 1966
Brazilian League: 1967
Paraná State League: 1970
Rio de Janeiro's Cup: 1965


Djalma Santos was a tough, rugged and uncompromising right back. Known for his soccer sense and intelligence on the pitch, he was often given the role of marking the opponent's fastest wing player.

Djalma Santos played in all three of Brazils games in 1954. However, the team were over compensating for their defensive frailties four years before and, without any real attacking sparkle, lost to the great Hungarian side in the quarter finals.

In 1958, it looked as if Santos would be a non-playing member of the squad. However, for the final against Sweden, the Brazilian manager, Feola, called upon Santos to use his excellent positioning skills to mark the winger Skoglund. Brazil won the game 5-2, and lifted the trophy.

During the 1962 finals, the Brazilian team, with an average age of 30, looked a little old, especially against the pacey Spanish side in the group stages. However, with the help of their rock-solid right back, they won their way through to the final, where they beat Czechoslovakia 3-1. Djalma Santos even set up the third goal. However, he was lucky not to concede a penalty with a blatant hand ball.

The defence remained virtually the same for the 1966 World Cup tournament, with Djalma Santos being called into action in the twilight of his career. However, this time they were too old and complacent, believing the cup was theirs by right. They could not overcome the passing of Hungary, and with a little help from well placed kicks by the opposition, Brazil offered only a whimper, and left the tournament after the first stage.

Santos played in 8 of the 9 World Cup matches from 1962 to 1966 (playing at the age of 37 in his final World Cup tournament). Djalma Santos played in four World Cups and was the first Brazilian to make 100 caps. The length of his career is a testament to his skill and shows that he truly was a world class player.

 

Round 2
Sir Stanley Matthews

Stanley Matthews was born in Hanley, Staffordshire on February 1 1915 and went on to be one of the greatest players Britain has ever produced. At the age of 15 he joined the ground staff of his local club Stoke City and made his first team debut two years later in a 1-0 win away at Bury. In the 1932-3 season Stoke won second division gaining the young Matthews his first chance at England’s highest domestic level.

On the 29th of September Matthews made his first appearance for England in a 4-0 win away in Cardiff against Wales. Matthews and Stoke enjoyed a couple of seasons floating around in mid-table before finishing 4th in 1935-6. The next season though Matthews requested a transfer away from Stoke, but such was the unhappiness of many fans and local businesses that the board were forced to resolve the situation and Matthews stayed put. During the war Matthews served with the RAF, but like most top footballers was kept out of the real danger and continued to play football, including 30 games for England which have not been recognised as full internationals. This was a cruel blow for Matthews as he missed 6 crucial year of football, the years at which most footballers are considered to peak.

When the league re-started in 1946-7 Matthews again wanted to move away from Stoke due to constant friction between himself and manager Bob McGrory who many viewed as being jealous of Matthews’ abundant talents. Matthews was this time allowed to join Blackpool for £11,000 and without him Stoke closely missed out on the title, with him they might well have been victorious.
In 1948 Matthews appeared in his first FA Cup final for Blackpool. The game was against Manchester United and while Blackpool led 2-1 with just 20 minutes to play they couldn’t hold on and were easily beaten 4-2. Matthews efforts though were not missed and he was named the first ever footballer of the year in England for the 1947-8 season.

In 1950 England set off to Brazil for their first ever World Cup. England had not accepted the previous invitations to participate and the team set out with the pride and hoped of an expectant nation resting on their shoulders. The team was stellar boasting such talents as Wright, Finney, Mannion and Mortensen in addition to Matthews. They started well and beat Chile 2-0 in the opening encounter before losing 1-0 to the USA in one of the most shocking games in the history of the World Cup. Although Matthews missed the first two games, he returned for the clash with Spain. It was to make no difference as Spain emerged the 1-0 victors thanks to a goal by Zarra. It was a bitter disappointment to England. While they had not participated in the previous World Cups most at home still considered them the best side in the world and had expected a great deal more than a first round exit.
In 1951 Blackpool again reached the FA Cup final, but again they were disappointed. This time they lost 2-0 to Newcastle.

However, in 1953 Matthews was to finally get the silverware he craved, Blackpool again reached the FA Cup final and this time faced Bolton. Bolton trailed 3-1 going in to the closing stages of the game, before Matthews hit his stride. Matthews laid on two goals for Stan Mortensen before another mazy dribble created a great chance for Bill Perry to score a dramatic last minute winner. Mortensen had scored a hat-trick but there was no doubt who the star of the show was- Matthews. It was his finest hour and it came to be known as “The Matthews Final”. He was the ripe old age of 38.

In November of the same year English football was rocked to it’s very foundations by a game that has since been viewed as the match of the century and the game which marked a major power shift away from Britain. It was of course England v. Hungary at Wembley. Matthews played in the game but, as with all the England players, was overshadowed by the Magical Magyars who won the game 6-3.

The next year Matthews and England travelled to Switzerland to attempt to improve on their performance at the last World Cup. Matthews played in the opener, a 4-4 draw with Belgium, but missed the draw with the Swiss. In the quarter finals England were drawn to play the defending champions Uruguay who had not lost a game in the history of the World Cup finals. It was a tough game in which Uruguay emerged as winners 4-2 and Matthews World Cup ambitions were over again.
In 1955 Matthews played in a game against Scotland considered by some to be his finest. At Wembley, England thrashed the auld enemy 7-2 and Matthews made all 7 goals.

The following year, England faced Brazil at Wembley and beat them 4-2, Matthews made 3 goals and tortured the Brazilian fullback Nilton Santos. They then travelled to Berlin to face the World Champions Germany and beat them convincingly 3-1. In 1956 Matthews also received the great honour of being the inaugural European Player of the Year. The next year Matthews played his last ever game for England a 4-1 victory away at Denmark, it had been a glittering international career.

In 1961 Matthews returned to Stoke in a deal worth £3,500. The impact was immediate as in Matthews’ first game gates sprang from 8,000 to 35,000 and Matthews went on to more than earn the club back the money they had spent on him. Matthews return to Stoke coincided with the visit of Huddersfield and offered Matthews the chance to face up against England full-back Ray Wilson. As he had done to so many defenders before, Matthews made Wilson’s life a misery and made all the goals in a 3-0 victory.
In the 1962-3 season Stoke won the second division, a remarkable 30 years after Matthews had first achieved the feat at the club. At the age of 48 Matthews managed to play in 35 of Stoke’s league games, and scored a crucial goal in the last game of the season to secure promotion to the top flight. Matthews was named footballer of the year for a second time, a feat that only Tom Finney and Danny Blanchflower had achieved before him.

In 1965 Matthews played his last ever league game for Stoke at the age of 50, he was the oldest man ever to play in the first division and his record stands to this day. In April 1965 Stoke faced an international XI including Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Josef Masopust and Lev Yashin in honour of Matthews. Later that year Matthews became the first ever footballer to be knighted by the Queen, it was no more than he deserved.
Matthews died on the 23rd February 2000.

Many thanks to comme for the bio.

 

My second pick:

ROBERTO CARLOS

http://www.footballdatabase.com/site/players/index.php?dumpPlayer=1045

Roberto Carlos is the best attacking fullback in the world. So much so, that he`s often confused as an outside midfielder. Carlos is not a defensive-minded fullback, but his speed up and down the flanks effectively gives Brazil and Real Madrid an extra attacker up the left side. His crosses and set pieces are considered the best part of his game.

A regular of the Brazilian National team since 1996, Roberto Carlos was on the Brazilian team that won Copa America and Confederations Cup in 1997. He also featured at France 98, when Brazil lost to France in the final. One year later, in 1999, another wonderful display of football by Roberto Carlos and Brazil were triumphant in the Copa America of Uruguay. However, the best was to come 3 years later when the cariocas won their 5th FIFA World Cup at Japan-Korea and Roberto Carlos was named in the team of the tournament.

Born in Garça, São Paulo in 1973, he began his career as a teenager with his local club, Uniao Sao Joao, before moving on to play for Palmeiras in 1993, where he became champion for the first time as Palmeiras won the Brazilian League in 93 and 94. Three seasons at the club saw his reputation building until eventually he was drawn to Europe.

It was Moratti who took him to Internazionale for the 1995-96 season, he went on to score 6 times after 30 Serie A matches but, problems out of the field took him to Spain, to a club desperate of recovering his glorious European past, Real Madrid.

Roberto Carlos settled fast into Spanish football, winning his first Liga Primera in 1997. One year later a flick to one of his powerful shots and a Mijatovic goal saw Real Madrid became European Champions for the first time in over 30 years, they would eventually won UCL again in 2000 and 02.


Full name: Roberto Carlos da Silva
DOB: April 10, 1973
Birthplace: Garca, Brazil
Nationality: Brazilian
Other nationality: Spanish
EU passport: Yes
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 70 kg

Club: Real Madrid CF
Position: Defender [L]
Number: 3
Contract Expires: June 2007
Previous Clubs: União São João > Palmeiras > Internazionale

International debut: February 1992, v United States
Caps: 104
Goals: 8
World Cups: France 1998, Japan-Korea 2002
Palmares:
Copa America (97, 99)
Confederations Cup (97)
FIFA World Cup (02)

Brazilian League (93, 94)
Spanish League (97, 01, 03)
Spanish Supercup (97, 03)
UEFA Champions League (98, 00, 02)
Intercontinental Cup (98, 02)
European Supercup (02)




Per Season Stats:

Season Club Country Level Apps Goals
2004-05 Real Madrid ESP A 34 3
2003-04 Real Madrid ESP A 32 5
2002-03 Real Madrid ESP A 37 5
2001-02 Real Madrid ESP A 31 4
2000-01 Real Madrid ESP A 36 5
1999-00 Real Madrid ESP A 35 5
1998-99 Real Madrid ESP A 35 5
1997-98 Real Madrid ESP A 35 4
1996-97 Real Madrid ESP A 37 4
1995-96 Internazionale ITA A 30 6
1995-95 Palmeiras BRA A 23 3
1994-94 Palmeiras BRA A 24 2
1993-93 Palmeiras BRA A 20 2
1992-92 Uniao Sao Joao - - 0 0
1991-91 Uniao Sao Joao - - 0 0
1990-90 Uniao Sao Joao - - 0 0

 

Player: Johan Neeskens
Born: 15.09.1951 Heemstede, Holland
Position: DM + anywhere else in mid
Career Span: late 1960's - 1991!!!
Nationality: Dutch
Caps/Goals: 51/17

Club Teams:

Ajax Amsterdam (Netherland) 1969 ~ 1973
Barcelona (Spain) 1974 ~ 1979
New York Cosmos (USA) 1979 ~ 1984
FC Groningen 1984 ~ 85
Fort Lauderdale Sun (USA) 1986 ~ 87
FC Baar (Switzerland) 1988 ~ 90
FC Zug (Switzerland), 1990 ~ 91


Profile / Stats:

2 Netherland League Championships, Ajax (1972, 73)
2 Netherland League Cups, Ajax (1972, 73)
Spainish League Championship, Barcelona (1978)
North American Championship, Cosmos (1980)
European Cup Championship, Ajax (1971, 1972, 1973)
European Super Cup, Ajax(1972, 1973)
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands (1974, 1978)


Born in Heemstede, Johan Neeskens, began his career with local club RCH, but was soon transferred to Ajax where he blossomed into one of the best players in Europe. Nicknamed ‘Johan the second’ as his namesake Cruyff was the first, he was one of the most profiled members of the Total-Football team both at Ajax and for the national team. Neeskens made his debut for Holland in 1970 and occupied one of the midfield positions for the next decade and more. In 1974, he was instrumental as Holland outplayed every team that stood in their way until the final when West Germany won 2-1. Neeskens had a great World Cup scoring five goals including a brilliant chip against Brazil and that second-minute penalty in the final.

He left Ajax for Barcelona after the World Cup and had five good seasons in the Catalan capital winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup as the highlight. In 1978, Holland again reached the World Cup final. Neeskens was once again a key player although not as frequently on the scoresheet. He failed to score in his six games in Argentina, but his contribution in midfield set up many goals for Holland. The Dutch lost for a second successive time to the hosts in a World Cup final. This time to Argentina.

As many other stars in the seventies, Neeskens moved to America to play in the NASL towards the end of his career. His club was New York Cosmos and he stayed there for six seasons before he returned home. He retired in 1986 having experienced many of the finest hours in Dutch football, including three European Cup titles and a World Club Cup title with Ajax and two World Cup finals with Holland. Neeskens has had several coaching jobs in recent years also as assistant coach for the Dutch national team.

 

Drafter: Sempre
Pick: Second
Overall Pick: 31st

Player: Gianni Rivera
Nickname: Il Bambino d'Oro ('The Golden Boy')
Position: Trequarterista; inside right


Profile and Statistics (courtesy of Channel 4's Football Italia)

Every Serie A club has what is known in Italy as Un Bandiera - a player
who symbolises that club. At Milan that player is Gianni Rivera. A graceful
and elegant inside forward, Rivera became known as the Golden Boy. He
wore the No 10 shirt from 1961 to 1979 and the 501 appearances he made
for the Rossoneri remain a club record. [Edit: Maldini has surpassed this.]

Rivera helped Milan win three Serie A titles, two European Cups, two Italian
Cups and the Cup-Winners’ Cup. In every poll to determine Italy’s greatest
player, Rivera heads the list.

The son of a railwayman, Rivera joined local club Alessandria and made
his Serie A debut at the tender age of 16. Even at that age Rivera looked
special and some of Italy’s most respected journalists started to rave about
the graceful youngster.

Giorgio Bocca eloquently wrote: "His neck is like that of a swan. His eyes
and tuft belong to a rare and precious bird. When he is in full flow, he
reminds me of a heron." Gianni Mottana commented: "He doesn’t touch the
ball. He brushes it. He even seems to float over the ground when he runs."

In 1960, a year after his debut, he was sold to Milan for £65,000. Giuseppe
Viani, one of Milan’s managers and the man who travelled to Alessandria
to sign the player, was so enamoured with Rivera that he christened
him ‘Bambino d’Oro’ - Golden Boy. The name would stick for the rest
of Rivera’s days.

With his vision and superb passing ability, Rivera was the creative heart
of Nereo Rocco’s team and at the beginning he formed a brilliant
understanding with Brazilian striker ***. In the 1963 European Cup final
at Wembley, Altafini scored Milan’s goals in their 2-1 win over Benfica, but
it was Rivera who made both. Benfica made the mistake of giving the
Italian genius too much space and Rivera ended up orchestrating the
midfield.

By the age of 19, Rivera had won both Lo Scudetto and the European
Cup. Not only that, Rocco had built his entire team around this exciting
footballer blessed with film star looks. Rivera’s heyday was arguably the late
60s. In 1968 he won both Lo Scudetto and the Cup-Winners’ Cup. In 1969
he inspired Milan to win their second European Cup, hammering Ajax in
Madrid. Rivera set up two of Milan’s four goals that night. The Dutch team
boasted an exciting forward called Johan Cruyff but in 1969 Rivera was the
master, proved when he won the European Footballer of the Year award -
the first Italian player to do so.

Yet Rivera very nearly joined Juventus. The Bianconeri spotted him
playing in a youth tournament in Turin. Claiming Rivera may have lacked
the physique appropriate for top-class football, Juve offered Alessandria
around £2,500 for the player - an amount that annoyed Alessandria
Coach Franco Pedroni. "When they offered us that figure I was very
angry," he recalled.

"I valued Rivera much, much higher. I spoke to my brother-in-law and
he contacted Milan, telling Viani that here, at Alessandria, we had a
phenomenon. "He came and was sceptical at first, but then he said ‘Don’t
tell anyone but I’m going to recommend him. He’s a great champion’. And
that’s how Rivera became a Milan player and not a Juventus one."

During the 70s Rivera continued to inspire a less talented Milan side. They
did win a bad-tempered and controversial Cup-Winners’ Cup final against
Leeds in 1973 and they reached the final of the same tournament the
following year. Milan were favourites to retain the trophy since their
opponents were rank outsiders from East Germany, FC Magdeburg. But
Rivera had a poor game and Milan lost 1-0.

However, in 1979 Rivera ended his Milan career on a high note, winning
Lo Scudetto for a third time. The Rossoneri were surprise winners in a
decade dominated by Giovanni Trapattoni’s Juventus and they won the
1978-79 championship with a match to spare.

When he retired from football, to concentrate on a career in politics,
Milan were never the same. The club fell into decline, culminating in
two relegations to Serie B. Indeed, the tifosi had to wait for nearly 10
years before they had another great side to cheer.

Azzurri blues

The Milan genius was a member of the Italian sides eliminated in the first
round of both the 1966 and 1974 World Cups. Considering his length of
service for the Rossoneri, the 60 appearances he made for the Azzurri is
quite a low figure. The reason he failed to win more caps was because of
another number 10.

Rivera played in the 1968 European Championships in Italy. The Azzurri
faced Yugoslavia in the final. Rivera played in the first match which ended
1-1, but was injured for the replay. *** came in, played well and Italy won
2-0. Since that night in Rome, Rivera’s role in the national team was never
secure. Feruccio Valcareggi was a fan of ***, but a player of Rivera’s
immense talent could not be ignored. So for the 1970 World Cup, Valcareggi
dreamed up the ‘staffetta’ - the relay. *** would play one half, Rivera the
other.

It sounded fair in theory, but in practice it never really worked. In the first
three games in Mexico - and despite Italy scoring just one goal - Rivera
hardly played. Clearly upset, he threatened to return home and it took a
heart-to-heart with Rocco to change his mind.

Just as well, too. Rivera, as a second-half substitute, inspired victories
against Mexico in the quarter-final and West Germany in the semi-final.
It was Rivera’s winning extra-time goal in a sensational 4-3 win over the
German side that booked Italy’s place in the final.

But against Brazil there was more disappointment; Rivera, humiliatingly,
came on as a substitute with only six minutes to spare with Italy already
3-1 down.

Rivera’s last appearance for his country was during the 1974 World Cup.
Statistics below.

GIANNI RIVERA

Born: Alessandria, 18/8/43
Clubs: Alessandria 1958-60 (26 apps, 6 goals) Milan 1960-79 (501 apps,
122 goals)
Serie A debut: Alessandria-Inter, 2/6/59 (1-1)
Last Serie A match: Lazio-Milan, 13/5/79 (1-1)
Honours: 3 Serie A titles (1962, 68, 79); 4 Coppa Italia (1957, 72, 73,
77); 2 European Cups (1963, 69); 1 Intercontinental Cup (1969); 2 Cup
Winners' Cup (1968, 73); European Championship (1968); European
Footballer of the Year (1969)
International caps 60
International goals 14
Debut Belgium 1-3 Italy, 13/5/62
Last cap Italy 1-1 Argentina, 19/6/74

 

Jean Tigana
Born: 06/23/55
Birth Place: Bamako (Mali)
Midfielder

Clubs: Toulon (1975-78), Lyon (1978-81), Bordeaux (1981-89), Marseille (1989-91)
International appearances:52 (1980-88)
International goals: 1
International debut: 23/05/1980, Russia-France (1-0)
Last international appearance: 19/11/1988, Yugoslavia-France (3-2)

World Cup
Appearances: 2 (1982, 1986), 11 matches, 1 goal

Third place (1986), fourth place (1982)

European Championship
Winner (1984)

French Championship
Winner (1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991)

French Cup
Winner (1986, 1987)

Described as, "the lungs" of the great France midfield of the 1980s, Jean Tigana was vital piece in the famous midfield that inculded Michel Platini. Tigana will be remembered as one of the greatest French midfielders of the modern era. He started his professional career at Toulon, having been spotted fairly late playing part-time while working first in a spaghetti factory and then as a postman. Aime Jacquet saw his potential and managed to sign him on a free transfer for Lyon in 1978 but it was his move £2 million to Bordeaux that saw Jean's career take off.

He was inspirational in Bordeaux's midfield for eight years, helping them to three league titles and three French cups, as well as taking them close to European glory on two occasions, losing in the semi-final of the European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup in 1985 and 1987 respectively.

Success continued following his move to Marseille where he won two more league titles and reached the final of the European Cup, beaten only on penalties by Red Star Belgrade.

As an international, Tigana was an integral part of one of the most skilful and entertaining teams France has ever produced. Earning 52 caps, Tigana helped the French team reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1982 and 1986 and to triumph in the European Nations Cup in 1984.

Main Source

 

Round: 2 (Week 2)
Overall Pick: 34th

Player: MARCEL VAN BASTEN

Born: 31 October 1964 in Utrecht.

Nickname: Marco.

Position: Centre forward.

Caps:
Holland 58 (1983-1992) / 24 goals

League Games:
Holland 133 (1981-1987) / 128 goals
Italy 147 (1987-1993) / 90 goals

European Cup Games:
43 (1983-1993) / 30 goals

International Club Cup Games:
European Champions Cup 27 (1983-1993) / 18 goals
European Cup Winners’ Cup 9 (1986-1987) / 6 goals
UEFA Cup 5 (1984-1988) / 5 goals
European Super-Cup 2 (1989) / 1 goals
Intercontinental Cup 2 (1988-89) / 0 goal

Domestic Cup Games:
Dutch Cup 22 (1981-1987) / 13 goals
‘Coppa Italia’ 23 (1987-1993) / 14 goals

European Footballer of the Year: 1986 (8th), 1987 (6th), 1988 (winner), 1989 (winner), 1991 (19th), 1992 (winner)

Dutch Footballer of the Year: 1985

Trophies & Tournaments:
World Cup participant: 1990
European Championship: 1988 (winner), 1992 (3rd)
European Champions Cup-Winner: 1989, 1990
European Champions Cup finalist: 1993*
European Cup Winners Cup: 1987
UEFA-Cup Finalist: –
European Super-Cup winner: 1989, 1990
Intercontinental Cup winner: 1989, 1990
Dutch Champion: 1982, 1983, 1985
Dutch runner-up: 1986, 1987
Dutch Cup winner: 1983, 1986, 1987
Dutch Cup beaten finalist: -
Italian Champion: 1988, 1992, 1993
Italian runner-up: 1990, 1991
Italian Cup winner: -
Italian Cup beaten finalist: 1990
Italian Super-Cup winner: 1988, 1992

* did not play in final

Top League Goal Scorer: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1992.


Van Basten had had it all. He was graceful, yet powerful, two-footed with tremendous close control, and was quick on the turn and supreme in the air.

Marco van Basten will always be remembered as one of the most feared marksmen of the 1980s and 90s. He possessed every attribute one could hope for in a centre forward-he was a striker who truly was complete.

Van Basten began his career with Ajax in 1981, and as one might expect, scored on his league debut and only appearance of his first season. That season Ajax won the title and in the following year completed a Dutch double, with Van Basten playing a more influential role. In the next 4 years Van Basten hit goal after goal in the Eredivisie and won the Cup Winners Cup with Ajax earning himself a lucrative move to Italy with AC Milan.

Milan had only recently been taken over by media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi who was to pour millions into the club in search of success. In his first season at Milan Van Basten got off to a slow start, playing just 11 league games and scoring on just 3 occassions. However, Milan won Lo Scudetto and Van Basten headed off to the European Championships in search of further glory.

The performances he turned in in the summer of 1988 gained Van Basten a place in football history. Despite the injuries that had hampered his time at Milan, Van Basten top scored at Euro 88 as Holland recorded their first major success. Following a hat-trick against England, Van Basten scored a late winner against West Germany to secure Holland a place in the final. In that final he scored one of the games most memeorable goals- a phenomenal volley- to see off a strong Soviet Union side. Van Basten capped this success by being named European Player of the Year, the first of three such awards (a record only Cruyff and Platini can match).

Van Basten returned to Milan and helped them to back to back European Cup victories, the last club to do so. Milan faced a difficult task in the EC, but they anhiliated Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg, in one of the game’s all time great displays. Van Basten himself scored a brace in the 4-0 thrashing of Steau Bucharest in the final. The following season Van basten topscored in Serie A, and was again to the fore as Milan retained their European crown disposing of both Real Madrid and FC Bayern in the process.

However, he was to be disappointed at the World Cup as the widely tipped Dutch were knocked out early on and Van Basten failed to score a goal. The Dutch failed to win a single game, drawing with Egypt, England and Ireland before losing to W Germany in thesecond round. Van Basten’s only highpoint was winning an undeserved penalty against the German’s to get a consolation goal.

The next season was one of relative underachievement for Milan as they finished second and Van Basten scored just 11 goals, but they were to more than make up for this the next year.
The 1991-2 season is one that will live forever for fans of the Rossoneri, and it was Van Basten that led the way. Milan were undefeated in the league in the entire year, but on the last day of the season faced a tricky away trip at Foggia. Although Van Basten put Milan ahead, they trailed 2-1 at the break. The second half was a performance, the likes of which may never be seen again. Milan put 7 past a shell-shocked Foggia, van Basten ending with a hat-trick, to maintain an unprescendented unbeaten season, and Van Basten ended as Capocanieri.

The European Championships were not so favourable. Although Van Basten played well throughout, he was named in the team of the tournament, the Dutch were again disappointed. Van Basten needed just one goal to become the all-time highest goalscorer in European Championship football, but the closest he came was hitting the bar in the group stage. After breezing through their group, ahead of Germany, Scotland and the CIS, Holland shockingly lost to Denmark in the semifinals, with Van Basten of all people missing a decsisve spotkick in the shootout.

The 1992-3 sason was an excellent one for Milan but Van Basten was again beset by injuries. He scored 13 goals in 15 league games, and returned to the Milan side for the European Cup final against Marseille. Milan went down 1-0 and Van Basten himself was at fault for one particularly glaring miss. It was to be his last game in football. A challenge from Basille Boli, Marseille’s matchwinner, injured his ankle and despite a series of operations, Van Basten was never able to recover. His career was over at just 28.

Marco Van Basten was a truly inspirational striker, who scared defences throughout the world before injury robbed us of his gifts. At his best Van Basten was simply unstoppable and his goals per game ratio is almost unparalleled in the modern game. However, despite his injuries, his record in club football, and his incredible goal in 1988 will remain forever as testament to the brilliance of the Dutch master.


League Statistics per Season

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

1981/82 Ajax Amsterdam...............01 / 01
1982/83 Ajax Amsterdam...............20 / 09
1983/84 Ajax Amsterdam...............26 / 28 [ 2 / 2 ]
1984/85 Ajax Amsterdam...............33 / 22 [ 5 / 1 ]
1985/86 Ajax Amsterdam...............26 / 37 [ 3 / 1 ]
1986/87 Ajax Amsterdam...............27 / 31 [ 4 / 2 ]
1987/88 AC Milan.........................11 / 03 [ 8 / 5 ]
1988/89 AC Milan.........................33 / 19 [ 6 / 2 ]
1989/90 AC Milan.........................26 / 19 [ 9 / 2 ]
1990/91 AC Milan.........................31 / 11 [ 7 / 8 ]
1991/92 AC Milan.........................31 / 25 [ 9 / 1 ]
1992/93 AC Milan.........................15 / 13 [ 3 / 0 ]

European Cup Games

1983/84 Ajax Amsterdam...EC I.......02 / 00
1984/85 Ajax Amsterdam...EC III.....04 / 05
1985/86 Ajax Amsterdam...EC I.......02 / 00
1986/87 Ajax Amsterdam...EC II......09 / 06
1987/88 AC Milan.............EC III.....01 / 00
1988/89 AC Milan.............EC I.......09 / 09
1989/90 AC Milan.............EC I.......07 / 03
1990/91 AC Milan.............EC I.......02 / 00
1991/92 AC Milan.............EC I.......02 / 00
1992/93 AC Milan.............EC I.......05 / 06

[Taken from comme/gregoriak's Profiles entry https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232228 ]

 

Round: 2 (Week 2)
Overall Pick: 35th

Player: Obdulio Jacinto Varela

Nickname: “Jefe Negro” or Black Chief.

Born: Sept 20, 1917, Paysandy, Uruguay.

Died: 1995

Position: Center Back, left midfielder, defensive midfielder

Nationality: Uruguayan

Club Teams: Juventud (1936-1938), Wanderers (1938-1942), Peñarol (1943-1955)
National Team Record: 52 Caps / 8 goals

Career Highlights:
6 Uruguayan League Titles – 1944,45,49,51,53,54
3 Baron de Rio Branco Cup -- 1940, 1946, 1948
1 Copa America - 1942
1 World Cup - 1950


Obdulio Jacinto Varela was the capital of all capitals. Known as the “Negro Jefe” (Black Chief), he emerged as a centerhalf and senior player at Deportivo Juventud. He got his nickname in the River Plate region ever since, contradicting every tip, Uruguay beat Brazil in the World Cup final of 1950 in the Maracana stadium in Rio. Varela was captain of the team and drove it to victory against all odds. The tournament was decided over a mini-league in a final pool and Brazil only needed a draw to become champions. After Brazil took a 1-0 lead, Varela refused to kick off so that his teammates could recover from the shock. Uruguay came back and scored twice to win the title in front of a world-record 200.000 spectators. That win is recalled as a miracle and made Obdulio Varela immortal in the eyes of the Uruguayan people.

Varela made his debut in Uruguay's national team by the year of 1939. In this same year, he was nominated captain, bearing the trip until 1954. During this period, he took part in fifty-two matches, scoring eight goals. In 1940, 1946 and 1948, the Uruguayan team led by him had won the Baron de Rio Branco Cup and his club team Peñarol had won the Uruguayan league championship on six occasions.

In 1942, Varela leaded la Celeste to the victory in the South America Cup, beating Argentina (1-0) in the final match, after a flawless campain in the previous five matches.

In the 1950 World Cup, Uruguay played a modest role until the final match, when they encountered and defeated the excellent Brazilian team, which was given by the Brazilian press as the unbeatable champion even before the last game. Varela also played in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, when Uruguay won the fourth place after being taken off by Hungary (4-2) at the semi-finals.

He was 37 when the national team travelled to Switzerland to defend their title in 1954. Varela was then the oldest ever player to have appeared in a World Cup, but that didn’t affect his game. Czechoslovakia and Scotland were beaten comfortably in the first round before Uruguay also beat England 4-2 in the quarterfinal when Varela picked up a leg injury. There were no substitutions back then so he had to play the full 90 minutes heavily bandaged. Varela and two other key players did not get fit for the semifinal against Hungary which Uruguay lost 4-2 after extra time. Obdulio ended his World Cup career unbeaten in seven matches and many people believe a full strength Uruguay team would have beaten the magic Hungarians. A natural, street-wise and self-made man, he made the most of what he had and became a soccer legend and one of the best captains in the sport ever.

In 1955, Obdulio Varela retired from professional playing, just as poor as he was when he entered the game in 1937. With the money he was awarded with after the 1950 World Cup, Varela bought a second hand old Ford Mobile ("The only thing Football ever gave me", he used to say). The Uruguayan Football Confederation had keep the gold medals, handing silver replicas to the players.

When Peñarol's chairmen decided to sign the first advertising contract in 1953, and started to show a corporate logo on the team's uniform, Varela refused to wear the new shirts, and did stick to the 'clean' one. When the businessmen offered him money to wear the shirt, he justified his position by saying: "Before, we black people were conducted by a ring on our noses. That is not supposed to be that way anymore".

The day before the final match against Brazil, a Brazilian newspaper gave highlight regarding Brazil as the "New Champions of the World". Obdulio Varela brought an edition of such journal to the wearing room minutes before the game was to begin, and said to his teamates:

"Step, and urinate over the Daily, for we shall win! "

After Obdulio's retirement from the national team, Uruguay had never been the same again, their best result being a new fourth place at Mexico, 1970.

Obdulio Varela died on 08/02/1995, at the age of 78.

 

Fernando Carlos Neri Redondo
Born: 06.07.1969 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position: Defensive midfield
Career Span: 1985-2003
Nationality: Argentinian
Caps/Goals: 48/1

Club Teams:

Argentinos Juniors (Argentina) 1985/1991
Tenerife (Spain) 1991/1995
Real Madrid (Spain) 1995/2000
AC Milan (Italy) 2000/2003


Stats:
Copa América, Argentinos Juniors (1993)
Spanish League Championships, Real Madrid (1995 and 1997)
Champions League, Real Madrid (1998 and 2000)
Intercontinental Cup, Real Madrid (1998)
Champions League, AC Milan (2003)
Coppa Italia, AC Milan (2003)

Bio(from Wikipedia):

Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri (born July 6, 1969 in Adrogué, Buenos Aires) is a former Argentine professional football player. He was a defensive midfielder of outstanding skill and culture.

The key years of his career were spent at the Spanish club Real Madrid where he was twice a champion of Spain (1995 and 1997) and twice a European Champion (1998 and 2000). It was during his second triumphant European campaign that he turned in his finest performances - his contribution to a 3-2 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford will live long in the memory of Madridistas and Mancunians alike.

Redondo also played for Argentina 48 times, but head coach Daniel Passarella excluded him from the squad for refusing to cut his hair. The other clubs he played for were Argentinos Juniors (1987-91), CD Tenerife (1991-95), and AC Milan (2000-2003).

In 2003, at the age of 35, Redondo retired from professional football following a knee injury.

 

Player: Francisco 'Paco' 'El Supersonico' Gento Lopez
Position: Outside left/left wing
Career Span: 1947-1972
Born: 21 October 1933, Guarnizo, Cantabria, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
Caps/goals: 43/4
Clubs: Nueva Montana, Astillero, Rayo Cantabria, RC Racing Santander, Real Madrid (761 appearances and 253 goals for Real Madrid)

Career Highlights:
12 Liga Primera titles
6 European Cups
2 Copas del Rey
1 Intercontinental Cup
1 Youth World Cup

One of the finest left wingers in the game's history, Paco Gento is the only man to have won six European Cups, a record which will likely never be broken. Already a profesional at the tender age of fourteen, he burst into the Spanish soccer stage when he signed with his beloved local team Racing Santander at the age of twenty. Gento only played one season with Racing, however - Real Madrid vice-president Alvaro Bustamante was so taken with his play that he offered him a five-year contract after only seeing him in one match.

Once at Real Madrid, he quickly became an integral part of the famous side which won five successive European cups, starring alongside the likes of Hector Rial, Luis del Sol, and the legendary striking duo of Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano. Many years later, he was one of the few members of that side that remained when Real Madrid collected their sixth European Cup in 1966.

While Gento had fine technique, the most standout aspect of his game was his unbelievable speed. Known throughout Spain as 'El Supersonico', Gento was capable of sprinting 100 meters with the ball at his feet in 10.9 seconds, a record which placed him as the fastest player of the age and one of the fastest in the history of the game. While his primary duty was not as a goal scorer - indeed, he didn't manage to score a single goal in his first season at Real Madrid - he nevertheless tallied an impressive 253 goals in 761 appearances in the white shirt, averaging just under a goal every three games.

(Bio, originally written by me, taken from the Draft of Drafts thread.)

 

Player: Gaetano Scirea
Born: 25 May 1953 in Milan, Italy
Died: 3 September 1989 in Turin, Italy
Position: Defender
Nationality: Italian (78 caps, 2 goals)

Club teams
Cagliari (1972-1974)
Juventus (1974-1988)

Honors
1 World Cup
1 European Cup
7 Serie A Championships
2 Italian Cups
1 UEFA Cup
1 Cup Winners' Cup


Bio from planetworldcup.com:

Scirea made his Serie A debut for Atalanta in the beginning of the 1972/73 season, but was transferred to Juventus only a couple of years later. He made his name there as one of the best and most respected defenders in the world game through more than a decade. He was a gentleman on and off the field and never got sent off or suspended in his long career, much thanks to his ability to read the game. He won every possible honour with Juve including all three European Cups and seven “Scudettos” (Italian Serie A titles). Scirea also played at the same high level for Italy in three World Cups. The first in 1978 where he and Italy beat eventual winners Argentina in the first round, but had to settle for fourth place having lost to Brazil in the bronzematch.

Gaetano experienced a wonderful summer in 1982. Spain hosted the World Cup and Italy won having struggled a lot early on drawing all three first round games to Poland, Peru and Cameroon. Then followed four straight wins over defending champions Argentina, the favourites Brazil, Poland and then West Germany in the final. Scirea set up Tardelli’s goal in the final and his presence in defence was invaluable.

Italy failed to reach their level of 1982 when the World Cup was held in Mexico four years later now with Scirea as captain. France and Juventus colleague Platini knocked them out in the second round. This tournament also marked the end of his international career.

Gaetano Scirea died in a tragic car accident in Poland in 1989 while scouting for Juventus, and at Stadio Delle Alpi they have named the end after him where all Juventus' most fanatical supporters are. A model professional, Scirea was well-liked by everyone involved in soccer, even Juve's worst enemies, as he always was abiding the rules and appeared with class on the field. Even today, more than a decade after his death, you can see banners and hear fans sing songs with his name at Stadio Delle Alpi.

 

Zoltan Czibor

Born: 23.08.1929 Kaposvar, Hungary
Position: Outside Left, Left Wing
Career Span: 1945-1965
Nationality: Hungarian
Caps/Goals: 43 / 17 Goals

Club Teams:

Ferencvaros Budapest (Hungary) 1945/1949
SC Csepel (Hungary) 1949
Honved Budapest (Hungary) 1950/1956
FC Barcelona (Spain) 1957/1963
Espanyol Barcelona (Spain) 1963/1965


Stats:
Hungarian Championship, Ferencvaros (1949)
Hungarian Championship, Honved (1952, 1954 and 1955)
Spanish Championship, FC Barcelona (1959 and 1960)
Spanish Cup, Barcelona (1959 and 1963)
Winner of the Olympic Tournament, Hungary (1952)

Bio:

Zoltan Czibor was blessed with amazing pace, great control of teh ball with both feet and a powerfull shot. Czibor, who used to be an inside player but was placed outside to for Puskas, was the outside left of one of the, if not the, best teams the world has ever seen. With Hungary he was unbeaten for four years up to the final of the 1954 World Cup. That is where they were defeated by Giantkillers Germany in what is still called the "miracle of Bern".
When Soviet tanks went to Budapest Zcibor and his teammate Sander Kocsis were persuaded to sign for FC Barcelona in Spain. It was with Barcelona that he surprisingly lost to Benfica in 1961 even though Zoltan scored a killer volley from 25 meters. In 1963 Czibor joined Catalan neighbours Espanyol before retiring in 1965 and returning to Hungary.

 

Luisito Monti
Nickname: "Doble Ancho" (double wide)

Position: Defensive midfielder, center-half.

Born: 15th January 1901 Died: 1983

Country: Argentina/Italy

Caps for Argentina: 16 (W10-D4-L2 – GF56-GA21)
Goals: 5

Caps for Italy: 18 (W13-D3-L2 - GF46-GA21)
Goals: 1

Age First Cap (Argentina): 23 yr 87 d 10- 8-1924 vs. Uruguay 0-0

Age Last Cap (Italy): 34 yr 326 d 5- 4-1936 vs. Switzerland 2-1
National Team Career: 11 yr 239 d

Teams
1919-1921 Huracan
1921-1927 San Lorenzo
1927-1931 Boca Juniors
1931-1939 Juventus

Trophies & Tournaments
1st Copa America 1927
Silver medal Olympics 1928
2nd World Cup 1930.
1st World Cup 1934.
5 Italian league titles
1 Italian Cup title.

Luisito Monti is the only footballer to have played two World Cup finals for different countries. The first was with his native Argentina in 1930, which he lost to Uruguay. The second was for Italy as one of their "Oriundi" in 1934. This time Monti was on the winning side in a 2-1 victory over Czechoslovakia.

"Doble Ancho" (double wide), as Monti was nicknamed after his ability to cover a wide zone of the field. He was a rugged and ruthless player, but had good technical skills to go with his strong tackling. He played as an attacking centre half in the old-fashioned Metodo system: a position roughly equivalent to the defensive central midfield position today. As such he would mark the opposing centre forward when his team were defending, but would be the main midfield playmaker when his team were on the attack. He was big, tough, uncompromising, and he spread the ball to the wings.


Monti played his club football for Boca Juniors and was first called up to represent his country in 1924. He won the Copa America in 1927, and the Silver medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics. At the time of the inaugural World Cup, in 1930, Luis Monti was already considered one of the best centerhalf of South America. He was also their captain. Argentina cruised to the World Cup final in 1930, defeating France, Mexico, Chile, and the USA, Monti scoring two goals along the way, and literally crippling opponents with his brutal tackling. So notorious did his aggression become that some controversy arose regarding his inclusion in the team contesting the final. Some sources speculate that Monti was carrying an injury, but whatever the truth, he had a quiet game as Uruguay triumphed 4-2. He was blamed by the Argentinian fans for the defeat.

In 1931 Monti moved to Italy, brought to Juventus by Renato Cesarini. However he was overweight and out of condition. A month's solitary training and Monti was back to top form helping Juve to four consecutive League Championship titles (1932-35) and an Italian Cup in 1938. He was also called up within a year to play for the Italy national team.

Vittorio Pozzo, the coach of Italy, thought that Luisito was the perfect link between the talented forward Meazza and the defender Monziglio. As a young man, Pozzo studied in Engalnd and had always waned a centre half such as Manchester United attacking centre half, Charlie Roberts who was capable of feeding his attack with long passes to the wings. Therefore Monti received an invitation to participate in the 1934 World Cup. At that time, the rules permitted a player to represent more than one country in the World Cup and the "Oriundi", which is the italian term for a foreign player of italian descent, were very popular in their clubs, the idea of having "oriundi" players in the National Team was well accepted by the fans. Raimundo Orsi, Enrique Guaita and Luis Monti, all born in Argentina proved to be decisive elements in the 1934 World Cup. In the semifinal against Austria, Luis Monti was given a man-marking job on Matthias Sindelar, one of the most talented players of the decade, a task that Monti completed with a lot of success. In the final, Italy won 2-1 against Czechoslovakia and Luis Monti added a winner's medal to the runners-up award with Argentina four years earlier, becoming the first man to win successive World Cup medals with different nations.

Luis Monti ended his career playing for Juventus in 1939 after 225 games in the Italian Serie A and became a coach after his retirement. He passed away in 1983, aged 82.

The Battle of Highbury is a legendary match that took place between Italy and England on November 14, 1934 at the Highbury ground of Arsenal FC. Monti was playing centre half for Italy, but as early as the second minute he broke a bone in his foot after a clash with England centre forward Ted Drake. Enraged by Monti's treatment, the visitors repeatedly retaliated against their English opponents. Down to 10 men, in the days before substitutes, Italy succumbed 2-3 in a tempestuous match. Monti was only to play twice more for Italy.

 

Round: 3 (Week 3)
Overall Pick: 42nd

Player: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira

Born: 21 March 1980
Nickname: "Ronaldinho Gaucho"

Position: Offensive Midfielder, Forward

Caps: 60 (Goals: 27)
Palmares:
U-17 FIFA World Cup winner (97)
Copa America winner (99)
FIFA World Cup winner (02)
FIFA Confederations Cup winner (05)

Rio Grande du Sul champion (99)
Spanish Liga Primera champion (05)
Spanish Super Cup champion (05)

Confederations Cup Top Scorer (99)
Spanish Liga Primera Player of the Season (04)
World Soccer Player of the World (04)
FIFA World Player of the Year (04, 05)
UUFA CL Best Forward (05)
FIFPro World Player of the Year (05)
Ballon D'Or / European Footballer of the Year (05)


Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (born March 21, 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil) is a footballer more commonly known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho. Ronaldinho is Portuguese for Little Ronaldo, and the nickname was given to distinguish the then rising star from fellow Brazilian superstar footballer Ronaldo, who was playing for the Italian club F.C. Internazionale at the time. Gaúcho is the nickname for people from the Brazilian player's Rio Grande do Sul region.

He was part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning team and was voted 2005 European Footballer of the Year by the European sports press, the 2004 and 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year by national team captains and coaches, as well as the 2005 FIFPro World Player of the Year by players from leagues all over the world, making Ronaldinho the current holder of all three major individual football awards.

When he was a child, Ronaldinho played both futsal and beach football. He made his first newspaper appearance at the age of 13, after scoring 23 goals in a football match.[1] He made a name for himself as the top scorer at the under-17 world championship in Egypt, then began his professional career at Grêmio, where he played from 1998 to 2001. He made his first appearance for the Brazilian national team on June 26, 1999, scoring against Venezuela to help the team win the Copa América. He scored 27 goals in his first 62 matches for Brazil.During his time at Gremio many clubs were rumoured to be vying for his signature including Leeds.

In 2001, Ronaldinho signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and started playing at the beginning of the season. However, even though Ronaldinho had been a free agent from July 1, 2001, Grêmio demanded compensation from PSG and received $4.5 million. During his time at PSG, the manager, Luis Fernandez, claimed that Ronaldinho was too focused on the Parisian nightlife rather than on his football.

In 2002, Ronaldinho helped Brazil win the World Cup. One of the highlights of the tournament was an outrageous (if fortunate) 35-metre lob he scored against England in the quarter-finals in Shizuoka, although he was sent off soon after a harsh foul on Danny Mills.

In 2003, Ronaldinho made it known he wanted to leave PSG after they failed to qualify for any European competitions. That set off a bidding war among the top clubs for his services. On July 19, FC Barcelona snapped him up for €27 million, beating Manchester United to his signature. Ronaldinho justified their purchase, leading them to a second-place finish in La Liga during the 03/04 season. Together with Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Ludovic Giuly, and Henrik Larsson he comprises part of an awesome strike force which reaped the 2004/05 La Liga title for FC Barcelona.

[Bio taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronaldinho and
http://www.footballdatabase.com/site/players/index.php?dumpPlayer=1054]

This season is shaping up to be his best yet.

 

Name: Ruud Gullit
Date of Birth: 01 Sep 1962
Position:Midfielder/Forward
Clubs: Haarlem (1979-82), Feyenoord (1982-85), PSV Eindhoven (1985-87), AC Milan (Italy/1987-93), Sampdoria (Italy/1993-94), AC Milan (1994), Sampdoria (1994-95), Chelsea (England/1995-98)
International appearances: 66
International goals:17
International debut: 01/09/1981, Switzerland - Holland (2-1)
Last international appearance: 27/05/1994, Holland - Scotland (3-1)

Honors:
3 x Dutch Championship : 1983-1984, 1985-1986, 1986-1987
1 x Dutch Cup : 1983-84
3 x Serie A Championship : 1987-1988, 1991-1992, 1992-1993
1 x Italian Cup : 1993-94
2 x European Cup : 1988-1989, 1989-1990
2 x European Super Cup : 1989, 1990
2 x Intercontinental Cup : 1989, 1990
1 x FA Cup : 1996-1997
1 x European Championship : 1988
1 x European Footballer of the Year : 1987
2 x World Soccer Player of the Year : 1987, 1989

Ruud Gullit patrolled the midfield like a general directing his troops during a period of unprecedented success for the great Italian side AC Milan in the latter part of the 1980s and early 1990s. With his powerful frame and swishing dreadlocks, Gullit was an unmistakable master of ceremonies, spraying perfectly weighted passes to unexplored avenues of opposition territory where invariably a team-mate was lurking.

He won everything in his long and brilliant career, except a World Cup winner's medal.

Gullit was among yet another batch of superlative Dutch players to infiltrate Europe's greatest sides, having won two consecutive Dutch titles with PSV Eindhoven before travelling to Milan in 1987.

With the help of two other Dutch giants, Marco Van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, Gullit masterminded three league championships, two European Cups, two European Supercups and two Intercontinental Cups for the Italian club.

The trio were also part of the Dutch team that won the European Championship in 1988.

A measure of the Dutchman's domination of European football in that period was that he twice won the World Player of the Year award (in 1987 and 1989) and the European equivalent in 1987.

bio continues...

 

Drafter: Sempre
Pick: Third
Overall Pick: 45th

Player: Giacinto Facchetti
Nickname: Il Capitano
Position: Left Full-back; Central defense

Profile and Statistics from Channel 4's 'Football Italia' Web site:

There was an air of nobility about Giacinto Facchetti. A tall, elegant
and imposing defender in his playing days, he rarely seemed to lose his
cool. Even in the history of a giant club like Inter his name will long be
remembered. As well as being an outstandingly talented player, Facchetti
also had the good fortune to be around at the best moment in the
Nerazzurri’s story.

Mention the 1960s now to an Inter fan and they still get all misty-eyed.
Their scoring full back was a major part of those magical times. But it
nearly didn’t happen for the boy from Treviglio. As a teenage talent he
was on the brink of a deal with Atalanta - much closer to home. In the
end the bigger club vying for his talents got its way, as usual, and a
great career as a symbol for the team from the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
had begun.

It didn’t all go smoothly to start with, but it was the legendary Helenio
Herrera who spotted how vital Facchetti could be to his team. He catapulted
the youngster into becoming a first team regular and from then on he barely
missed a game. Herrera recalled: "I could see that this big, tall player with
an eye for goal was ideal for the left full back slot."

And so it proved to be as the Inter man became something of a role model
for the modern wing-back with an outstanding scoring record. Almost 60
Serie A goals at a time when Italian football was at its most defensive is a
pretty impressive return. Little wonder Herrera was happy to put his young
star straight into the first team.

Make no mistake, Facchetti was not just about attacking - along with
[*fellow Inter defenders*] he formed one of the most formidable back
lines ever seen in the Italian game. It was from this base that Inter -
fuelled by the funds of oil giant Angelo Moratti - went on to conquer
the world.

A first Scudetto came in just his third season at the club. And 1963 was
also the year he established himself as a first team regular. Inter then went
on to take that success to another level with triumphs across the globe. It
was the only response supporters would accept having had to watch city
rivals Milan become the first Italian team to take the European Cup.

Facchetti and his teammates responded with back-to-back European Cups
and Intercontinental Cups the following two seasons. Another two League
titles in 1965 and 1966 confirmed this as the golden age of Internazionale
and Facchetti was a huge part of that. Indeed in one season he struck 10
League goals which was the kind of return any striker of the day would have
been proud of. His consistency was of the kind that any Coach would love
to build a side around.

It was inevitable that this sort of display would push his talents into the
Italy team and after a disappointing World Cup in 1966 he enjoyed success
with the Azzurri too. Although 1970 was to end in heartache at the hands
of Brazil, in between times the boys in blue won the European Nations Cup
for the one and only time.

"It is the fondest memory of many of my teammates and myself," admitted
Facchetti years later. "For 30 years Italy had not won any title at national
level. We got to the semi-final against Russia and it finished 1-1 after extra
time and it took the toss of a coin to get us into the Final," he recalled. "A
coin is not the best way to decide things but I think it rewarded the team
who deserved to get to the Final."

That match with Yugoslavia took a replay to decide after a draw in the
first game. Eventually Italy won through thanks to goals from *** and
***. "I think that is my best memory with the national side," said Facchetti.

There were still more fine moments to come - most notably a fourth League
title in 1971 - but it was clear that the days of the great Inter team were
ending. Yet Facchetti’s career extended to the eve of the 1978 World Cup
and in the process he set a string of records.

His 476 League games for Inter were only recently surpassed by that other
great defender, ***. And his 94 caps for his country were also a record until
Paolo Maldini came along. But it is as Italian captain that his record is still
without equal. He led his country on no fewer than 70 occasions, which is
a remarkable testimony to his quality and leadership ability.

Facchetti became an important symbol for both club and country. In many
ways he changed the way the world thought about defenders with the
attacking strength he brought to the game. His dynamic forward runs paved
the way for the pressing game of the future. His late career switch to
sweeper also cleared a path for other greats like Gaetano Scirea and Franco
Baresi who followed in Il Capitano’s footsteps.

These skills were clearly something that a club like Inter were loathe to
ignore when he retired from the game. He has carved out a role for himself
in the new Millennium as a right hand man for new President Massimo Moratti.
His coolness in a crisis has obviously come in useful in recent times.

Nowadays Facchetti occupies an important overseas role for the club
keeping an eye out for players who might make as big an impact as he
did. His most recent mission was to try to secure the services of Daniel
Passarella as next Inter Coach. Although the signs do not look encouraging
nobody should bet against Giacinto Facchetti. He generally won most of
his battles on the field of play and those combative qualities still stand him
in good stead today.

STAR RATING 9/10 Giacinto Facchetti was once the most capped
outfield player in Italy’s history and the epitome of its footballing style.
A tall, elegant and imposing defender, Facchetti was a key member of
the great Inter side that won four Serie A titles plus the European and
World Club Cups in 1964 and 1965.

Giacinto Facchetti
Club: Inter
Born: Treviglio (Bergamo), 18/7/42
Position: Defender
Serie A debut: Roma 0-2 Inter, 21/5/61
Club: Inter
International debut: Turkey 0-1 Italy (Istanbul), 27/3/63
Last International game: England 2-0 Italy (Wembley), 16/11/77
International caps: 94
International gls: 3

Honours:
4 Scudetto (1963, 65, 66, 71)
2 European Cups (1964, 65)
2 World Club Cup (1964, 65)
1 Coppa Italia (1978)
1 European Nations Cup (1968)
World Cup runners-up (1970)

 

Player: Romário de Souza Farias
nicknames: Baixinho Romário 'The Short One'
Born: 29/01/1966 Birth Place: Jacarezinho, Rio de Janeiro
Position: Striker
Career Span: 1985 – current
Nationality: Brazilian
Goals/Caps: 56/71
Club Teams: Vasco da Gama, PSV (Hol), Barcelona (Spa), Flamengo, Valencia (Spa), Flamengo, Valencia (Spa), Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Fluminese, Al-Saad (Qat), Fluminese

Profile / Stats:

3 x Dutch Championship : 1988-1989, 1990-1991, 1991-1992
2 x Dutch Cup : 1988-89, 1989-90
1 x Spanish Championship : 1993-1994
2 x Copa America : 1989, 1997
1x World Cup Winner : 1994
2 x Dutch League Top Scorer : 1988-89, 1990-1991
1 x Spanish League Top Scorer : 1993-1994
1 x World Club Cup Champion: 2000
1 x Olympic Silver Medalist: 1988
1 x Olympic Top Scorer: 1988
1 x FIFA World Player of the Year : 1994


Born in Jacarezinho, Rio de Janeiro on 29th of January 1966, Romário de Souza Farias displayed his promise from an early age showing the skills that would take him to the very pinnacle of world football, both as an individual and as key member of a World Cup winning team.

Romario made his full league debut for Vasco Da Gama of Brazil in 1985 scoring 11goals in 21 appearances. In the following 3 seasons at Vasco, Romario amassed 69 league goals in 101 league games which alerted European clubs to this special talent and also paved his way into the Selecao (Brazilian National Team). Romario made his international debut in a friendly away game to Ireland on the 23rd of May 1987 and scored in his second game, which again was an away fixture against Finland in Helsinki. His form and technique saw him become a fixture in the selecao from that moment onward.

In 1988 Romario joined PSV Eindhoven of Holland and continued where he’d left off in Brazil scoring 19goals in 24games in his debut season on a new continent making him the league’s top scorer. This goal haul went a long way to helping PSV retain their Dutch league title and helped the fans forget about the recently departed superstar, Ruud Gullit. Success with the selecao also played a part in Baixinho’s (the little ones) rise to fame. In 1989 Romario tasted his first success with the selecao, winning the Copa America and scoring 3goals in the final league system that helped Brazil win the title. Everything was primed for him to have a massive impact on the 1990 World Cup alas, Romario was still recovering from a broken leg he recieved in early 1990 and was on the sidelines for all but 65minutes of the game against Scotland and so he had to bide his time before the World at large would know just how special he was.

By the time he had scored 98 goals in 109 games over 5 seasons in Holland and collected 3 Dutch league titles and two top scorer awards, the biggest teams in Europe were all after Romario. He signed for the Johan Cruyff led, Barcelona 'dream team' in 1993 and was about to have the best two years of his entire career and make history for both club and country in the process.

Within only one year at Barcelona, Romario was seen as one of the best players to have ever donned the famed jersey of the Catalan giants scoring an unfathomable 30goals in 33games, leading them to their fourth La Liga title in consecutive years and earning himself the title of pichichi – the top scorer in La Liga - by now Romario was certainly regarded as one of the best players in Europe and the only question mark remaining was whether he could take his supreme ability and transform it into World Cup glory for a Brazil team who had not won a world cup in 24 years.

Brazil had been struggling to even qualify for the 1994 World Cup and in dramatic circumstance, befitting of his supreme ability Baxinho returned from a Brazilian suspension to score two of the most important goals of his life against Uruguay, which booked Brazil’s ticket to World Cup ‘94.

By now Romario had a huge media platform to speak his mind from and as his stature in the game grew he became more outspoken and honest in his opinion in a football world of diplomacy and hypocrisy Romario could always be relied upon for that outrageous comment the press thrive upon. His words prior to the World Cup proved to be prophetic as he vowed to bring the World Cup back to Brazil. Back to a country in desperate need of a return to former glories last witnessed over two decades prior.

The World Cup looked like Romario’s natural home from the tounament kick off to the final whistle blown thirty days later. He was at his mercurial best displaying almost the full array of his undoubtable skills. From running through Cameroon on a mazy dribble to score past their midfield and defence to a precise, jumping header beating a defender who stood almost a foot taller than him.

What stood out for most people who watched him however, was his overall calmness in front of goal, the unerring precision with which he could aim the ball to bounce of the inside of the uprights and into the goal. His total God given talent that seemed to come alive and dominate whenever he wanted it to – Romario never really looked like he was trying his hardest for anything more then 5minutes at a time – and probably most of all his arrogance and self belief. Whether it was all an act or whether he truly had no fears or worries no one will ever know except Romario himself but what it gave to his team-mates and the billions of watching fans was belief that if this guy was given the ball or was put through on goal he would convert. It was that very same arrogance and self belief that made opposing defenders wary and cautious whenever Romario and the ball where in the final third of the pitch in ny capacity.

One of Romario’s main attributes during the early to mid 90’s was his burst of pace over 5 to 20 metres. Romario was one of the fastest players over this distance in the world and as his mind was as sharp as his feet. This sudden burst of pace could see the deceptively idle player put himself in a goal scoring position in the blink of an eye. This skill was displayed on numerous occasions throughout the World Cup but none more so then his goal against Cameroon.

Romario scored 5 goals in 7 appearances at the ‘94 world cup. His goals were all essential and included the headed winner against Sweden in the Semi Final. The final was decided by penalties as the two best defences of the tournament shut out the two star attackers of the tournament (Roberto Baggio and Romario)



As promised, Romario brought the World Cup back to Brazil after a 24year absence, he was involved in the immediate build up to 10 of the 11 goals Brazil scored and in the process immortalised himself as a true legend in not just Brazil but also on a world scale. To further confirm his achievements of 1994 Romario was confirmed as the World Player Of The Year by FIFA. The only problem that emerged from this was that Romario had now received the status he had craved for years and began to get a lot slacker training wise, on his return after the World Cup.

The need to party and his attraction to the nightlife that had been the scourge of many a footballer’s career became prevalent and many say it is the cause of numerous minor niggling injuries Romario started to pick up after 1994. Indeed, his behaviour became quite erratic and he quit Barcelona for a return to Brazil after only 4goals in13games of the 1994-1995 season. Signing for Flamengo and not applying himself in training to anywhere near the full extent of his capabilities.

Because of his natural and very special talent it was always a given that Romario would score goals and just because his attitude became lax his goals certainly did not dry up. He scored 31goals in 46appearances for Flamengo over two seasons before returning to Spain for an awkward juncture with the then manager Claudio Ranieri who Romario refused absolutely to take orders from. All of this tied in with Romario not playing for the National team for almost three years from his last game against Italy in ’94 until his recall in February 1997.

Despite his problems with his club Romario was still a top level performer for the selecao and in 1997 was forming a lethal partnership with the equally talented Ronaldo, which was playfully dubbed the Ro-Ro show and was expected to take the 1998 World Cup by storm anchored by Rivaldo.

Brazil went on the ‘Nike World Tour’ in part to promote Ronaldo as part of the huge sponsorship deal and also to gain fitness and form for the upcoming World Cup, which as champions they didn’t have to qualify for. It was a series of friendlies in which they came up against: Poland, Chile, Mexico, and Norway. All of which were thrilling games in which Romario was in imperial form, a fabulous hatrick against Mexico being the highlight. Brazil went straight into a mini tournament which involved three serious contenders for the world cup: France, Italy and England. The tournament was called the Le Tournoi de France. The Ro-Ro show was in full swing with Romario scoring against both Italy and France in two very impressive displays that had the world anticipating a fantastic World Cup. These friendlies also got Brazil in prime condition for the Copa America 1997 in which they romped home to the title with Baixinho scoring 3goals in 5games.

Despite his form on the pitch Romario was becoming even more of a party animal off it and his training suffered further for it. It was a quite frequent occurrence for Romario to have unnecessary muscle strains because of his lack of training and it was this very same injury which was to blight his hopes of featuring in the 1998 World Cup in which both Rivaldo and Ronaldo shone. Romario must’ve been cursing his luck knowing he could have helped his team in the biggest game of them all, the final, when an unfit Ronaldo took to the pitch and was a mere spectator in a game where the rest of the side capitulated without him.

Romario returned to Brazil and again played for Flamengo in 1998. He stayed there for 2seasons and racked up another 26goals in 39league appearances. He left Flamengo and was transferred to Vasco Da Gama – his first club – and formed a devastating partnership with another maverick, Edmundo who was known as ‘The Animal.’ Romario scored a further 41goals in 44league games for Vasco before again moving on this time to Fluminese, another Brazilian club where he scored 17goals in 26games over one season. It should be noted that by now Romario was 36years of age and was frequently outscoring strikers 10 or even 16years his junior.

Controversy as ever was not far behind the latest chapter of Romario’s footballing career. After featuring in the World Cup 2002 qualifying campaign a change of management to the stubborn but often brilliant ‘Big’ Felipe Scolari, practically shut the door on Romario’s International career for good. As ‘Big Phil’ was adamant in his beliefs and principles, and despite the public outcry in Brazil and the form Romario was showing the door was firmly shut in the great strikers face. So desperate was Romario to play in the 2002 World Cup he even appeared on national television in Brazil and wept at the realisation he was not going to be taken to Japan-Korea for a final World Cup swansong. But the coach stuck by his decision saying Romario was not picked because he missed the Copa America in Colombia in 2001.

After staying silent for a week, Romario spoke out to reporters following a training session at Vasco da Gama, where he has been averaging more than a goal a game that season.

"I can't believe that not going to the Copa America has stopped me from going to the World Cup. Other players didn't go to the Copa and were picked again. It would be better if I were there, but I'm going to get on with my life. My conscience is clear, I'm going to get on with my business here and I hope he (Scolari) does the same there. As he says, I am no use technically or tactically in his view. He's made his choice. I consider myself good enough to be in the squad but the coach doesn't. Now, I'm going to look for strength with my parents, my wife, my children and my friends. The real reason for me not being picked will appear one day."

Romario asked to be left out of the Copa America squad to have eye surgery -- but then postponed the operation and went to Mexico with Vasco da Gama, a decision which is thought to have upset Scolari.

Scolari stuck to his guns believing Romario’s arrogance and selfishness along with his unwillingness to train would disrupt harmony in the camp and affect the entire selecao. Despite public outcry prior to the World Cup most fans were silenced and appeased as Scolari bought back the cup to make Brazil the unprecedented penta campeon (Five time Champion) and have most forget about the furore Romario’s omission had caused.

Romario continued to play club football. A very short stint at the Qatarii club Al Saad where he went on the pitch only 3times was followed by yet another club in Brazil, a return to Fluminese. The 37 year old Romario scored a further 13goals in 27games in 2003-2004.

With age catching up to him and the emergence of a number of talented young strikers Romario realised his chances of adding to his world cup tally were over. In the end Romario’s years of lazy, sublime, talent and his apathy toward training and effort served him well as he remained a professional until the end of the 2004-2005 season where he says he will call it a day.

On the 11th of November 2004 Romario celebrated his retirement from international football by scoring two goals to give Brazil's reunited 1994 World Cup team a 2-1 victory over Mexico ’94 team in an exhibition game that was called the ‘The Great Farewell.’

When all is said and done about Baixinho ‘The short one’ people will ask why he didn’t achieve more or why he never pushed himself harder to become one of those mentioned with the likes of Pele, Maradona or even the peer who has already surpassed him – Ronaldo – the answers could spark an endless debate but in the end Romario will be remembered as one of the best finishers the world has ever seen and one of the most naturally gifted players to have ever set foot on the hallowed turf of a world cup. As Sinatra sang ‘I did it my way’ Romario can forever hum the same tune.

His height was always perceived to be a problem and many believed he wouldn't make it as a professional footballer, and then the goals came. Over 900 career goals at the top level of professional football along with a scoring record 3rd behind only Ronaldo and Pele marks Romário as one of the deadliest strikers in Brazil's gloried history. The feat is even more remarkable considering the fact that many Brazilian managers refused to pick him for the selecao.

EDIT: Since I wrote this profile Romario has defied all logic and his critics to still be playing and in the last season he is the top scorer in the Brazillian league. Once he finally decides to retire I will re-write his profile.

Season Team Games Goals Assists Position
1985 Vasco da Gama 9 0 - -
1986 Vasco da Gama 40 32 - -
1987 Vasco da Gama 41 32 - -
1988-1989 PSV 24 19 - 1st
1989-1990 PSV 20 23 - 2nd
1990-1991 PSV 25 25 - 1st
1991-1992 PSV 14 9 - 1st
1992-1993 PSV 26 22 - 2nd
1993-1994 Barcelona 33 30 - 1st
1994-1995 Barcelona 13 4 - 4th
1995 Flamengo 16 8 - -
1996 Flamengo 30 23 - -
1996-1997 Valencia 5 4 - 10th
1997-1998 Valencia 6 1 - 9th
1998 Flamengo 20 14 - -
1999 Flamengo 19 12 - -
2000 Vasco da Gama 26 20 - -
2001 Vasco da Gama 18 21 - -
2002 Fluminense 26 17 - -

Vasco da Gama 134 105 0.78 GPG
PSV 109 98 0.90 GPG
Barcelona 46 34 0.74 GPG
Flamengo 85 57 0.67 GPG
Valencia 11 5 0.45 GPG
Fluminense 26 17 0.65 GPG
Career 411 316 0.77 GPG

 

My third selection is:

GABRIEL BATISTUTA

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

Gabriel Omar Batistuta (born 1 February 1969 in Reconquista, province of Santa Fe, Argentina) is a world-famous former footballer. He played most of his club football at Fiorentina. He is also the all-time highest scorer for Argentina's national team.

He signed professional forms with Newell's Old Boys Club, whose coach was Marcelo Bielsa, who would later become Batistuta's coach with the Argentine National Team.

Things didn't come easily for Gabriel during his first year with the club. He was away from home, his family and his girlfriend Irina, sleeping in a room at the stadium, and had a weight problem that slowed him down. At the end of that year he was loaned to a smaller team, Deportivo Italiano, of Buenos Aires, with whom he participated in the Carnevale Cup in Italy, ending as top scorer with 3 goals.

In mid-1989 he made the leap to one of Argentina's biggest clubs, River Plate, where he scored 17 goals. However, all did not run smoothly. He had numerous run-ins with coach [Daniel Passarella]] (with whom he had later confrontations with the national squad)and he was dropped from the squad in the middle of the season.

In 1990 Batistuta signed for River's arch-rivals, Boca Juniors. Having gone so long without playing, he inititally found it hard to find his best form. However, at the beginning of 1991 Oscar Tabárez became Boca's coach, and he gave Batistuta the support and confidence to become the league's top scorer that season as Boca won the championship.

In 1991, Batistuta was selected to play for Argentina in the Copa América held in Chile, where he finished the tournament as top scorer with 6 goals as Argentina romped to victory.

It was during the Copa América that the vice-president of Fiorentina got the chance to see Gabriel's skills and signed for the Italian club. However, in spite of Batistuta's 13 goals, the following season Fiorentina were relegated to Serie B (second division). It took two years, and 16 Batistuta goals before the club, now managed by Claudio Ranieri returned to Serie A.

In 1993 Batistuta played in his second Copa América, this time held in Ecuador, which Argentina again won. The 1994 World Cup, held in the USA, was a disappointment: after a very promising start Argentina were beaten by Romania in the Round of 16; the morale of the team seriously affected by Diego Maradona's drug-abuse suspension.

On his return to Fiorentina Batistuta found his best form, becoming the top scorer of the 1994-1995 season with 26 goals and breaking Ezio Pascutti's 30 year old record by scoring in all of the first 11 matches of the season. In the 1995-1996 season Fiorentina won the Italian Cup and Super Coppa.

During the qualification matches for the 1998 World Cup (with former River Plate manager Passarella now coaching the Argentinean national team) Batistuta was left out of the majority of the games after falling out with the coach. Playing in the World Cup finals themselves, he scored 5 goals in that competition, before Argentina lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

After yet another failure to win a championship of importance with Fiorentina, Batistuta started considering a transfer to a bigger team. But, in an effort to keep Batistuta, Fiorentina hired Giovanni Trapattoni as coach and promised to do everything to win the scudetto. After an excellent start to the season, Batistuta suffered an injury that kept him out of action for more than a month. Losing momentum, Fiorentina lost the lead and finished the season in third place, which at least gave them the chance to participate in the Champions League.

Batistuta stayed at Fiorentina for the 1999-2000 season, tempted by the chance of winning both the Scudetto and the Champions League. But, things did not go to plan and and he was transferred to A.S. Roma in a deal worth 30 million US dollars.

In spite of a knee injury that kept him out for a few matches, he scored 20 goals for A.S. Roma in his first season with the club, and finally realized his dream of winning a major trophy as Roma clinched the Scudetto for the first time since 1983.

After an incredible series of performances by Argentina in the qualification matches for the 2002 World Cup, hopes were high that the South Americans - now managed by Marcelo Bielsa - could win the trophy, and Batistuta announced that he planned to quit the National Team at the end of the tournament, which Argentina aimed to win. But Argentina's "group of death" saw the team fall at the first hurdle, as poor results against [Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], England and Sweden meant that the team was knocked out in the opening round for the first time since 1962.

In 2004, he was named in the FIFA 100 list of 125 Greatest Living Footballers.

Back in Italy, Batistuta failed to find form with Roma and was loaned out to Internazionale, where he failed to make any impression. He ended his career playing in Qatar for Al-Arabi before retiring in March 2005 after a series of injuries that prevented him from playing.