Didn't see this yet. Over on FIFA.com, they have an interview with Peru's Teofilo “Nene” Cubillas. When asked "who is the player that impresses you most today," Nene talks about Ronaldo, Zidane, and LD. Other stuff in there about MLS and US soccer. Good read, even though I had never heard of this guy before reading this interview.
Stogey...that caught my eye, too. I take it as a) garden variety "in my day" old fogeyism, but also b) a reflection of the fact that the club system today concentrates the best players in a few leagues. In Cubillas' day, Zidane would likely be playing in France, and stand out alot more because the French league isn't as good as La Liga. But it would also be true that Raul would look better, would seem more dominant, because most of the non-Spanish players would be plying their trade in their home country.
By strange coincidence, last night I watched the World Cup highlights DVD of '66-'74 and saw Cubillas score a goal for Peru against Brazil in the Quarterfinal in 1970. He cut the Brazilian lead to 3-2, but Brazil scored a fourth and won. Wow -- 10 World Cup goals over three tournaments (with his team missing one in between!) and a 20-year career without a red card.
Not according to Cubillas: "...In my first finals (1970) there were only 16 teams, and everybody was there to win. All of the teams were very strong. Now you have 32 teams, and it is a totally different environment. It seems only half of the 32 are there with hopes of actually winning the tournament..."
From what I've read about this match, the evidence of throwing the match implicates the Peruvian goalie most strongly. One source even has the goalie admitting as much. Though from the replays I've seen, the defenders do an astonishing amount of standing around.
Teofilo Cubillas is well-known in South America as one of the best south-americans of all time. When he was active, Peru was a competitive team. About the 78' WC, as far as I know, only the peruvian goalie was involved in the bribery scandal.
One of the absolute best Nene Cubillas was a true "Difference Maker" on the field. One of the absolute best players you could have on your football team. Anyone who saw him play would undoubtedly support this. He was magic with the ball and had an effort less touch. He seemingly glided around the field and had the most incredible burst of speed to out run any opponent. I had the good fortune to watch him several times, in person in competition. He was truly a midfield master. Free Kicks around the penalty area seemed like they were always goals. As some players scored penalty kicks. Talk to some old professional players they will tell you. 10 Goals, 3 World Cup Finals....think about what he had to do to make such individual contributions.
Whenever I see some former player talk about how much better the players were back when he played (regardless of sport) I always think of this from the Onion: http://www.theonion.com/onion3626/in_my_day.html One of their very best.
*CUBILLAS, Teofilo "Nene" (Peru). Midfielder. Basle, Porto, Alianza. Best player ever coming out of Peru,played in the 1970, 1978, 1982 World Cups. Born 3/8/1949. A three-time world-cup participant, scoring five goals each in the 1970 and 1978 world cups. His outstanding play in the 1978 cup attracted the attention of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers where he promptly became a franchise player, 7th in league scoring, and named to the 2nd All-Star team. In 1980, he scored four goals in 7 games, leading Ft. Lauderdale to the Sccer Bowl. In 1981, he scored gour goals against the Aztecs in a July game, with three coming within seven minutes and 14 seconds. Cubillas began his career with Alianza Lima in Peru before moving to Switzerland for Basale, and then Porto, Portugal. He had a brief return to Alianza before signing with Ft. Lauderdale. He missed 16 games of the 1982 season to play in World Cup 82.