Cristiano Ronaldo (-12/13) vs Van Basten

Discussion in 'The Beautiful Game' started by Tropeiro, Dec 24, 2019.

?

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  1. Van Basten

    13 vote(s)
    56.5%
  2. Cristiano Ronaldo

    10 vote(s)
    43.5%
  1. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    The latter most certainly
    Crossing with either foot with relative ease is the bread and butter of CR

    where are these games of van Basten where he was a more consistent/flawless passer as cris

    You can't compare a striker to the best LW in history who scored 700 goals
    No matter if it's a 5 year comparison or single season comparison

    van Basten was only better than Cristiano Ronaldo once during his career
    Over 6 European championship games in 1988

    At league and champions league level Cristiano Ronaldo has been demonstrably superior
    Arguably even at the world cup (although there's nothing to brag about here because neither were particularly memorable)
     
  2. Edhardy

    Edhardy Member+

    Sep 4, 2013
    Nairobi, Kenya
    Club:
    Juventus FC




    Unfortunately, there aren't as many MVB match compilations, but these two videos demonstrate what I'm trying to say - not flashy, but consistent and incisive enough too. Even in 92/93 when he was really at the end.
     
  3. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid

    @Tropeiro
     
  4. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
  5. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
  6. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid

    This is a allegedly a "protected" player who dives at the slightest point of contact

    Its why i chuckle when i hear player x played against nesta,baresi,maldini,fachetti,scirea,beckenbaur,thuram,cannavaro.....goikoetxea etc.....
    I mean dude just who are you kidding

    Anybody who followed his career knows full well that he suffered as worse as any great of a bygone era
    Messi too but people will just persist with myths
     
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  7. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    One of the most underrated goals of Cristiano
    Was involved in every sequence of the attack from the half way line right up until the 1 touch finish in the 6 yard box.
    1121189420307296263 is not a valid tweet id

    @Edhardy @Tropeiro @PuckVanHeel @PDG1978 @Bavarian14
     
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  8. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Cristiano Ronaldo and Alfredo Di Stefano-1.jpg

    Don Alfredo di Stefano
    "Cristiano is a phenomenon, he is number one – a barbaric player.

    “I’d say he was the complete player. You can see that opponents fear him. For me Cristiano is the best.”



    Diego maradona
    "Cristiano is a predator in front of goal. You can’t let Cristiano shoot from anywhere in the opposition half.

    “Goalkeepers are scared of him. You have to be honest, goalkeepers are scared of Cristiano."
     
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  9. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #34 carlito86, May 23, 2020
    Last edited: May 23, 2020
    November 23rd 2013

    0:30
    Ossie ardilles:
    "At this point and in the history of football id put him in the top 10 players of all time"

    This is pre la decima
    Before he won his second ballon dor


    Paddy crerand
    "Cristiano ronaldo reminded me of George Best a great deal
    Cristiano was of a different build standing 6ft tall whereas best was like a little nipper but they both had the same incredible balance and they were both fantastic in the air

    Then there was their courage
    George best would've tackled goliath if he was standing between him and goal

    The portuguese was the nearest i have ever seen to George best and nobody else comes to mind"
    https://books.google.be/books?id=qesfCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA245&lpg=PA245&dq=paddy+crerand+cristiano&source=bl&ots=reEum1H_6G&sig=ACfU3U0ftWsRXH2At1O3_e0Bw8gBHxa9Zg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjb0bTrrsnpAhVS_aQKHcTJAJoQ6AEwBHoECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=paddy crerand cristiano&f=false

    Pele 2009
    "Cristiano reminds me so much of a player who I thought was brilliant - George Best,”

    He is the closest I have seen to Best since he was at his peak, due to the way he runs with the ball at speed, on the left and right, and with such skill."
    https://www.goal.com/en/news/9/engl...stiano-ronaldo-reminds-me-of-george-best-pele


    Eusebio 2008

    Question:
    In 2003, you were named Portugal's best ever player by the Portuguese football federation. Does Cristiano Ronaldo have the potential to take your crown?

    Answer:

    Yes. And the way he's going at the moment he can become not only the best footballer in Portugal, but also the best in the world; maybe not the best of all time, but I think within a short space of time Ronaldo will be recognised as the best footballer in the world. He was second last time [in the Ballon d'Or, behind Kaka] – which shouldn't be sniffed at. But he's got every chance of winning the trophy very soon.
    https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/eusebio-one-one
    Only 6 years later(2014) Cristiano ronaldo was voted the greatest ever player by the Portuguese football federation
    Even Paulo futre said back in 2011 it wouldn't be before long that he surpassed Eusebios legacy

    Diehard benfica fans gave up saying Eusebio was better after the 4 goals vs Sweden in 2013.
    Over 6 years ago now

    Since then he's won 4 CL titles+4 ballon dors

    You open a thread on big soccer/xtratime
    Whos prime was better?

    Cristiano vs romario
    Cristiano vs R9
    Cristiano vs Thierry Henry
    Cristiano vs George best
    CR vs van basten
    CR vs rumminge
    CR vs stoichkov


    He would lose or at least be close to losing

    CR7 did not score 45 CL goals in 3 consecutive seasons between 16-18?
    Was not the best out and out winger in the world during 2007?
    Was not the best out and out goalscorer in the world during 2017?
    Did not score 40+ league goals on 3 separate occasions?
    Was not voted the best player in England,Spain and Italy?

    Did not score 18 goals in 12 matches against gigi buffon and Manuel neuer?
    9 in 6 against buffon
    9 in 6 against neuer
    How many matches did andriy shevchenco play in Serie A
    How many matches did R9 play in Serie A
    How many goals did they score against buffon?

    Neuer has played in bundesliga since 2006
    Is there any bundesliga player who has scored 9 against him?
    If so how many matches did it take them
    10,20,30?

    The delusions need to stop



    Some more interesting extracts:

    Question
    You played against some of the game's greatest players – Pele, Best, Di Stefano, Puskas, Charlton. Who was the best?

    Answer:
    And you could add others to that list. But I'm not going to sit on the fence. In my opinion, one player was the most complete: Alfredo Di Stefano. They are all great players, but Di Stefano had it all.

    Alfredo di Stefano was also Pele and maradonas personal choice as the greatest footballer in history

    https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/di-stefano-best-ever-not-maradona-pele
     
  10. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #35 carlito86, May 30, 2020
    Last edited: May 30, 2020


    4:43
    Great double tackle 'in the snow'
     
  11. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Club comparison
    Will use separate 5 criteria to determine who achieved the highest peak

    A.)Highest non penalty goal+assist per 90(All comps)

    B.)Highest percentage of involvement in team goals(excluding penalties)

    C.)champions league KO stage goals

    D.)major club trophies

    E.)individual accolades

    Leagues considered
    Premier league
    La liga
    Serie A
    Eredivisie(being very generous)

    Players

    Van basten 1983-1993
    Vs
    Cristiano ronaldo 2007-2010


    Highest non penalty goal +assist per 90

    Top 10 ranked seasons

    1.)Cristiano ronaldo 2009/10
    Club:real Madrid
    29 non penalty goals+12 assists
    2915 Minutes

    1.26 non pen goals+assists per 90


    2.)Van basten 1985/86
    Club:Ajax
    30 non pen goal +4 assist
    2505 minutes

    1.22 goals+assists per 90


    3.)Van basten 86/87
    Club:Ajax
    33 non penalty goal+9 assists
    3209 minutes

    1.18 non penalty goal+assist per 903

    4.)Cristiano ronaldo 2007/08
    Club:Manchester United
    36 non penalty goals+8 assists
    4154 minutes

    0.95 non pen goals +assists per 90


    5.)Van basten 1991/92
    18 non penalty goal+13 assists
    3229 minutes

    0.86 non penalty goals +assists per 90




    Highest percentage of involvement in team goals(excluding penalties)

    Top 5 seasons


    1.)cristiano ronaldo 2007/08
    Manchester United scored 108 team goals

    Ronaldo non penalty+assist involvement
    41%


    2.)van basten 1991/92
    Milan scored 84 team goals in all comps

    Van basten non penalty +assist contribution
    37%

    3.)Ronaldo 2009/10
    116 team goals

    Ronaldo non penalty+assist involvement
    35%



    Ajax 1986/87
    131 team goals
    https://www.afc-ajax.info/en/season/1986-87

    Van basten non penalty+assist contribution
    32% direct involvement






    Van basten 1985/86
    143 team goals
    https://www.afc-ajax.info/en/season/1985-86

    Van basten non penalty+assist involvement
    24%


    His highest scoring season and only directly involved in 24% w/o penalties

    Interestingly van bastens lowest non penalty scoring season 91/92 was arguably his most influential


    Champions league KO stage goals
    Non penalty goals+assists
    Just to save time a 24 year old Ronaldo scored considerably more even in just a 3 year period
    So I will widen it a little in favour of van basten

    This will now be a straight up comparison between Milan van basten 88-93 in all European cup matches
    And cristiano Ronaldo 07-10 in all champions league matches
    Excluding penalties


    Van basten 88-93


    11 non pen goals +5 assists in 19 matches

    4 goals +1 assist 5 matches
    11 team goals

    1 non penalty goal+1 assist
    5 goal


    5 non penalty goals+2 assists out of 16 KO goals
    I'm being generous here
    Milan coasted through 1992/93 without van basten winning 5 straight KO games
    His return vs Marseille with his problematic ankle should've been postponed







    Between ages 21-24 Ronaldo had 10 champions league KO goals + 3 assists

    When he Wasnt scoring or assisting he was pre assisting



    When he Wasnt pre assisting he was dribbling when he wasn't dribbling he was creating chances via ball carrying and crossing


    Individual club accolades
    Van basten was MVP in the Dutch league at 21 years old
    The Dutch league was a goals fest and ajax was scoring at levels not seen since Cruyffs Ajax in 1966/67

    Moving away from the Dutch league and focusing on continental individual accolades

    Van basten in his career won the European golden shoe once
    Cristiano Ronaldo pre 2010 won the European golden shoe once

    Van basten was MVP of 1 European cup (88/89)

    Ronaldo pre 2010 was also MVP once of the champions league (07/08)

    Van basten won the European player of the year once 3 times

    Cristiano Ronaldo pre 2010 also won the European player of the year 3 times in 2007,2008,2009

    Pre 1995 kaka and Messi would not be eligible

    Some fans here say even if the ballon dor had been eligible for south Americans he still would've beaten maradona and Co

    As to say he was universally considered the best
    Well That's just an opinion
    Not a fact



    The fact is Ruud gullit was voted player of the year by world soccer in 1989 ahead of van basten
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Soccer_(magazine)

    The fact is hristo stoichkov won the onze d'or in 1992 ahead of van basten
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onze_d'Or

    These are equally prestigious awards


    Milan won more trophies with van basten than Manchester United did with Cristiano ronaldo?


    Van basten was more technical than Cristiano ronaldo

    Pes stats rates Ronaldo 07/08
    95 in technique which is red territory
    For anyone who is familiar with pes stats rating system red signifies GOAT level technique territory

    Pes stats rates prime van basten 93
    Which is just half a step below

    What else is left ?
    Van basten was never the top ranked Serie A player by DBS calcio
    Not in 88,89,90,91,92,93

    He was always in a group amongst the best
    Not the absolute best


    Ronaldo 08 was according to all voting agencies the best
    2007/08 is as dominant a club season as anyone in history has had
    As unanimous a season as anyone has had

    Van basten did not have that complete season


    Lionel Messi 10/11
    Cristiano Ronaldo 07/08
    Ronaldinho gaucho 05/06
    Platini 83/84
    Messi 2014/15
    Are complete seasons

    Across all club levels (and in platinis case even international which could theoretically give him an added bonus)

    What else are people talking about if not prime ?

    People got confused about his hard work and dedication and forgot Ronaldo 2007-2010 was a relentless machine
    A machine with flair and creativity
     
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  12. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #37 carlito86, Jun 11, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2020
    RamyBt repped this.
  13. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    But this fun fact can be given in retort....

    It took him till his 3rd Euros tournament to score 3 goals over the tournament.

    It took Van Basten till his first full Euros game to score 3 goals over the 90 minutes.
     
  14. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    To be more precise: until 16 teams entered the competition, UEFA included for sensible reasons also the qualifying rounds among the goals (this was before the break-up of Europe too; increasing the members from 32 to 50+).

    He was with 16 goals the all-time topscorer for a moment... No European player had more goals.

    (I'll not reply to all the drivel by carlito; not just here but also all the repeated bashing in other threads)
     
  15. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Its only drivel if it's not facts
     
  16. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    His first goal, talking of headers, in that sequence was actually a very good one I noticed (replay at about 2:54 here):

    Very nice assist for Gullit's winning goal too, with neat turn and good pass - I remember you said that their partnership took a while to gel overall though - I guess Gullit was playing as right winger here not alongside Van Basten.

    I remember that Scifo scored a header vs Ireland too in the mid 80s, from even further out!
     
  17. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #42 carlito86, Jun 11, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2020
    A sample size of 10 ~matches
    :confused:

    How about careers?

    It took klaus allofs 30 minutes to score a Hattrick vs the Netherlands in the 1980 Euro championships
    (Second Euro match in his career )

    It took Marco van basten 31 minutes to score a Hattrick vs England in the 1988 Euro championship
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UEFA_European_Championship_hat-tricks

    klaus allofs>Marco van basten >Cristiano ronaldo

    Logic
     
  18. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Mate, you know Klaus Allofs didn't go on to score a wonder goal in the Final after playing an excellent semi-final in which he won the penalty to seal the victory, I know you do.

    I do think it's also unfair to talk about a career comparison with a player whose career was cut short.

    Anyway, maybe my mistake to contribute because I have no desire to argue and maybe we should stay away from discussions/arguments regarding C.Ronaldo (or your idea of some old legends being over-rated...even if while you were making that case about Pele you did make some interesting posts about some lesser known legends I noticed re: Santos today). If we stick to appreciating the skills of Dragan Stojkovic and things like that it is probably better!
     
  19. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #44 carlito86, Jun 11, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2020
    Maybe I misunderstood you

    You said:
    "In retort
    It took van basten only his first game to score 3 goals in a european championship"

    Ok

    Was this an impressive achievement within itself or only impressive with the benefit of
    hindsight?

    Is van basten scoring a Hattrick in his first Euro group match impressive only because he went on to score an amazing goal vs the Soviets later on in the tournament

    Or is it impressive because it was his first match?

    If it's the former
    Then yeah Marco van basten had in euro 1988 over 5 matches a more iconic international tournament than c.Ronaldo
    Agreed

    If it's the latter
    Klaus allofs scored a 30 minute Hattrick vs the Netherlands 80 in only his 2nd match
    At a faster rate and against arguably an even stronger outfit than the England team faced by van basten


    Yeah than perhaps he shouldn't be compared to anyone


    And he should only be compared to similarly talented players who had their career cut prematurely

    Like tostao for example

    Before we lose sight of things
    I wasnt even comparing Cristianos career to van basten
    I was comparing his left foot and head to the career of van basten
    Sounds like a good idea
     
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  20. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Ok, yeah, re: the last sentence, no problem, agreed.

    I think I had had in mind at first (when seeing your post) the fact that two of Van Basten's goals were left footed that day, and to be fair I would say that his collection of goals for the hat-trick was certainly more impressive compared to those of Allofs in 1980 (and very likely he played a significantly better overall game, although to be fair I haven't seen all of that game from 1980 minute by minute). But I'll give you credit for digging out that factoid as your own retort I guess lol! And like I say I'll not continue the back and forth about it after this clarification.

    I wouldn't say Van Basten or any other player should be automatically disqualified as being thought of as one of the best ever, based on lack of longevity due to injuries (or lack of numbers due to playing in a particular era primarily), but I know that nowadays it is quite common for people to go down that route when analysing and I won't say it is invalid as such.
     
  21. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #46 carlito86, Jun 11, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2020
    This isn't true
    Only partially

    50% of van bastens entire career haul came playing for Ajax
    (152 out of 301 career goals)

    At their peak in the eredivisie Ajax scored at an even higher rate than Barcelona or real Madrid

    Ajax 1985/86
    120 league goals in 34 matches
    3.52 gpg
    https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marco-van-basten/leistungsdaten/spieler/74471/plus/0?saison=1985
    In fact in all competitions Ajax 85/86 scored 143 goals in just 44 matches:3.25 gpg
    https://www.afc-ajax.info/en/season/1985-86


    Real Madrid la liga 2011/12
    121 goals in 38 matches
    3.18 gpg

    Barcelona la liga 2011/12
    114 goals in 38 matches
    3 gpg
     
  22. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #47 carlito86, Aug 17, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2020
    EVaslwOXkAILAWy.jpeg
    A 22/23 year old free role winger with

    1gpg in
    Europe's elite league(ELO/Uefa coefficient)
    31 goals in 2747 minutes(30.5 games)
    3.2~dribbles completed per 90
    36.9 passes avg per 90
    0.95 tackles per 90
    3.86 crosses attempted per 90
    https://www.premierleague.com/players/2522/Cristiano-Ronaldo/stats?co=1&se=16

    https://www.dagbladet.no/sport/cristiano-dribler-mer-enn-zlatan/66428814
    Countless yards covered with his ball carrying
    Goals and assists vs top 4 teams,
    A world class dribbler,FK specialist,fantastic in the air even at that age,genuinely two footed

     
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  23. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #48 carlito86, Oct 3, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2020


    30 minutes played
    3 key passes
    6 completed dribbles
    15 completed passes
    1 penalty won
    https://www.reddit.com/r/Manchester...source=amp&utm_medium=&utm_content=post_title



    He was already box office stuff at 17 years old just listen to the crowd erupt everytime he touches the ball
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/aug/18/match.manchesterunited

    Sam allerdayce( Boltons then manager) said
    "He reminds me of Ryan giggs when he was younger
    he can go inside, outside, uses both feet and runs at people. Everyone holds their breath when he gets the ball"

    Even George best said it was the most exciting debut performance hed ever seen live

    Ronaldo is really an iconic player for whoever has followed and witnessed him go through so many different transformations as a player

    A generational talent and gifted winger who became a all time historic goalscorer(less than 30 goals away from Pele now)
    Its remarkable in all honesty
    @Edhardy @celito @Tropeiro @Sexy Beast
     
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  24. carlito86

    carlito86 Member+

    Jan 11, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    #49 carlito86, Oct 29, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2020
    Peak crossing/wingplay
    2004-2008

    2:28


    4:46


    0:50


    1:08

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OvlsMyKH_Z4
    4:38


    Peak dribbling
    EfSTdUTXkAA51G6 (1).png

    Peak/total player
    2011 calender year (la liga)
    2011%2f12%2fRonaldo-Stats-Study (2).jpg
    https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/...1-La-Liga-Player-and-Young-Player-of-the-Year
    Here for full breakdown
    https://www.transfermarkt.com.hr/sp...ichtung=alle&land_id=0&compFilter=top5&plus=1

    43 goals+13 assists in 32 league games during the 2011 calender year (while still retaining a great deal of flair and heavily involved In the creativity and build up Of plays in the final third)





    Peak 'total goalscorer'
    La liga 2014 calender year
    2979.jpg
    https://www.whoscored.com/Graphics/2979/Show/WhoScoreds-Top-100

    38 goals+13 assists in 26 league matches
    (2380 minutes)
    https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spi...ichtung=alle&land_id=0&compFilter=top5&plus=1

    In reality Ronaldo 2014 was directly involved in 2 goals per 90 over the course of an entire calender year


    The 2nd half of that year was beyond unreal
    https://mobile.twitter.com/mixedknuts/status/524228574312534018
    https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/...a-Liga-201415-Winter-Break-Statistical-Roundu

    Only player that supersedes this level of efficiency is Lionel Messi from 2 years earlier

    Maybe/very possibly Lionel Messi that played between January and December 2012 in a league context is the best version of a player that ever lived

    Maybe Pele(1962 or 1963?)

    Check for yourself
    This is a very good link that collates data all the way back to 1996 calender year
    https://www.transfermarkt.com.hr/statistik/jahrestorschuetzen

    People are talking about Ronaldos prime and cant even pinpoint when that was

    When he was at his zenith in the 2013 and 2014 calender years winning back to back ballon dors

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored a completely ridiculous combined total of 76 goals+27 wide assists in 5038 league minutes(56 league matches)

    This is a real verifiable number

    Van basten doesn't sniff this
    Not with ankle injuries and not without

    not in the eredivisie(with 3+ GPG averages)
    and not in Italy

    The champions league is something else I shouldn't even have to get into
    https://mobile.twitter.com/OptaJose/status/1258446427568721920

    That's 4 completed dribbles per 90 in the champions league from the ages of 18-24

    Add to that 11 champions league KO goals by 24 years old
    Open play clutch goals in the R16,QF,SF and final

    Forget about the real Madrid years

    The comparison is erroneous IMO
    http://www.rsssf.com/players/vanbasten-in-ec.html

    Van basten had maybe 5 goals in big European matches in his career
    And he played his last game at 27 years old(not 24 year's old)

    Refer to alessandro del pieros CL record aged 24(in 1998) before the injury for what is expected of a elite player who is the spearheads a pre 21st century era superteam


    The rest(of his record) is a goal against a psychologically demoralised red star Belgrade
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24573761

    4 goals against IFK Goteborg in the inaugural 'champions league' which was like lewandowski putting 4 past (a now subpar )red star Belgrade last year





    Several multi goal games against random European village teams(from Bulgaria,Luxembourg,Sweden etc)
    Screenshot_20201029-111634-1.jpg

    The further you look into it without the blindfolds(being outscored by aldo Serena 1989 in Serie A- the Year van basten won the BD)
    It doesn't stack up even for a second

    Its enough to say van basten was one of the greatest players of his era in an era in which there were many equally talented and accomplished players
    I use the analogy of tostao who was considered by many to be as good or even slightly better in Brazil than post peak Pele
    https://cruzeiropedia.org/Eduardo_Gonçalves_Andrade

    That school of thought existed And tostao actually won world cup as an integral player yet tostao doesn't find himself forcefully inserted into all time player discussions

    A prime or defined peak is not about discussing who was better in 1 or few isolated matches
    Van basten never ever had a single season comparable to any of Ronaldos top 5 campaigns

    88/89
    89/90
    91/92

    You'd have to be kidding me mate
    Check the DBS calcio ratings to see how he was perceived on a consistent game to game basis

    About the technique and aesthetic value I won't get into that
    You are entitled to your opinion regarding an entirely subjective matter
     
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  25. Edhardy

    Edhardy Member+

    Sep 4, 2013
    Nairobi, Kenya
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    None of that disputes that Van Basten is a superior passer of the ball.
     

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