I'm bored on a saturday and was just wondering who everyone's all-time favorite player is? For me, George Best, no questions, honorable mention to Zidane, mostly because of his headbutt to that utter twat Materazzi. For that, he should have been awarded the game ball on the spot.
Considering only players I saw play and not just read about (sorry Garrincha and Puskas): I am a fan of Abedi Pele (Ghana) and Roger Milla (Cameroon) from AFC. I like Teofilo Cubillas (Pero) and Jose Luis Brown (Argentina - someone I tried to model my play after back in the day) from CONMEBOL. Favorites from UEFA include Henrik Larrson (Sweden) and Eusebio (Portugal). And from closer to home, I am partial to Thomas Dooley, Earnie Stewart, and Eddie Pope (USA ) and Hugo Sanchez (Mexico). I never saw enough Asian or Oceanian soccer to have favorites.
By the way, as someone who was also once a graduate student in history, I am quite certain you have additional reading to do. How could you possibly be bored?
Well, to be honest, have a film class (so no real reading just watching movies) and the rest, got the reading for the most part done (waiting on a book from interlibrary loan, but it won't be here until monday). REally I should be writing, but had a bit of writer's block, so there you go.
I really loved to watch Figo and Zidane!! If we are talking US players it was Joe Max-Moore and Cobi Jones RSL-------Clint Mathis and DJ Countess (both guys I have met and really enjoyed talking too, so it carried over too watching them on the pitch.)
Brian McBride and Eddie Pope for the US Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and Marco Van Basten for Holland Paul Gascgoine, David Beckham, and Alan Shearer for England All-time favorite player:
Well you already know Donk. It George Best for me. but what you might not know is I am a huge Raging Rooney fan. I love that psycho!!
Maldini... guy started his career (i believe) the year i was born. that guy is awesome Giggsy is pure class (you cant play that many games for United and not be uterly amazing) From the US i really like the play of Gooch so far and Keller and Howard are amazing between the pipes Cantona was just stupid good. His celebration after quite possibly the greatest goal ever (the cheeky chip to the far upper v) converted me on the spot
Dennis Bergkamp...wonderful footwork and chipshots, and of course, Der Kaiser! Defense never looked so good.
Brooks P Arnell FW - Salt Lake Old Boys (I find myself at moments weeping due to the pure magic and beauty he displays on the pitch)
Growing up, huge Valderrama fan. Now, the Spaniards do it for me. Torres, Villa, Cesc. Peter Schmeichel in the net.
Some shots of Jose Luis Brown, from World Cup 1986: The famous quarterfinal against England (the Hand of God game). Hugging Maradona following the terrific semi-final against Belgium (Belgium was a really fun team to watch that year). In the final against West Germany. A defenderm, he scored the first goal in the 3-2 win, but what really cemented him as someone to model my play after. Shortly after the goal he hurt his arm quite badly - dislocation or some such thing - and initially he simply tore a hole in his shirt and tucked his thumb in. He then had his arm taped to his torso and played the full 90 that way. Any time I picked up a knock I knew I could keep playing - I saw Brown do it.
I always liked Captain America! Claudio Reina... except for that mistake that was NYRB, he was always a class player for the USMNT. Also Brian McBride... last world cup against Italy down 2 men with a tie game... most strikers would have been taken off... but he helped out a ton all over the field... and that while everyone calling him too old. Most of my early USMNT memories came from that World Cup in Japan and South Korea... I watched everygame live on a spanish station back when I couldnt speak spanish at 2-4 am. That was a great run... and most of the players I like played at that time. Internationally I liked Marcelo Salas and now Humberto Suazo and Mark Gonzalez who all play or played for the Chilean MNT. I havent watched enough of soccer from other contries to comment too much, although Wayne Rooney is pretty good... and has the perfect atitude you need in a player who wins.
Kobi, "the only player smaller than rimando", jones NOT but I do love watching old clips of Roy Keane. He was mean mofo... I style my play after his (except the leg breaking... for the most part)
Not a big Salas fan I would take Zamorano any day of Salas. I have been campaigning for couple years now for RSL to sign Suazo from Monteray. I also was asking for Gonzalez before he went over to europe. THe other Chilean that really impresses me and is still an option for RSL is Valdivia who plays in Brazil. Guy is magic with the ball at his feet. Good to see a fellow CHilean fan.