I just read something about it. Apparently because his arrival to London was always speculated, but he never arrived, no?
This team looks pretty close to a historical consensus. Argentine pundits might prefer Carrizo in goal and either Néstor Rossi or Mascherano (most ever NT caps) as DM. Given all his headed goals Moreno might play further forward. Sastre played in defence at times.
Yep, there's even a meme tribute to his Arsenal career: https://arseblog.com/2020/05/sebastien-frey-a-tribute/ It was during a time when we were still an elite side, but had poor GK situation. Post Lehmann we were using Almunia in the UCL! Due to the French connection, we were also linked to Yann M'Villa and Yoann Gourcuff for like a decade lol.
It's almost impossible to compare generations, can you imagine Gary Lineker with a far post header with one of the balls that Matthews crossed on a cold rainy night at cold blow Lane or suffering a two footed tackle from behind of Norman hunter
I seriously believe that an all-time Argentina XI would beat any other country’s strongest XI. Does anyone else feel this way? In terms of squad depth Brazil certainly has them beat, but you can only put 11 players on the pitch at once, so it doesn’t really matter. Fillol Zanetti - Passarella - Ruggeri - Marzoloni Ardiles - Redondo Messi - Maradona - Kempes DiStefano
This is quite the shocking claim to me, Puck. Pirlo, who was the official MOTM in the 2006 World Cup Final? Who assisted the opening goal and had a hand in the build up of the other 2 goals in the 2005 UCL Final vs Liverpool? Who assisted vs Boca Juniors in the Intercontinental Cup Final in 2003? Who played a beautful assist and won MOTM in the 2007 UEFA Super Cup vs Sevilla? Who scored two, including a FK winner, vs Czechoslavakia in the 2000 u21 Euro Final? Far from disappearing in every final he played. 2003 UCL Final he was not particularly effective but wasn't a disaster. 2007 UCL Final he played good and technically got an assist. 2012 Euro Final and 2015 UCL Final he was a non-facotr but his teams were simply beaten by far superior sides in Spain and Barcelona. Not to mention he was well into his thirties. Hard to rake him over the coals too much for that I'd say.
Argentina have a better goalkeeper than Brazil but it’s close with Allison’s level in recent times. I actually want to replace Fillol with Carrizo, because Carrizo’s height makes him more suited to dealing with crosses. Argentina have better centerbacks in my view. Brazil have better fullbacks and a lot more depth in that position too. Midfield? Didi and Falcao vs Ardilles and Redondo. I have to give the advantage to Brazil, but it’s very close. Attack? Argentina wins. Messi, Maradona and Di Stefano are better than any trio Brazil can conjure. Carrizo Carlos Alberto - Passarella - Ruggeri - Roberto Carlos Didi - Falcao Messi - Di Stefano - Maradona Pele
I'm a sucker for defensive balance, so personally I would strongly prefer Monti to Ardiles. I'm not sure I would put it ahead of Brazil's XI, but then again, I wouldn't have a double pivot of Didi/Falcao either. Generally not a fan of breaking things down into department or do position versus mode. Much prefer to look at the whole team. I must say, I rate Thiago Silva quite highly, which certainly helps shore up the Brazilian defensive weakness. Lastly, while I agree Messi/Maradona/ADS is pretty overwhelming, I don't think Ronaldo/Pele/Zico is that far behind.
At their peaks I rank them: Pele 10/10 Messi - 9,9/10 Maradona - 9,5/10 Ronaldo - 9/10 Zico - 8,5/10 ADS - 8/10 so.... its a tie basically....
Can't speak to Zito, but I've been quite impressed with Toninho and Junior (keeping in mind he was probably a better CM than an LB, maybe). To take a more modern approach, maybe even Casemiro, but I know he's not seen in the same light.
With great performances in Euro 2016, World Cup 2018 and 2022 (he has performed well in other tournaments as well) Do you think it's fair for Griezmann to be in France's All Time XI?
Great team!!! Just two changes: - Didi/Falcao were too offensive minded to play together - I'll swap DiStefano/Pelé or place both upfront
Brazil vs Argentina: For me is 6 x 3 with two open spots Messi, Di Stefano, Maradona are the three Argentine players should have. Goalkepper (fillol/carizzo x gylmar/taffarel) and a centerback (Passarella) are debatable. The other 6 positions its all Brazil. Argentina doesn't have full-backs like Roberto Carlos, Junior, Djalma Santos, Nilton Santos, Carlos Alberto, Dani Alves, Cafu. Midfielders like Didi, Gerson, Falcão, Dunga. Another defender like Bellini, Aldair, Mauro, Juan, Lúcio, Thiago Silva, Luis Pereira etc. And Pele. I mean, Redondo, Ardiles were good, but they don't compare to Didi, Gerson, Falcão. Many brazilians centerbacks have a better carrer than Ruggeri too (Or than Perfumo, which would be my choice in Argentina XI). Could be 8 x 3 or 6 x 5.
If you craft a pure argentina side and a pure brazil side how would look like and which one of the two sides would you rate stronger?
Ahead of whom, specifically? The problem is France's front four has been crowded with Zidane, Platini, Kopa, and Henry for a while. Griezmann maybe has a case to replace Henry, but then the team is left without a true goalscoring forward. Hard to see him overtaking any of the three Ballon d'Or winners.
Ahead of Kopa ? Strictly speaking about the NT (not overall), I genuinely think Griezmann has a shot.
I see. Yeah, if we do strictly for NT, then Griezmann has a shot, and by next WC, Mbappe is probably shoe-in. I don't think we're doing that same exercise for other NTs though or ADS wouldn't get in for Argentina, and Falcao would arguably have to move out for Zito.
Idk, haven't thought about it honestly, but I know Vieira would be in it, out of sheer personal preference
My England XI would be : unpopular, but in my opinion, of course. This is the team that can challenge comparison to Brazil and Argentina XI. Superb balance with astonishing qualities in all positions