‘He was just the most sensational footballer. And character. And personality. And leader.’ ibid. Bobby Charlton
The Blond Arrow became a Real Madrid player. ibid.
He quickly learned he was a natural goalscorer … Talented beyond his years. Football’s Greatest: Marco van Basten
‘He had amazing qualities.’ ibid. Cruyff
Ajax: 117 goals in 112 matches. ibid.
[AC] Milan had set a new standard in European football. ibid.
Van Basten won a third Ballon D’or, equalling the achievement of Cruyff and Platini before him. ibid.
Few players can boast of a career spanning three decades at the very highest level. Fewer still are loyal to just one club. One of the finest defenders football has ever produced. Football’s Greatest: Paolo Maldini
When Maldini finally retired in 2009 Milan retired his number 3 shirt. ibid.
‘No-one ever got past Franz.’ Football’s Greatest: Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller
He had a fantastic vision. ibid. Bobby Charlton
A young star, Beckenbauer’s reputation was rising on and off the pitch. ibid.
It had been some career, lasting almost twenty years, spanning two continents and winning every possible honour. ibid.
‘Beckenbauer was one of the best I ever saw play.’ ibid. Pele
‘He had skill and technical ability which was out of the ordinary.’ Football’s Greatest: Zinedine Zidane, Desailly
He joined the Italian giants Juventus … Zidane developed into a truly world-class player. ibid.
Zidane left Juventus to sign for the Spanish giants Real Madrid. ibid.
‘Exceptional coordination, an exceptional touch of the ball.’ ibid. Arsene Wenger
Merci beaucoup for the memories, Zizou. ibid.
Few more inspirational than the Flamengo legend. Football’s Greatest: Zico
The heartbeat of both Flamengo and Brazil. ibid.
His Italian adventure soon began to go wrong. ibid.
‘He’s the best player we’ve ever had.’ Football’s Greatest: Michael Laudrup, Schmeichel
‘I was very lose to going to Liverpool … Two weeks later I signed for Juventus.’ ibid. Laudrup
Michael won his first league title with Barcelona in 1991. And went on to win four in a row. ibid.
‘I went to Real Madrid because they were so hungry to win.’ ibid. Laudrup
An injury-ravished career – but this was Ronaldo. Football’s Greatest: Ronaldo
Top clubs refused to pay his bus fair for a trial. ibid.
‘He was truly a phenomenon.’ ibid. Cafu
Voted world player of the year in ’96 and ’97. ibid.
‘The best striker I’ve ever seen.’ Football’s Greatest: Gabriel Batistuta, Maradona
The Argentine national team’s all-time leading scorer with 56 goals in 78 appearances. ibid.
His funeral brought the country to a standstill. Football’s Greatest: Ferenc Puskas
Hungary may have been Olympic champions but the sceptics poured scorn on their success. Puskas and co were determined to prove them wrong when they faced England in a friendly at Wembley the following year. The game shook the rest of the world. The visitors produced a breath-taking display to beat the English 6-3 ... It was England’s first defeat at Wembley by non-British opposition ... Plus the 7-1 thrashing of England in the return fixture. ibid.
‘An unbelievably gifted player. He had a quality and he had a control that really was unparalleled.’ Football’s Greatest: George Best, Charlton
It was like the passing of a shooting star. George Best’s genius on a football field shone brilliantly for some years. And when it faded, he left us with those amazing memories. ibid.
‘Just a marvellous player.’ ibid. Denis Law
‘It started going wrong when I was 23, 24.’ ibid. Best
George Best still held a fascinated for football fans around the world. ibid.
At the root of everything was alcoholism. ibid.
‘Technically, I think he was the most perfect player in the history of football.’ Football’s Greatest: Diego Maradona, Valdano
‘The impressive thing about Maradona was his ability with the ball. He was very skilful and had great vision.’ ibid. Pele
He was undoubtedly Argentina’s greatest ever player. He won three cups with Barcelona before moving to Italy where he transformed Napoli into a title-winning side. ibid.
‘My mum always said that I was the best. I just want to be remembered as a good guy.’ ibid. Diego
Barcelona had already paid five million for the twenty-one- year-old making Maradona the most expensive football player ever. ibid.
‘First it was hepatitis then it was the ankle injury.’ ibid.
The 1986 World Cup in Mexico would change his life for ever. ibid.
It was perhaps the most controversial goal of all time. ibid.
No doubt though about the second goal. ibid.
In 1991 he tested positive for cocaine and received a worldwide fifteen-month ban. ibid.
‘My father always told me football was a gift from God.’ Football’s Greatest: Pele
More than just a name, more than just a footballer. ibid.
‘At fifteen I trained for the first time with Santos. And after just one training session they signed me up.’ ibid. Pele
‘I wasn’t expecting to be called up for the Brazilian team. I was only sixteen.’ ibid. Pele
Despite an injury forcing him out of the first two games [of 1958 World Cup] Pele’s impact was devastating. He was instrumental in helping to defeat the much-fancied Soviet Union. And sent Brazil into the latter stages of the tournament. A star had been born ... Inspired by their boy-wonder Brazil had won their first World Cup. ibid.
‘Pele was fantastic. He was the greatest example of a footballer I’ve seen in my lifetime.’ ibid. Rivellino
‘1,282 goals.’ ibid. Pele
1970: Some of the finest football ever played by perhaps the finest national team ever to grace the game. ibid.
One of the finest football talents ever seen. Football’s Greatest: Lionel Messi
‘Everybody knows he is the best player in the world.’ ibid. Pique
The comparisons with Maradona were growing. ibid.
The finest club side ever to play the game. ibid.
He scored 68 goals in a single season. ibid.
Dennis Bergkamp became revered for the catalyst for change at one of English football’s oldest clubs … A national icon … One of the finest players of his generation. Football’s Greatest: Dennis Bergkamp
Bergkamp signed for Internationale of Milan. ibid.
‘He has been easily the best player in the last ten years.’ Football’s Greatest: Steven Gerrard, Souness
At half-time in the 2005 Champions League Final Liverpool trailed AC Milan 3-0. Inspiration was desperately needed: their captain delivered. ibid.
Again, Gerrard delivered on the big occasion. ibid.
Nobody has played more games for Manchester United. No British player has won more medals. Creative, inspirational, devastating. And all at the top for twenty years. Football’s Greatest: Ryan Giggs