[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aximpPeEV3Q"]YouTube- Juan Román Riquelme - A Salty Dog - Esoesgallo[/ame]
Beckenbauer was a very elegant player. Here's an example of his way of defending. One rarely sees a defender solving a situation in his own penalty box with that sort of effortless ease and calmness. [ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKjOrH7FkpM[/ame]
I've always loved Beckenbauer's style, but that lunge after he touches the ball would prompt a modern day player to flop to the ground and a consequent penalty.
I think the definition of elegance in football is subjective. Growing up, I thought Matthias Sammer was fantastic. He was great in all areas of the field. He didn't have the flash of a Ronaldo, but he was simple and effective. He was the first footballer I studied closely and tried to imitate.
I disagree. It's not like he has ages of time in that scene. It's just a few seconds. One could show hundreds of scenes from today lasting the same few seconds.
I don't think anyone beats beckenbauer for making running and moving all directions with the ball look so effortless
class in a glass [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu1VlROALUA"]YouTube- Rafael Marquez 08/09 Compilation ~The mexicano~ // By Sjurinho[/ame]
Im glad we agree Michael Laudrup was ridiculous back in the days, i remember watching him as a kid. For me one of the best footballers in the 90's, his movement, vision, ability to make precision passes. A true gentleman on the field. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oXH8F-MGpU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oXH8F-MGpU[/ame]
NOBBY! Possibly the actual model for Wallace, of "Wallace & Gromit" fame.... with a few harsh tackles thrown in, of course! Any Wensleydale left?
Mr. Elías Figueroa from Chile. 3 consecutive years chosen as the best South American player (1974, 1975 and 1976) ( In those years till 1995, the Golden Ball was reserved only for European players, and the best South American player award was its equivalent for those years before that date). He was recognized by Mr. Beckenbauer (also one of the best of all times), as the best in their same position in the field.
One of my favorite footballers for the qualities that you mentioned. His name was the first one I thought of when I saw the title of this thread. Rated highly by his teammates and opponents but not mentioned enough when talking about the best players of the 90's, imo. Also a competent football manager. I'm happy to see him coaching Mallorca as I enjoyed the football that Getafe played while he coached them.
Talking about quotes by Mr Beckenbauer, and about Michael Laudrup: "Pelé was the best in the 60s, Cruyff in the 70s, Maradona in the 80s and Laudrup in the 90s" Another candidate for this topic who was acclaimed by an all-time great is Dragan Dzajic, who Pele said should have been Brazilian (though he did leave him out of his Fifa 100 interestingly) I would probably select Michael Laudrup myself, along with Zico. Both were very elegant though they were different in height and build, and also slightly in style of play. Oh, Cruyff as well definately. He certainly has inspirational moments of elegance eg his overhead goal against Liverpool yesterday, his drag-back assist against West Ham a couple of years ago.
I've seen a number of Beckenbauer quotes surface on BigSoccer recently. Most of which I have never heard of outside of BigSoccer. The latest one is his alleged remark towards Best and Dzajic in 1968. One must be careful with these quotes.
I don't know if that quote was actually said by Franz, but in the following Serbian page about Dragan's life you have a Beckenbauer's commentary about his 1968 form, where he is saying that Dragan should have won the Ballon d'Or instead of George Best that year. Such a comment is obviously controversial and perhaps Franz never said that, but still, he is known for his modesty and phrases where he praises other great players... http://icko1610.bloger.hr/post/legende-yu-fudbala--dragan-dzajic/887345.aspx
As far as elegant defenders are concerned, Beckenbauer probably takes the cake but I think Gaetano Scirea warrants mention. A very graceful, elegant defender, IMO.