Ryan Giggs: Legend, Worthy Award Winner, Rapper?
I was delighted to hear Giggsy was named Player of the Year last night and although I think there was definitely some sentiment going on with the vote, it was fully deserved. He’s had to wait a long time to pick up the PFA honour but he’s finally got his reward.
Some people have been pointing out he’s only started 12 league games for United this season but you’ve got to look at the impact he’s had in those matches. It’s a case of quality rather than quantity and it’s easy to overlook his versatility, which makes such a valuable asset to Fergie.
Truth is, he’s been an exceptional player for so many years. He’s been written off as a spent force a few times and every time he’s bounced back to help United win trophies. His longevity is truly amazing and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got a couple more years left in the tank.
He’s been lucky in that he’s played in an era with increasingly big squads, which has meant he hasn’t always had to play Saturday, Wednesday and he’s been able to get his rest in. But you still have to look after yourself properly to play that long and I’ve seen whippets with more meat on them.
In public, Giggsy is very mild-mannered and softly spoken but trust me, he’s a real character when the cameras aren’t on him. My favourite memories of him when we were team-mates are his post-match singing. His party trick was getting up on stage and belting out some famous rap song – don’t ask me which one – and he’d do it word for word. He also liked to dance like a Cossack at club parties, which probably didn’t do his hamstrings any favours.
Written by Gary Pallister and previously published on 4sportsake.com.
“Some sentiment” is an understatement! Great career? Sure! Great contribution this year? Sure? Player of the year? No way! Since the PL is the best league in the world and to get the Player of the Year award you would assume that they should be “about the best” player in the world, right? Are you telling me that Giggs is presently one of the BEST players in the world? Get real! There’s a line of 20+ I could name off in a nano second that are heads and shoulders above Giggs, THIS YEAR!
It’s like the “lifetime achievement” Oscar-thing. They didn’t get the nod for the best in any year but overall, they accomplished much. If that was the case, then give it to Riggs, otherwise pick Gerrard, Vidic, Schwarzer or someone else!
Only 12 games, huh?
Christ, John O’Shea has been better this season.
Absolute horse crap. It’s a travesty that Ryan Giggs was even named on the list ahead of Frank Lampard. You’d have to be the most narrow-minded Mancunian looking through the rosiest-coloured glasses to insist that Giggs deserved this award. It’s even worse to assert that Giggs was more deserving of this award than his own teammate, Nemanja Vidic (who should’ve won it, just ahead of Gerrard). This is essentially a “Lifetime Achievement” Award that was given to Giggs, and the truth of the matter is that this effectively demeans the PFA Award for future nominees.
Hi Gary
Being a Man united fan and even more so a Ryan Giggs fan it’s great to see him win this award. He was my first favourite player and still is. He’s a legend. But like a poster before menntioned this is essentially a “Lifetime achievement award”. While he is still going strong, he is not going that strong.
However that award was given by the other players in the league, so in all in all there’s no way you can’t call it fair and square.
Glad to see the legend in the limelight.