They're supposed to carry their team to a World Cup win like Maradona did. Cruyff had better teammates in the 70s then Diego did in 1986.
I vote for Di Stefano. I trust Helenio Herrera and Maradona, who both said he was better than Pele. Also, I like his longevity in winning 5 ECs post the age of 29. Requesting addition of Beckenbauer & Muller to the voting list btw.
In some areas, definitely. I don't think either Maradona or Pele were better defenders than Beckenbauer or that they were more efficient goalscorers than Muller. Earlier in the thread you have hinted that performance in the WC is the ultimate judge of the greatness of a player. Well if that is the case, it so happens that Beckenbauer has been nominated for more World Cup teams of the tournament than either Maradona or Pele, while Muller has scored more World Cup goals than either of them. Make of that what you will.
Zidane, no doubt. Then maybe, Platini, Beckenbauer and Cruyff. Ronaldo (the fat one) is the most overated player ever. To his fanclub, I suggest you to leave the pony with tunnel-vision out of football legends contest. Maybe running/sprinting championship ? Maradona and Pele are also overated.
What you make ofit is that world cup performances cannot be the sole criterior.....George Best was arguably betterthan any of 'em...
This post is loaded with ignorance. Zidane, then Platini? You must be French, and yet you still left out Just Fontaine. Fantastique! Becks & Johan make sense, but what you say about Diego, Edson, and the original Ronaldo is utter nonsense. Ever heard of Garrincha, Jairzinho, or Georgie Best? What about Eusebio?
Oh, and I voted for Garrincha. Couldn't believe my eyes. He's only got 3 votes?!? Only 3 posts in and I already have my first red flag on this forum. How does the great Garrincha only have 3 votes? That's ignorance! I'd be happy to educate anyone interested in knowing why he IS the best player to ever play the game. We can begin in 1958. Let me know.
And Messi has 4 votes? He's ahead of di Stefano and Messi himself would laugh you out of the building for making such a comparison. Di Stefano and Messi shouldn't even be in the same sentence!
Van Basten scored arguably the greatest goal in football history (1988 Euro Final against Russia, 1st goal--2nd goal was scored by Gullit--final score was 2-0) and yet he can't get a vote. Zico is somehow left out in the wind when many Brazilians will tell you that he was the greatest Brazilian to play. Socrates didn't make that list? John Barnes doesn't even get a nod? And there's little Georgie Best, sitting near the bottom of the standings, a player that Pele himself said was the BEST TO EVER PLAY THE GAME. Makes you wonder who is doing the voting around here.
And would you believe it? Somehow little Ronaldinho is tied with the likes of Puskas and Charlton (not Chalton!), two players who dwarf him in every possible way. And to top it all off, and this is my final statement here, Platini can't even get a vote. Football education in this country is seriously lacking. Good thing I'm here.
Ronaldinho was better in terms of technical ability and ball control. That doesnt mean he should be ranked ahead of them, but they do not dwarf him in every aspect of the game. Why would you vote for him with the likes of Maradona, Pele, Di Stefano, Cruyff on the list?
Most people on here aren't 80 years old. Or even 30 years old. Most have never seen Pele, Cruyff or Carrincha play or would be able to pick them out of a police lineup. You'd think with all these youngins around Platini would get a vote or two. Then again, most are too young to have seen him as well. That's why these children are voting for Ronaldinho. Pfft.
a) Van Basten did not score the first goal, he scored the second. It was Gullit who scored the winner and first goal. Go look it up. b) Zidane might have something to say about great volleyed goals, especially considering that with his greatest he actually did score the winner in a cup final and that too with his weaker left foot. P.S. Hope you learn to respect other people's opinions and yes, welcome to BigSoccer.
Yes, they do. I don't have the time to explain it to you. Go check the tapes. Ronaldinho is pretty. That's it. That's all. Those other players are deeper than most people know. Their depth is hidden in their accomplishments and their discipline. I wonder if they played fat too? Garrincha was the best. Maradona knows this. I have great respect for anyone who played, but Cruyff was not the best, Pele was not the best, and Di Stefano was arguably the best. But if you knew the history of Brazil and Garrincha, you would not question my vote. Garrincha was the original Maradona. Unstoppable.
Wrong. I owned the game on VHS and watched it religiously. Van Basten's volley made it 1-0. Gullit's goal made it 2-0. And technically, both goals were game winners considering Russia didn't score. By the way, since you say you know that game, how did Ruud score?