The best games of the best players

Discussion in 'The Beautiful Game' started by comme, Sep 19, 2017.

  1. Frank73

    Frank73 Member

    Inter Milan
    Brazil
    Mar 22, 2025
    Italy
    One of my football "hooks". For the most refined tasters.



     
  2. Wiliam Felipe Gracek

    Santos FC
    France
    Feb 3, 2024
  3. Wiliam Felipe Gracek

    Santos FC
    France
    Feb 3, 2024


    https://www.facebook.com/reel/1718672789001184?locale=pt_BR





    this Gullit's game is insane also !


    vs Republic Of Ireland .... "!



    92 minutes of the second half already


    Gullit won Headers Won %

    against

    England
    Rep. Of Ireland
    West Germany
    and
    URSS the Final also .. "!


    What a player at all "!
     
  4. Isaías Silva Serafim

    Real Madrid
    Brazil
    Dec 2, 2021
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
  5. Al Gabiru

    Al Gabiru Member+

    Jan 28, 2020
    Zidane vs Barcelona (2001-02 La Liga 11R)

    Zidane’s first El Clásico. Rating 8 on DBScalcio



    Pass completed 30/32 (93,75%)
    pass progressive 13/15 (86,7)
    headers won 2/2
    cross 2/3
    long ball 1
    dribble completed 2
    Fouled 3
    Committed a foul 4
    tackle won 1
    Possession lost 3
    interception 2
    shots on target 0/2

    Based on this summary, the video may have cut some of Zidane's actions, probably passes in defense
     
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  6. Al Gabiru

    Al Gabiru Member+

    Jan 28, 2020
    Zizou vs Sevilla (2001-02 La Liga 13R)



    Pass completed 54/58 (93,10%)
    pass progressive 20/23 (86,96%.)
    big chance created 3 (1:15, 3:13, 8:52)
    assist 2 (3:13, 4:45)
    key pass 4 (4:45, 5:15, 6:40, 7:50)
    headers won 2/2
    cross 1/5
    long ball 4/5
    dribble completed 4/4
    Fouled 5
    Committed a foul 0
    tackle won 1
    Possession lost 5
    interception 1
    shots on target 0
     
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  7. Al Gabiru

    Al Gabiru Member+

    Jan 28, 2020
    #1082 Al Gabiru, Feb 24, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2026
    The matches against Barcelona and Sevilla were played in sequence (2001-11-03 and 2001-11-16). I asked Gemini AI to analyze Zizou's performance in these two matches (without mentioning it was Zizou):

    So I told Gemini that it's Zidane:

     
    PDG1978 repped this.
  8. Al Gabiru

    Al Gabiru Member+

    Jan 28, 2020
    Paulo Roberto Falcão played in Rome from 1980/81 to 1984/85. He was always the highest-rated player on the team according to DBS Calcio. He won Serie A in 1982/83. His style of play and ball carrying resemble Zidane.

    Paulo Roberto Falcao vs Fiorentina (Home) - Serie A 1981/82 rated 9 in dbscalcio



    Pass completed 46/53 (86.7%)
    pass progressive 18/23 (78.26%)
    big chance created 1 (4:10)
    assist 1 (4:10)
    cross 1/1
    long ball 4/7
    dribble completed 3
    Fouled 2
    Committed a foul 2
    blocked shot 1
    tackle won 2
    Possession lost 10
    interception 2

    Gemini AI

     
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  9. Al Gabiru

    Al Gabiru Member+

    Jan 28, 2020
    #1084 Al Gabiru, Feb 26, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2026
    Bernd Schuster vs Real Madrid. 1985

    Bernd Schuster nicknamed "der Blonde Engel" (the Blond Angel) was known for his exceptional vision, passing accuracy, and powerful long-range shooting. Following the departure of Diego Maradona to Napoli, new English coach Terry Venables built the team around Schuster, granting him complete freedom on the pitch.



    Pass completed 36/47 (76.6%)
    pass progressive 16/21 (76.19%)
    big chance created 3 (0:33) (3:45) (11:53)
    assist 2 (0:33) (11:53)
    key pass 1 (7:21)
    cross 2/4
    long ball 3/7
    dribble completed 4/6
    aerial won 4/5
    Fouled 3
    Committed a foul 1
    blocked shot (offense) 1
    blocked shot (defense) 1
    tackle won 3/10
    Unsuccessful Touch 2
    Dispossessed 1
    Possession lost 14
    interception 5
    Clearance 3
    shot on target 1/2

     
  10. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    For example the pass at 1:24 is actually excellent too (not to dig out his team-mate about the failure to control too much of course - I think it was Nelo advancing from right back wasn't it - see the formation at 1:29 too although note it does have Falcao as the most advanced of the central midfielders actually):

    So as can sometimes happen the stats are if anything under-stated 'accuracy' wise I'd say (not to say wrong in factual terms re: pass completion).
     
  11. Al Gabiru

    Al Gabiru Member+

    Jan 28, 2020
    #1086 Al Gabiru, Feb 27, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2026
    Yes, this happens.

    A classic difference in playmaker role between 80s/90s and today is that players tended to have a lower passing volume (around 50 compared to 70-80 today) and lower efficiency (around 80% vs 90% today). On the other hand, there were far more progressive passes aimed at breaking lines.

    The styles of Falcão and Zidane shared similarities, as both played in central areas, stood at above 1.80m tall (5'11"), and possessed elite ball control that made them nearly impossible to dispossess. For example, the move at 2:38 in Falcao's video reminds me of Zidane's control in a crowded midfield (Iniesta had it too, but he was a short player. Socrates and Cerezo, Falcao's teammates in Brazil, had a different style.). However, while Falcão was appreciated immediately upon his arrival at Roma, consistently receiving the highest ratings on DBS Calcio, Zidane faced criticism early in his Juventus career. On the other hand, Zidane's move later became the most expensive transfer in football history at the time. A sign that the market valued Zidane differently than the journalists did.

    As for Schuster, he reminds me of De Bruyne: a more vertical 'number 8' with exceptional set-pieces, crossing ability, and versatility, though with less defensive intensity, poor at tackling and losing possession more often.
     
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  12. Frank73

    Frank73 Member

    Inter Milan
    Brazil
    Mar 22, 2025
    Italy
    I think that Socrates is similar to what many think Zidane was (indeed overstating Zidane's value). Similar plays, but Socrates would do them advancing the front line, and often at considerable speed, while Zidane would slow down and go backwards more often than not. Socrates would inject value interesting the play, Zidane would sometimes just showing off. Also on alleged, over celebrated Zidane's first touch and ball handling ability: many times, when pushing, even in the collection of highlights on youtube, you see him actually do the job a bit clumsily, with unwanted touch and bounces. A very good player (an era-defining one) that ended up being promoted to goat material (or so) for happening to score a couple of iconic goals in matches that had been watched by billions of people. Much like Van Basten (and even more cause his goals won France first WC ever, MVB shone only at EC)
     
  13. Isaías Silva Serafim

    Real Madrid
    Brazil
    Dec 2, 2021
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
    Honestly watching the video you shared Falcão looked more like Modrić for me
     
  14. Al Gabiru

    Al Gabiru Member+

    Jan 28, 2020
    #1089 Al Gabiru, Feb 28, 2026
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2026
    Zidane was a classic playmaker. In GOAT debates, Zidane is at a disadvantage because he relied on a goalscorer, but as a pure, classic playmaker, I believe he was one of the best in history and not just for scoring goals in specific moments. Looking at a performance like Zidane's against Portugal in Euro 2000, where he completed 9 out of 10 dribbles and 9 out of 9 long balls (dominating the game in various aspects, as the top passer, dribbler, and long-ball distributor). Or against Brazil in 2006 (he completed 7 out of 8 dribbles, leading the game in both dribbles and passes). It wasn't performances defined by an iconic goal. Peak Zidane led the match in passes completed and successful dribbles.

    Socrates didn't have Zidane's mobility, nor did he have his ball-carrying ability in tight spaces. Socrates had two good World Cups, but he never displayed the level Zidane did against Portugal, for example. They're masterclasses that didn't rely on iconic moments. With Zidane, you have those games where he didn't score any goals, but dominated through his passing, dribbling, and long balls. Like in the videos I brought above (against barcelona and sevilla).

    Yes, since falcao played very deep, right in front of the defense. But he reminds me of Zidane with his ball-carrying in tight spaces, being a player over 1.80m (5'11") whereas Modric is 1.72 (5'8").
     
  15. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Yeah, I think Zidane could be more elaborate (but it is true he sometimes took imperfect touches and/or seemed a bit sluggish on some days), but there is some similarity. I think Zidane's value (also the case for Van Basten) was enhanced also by Champions League/European Cup games, but yeah although it's hard to compare scenarios maybe (in early 80s in Serie A we can observe that the pressure on the ball in midfield tended to be quite low and teams waited for opponents to approach their penalty areas for example), but it's true Falcao received grades that showed he was more consistently appreciated in league play (playing on average from a deeper-lying role I suppose, but yeah like I said the caption there still placed him as more advanced than the other two Roma CMs).

    Maybe it doesn't help a lot of people (and I end up mentioning him a lot lol, because I knew him well in his prime) but Lars Bohinen had some similarity to Falcao in these respects (putting two and two together from another post of mine I could speculate that maybe Gyorgy Orth the Hungarian legend did...but yeah that's speculative still overall!). I think the two graceful and skillful Italian midfield playmakers from 1980s (also 70s in first case, also 90s in latter) Antognoni and Giannini did too (Antognoni was playing for Fiorentina in that 81/82 game of course, while Giannini did play some games alongside Falcao early in his career at Roma, and his 'Prince' nickname he subsequently received was in part because of Falcao being referred to as the 'King' of Roma I believe wasn't it......)



    Maybe Socrates could be said to be like a mix of Glenn Hoddle and his brother Rai as a vague estimation? I think he was somewhat unique though probably.

    Players that seem in some way to resemble Cerezo to me (but not in a total way for any of them): Mauro Silva, Zito, Frank Rijkaard, Jean Tigana, Juan Sebastian Veron....
     
  16. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Schuster is playing in a more defensive-oriented role in this game for example btw:
     
  17. Frank73

    Frank73 Member

    Inter Milan
    Brazil
    Mar 22, 2025
    Italy
    #1092 Frank73, Mar 2, 2026
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2026

    I really can't figure out how Sofascore (or anyone else) computes successful dribbles and passes. Here I see a bunch of misplaced passes and a few (but less than 9) very good acts of ball carrying (in any case nothing you can't see in many players' highlights anthologies; in the specific case of Socrates, you see many more that are far more impressive). Media darling (with an extra bonus for being French) and idol of illiterate millennials. By the way, the true jewel of the match: by far Nuno Gomes' goal.
     
  18. ManiacButcher

    ManiacButcher Member

    Palmeiras
    Argentina
    May 23, 2004
    Brasil
    Club:
    Palmeiras Sao Paulo
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
    who would be the idols of knowledgeable millennials?
     
  19. Frank73

    Frank73 Member

    Inter Milan
    Brazil
    Mar 22, 2025
    Italy
    #1094 Frank73, Mar 2, 2026
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2026
    To me, one among Ronaldo/dinho, Figo Batistuta or Rivaldo. But indeed it could be even Zidane. I termed them "illiterate" actually cause they ignore the history of the sport, much more than for their inability to identify most valuable players., so that they end up overrating players like Zidane historically-wise, promoting him in the gotha of all-timers, that he does not belong to in my opinion. In his era, Zidane was very likely one of the top players.
     
  20. ManiacButcher

    ManiacButcher Member

    Palmeiras
    Argentina
    May 23, 2004
    Brasil
    Club:
    Palmeiras Sao Paulo
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
    ok, I understand now. You probably were referring to those with biased assessments.

    Of those players you mentioned, I would put them all in the same class, maybe Batistuta and Figo just a little below. But all of them are amazing.

    And I think you are a bit hard on Zidane. Few players have achieved what he did with the clubs and the national team.

    And he is extremely respected and revered by his peers.
     
  21. Frank73

    Frank73 Member

    Inter Milan
    Brazil
    Mar 22, 2025
    Italy
    Honestly, I doubt most of those player in the video possesses a good knowledge of pre-90s football (or even pre-2000s). Also, by experience, claims of this kind made by players are more often than not sort of cliches. They say what the interviewer wants them to say on a topic they maybe hardly have an opinion about, and if you make a research in youtube you'll have same player claiming footballer X was the greatest on one video, footballer Y on another video, then footballer Z in a third video...
     
  22. Wiliam Felipe Gracek

    Santos FC
    France
    Feb 3, 2024

    Ronaldinho Gaucho or Figo ?????


    These two players mentioned to you

    have some of the worst

    performances

    in Big Matches Of all time ..


    Ronaldinho Gaucho

    was trembling with fear to Adriano Gabiru Inter Brazil ..in 2006

    and Avalos from Boa Vista from Portugal ...in 2003 .....

    Zidane has better numbers than Ronaldinho

    in Big Matches
     
  23. Wiliam Felipe Gracek

    Santos FC
    France
    Feb 3, 2024

    simply

    no Way ....man

    on Ronaldinho ...

    One of the biggest hoaxes farces in world football.

    Definitely.

    Commercial product.
    Created by Nike...
    And it's called "Joga Bonito" (Beautiful Play).
     
  24. Wiliam Felipe Gracek

    Santos FC
    France
    Feb 3, 2024


    Thuram, Marcel Desailly, Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira, Didier Deschamps, E. Petit

    put

    these two very very media-savvy darling Brazilian Ronaldos

    in their pockets

    so easily, so quickly and calmly
     
  25. Wiliam Felipe Gracek

    Santos FC
    France
    Feb 3, 2024

    No way also !


    as simple as that !
     

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