I'm introducing Ronaldo to Ferenc Puskas (I'll use 1950-1954 for the tournament) using Real Madrid as the link of course 01. La-Máquina - Lionel Messi 02. Tom Stevens - Johan Cruyff 03. PDG1978 - Ronaldo, (Real Madrid) Ferenc Puskas 04. msioux75 - Paolo Maldini 05. heroearaucano - Elías Figueroa 06. Perú FC - Diego Maradona 07. OT_CAPITANO - Pelé, (NY Cosmos) Johan Neeskens 08. @thebigman - Cristiano Ronaldo, (Manchester United) George Best 09. JJMM1 - Alfredo Di Stéfano, (Real Madrid) José Santamaría 10. Diez - Frank Rijkaard, (AC Milan) Roberto Baggio 11. tLB Odiseo - Marco van Basten, (AC Milan) Ruud Gullit 12. poetgooner - Lothar Matthaeus, (Bayern Múnich) Franz Beckenbauer @Perú FC it's your turn now, and @Tom Stevens can go once @msioux75 has picked
Regarded as one of the greatest strikers and of the greatest Brazilian players of all-time, he was an absolute creative and instinctive genius of the goal area (defined thus by Cruyff) and is one of the most prolific forwards in the history of football... Romário Chained by Barcelona...
Chained Teams La-Máquina: Lionel Messi @Tom Stevens: Johan Cruyff PDG1978: Ronaldo <Real Madrid> Ferenc Puskás msioux75: Paolo Maldini <AC Milan> Franco Baresi heroearaucano: Elías Figueroa <Fort Lauderdale Strikers> Gerd Müller Perú FC: Diego Maradona <Barcelona> Romário OT_CAPITANO: Pelé <New York Cosmos> Johan Neeskens thebigman: Cristiano Ronaldo <Manchester United> George Best JJMM1: Alfredo Di Stéfano <Real Madrid> José Santamaría Diez: Frank Rijkaard <AC Milan> Roberto Baggio tLB Odiseo: Marco van Basten <AC Milan> Ruud Gullit poetgooner: Lothar Matthäus <Bayern Munich> Franz Beckenbauer
To conclude the 2nd round I pick another technical genius whose skills, goals, creativity and moments of brilliance reminded us how beautiful the game could be: Ronaldinho (BARCELONA, Brazil) 2003-2007
For my third pick, I’m going to stay in Brazil and pick one of the greatest footballers of all time. An attacking midfielder with sublime technique, amazing vision and goalscoring ability: Zico (FLAMENGO, Brazil) 1979-1983
Chained Teams La-Máquina: Lionel Messi <Barcelona> Ronaldinho <Flamengo> Zico Tom Stevens: Johan Cruyff <Barcelona> Xavi <Al-Sadd> Raúl @PDG1978: Ronaldo <Real Madrid> Ferenc Puskás msioux75: Paolo Maldini <AC Milan> Franco Baresi heroearaucano: Elías Figueroa <Fort Lauderdale Strikers> Gerd Müller Perú FC: Diego Maradona <Barcelona> Romário OT_CAPITANO: Pelé <New York Cosmos> Johan Neeskens thebigman: Cristiano Ronaldo <Manchester United> George Best JJMM1: Alfredo Di Stéfano <Real Madrid> José Santamaría Diez: Frank Rijkaard <AC Milan> Roberto Baggio tLB Odiseo: Marco van Basten <AC Milan> Ruud Gullit poetgooner: Lothar Matthäus <Bayern Munich> Franz Beckenbauer
With my next pick I welcome Michael Laudrup to the squad, again using Real Madrid as the link: I was, or still am, a bit torn between including 1989 for the end of his Juventus time for his tournament version, or 1994 for the start of his Real time. I'm sort of inclined to suggest both with a maximum interpretation of 5 years, but being consistent I'll say 1989-1993 - basically his Barcelona version but I'll probably err on the side of youth/speed! @msioux75 your pick again now
Miguel, Msioux, he must go for someone from Milan (obligatorily). Therefore, I can anticipate by P. Breitner, Der Afro! Connection by Bayern Munich
An extremely dominant, consistent, athletic and attentive footballer, he was known for his strenght, pace, stamina and his outstanding physical, tactical and technical attributes, as well as his elegance, ability to read the game, his heavy marking of opponents and his aggresive tackling. In my opinion, the best European right full-back ever, but also a world-class centre-back for a 4 or 3 men-line... Lilian Thuram Chained by Barcelona... @OT_CAPITANO, it's your turn.
Chained Teams La-Máquina: Lionel Messi <Barcelona> Ronaldinho <Flamengo> Zico Tom Stevens: Johan Cruyff <Barcelona> Xavi <Al-Sadd> Raúl PDG1978: Ronaldo <Real Madrid> Ferenc Puskás <Real Madrid> Michael Laudrup msioux75: Paolo Maldini <AC Milan> Franco Baresi <AC Milan> Juan Alberto Schiaffino heroearaucano: Elías Figueroa <Fort Lauderdale Strikers> Gerd Müller <Bayern Munich> Paul Breitner Perú FC: Diego Maradona <Barcelona> Romário <Barcelona> Lilian Thuram OT_CAPITANO: Pelé <New York Cosmos> Johan Neeskens <Ajax> Ruud Krol thebigman: Cristiano Ronaldo <Manchester United> George Best <Fulham> Bobby Moore JJMM1: Alfredo Di Stéfano <Real Madrid> José Santamaría <Nacional> José Nasazzi @Diez: Frank Rijkaard <AC Milan> Roberto Baggio tLB Odiseo: Marco van Basten <AC Milan> Ruud Gullit poetgooner: Lothar Matthäus <Bayern Munich> Franz Beckenbauer Still about 2 hours remaining in the turn of @Diez.
Marcel Desailly Nicknamed "The Rock" - A quick, hard-working, tenacious, and powerful player, who excelled in the air and at anticipating his opponentts, he combined his aggression, stamina, and ability to read the game, as well as his physical, mental, and defensive skills, with a notable confidence and good technique on the ball. (Chelsea connection) @poetgooner
Chained Teams La-Máquina: Lionel Messi <Barcelona> Ronaldinho <Flamengo> Zico Tom Stevens: Johan Cruyff <Barcelona> Xavi <Al-Sadd> Raúl PDG1978: Ronaldo <Real Madrid> Ferenc Puskás <Real Madrid> Michael Laudrup msioux75: Paolo Maldini <AC Milan> Franco Baresi <AC Milan> Juan Alberto Schiaffino heroearaucano: Elías Figueroa <Fort Lauderdale Strikers> Gerd Müller <Bayern Munich> Paul Breitner Perú FC: Diego Maradona <Barcelona> Romário <Barcelona> Lilian Thuram OT_CAPITANO: Pelé <New York Cosmos> Johan Neeskens <Ajax> Ruud Krol thebigman: Cristiano Ronaldo <Manchester United> George Best <Fulham> Bobby Moore JJMM1: Alfredo Di Stéfano <Real Madrid> José Santamaría <Nacional> José Nasazzi Diez: Frank Rijkaard <AC Milan> Roberto Baggio <Brescia> Andrea Pirlo tLB Odiseo: Marco van Basten <AC Milan> Ruud Gullit <Chelsea> Marcel Desailly @poetgooner: Lothar Matthäus <Bayern Munich> Franz Beckenbauer Double turn for @poetgooner.
Claude Makélélé Regarded as one of the best players ever in his position. A combative and hard-working player known in particular for his acceleration, positional sense, tactical discipline, intelligence, energy, and ball-winning ability. In addition to his defensive skills, Makélélé was also known for his tenacity, awareness, consistency, and strong mentality, winning back possession and distributing the ball to other players. Nantes connection. @Diez
Jurgen Kohler I continue to work on the spine of my team by picking the perfect partner for Beckenbauer. His physical dominance and legendary defensive marking/stopper skills perfectly compliments Beckenbauer libero-defensive style.