As we move closer to the start of the season, it’s at this stage that fans start analysing the squad list, namely which players to sign and who of the current squad will be sold, and who they hope won’t be sold.

And among all the names that will flicker up briefly on transfer sites over the coming weeks, there will be some genuine quality – players to get both the fans and the board excited.

So, here then is a pick of the best of the bunch from the lower leagues: players who’ve just moved, may move soon or have come off the back of a good season. What they all have in common is they’re worth keeping an eye on in 09/10. For virtually all of the names below, they face a defining season, either after a big move, a promotion, or to prove that the past 12 months haven’t just been a flash in the pan.

This isn’t a definitive list, more of a selection of up and coming players from League 1 down (I’ve made an exception for Jake Buxton) who may well be gracing the headlines or the transfer pages in the coming months. And if there’s a starlet at your club you’d like to highlight, tell us more about him in the comments.

Jake Buxton (Derby County)

When Nigel Clough went into his first pre-season as Derby County manager it was no surprise who he returned to raid his old club for. Defender Buxton was one of the lynchpins of Burton Albion’s Conference-winning team and was named the club’s Player of the Season.

The 24-year-old is an uncompromising yet classy centre-half who was one of the standout performers in non-league last season and deserved another shot at league football after experiencing relegation with Mansfield in 2008.

Some may raise their eyebrows at the step up but, as Michael Kightly and Paul Parry have shown, if you’re good enough you can move from the Conference to the Championship. After a couple of seasons of watching poor defences, Rams fans will be hoping Buxton will do the same for them as he did for Burton.

Fabian Delph (Leeds United)

Premier League fans are likely to be familiar with Delph, although may not necessarily have seen him in action. The 19-year-old midfielder is a regular in the transfer gossip columns these days after a stunning breakout season has seen him linked with the likes of Arsenal, Fulham, Villa and Everton.

Delph was always highly rated at Elland Road and this season has shown exactly why. The teenager has pace, power and a great awareness of the game, not to mention an eye for a spectacular goal, as witnessed against Brighton this season.

Delph scooped the Young Player of the Season award for both club and League 1 and manager Simon Grayson has said it may be hard to keep hold of his young starlet. Defences in League One will be hoping he moves on to a bigger stage sooner rather than later.

Paul Jones (Exeter City)

When a promoted team’s player of the season is their goalkeeper, it’s worth betting that keeper is something special indeed. Jones is still only 22 yet has clocked up 134 first team appearances for Exeter, including keeping clean sheets at both Old Trafford and Wembley.

The tall shot stopper has come a long way from the teenager who looked nervy on crosses and struggled with his kicking. Now Jones commands his area with authority and is the starting point for many attacks.

Several Championship clubs have been rumoured to be interesting in the former Leyton Orient trainee, but Exeter will be wanting to hang onto Jones as he’ll key a key player as they plan for the new campaign in League One.

Sam Saunders (Brentford)

Brentford’s new winger has come to League One the hard way and, at 25, knows this will be a season that could make or break his career. The former QPR trainee was released from Loftus Road and ended up at Carshalton before Dagenham and Redbridge swooped four years ago.

Since then Saunders has gone from strength to strength and, having found the net seven times last season, has also added goals to his game. Indeed, Saunders’ form was one of the reasons Dagenham were in the hunt for a playoff spot last season.

The Londoner also possesses a sweet right foot that can produce a pinpoint cross and should slot in nicely to Andy Scott’s style of play at Brentford this season. Saunders has never played at this level before and will be keen to show he’s got the ability to go even further.

Steve Morison (Millwall)

It was always going to be a question of when not if Steve Morison would move to a higher level. The former Stevenage targetman has been prolific in the last two Conference seasons and netted 67 league goals in three years for Boro. Once Stevenage failed to get promotion it was clear Morison would be moving on and Millwall were the team who won the race for his signature.

Twice an FA Trophy winner with Boro, this strong powerful 25-year-old has the striker’s instinct of being in the right place at the right time and being handed the armband at Broadhall Way last season added a sense of maturity to his game.

Morison may not find League One defences quite as accommodating this season but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of non-league’s most deadly finishers reach double figures in a Millwall side looking for a return to the Championship.

Nicky Wroe (Torquay United)

Paul Buckle’s signed a lot of players during his short time in charge of Torquay United but Wroe is possibly the pick of the bunch. A talented, scheming midfielder, Wroe was at the heart of all things that were good about the Gulls’ play last season and, more than once, completely ran the show.

Released four years after coming through the ranks at Barnsley, Wroe’s career seemed destined to go the way of so many other footballers who’d failed to fulfil their early promise when he found himself in the Conference with York. After a year with the Minstermen, Buckle came calling and the 23-year-old hasn’t looked back.

Plenty of clubs higher up the pyramid have been casting admiring glances in Wroe’s direction but if the Gulls hang onto him he could be a not-so-secret weapons for their climb up the league.

Reuben Reid (Rotherham United)

Reid’s early career could best be summed up as troubled and nomadic. The striker may have come through the ranks at Plymouth Argyle back in 2005 but that period included five different loan spells and confrontations with managers. Finally, though, it seems the talented youngster has found a home at a club who don’t properly have one.

Since moving to South Yorkshire, Reid has knuckled down and found a level of consistency not always present in his game, and 19 goals in all competition for 08/09 has been the result. He’s already written himself into Millers folklore by scoring winning penalties against both Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves in the Carling Cup last season.

But for their points deductions, Rotherham would have been in the hunt for promotion last season. Their fans will expect a top seven finish this time around and if Reid’s form continues, he could be the man to fire them there.

Exodus Geohagon (Kettering Town)

Geohagon may posses one of the most eye-catching names, and haircuts, in non-league football but it’s his performances on the pitch that have had Championship scouts furiously taking notes on this former West Brom trainee.

A man-mountain of a central defender, Geohagon’s partnership with Guy Branston at the heart of the Poppies back line was one of the reasons Kettering adjusted quickly to life in the Conference and, providing they can keep hold of the 24-year-old, he’ll be one of the players they’ll be building their second season in the non-league top flight.

Manager Mark Cooper has said it will take a “stupid” offer to take Geohagon away from Rockingham Road but there’s more than one club in the league prepared to write large cheques and it would be a surprise if the England C international was still in the Conference next season.

Heather Mitts is a left back starting for the Boston Breakers in the new WPS league. Mitts has earned 100 caps with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, and featured colorfully in several magazines.

From running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, to her views on collegiate soccer, a possible future in broadcast journalism, and being ESPN’s “Sexiest Female Athlete,” Mitts runs the gamut in an interview prior to her May 17th home match with the Washington Freedom at Harvard Stadium.

Read the Soccerlens interview with Heather Mitts, after the jump.

LE: You ran with bulls in Pamplona, Spain, in 1999. Can you walk me through that experience?

Mitts: Running with the bulls was one of my crazier judgments in life and one of those things I decided to do spur of the moment. It was pretty hilarious.

I was with my best friend from college and typically women don’t run with the bulls, the majority are men, local men, and so we decided we were going to do it. We hopped in the ring and it rained that morning so the cobblestones were pretty wet and we were saying, “We haven’t told our parents that we’re doing this because we knew they’d disapprove, and the cobblestones are kind of wet, so what happens if we slip and fall with these bulls running after us!”

So we were debating whether or not to do it, but before we could change our mind the bell rang and the next thing you know we were running through the streets of Pamplona. We made it into the coliseum way before the bulls did – you’re not supposed to, it’s against their culture, but we didn’t know that until we got in there and people started throwing food at us and booing.

So we ran out and the bulls caught up to us and we couldn’t believe how big these bulls were! Never would have imagined these animals being half the size. The minute we saw those things we took off back to the coliseum, we didn’t even care if we were going to get food thrown at us again because they were so big and coming full steam at us and it’s true, your life kind of flashes before your eyes. They were pretty close and it was pretty terrifying and we were looking at each other like, “What are we doing right now?” But we made it back into the coliseum and didn’t get hurt and we’re living to this day and it was one of the best experiences of my life. We can look back on it and laugh and say we’re glad we did it.

Nobody was seriously hurt that day. We heard later that a couple people had actually died so it was a little terrifying we even considered it but you can be kind of naïve and make stupid choices, but it all worked out.

LE: Are you going to do this again?

Mitts: No, I like to do things like that once in my life, I don’t think I’d do it again. I want to do things before I have children, because when I have children it’s not going to happen. I’ve done bungee jumping, I’ve done the running with the bulls, I guess sky diving is the last thing on my list.

LE: You earned your 100th cap in Algarve in March, the 25th American to do so. How important is your involvement with the national team?

Mitts: For me, it’s a dream come true. It’s the pinnacle of women’s soccer and to be able to play with the best in the world and compete for the World Cup and in the Olympics and play for your country is just a huge honor.

LE: Your May national team games in Texas and Utah were just cancelled by Japan after four Japanese students returned from Canada with the swine flu.

Mitts: Yeah, we just got the news, it’s unfortunate. Anytime you have any opportunity to be with the national team it’s an honor and a challenge, and it was something I was looking forward to.

LE: How do Pia Sundage [USWNT] and Tony Dicicco [Boston Breakers] differ as coaches?

Mitts: They have very different philosophies. Pia is Swedish and European and her philosophies are different than American philosophies. It’s fun being coached by both because they teach me different things which help elevate my game. I played for Pia in Philadelphia [Charge] and won a gold medal with her and she’s very inspirational. I’m loving being coached by Tony because he’s expecting a lot more from me because I’m a national team player and he’s trying to push me and elevate my game. When you’re 30 years old it’s hard to do that.

LE: And you are playing a strong game, you gave Kelly Smith her assist last week in Boston.

Mitts: But I’m playing on the left side now, so that’s a huge challenge for me. I’m a right-sided player and I’ve been playing on the right so long it’s a real challenge, but every game keeps getting better and better. Tony wants me to really get into the attack, get forward – on other teams you try to create opportunities off crosses, but I need to get in there and score some goals.

I played a little bit on the left when I was in college, kind of the same situation where we didn’t have a natural left-footed back. I find it frustrating, I’m not going to lie, but at the same time, I feel like every little thing is becoming more comfortable and I think it’s a test of my versatility, which in turn can help me with the national team.

When you’re putting together a roster, especially for the Olympics, you need players who can play as many positions as possible. Any place Pia wants to put me, or anyone wants to put me, well, put me there and hopefully I’ll go out and perform my best.

LE: Your Breakers teammates Amy LePeilbet, Amy Rodriguez, and Angela Hucles were also selected to play against Japan, and only the Red Stars had so many players called up. What does that say about the level of the Breakers?

Mitts: Our team is great and we have the right coach to help us reach our potential. All of our players are amazing and that’s the reason they’re getting called in.

LE: You won a gold medal and beat Brazil in the Beijing Olympics last summer. What do you personally take away from that?

Mitts: It was the best experience of my life. I had just come back from my ACL and I thought I’d be lucky to just make the squad and then to go out there and start and play? I look back and think about how the whole year went – we lost Abby [Wambach] the game before going over there and a lot of people doubted us. But it was a team effort – we all believed in one another and every person on that team contributed whether they played five or 90 minutes and we were so happy to get the results.

LE: You played in the original women’s league WUSA in 2001-2003 with the Philadelphia Charge and now you’re in WPS. What’s the biggest difference between these two leagues?

Mitts: My role was different. I was fresh out of college and I was the hungry college player looking to be on the national team and this time around we’re the experienced ones, the ones that are trying to help make other players better. I think the level of this league is really, really high, and I think the way things are going – the marketing, the branding, and drawing smaller, I think it’s a good and smart way to do it. If they continue to go the way they’re going, this league will be around for years and years to come which is really going to help the game of soccer in the United States.

The salaries, I believe, are $20,000-45,000 and I don’t know the salary cap, but that’s decided by the GM and the coach so every player is paid. We have four internationals per team.

LE: So what’s going to make the difference between these two leagues?

Mitts: Well, obviously we’re paid a lot less. That’s one of the things in order to make the league succeed we all had to agree upon – that we’d get paid less money in order to make something work in the future. The marketing plan is different and we don’t have a home base in NYC, it’s a better place, not quite as expensive. It’s a lot of the things we did the first year in the Philadelphia Charge – we actually spent our first preseason out in San Diego and we stayed in Doubletree for an entire month. Now we’re going to be staying in our market whether or not it’s cold outside. It’s something we have to deal with – sacrifice some of those costs we weren’t as smart with in the past league. All those things are going to make a huge difference to make sure this league succeeds, and we’re all on the same page and we’re willing to do it.

LE: The seven team rankings change rather dramatically on a weekly basis. How important are these rankings?

Mitts: The great thing about this league is the parity. When you have national team players split evenly throughout the league, the draft, the international players and whatnot – all the teams are very comparable as far as talent. In any given week, one team could beat another team and so every game is important and it’s going to come down to the very end to see who’s going to make it to the playoffs. It’s so competitive and so fun and exciting and stressful and all those things, but at the same time this is why we play soccer and it’s why we have a league.

LE: How important is winning the league this year and what is the prize?

Mitts: A trophy like every other league, but also the fact you’re making history in the first WPS season. We want to be a part of that. The playoff system is pretty interesting. If you end up the season in first place then you don’t have to play another game till the finals. It’s up to that second, third, and fourth place team to duke it out in the next couple games until they get to that final game.

LE: Harvard Stadium is the oldest stadium in the nation, it’s beautiful, and has seen so much history. When you play there, do you feel that you’re part of that history?

Mitts: Being a part of the new WPS league is history right there. Playing at Harvard and all that history, and on top of that if you win the first season, you’re making history as the first Championship team. There’s a lot at stake and we’re all aware of that, but excited enough that there’s a league after all these years and we all understand the importance of this league.

LE: The difference in the Breakers’ play between the April 11, Athletica match and the May 2, LA Sol match was remarkable. The technical, strategic side, the attacking mode, it was fantastic, steps up from the 2-0 home opener win with Athletica. How do you account for the difference in the level of the Sol game?

Mitts: It’s two-fold. It’s the fact that we’re more used to playing together and we’ve made some changes in the line-up. And another thing is, we were playing against one of the best teams in the league. When you look at LA and their attacking players – Marta and Han Duan and Miyama and Shannon Boxx and Aly Wagner all on the same team, it’s a pretty dynamic team, some of the best in the game, so obviously we elevated our game. We knew they were an attack-oriented team and we needed good defense and we have all those things. We have Kelly Smith and she’s one of the best players in the world. And also, we’re starting to play our game as well. We’re starting to play to our level and I think we’re one of the best teams in WPS and it’s starting to show.

LE: Referee Keri Seitz did a great job in that LA Sol match. It was physical, lots of slide tackles, but they were clean and winning the ball, and not one card required. Such a difference from the Washington Freedom/Athletica game that got so out of control and ended up with Daniela getting her leg broken by Abby Wambach. How do you deal with the inconsistency of referees?

Mitts: You have to realize you can only control so much of the game. You can’t really rely on the referee because you never know what they’re going to call. You never know if you’re going to have someone who’s an amazing referee or someone mediocre. So really you have to control what you can control, not the entire game, and try to play the best soccer possible and play clean and be smart and professional. If a game gets a little out of control, they have game reports at the end of each game and the referee gets graded on their performance, so hopefully that will play out through the season as well.

LE: How is Fabiana, the new Brazilian striker working into the team, do you expect her to take the field this Sunday?

Mitts: No, no, no, she’s just coming back from an ACL injury, it’s going to take her a little while to get back out there on the field. But that gives her a little time to get used to us, learn a little of the language and we’ll learn a couple key words to help her out as well. We’re just trying to make the transition for her as comfortable as it can be, it has to be a little nerve wracking coming to a new country when you barely speak the language and on top of that she’s extremely young and coming back from injury. She came with a translator and they’re going to be together at all times. We’ve already given her a nickname – Fabs –and she seems to get a little chuckle out of that.

LE: Some of your games are neither broadcasted nor online. What steps is WPS taking to make more of the games viewable nationally?

Mitts: The Fox Soccer deal was a huge accomplishment because the true soccer fans are going to have it, so that’s a positive step in the right direction Obviously we’d like to be viewed a little more but maybe the first year we have to see how things go and maybe the next year they decide to invest more.

LE: Would you want to play in a doubleheader with the New England Revolution?

Mitts: I think it’s a great idea. When you have two professional teams in the same town, why not have something where you can come and see both teams play. When I played in the WUSA we did exhibition doubleheaders with MLS teams and the turnout was great. Soccer fans go there to support one team and then they see another team they’ve never seen before and they might end up being fans of both teams. It’s fun for the players too.

LE: What are the pros and cons of playing a doubleheader in both of those venues, Harvard Stadium and Gillette?

Mitts: The pro is that soccer fans get to watch two successful area teams play. They’re both great locations. I love playing at Harvard because it’s our home field and we have an advantage there, but at the same time it’s fun for us to go and play in new stadiums, it’s exciting. Really, I can’t think of any cons to tell the truth, maybe the traffic at Gillette.

LE: Do you think the college soccer program needs to be improved?

Mitts: From my experience in college, we had a very intense fall season and in the spring it was still taken seriously but much less games. Spring was a time for more individual training and sometimes that’s what makes you a better player. The games get you game ready but if you work on your individual skills hours upon hours each week, that’s going to help improve your game as well. Personally, I couldn’t ask for anything more, it was a really good balance, I loved playing and never got burned out.

A lot of the time I think the big issue with academies is players get burned out, they’re asking too much of you. You look at all the players on the national team and we’ve all been through the college experience and seem to be doing just fine. Everybody needs time to give their body a rest, not just physically but mentally as well, and the way it’s set up now allows for that.

LE: You were voted ESPN’s “Sexiest Female Athlete,” appeared in a five-page spread of FHM, and posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Why did you pose?

Mitts: My pictures are more sporty, not your typical FHM photos. Women’s soccer is not heavily publicized, so when you have an opportunity to be in such a big magazine that publicity can be good. It definitely helped as far as awareness about the new league and women’s soccer.

LE: There’s a Philadelphia WPS franchise starting in 2010, where your fiancée lives. Are you considering a move?

Mitts: My fiancée A.J. Feeley plays for the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadephia will have a team. I love playing in Boston, I love my team, I love my coach, and I’m very happy here, so we’ll cross that bridge when it happens.

LE: You’ve done some sideline journalism and live commentary for American football. Do you see yourself in broadcast journalism when your playing career is over?

Mitts: I’d love for that to happen. I’m taking my soccer career day by day and hopefully I’ll be able to transition to a broadcasting role. I was going back to college to get my Master’s in sports broadcasting, but the league came about at the same time, so why not play as long as I can, I love it so much.

Also See: Boston Breakers bio / Official Website

Photo Credit: Tony Biscaia / BreakersNet.

If you liked this interview, you might also want to check out our interview with Hope Solo.

The Fulham striker tells Gary Andrews how Roy Hodgson’s organisation has the Cottagers flying high, and why he’s unconcerned by his lack of goals.

When Fulham head to Newcastle this weekend, casual observers could be forgiven for expressing surprise that the two clubs’ respective positions aren’t reversed. After all, Newcastle were meant to be ushering in a new era under Sam Allardyce at the start of this season, while Fulham had only just escape relegation by the skin of their teeth.

Instead it’s Roy Hodgson’s men who have Europe within their sights after a season that has seen, among other things, the Cottagers outplay Manchester United in the league. It’s a state of affairs that’s surprised their striker Bobby Zamora as much as it has the neutrals.

“At the start of the season, if you’d said to any of us that where we’ll be come the end, I’d have said you were crazy or would have snapped your hand off at the opportunity,” grins the 6ft 1″ striker, clearly relishing being part of this current Fulham side. “But saying that, it’s just the fruits of hard work and organisation.”

Read the Soccerlens interview with Bobby Zamora, after the jump.

Working his way up through the leagues

That answer sums both Zamora the person and Zamora the player up nicely. Even when put in the spotlight, he’s quick to praise others and modestly talk of the hard work that those around him put it. This may, in part, be down to his experiences in his early years of his career.

As a youngster, Zamora played for the famous East London Senrab boys along with John Terry, Ledley King, Paul Konchesky and Jlloyd Samuel. While his friends went onto establish themselves in Premier League teams, Zamora was released from West Ham, the team he’d supported all his life, and was forced to drop down the divisions, ending up at Bristol Rovers, where he also struggled to establish himself.

A loan spell at non-league Bath City, where he scored eight goals in six games, was followed by another loan spell, this time at Brighton and Hove Albion, then in the fourth tier of English football. Brighton liked the young striker so much the signed him permanently, and he repayed them by scoring 62 goals in 90 appearances to fire the Seagulls to successive promotions.

“It’s been an experience, you know,” he says, when asked if it’s shaped his attitude to the game. “I’ve had to sample every division. I don’t think anybody else in the Premiership has really done that.

“It’s a humbling yet enjoyable route to where I am now, but it truly has been brilliant. I wouldn’t have changed anything.”

Games and goals

It’s this attitude, you suspect, that helps him get through the lean spells in his striking career. When Glenn Hoddle took Zamora to Spurs, he failed to find the net in 16 Premier League appearances. At his beloved West Ham, where he scored the goal that took them to the Championship, but only scored 30 league goals.

This season, Zamora has scored just four times, the last of which was against Swansea in the FA Cup in February. But, typically, the striker, who Brighton manager Micky Adams once said was better than Alan Shearer, takes it in his stride.

“The goals haven’t been coming but, I mean, it’s sort of a different role I have to play really – it’s not all-out attack. When I haven’t got the ball, I’m sitting on the holding centre-midfielder and defending.

“I’m not making excuses but every other part of my game has been good, you know: holding the ball up, bringing people into play, and I think somebody said a stat to me the other day that I was up there in terms of creating chances for other people. If I’m not scoring, I’m setting someone else up or setting someone up for a shot.

“That’s good enough for me and as long as we win, I couldn’t care if it’s one-nil and [Mark] Schwarzer scores from a goal kick. I really couldn’t care. As long as we win and stay in this division, that’s my main goal.”

Zamora, you feel, does has a point. Certainly Roy Hodgson has seen his worth, giving him 32 starts in the Premier League this season, where he’s complemented Andy Johnson nicely. And while a striker’s ultimately judged by the number of goals he’s scored, a good support striker helps the whole team tick and that’s what you suspect Zamora is referring to. After all, Emile Heskey is hardly prolific yet has constantly been in demand, and Zamora acknowledges as much:

“For myself, as a striker, you’re thought to be scoring goals and doing all of that and attacking but I find the way the gaffer wants it, we’re also doing a hell of a lot of defending and working hard and I think that shows in our team performances.”

Hodgson’s choice

The gaffer Zamora is referring to is, of course, Roy Hodgson, who has turned the Cottagers from relegation strugglers to European contenders in a little over twelve months, becoming a hard team to beat in the process. The difference under Hodgson, says Zamora, is the discipline and organisation the former Blackburn and Inter Milan manager has installed in the squad.

“He did a magnificent job at the end of last season, signed a few players but, to be honest, it’s just organisation. I keep saying it and that’s purely what we’ve done.

“We go in to work and pretty much every day is pretty similar, but it shows on the pitch because everybody knows exactly where we’re supposed to be.”

Zamora, of course, has played under many different managers including Ian Holloway, Peter Taylor, Glenn Hoddle, Alans Curbishley and Pardew, and the newly unemployed Steve Coppell, who he describes as quite similar to Hodgson, although asking to compare his current boss to previous managers draws a furrowed brow.

“He’s quite hard to sum up actually. He’s quite quiet, doesn’t really need to shout, because you know exactly where you stand with him, which is good.

“The thing at Fulham is we’re all dedicated, we all want to do well, so in terms of shouting and getting us going, it’s not needed. We all want to do well.”

Europe: The final countdown

The team spirit at Craven Cottage is something Zamora emphasises time and again, and it’s understandable. It’s the same team spirit that has carried Fulham to within touching distance of a Europa League spot and their highest ever finish in the Premier League.

But with Spurs, Manchester City and, of course, West Ham all competing for the 7th place that Fulham currently occupy, Zamora refuses to get carried away from the subject of Europe is mentioned.

“We’ve got two tough games first, you know,” he insists. “We’ve got Newcastle who are fighting for their lives up there and they’ve got sixty-five, seventy thousand people screaming for them – it’s not going to be easy.

Then we’ve got Everton. They’ve have been one of the surprise packages this season, so it’s not going to be easy at all. If we do it, it’ll be lovely, but in all honesty, we’re not looking at that a the minute.”

But Zamora has got a habit of popping up at the right time with important goals and you sense the six million pound striker is in the mood to finish the season on a high. Come 5pm on Saturday, just be surprised if he continues his habit of proving people wrong and getting on the scoresheet.

Bobby Zamora was speaking at the launch of the new Under Armour boots range. He wears he UA Dominate Pro FG leather boot, which, along with the UA Create Pro FG synthetic boot will be available in Autumn / Winter 2009. The boots are designed to provide power and control along with protection and comfort.

The words “legend” and “legendary” are quickly becoming two of the most overused words in the English language. In fact, fans of “How I Met Your Mother” will know that it’s actually become a catch-phrase. The fact that Barney Stinson (played wonderfully by TV legend – and I mean that sincerely – Neil Patrick Harris) uses the word “legendary” in every single episode illustrates just how trite the word has become. Designating someone as a legend or describing them as legendary should really be reserved to special situations. After all, the definition of “legend” is “a person or thing that inspires a story coming down from the past.” No one writes tales about the moderately mediocre, the above average, or even the very good. You want to save your stories for the very best of the best, and the same holds true in football.

In football, legends aren’t just good players or managers. Legends aren’t even great players or managers. Legends are in a class by themselves. They represent the very best of the sport. They’re the ones that you hold up as examples of what kind of player or manager that you want to be. They’re the ones that you tell your children about when they’re growing up. They’re the ones that you study and observe once you decide to become a player or manager yourself. In many cases, they’re the ones that fill you up with feelings of national pride and patriotism. Great players and managers are a dime a dozen, but legends are few and far between.

This feature is supposed to be informative. It’s not a ranking of the greatest players of all time. Nor is it even my opinion as to who are the best players at their respective positions. Rather, this feature looks at players who are considered to be legends, either by soccer experts or by fellow players. So, before anyone gets upset because I omitted someone, or because you’re convinced that [X] was better than the players who are on the list, please keep in mind that these are not rankings.

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		I. Legendary Goalkeepers

 

	II. Legendary Defenders

 

		III. Legendary Midfielders

 

	IV. Legendary Forwards

 

		V. Legendary Managers

 

In the modern age in which we live, many people doubt the existence of a higher being looking over us; nevertheless, people follow many different Gods with many different names – Allah, God, Zeus. Personally, I am an atheist.

But I have however had the privilege of seeing a God walk amongst us, the likes of which had not been seen for a long time and he wore the famous blue jersey. Brian Laudrup was his name.

A magician on the football field, power, pace skill – Laudrup had all these qualities in abundance. Add to that his impeccable behaviour off of the park, a true gentleman and a credit to the club.

Brian knew what it meant to be a Ranger and he represented everything a Rangers player should be he was the perfect example of dignity, pride and professionalism in a professional footballer.

After an unhappy spell on loan at AC Milan from Fiorentina, Brian signed for Rangers in July of 1994 for a bargain price of £ 2.3million. Prior to this he had been an integral member of the Denmark team that won the European Championship in 1992.

Only at the tournament because of a civil war in Yugoslavia, they defied all the odds to get to the final where they beat heavy favourites Germany to lift the trophy. Brian didn’t score in the tournament but his performances on the wing caused every team he played against problems and top class international ones were no different. This lead to Laudrup winning his second of what would later on be four Danish player of the year awards.

Brian’s first game was a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Ibrox and he showed the fans right away what they could come to expect from him in that blue jersey. He provided a measured cross for the first goal for Mark Hateley to head home and ran from his own box the whole length of the field and measured a perfect pass for Duncan Ferguson to score the winner. If the fans were impressed by this display then they had not seen anything yet!

Rangers went on to win their seventh title in as many years that season and Brian was voted player of the year by the football writers and football association. He played in 33 games and scored 10 goals.

The following season Brian was joined at the club by Paul Gascoigne, having the two of these players in the one team was too much for any team in Scotland and they formed a formidable partnership helping Rangers to their eighth successive title.

Laudrup also shone in the Scottish cup that season, he scored arguably the goal of the tournament in the semi final against Celtic, controlling the ball on his chest before lifting the ball over the keeper for the winner. The final was one of his best games for the club, scoring two goals and setting up Gordon Durie for all three of his, he simply shone that day and no-one could touch him when he was on form like this.

The best was still to come from Laudrup though, the following season would be one that Rangers fans would remember for a long time, one that they had been waiting on for the past 8 years – 9 in a row.

Brian scored 16 goals in 33 games including scoring the winner in a 1-0 win across the city with a screamer from outside the 18 yard box among many other important goals, one was to come though that would stand out more than most!

It was the final game of the season and Rangers were away to Dundee United having lost the chance to wrap up the league at home to Motherwell the game before. Brian rose to crash home a header Mark Hateley himself would have been proud of to give Rangers the 1-0 win they needed, it was fitting that he was to score the winner having gave so much to the Ibrox fans in his short time at the club.

Not many players can make the impact that Brian made in his short 4 years at the club, he is one of only a handful of players that I have seen in the flesh that I can honestly say were world class and I thank him for the joy he brought me and many other Rangers fans – A God among men.

We’re not worthy!

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Appearances – 150
Goals – 45
International Caps – 75 for Denmark (27 with Rangers)
Honours – League Winner (3) League Cup Winner (1) Scottish Cup Winner (1)
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This article was previously published on RangersMedia.co.uk.

Being the MANAGER can often be a thankless job. You’re always under pressure to get good results, and your job security is virtually nonexistent. If you’re at a big club, then you had better produce some silverware otherwise, you’ll have to update that résumé. The old adage about how it’s a whole lot easier to fire one manager than to replace 11 players pretty much sums up the difficulties of being a top-flight manager. Either you win, or you find another job. It’s a ruthless profession that’s chewed up and spat out many, many people.

As such, it’s hard enough to become a good manager. It’s even more difficult to become a legendary manager. Not only do you have to win consistently, but you have to have some special qualities that separate you from the pack (and no, simply calling yourself ‘Special’ doesn’t qualify – I’m looking at you, José). Some of the great gaffers in the game were tactical geniuses. Some were great at getting the most out of their players. Some were astute judges of talent. The following managers excelled in all of those aforementioned areas, including several others. That makes them legendary.

In chronological order…

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Vittorio Pozzo
ITALY
1912-1948
Italy (1912, 1928, 1929-1948) Torino (1912-1922) A.C. Milan (1924-1926)

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“Il Vecchio Maestro” (The Old Master) was an innovator and a tactian who presided over a dominant stretch by the Italian national team. Italy went unbeaten from December 1934 until 1939, and he won the 1934 and 1938 World Cups. He won nearly 66% of his matches with the National Team, a record for Italy.

Pozzo was a strict disciplinary who wasn’t afraid to get tough with his players if necessary. Pozzo dropped his team’s skipper on two separate occasions, particularly in 1934 when he cut full-back Umberto Caligaris a couple of months before the World Cup.

He was also a great tactician, inventing the Metodo formation, which was a variation of the widely used 2-3-5 formation. He pulled two of his forwards and moved them into withdrawn positions, giving his sides more defensive cover. The results were obvious as he won two World Cups with this formation.

Pozzo’s political views came under fire due to his perceived support from the Mussolini regime, the way he gave the Fascist salute before matches, and his decision to have his players wear all-black during the 1938 World Cup Quarterfinals against France (Mussolini’s National Security Volunteer Militia, which was kind of like his version of the SS, wore black uniforms and were referred to as “The Blackshirts”) . Considering the fact that Mussolini wasn’t exactly known for his leniency with political opponents, Pozzo’s actions were probably necessary to ensure his continued livelihood.

Regardless of his political stances, Pozzo was a great manager who was every bit as innovative as he was successful.
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Matt Busby
ENGLAND
1945-1971
Manchester United (1945–1969, 1970-1971) Great Britain (1948) Scotland (1958)

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Imagine losing many of your best players in a horrific plane crash, including a number of precocious talents that you developed and nurtured since they were lads. Many managers wouldn’t have been able to recover from that disastrous twist of fate. However, not only did Sir Matthew Busby recover after the Munich Air Disaster robbed him of many of his best players, he was able to hold his shaken team together and rebuild it, thereby setting the stage for United’s resurgence in the late 60’s.

Busby had immediate success upon his arrival at United, winning the F.A. Cup in 1947-1948 and then winning the First Division crown in 1951-1952. Busby set about replacing his aging veterans with young talents, such as Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards, Bobby Foulkes, Mark Jones, Jackie Branchflower, Billy Whelan, and Albert Scanlon. The “Busby Babes” as they were known, seemed poised to rule football for the next decade until the Munich Air Disaster.

Busby, who suffered severe injuries in the crash, persevered and rebuilt his team. In the next few years, he signed George Best, Denis Law, Albert Quixall, and David Herd to go with survivors Charlton and Foulkes, and United soon returned to glory. They won the 1963 F.A. Cup, they won League Titles in 1965 and 1967, and, most notably, they won the 1968 European Cup, defeating Benfica and their great forward, Eusebio, in the Final by a score of 4-1.

For most managers, winning the European Cup would have represented the pinnacle of their careers. For Busby, it was a sweet achievement, but ranked a distant third behind surviving the plane crash and rebuilding his team.
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Bill Shankly
ENGLAND
1949-1974
Carlisle United (1949–1951) Grimsby Town (1951–1954) Workington (1954–1955) Huddersfield Town (1956–1959) Liverpool (1959–1974)

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Shankly was known as a master motivator who got the most out of his players. He used psychological tactics, such as praising his players in front of the cameras, in order to puff up their egos and win their affection. When he was at Huddersfield Town, he vowed that 16-year old Denis Law would one day be transferred for what was then an unheard of fee of £100,000. Law was eventually signed by Manchester United for £115,000. At Liverpool, Shankly used to refer to his captain, Ron Yeats as a seven-foot colossus of a man, even though he only stood 6’3’’. It may have been corny, but Yeats sure felt good about it.

Shankly also introduced some training techniques that were revolutionary at the time, such as holding five-a-side matches to promote passing and fluid movement and dividing the goal into eight sections and forcing players to hit each section in an effort to increase accuracy. He also promoted team chemistry by busing his players from Anfield to their practice facility at Melwood, and made sure that players warmed down properly so as to decrease the risk of injury.

Shankly also had a keen eye for talent and built his 60’s squad around the likes of Ron Yeats, Ian St. John and Gordon Milne, and Peter Thompson. In the 70’s, he brought in Kevin Keegan, Steve Heighway, Larry Lloyd and Ray Clemence and laid the groundwork for the dominant teams of the late 70’s and early 80’s that flourished under his successor and protégé, Bob Paisley.

Shankly won 537 games during his career, including 393 at Liverpool. He won three First Division Titles, 2 FA Cups, and one UEFA Cup. He abruptly retired in 1974 at the relatively young age of 60 (although some claim he was forced out by the board), otherwise, he probably would have added even more silverware to his cupboard. He was deeply hurt at leaving his beloved club, indeed, his love of Liverpool was such that he once said that the two best teams in Merseyside were Liverpool and Liverpool’s reserves. Additionally, he didn’t quite know what to do with his time, which was understandable for a man whose famous quote was “Someone said ‘football is more important than life and death to you’ and I said ‘Listen, it’s more important than that’.” He continued showing up at training sessions, even after Paisley took over, and his presence was enough to undermine his successor’s authority. As such, they had to ask him not to come back.

Nevertheless, Shankly firmly established himself as one of the greatest managers of all time, and was an inaugural inductee into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
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Jock Stein
SCOTLAND
1960-1985
Dunfermline Athletic (1960-1964) Hibernian (1964-1965) Celtic (1965-1978) Scotland (1965) Leeds United 1978) Scotland (1978-1985)

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Stein presided over the greatest period in Celtic history, winning the Treble in 1967. In all, he won 10 Scottish League titles, 8 Scottish Cups, and 6 League Cups. Under Stein, Celtic became the first and only Scottish team to win the European Cup, and were the first British team to accomplish this feat. Most notably, he won the European Cup by fielding an entire team of players born within 30 miles of Glasgow. After winning the European Cup, Bill Shankly told Stein: “You’re immortal now.”

During his run at Celtic, he fielded an entertaining team that played a 4-2-4 formation. Stein’s “Lisbon Lions” produced a number of Celtic legends, like Billy McNeill, Bobby Murdoch, Bertie Auld, Jimmy Johnstone, and Bobby Lennox. He was badly injured in a car accident and missed most of the 1975-1976 season. He returned to Celtic, but was let go after the team went into decline.

He continued to manage, but never reached the same heights that he did at Celtic. He managed Scotland from 1978-1985, during which time he led Scotland to the 1982 World Cup. During the run-up to the 1986 World Cup, he secured a draw with Wales which set up a playoff against Australia with the winner qualifying for the World Cup. He suffered a heart attack right after Wales match and died. Scotland went on to qualify for the World Cup, but were eliminated in the group stage. During his time with Scotland, he also mentored a young Alex Ferguson, who became a pretty good manager in his own right.
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Ernst Happel
AUSTRIA
1962-1992
ADO Den Haag (1962-1968) Feyenoord (1968-1973) Sevilla (1973-1975) Club Brugge (1975-1978) Netherlands (1978) Standard Liège (1979-1981) Hamburger SV (1981-1987) FC Tirol (1987-1991) Austria (1991-1992)

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He was a quiet and unassuming man. Instead of being bombastic and outspoken, he let his teams do the talking for him. And boy did they talk.

Happel won league titles in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria. He became one of only two managers to win the European Cup/Champions League with two different clubs. He turned the trick with Feyenoord and Hamburger SV, two traditionally mediocre European teams that had never won the big prize before, and haven’t won it since.

He coached the Netherlands to the Finals of the 1978 World Cup where they lost to Argentina. His pre-match pep talk was said to consist of the following sentence: “Gentlemen, two points.”

Due to his understated demeanor, it’s somewhat ironic that the largest and grandest stadium in Vienna was named after him. Then again, the stadium’s importance to Austria is symbolic of Happel’s value to his home country.
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Rinus Michels
NETHERLANDS
1965-1992
Ajax (1965–1971 1975-1976) Barcelona (1971–1975) Netherlands (1974, 1984-1985, 1986-1988, 1990-1992) Los Angeles Aztecs (1979–1980) FC Köln (1980–1984) Bayer Leverkusen (1988–1989)

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One of the most influential managers in football history, Michels can lay claim to being the greatest of all time. He was named FIFA’s “Coach of the Century” in 1999, and he is credited for creating the “Total Football” technique employed by his Netherlands teams in the 1970’s.

During his time at Ajax, he won four Eredivisie titles in six seasons and also won three KNVB Cups. He also managed Ajax to the first of their three consecutive European Cups as he demonstrated the power of his “Total Football” philosophy. He utilized Johann Cruijff as an all-around attacker who could play anywhere on the pitch. He also won with Barcelona, winning one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey title.

He brought his revolutionary tactics to the Dutch national team, turning “Clockwork Orange” into a powerhouse. His best team was in 1974, when he took a heavily favored Dutch team into the World Cup. They romped through their group stage matches and met West Germany in the Final. Using an excellent man-marking scheme that neutralized Cruijff, West Germany pulled off the upset, winning 2-1. Michels came back to the Dutch national team in 1986 and guided the club to a victory in the European Championships.

Off the pitch, Michels had an easygoing personality and was known as something of a practical joker. On the pitch, though, he was no-nonsense, and once compared football to being at war. He was even nicknamed “The General” for his demeanor on the pitch. It was an appropriate nickname for someone who was as innovative and as devoted to football as he was.
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Brian Clough
ENGLAND
1965-1993
Hartlepool United (1965–1967) Derby County (1967–1973) Brighton & Hove Albion (1973–1974) Leeds United (1974) Nottingham Forest (1975–1993)

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Clough was arrogant, abrasive, and outspoken. Like Jose Mourinho, he had unshakeable confidence in himself and believed that he was the best in the world. It’s hard to dispute that, given his resume.

Clough rose to prominence at Derby County, taking them out of League Two (where they were won the Championship), and rising all the way to the League One Title in 1971-1972. He had embarked on an ambitious rebuilding program upon his arrival at Derby, letting go of 11 players, numerous club officials, and even two tea ladies who had the audacity to laugh after a Derby County defeat. The following season, Derby were knocked out of the Semi-Finals of the European Cup by Juventus amid allegations that the referee had received gifts from the Turin side before the match (some things never change). The outspoken Clough attracted controversy by calling the Juventus players “cheating bastards.” It would not be the only time his mouth got him in hot water.

At Leeds, he became infamous for his 44-day stint in charge, during which time he alienated several important players and winning only one out of the first six matches. Upon his departure, he said “This is a terrible day… for Leeds United.”

Clough bounced back, though, and went to Nottingham Forest, where he won two European Cups and went 42 league matches without a defeat (a mark bettered only by Arsenal’s 49 match streak from 2003-2004). Interestingly, Nottingham Forest only won one English League Title during Clough’s reign, making them one of the few teams to have won more European titles than domestic titles. He did add two League Cups to his cupboard, and nearly pulled off a domestic treble in 1989, winning the League Cup, finishing third in the League, and making it to the Semi-Finals of the F.A. Cup.

Clough never achieved his dream of managing the English National Team. When asked why, he replied: “I’m sure the England selectors thought if they took me on and gave me the job, I’d want to run the show. They were shrewd because that’s exactly what I would have done.” Controversial to the very end…
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Bob Paisley
ENGLAND
1974-1983
Liverpool

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A true Liverpool legend who spent more than 50 years with the club as a player and manager, Paisley’s greatest accomplishment may have been stepping out of legendary predecessor Bill Shankly’s large shadow and establishing his own legend. Paisley was so successful and won so much silverware that it seems hard to believe that he only spent nine years as manager.

Nevertheless, he won at least one trophy in eight out of his nine years, he finished either first or second in the Football League in all but one of his years in charge, and he won multiple trophies in five of his nine seasons. He remains the only manager to win three European Cups as a manager.

Paisley was a low-key manager who tended to keep a low profile. He had a sardonic wit, as evidenced by his statement that he knew what it was like to face adversity. “We finished second once,” he said. After winning the 1977 European Cup Final against Borussia Moenchengladbach in Rome, he quipped that this was the second time he was victorious against the Germans in Rome. “The first time was in 1944. I drove into Rome on a tank when the city was liberated.”

While he undoubtedly benefitted from Shankly’s players, Paisley signed his share of great players that contributed to Liverpool’s success. Kenny Danglish, Ian Rush, Bruce Grobelaar, Graeme Souness, and Alan Hansen were all players who went on to become Liverpool legends under Paisley.

Unfortunately, Paisley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1992 and he died in 1996. In 2002, he was an inaugural inductee in the English Football Hall of Fame, gaining football immortality alongside his mentor, Shankly.
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Sir Alex Ferguson
SCOTLAND
1974-present
East Stirlingshire (1974) St. Mirren (1974-1978) Aberdeen (1978-1986) Scotland (1985-1986) Manchester United (1986–present)

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When Sir Alex Ferguson took the reins of Manchester United, they were a storied franchise that had fallen on some hard times. Ferguson had experienced a lot of success at Aberdeen, winning three Scottish League Titles and lifting the Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1982-1983 season. However, his first few years at Old Trafford were a disappointment as Ferguson failed to win any silverware despite bringing in the likes of Paul Ince, Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce, and Gary Pallister. United fans were calling for his head once the club was humiliated by Manchester City, 5-1.

The board stuck with Ferguson, and he rewarded their faith in him in spades. He won the FA Cup in 1990, which was his first trophy with United. He’s won a few more in the intervening years. As of the 2008-2009 season, he’s won 10 Premiership titles, 5 F.A. Cups, 2 League Cups, and 2 Champions League crowns. They won the Treble in 1998-1999 and they’ve never finished lower than third in the Premiership.

Sir Alex Ferguson has always done a good job at developing talent, and his “Fergie’s Fledglings” class of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Gary and Phil Neville played a huge role in establishing the club’s run of dominance in the mid-to-late 90’s. He also developed Ryan Giggs, who broke into the squad before the Fledglings and continues to make a contribution to this day. He has always been willing to spend big, however he only buys players who will fit into his system, rather than spend for the sake of spending. He broke the British transfer record for Roy Keane because he needed a replacement for Bryan Robson. He signed Rio Ferdinand, the most expensive defender of all time, to fill the void left by Jaap Stam. He saw qualities in Dimitar Berbatov that reminded him of the great United legend Eric Cantona, so he broke the club transfer record once again.

Most impressively, Sir Alex Ferguson has been able to carve out his own legend, despite performing in the shadow of Sir Matthew Busby. Whoever follows him at Old Trafford will have some huge shoes to fill.
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Arsène Wenger
FRANCE
1984-present
AS Nancy-Lorraine (1984-1987) AS Monaco (1987-1994) Nagoya Grampus Eight (1995-1996) Arsenal (1996-present)

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Arsène Wenger may not have won a European Cup/UEFA Champions League crown, but he is, without question, one of the best judges of talent in the history of the game. His keen eye for talent (vision that, unfortunately, fails him whenever one of his players is sent off) has allowed him to win everywhere he’s been while spending a fraction of what his rivals dish out.

His career took off when he went to AS Monaco, where he won the league in his first season in charge while adding great players such as Juergen Klinsmann, Glenn Hoddle, Youri Djorkaeff, and George Weah. He spent a year in Japan where he added the Emperor’s Cup to his collection. He then went to Arsenal, where he’s been ever since.

At Arsenal, he’s been able to consistently field talented, entertaining teams while filling his trophy cabinet with silverware. He’s won three Premiership titles and four FA Cups. Additionally, Arsenal have never finished lower than fourth in the league under Wenger. He went unbeaten during the 2003-2004 Premiership season, and extended that run into the following season before finishing with a record 49-match unbeaten streak.

He also unearthed talented players who went on to become world-beaters at Arsenal. Thierry Henry was a mediocre winger until he came to Arsenal, where he became one of the greatest strikers ever to play in England. Patrick Vieira was an unused reserve with AC Milan until Wenger made him into the midfield enforcer and playmaker who provided the backbone for many of Wenger’s great Arsenal teams. Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Robert Pirès, Freddie Ljungberg, Kolo Touré, Sylvain Wiltord, and Nicholas Anelka, were but a few examples of low-cost players who achieved great success under Wenger.

In a world where money talks and everything else walks, it’s refreshing to see someone who refuses to simply spend his way to a title.
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The game, at its most basic, is about putting the ball in the back of the net. In order to be a great FORWARD, you have to be able to score. Tracking back on defense is nice. Being a great passer and playmaker is good, too. However if you can’t score, then you won’t be a very effective forward (unless you’re Emile Heskey) and you won’t be very useful to your team.

That being said, in order to be a legendary forward, you need more than just stats. You need to have an aura of invincibility. You need to score on the biggest stages and under the brightest lights. Your goals must lift your squad to victory or bring them back from the edge of defeat. You need to be the player that strikes fear into the hearts of the opposing squad, the one that they single out and say, “We can’t let that guy beat us.”

And even then, you might not be as good as these players were. These legends had eye-popping stats, larger-than-life personalities, and boatloads of trophies. They also became national symbols of pride and in some cases, they represented the hopes and dreams of entire continents. These players were more than just great goal-scorers. They became icons.

There were enough players to create this list that I decided not to go with any current players. Brazilian Ronaldo, despite his brilliance (long before the injuries, weight issues, and tranny hookers, O Fenômeno was on pace to be one of the best that ever lived), and Romario, despite his reputed 1,000 goals, weren’t on the list. As good as Romario was, I don’t think he ranks as a legend quite yet. Plus, would you have taken him, in his prime, over Ronaldo, in his prime? That may be circular logic, but think about it. Romario might not have been the best Brazilian forward over the last 15 years, and he certainly doesn’t hold a candle to Pele or Garrincha. As such, he’s out.

Anyway, here’s the list. In chronological order, of course:

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Alfredo Di Stefano
ARGENTINA*
1943-1966
River Plate (1943-1949) Huracan (loan, 1946-1947) Millonarios (1949-1953) Real Madrid (1953-1964) Espanyol (1964-1966)

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(* Born in Argentina, played for Argentina, Columbia, and Spain. Obviously, FIFA rules were more relaxed back then).

It’s not uncommon to see someone play for several different clubs. But several different national teams? Di Stefano accomplished that rare task by suiting up for his native Argentina, Colombia, and Spain. In the meantime, he established himself as one of the greatest players in football history, a gifted and versatile player on par with the likes of Pele, Maradona, and Cruijff. Maradona once said that Di Stefano was better than Pele, and he was voted the Player of the Century for Spain, despite the fact that he was born in Argentina.

He was known as an exceptionally versatile player, excelling at both offense and defense. He was most well known for his time at Real Madrid, where he scored 216 goals in 282 league matches, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer. He produced a similar ratio at River Plate, scoring 49 goals in 65 appearances, and at Millonarios, notching 88 goals in 102 appearances. For his career, he scored 377 domestic goals in 521 appearances while adding 29 goals in 41 appearances for Argentina, Colombia, and Spain.

At Real Madrid, he formed a deadly partnership with fellow legend, Ferenc Puskas, to help lead the club to glory. He won eight Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and an impressive five consecutive European Cups with Real Madrid. He also won two Argentine League crowns and four Colombian League titles. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1957 and 1959, and was named World Soccer Player of the Year three times.

His transfer to Real Madrid was extremely controversial as he had initially signed with Barcelona. With doubts over his eligibility causing Barcelona’s board of directors to hesitate over completing the deal, as well as rumors that the Franco Government was working to steer Di Stefano to Real Madrid, Los Meringues were able to swoop in and sign him. To add insult to injury, Di Stefano played extremely well during the first meeting of the year between Real Madrid and Barcelona, netting a hat trick and exacerbating tensions between the two clubs.

Di Stefano’s uncertain international status meant that he was unable to play in the 1954 World Cup. He acquired Spanish citizenship in 1956 and played in Spain’s World Cup qualifiers. His adopted country failed to qualify for the 1958 World Cup. Di Stefano helped Spain qualify in 1962, but an injury ruled him out before the start of the tournament. Despite having never played in a World Cup, Di Stefano accomplished so much in his long and storied career that he remains one of the best goal-scorers of all time.

Alfredo Di Stefano VIDEO:

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Ferenc Puskás
HUNGARY
1943-1966
Kispest A.C. (1943-1949) Honved (1949-1955) Espanyol (guest 1957) Real Madrid (1958-1966)

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Like his celebrated teammate at Real Madrid, Alfredo Di Stefano, Puskás was a goal machine who became a naturalized Spanish citizen. Like Di Stefano, Puskás had an enviable goal-to-games ratio, netting 187 goals in 177 league appearances for Kispest A.C., 165 goals in 164 league appearances for Honved, and 157 goals in 182 league appearances for Real Madrid. Throw in his 84 goals in 85 appearances for Hungary, and Puskás was unquestionably one of the most efficient scorers of all time.

He was a deadly left-footed shooter who could set up goals just as well as he could score them. He certainly didn’t look the part of a goal scorer, being short, stocky, and unable to shoot with his right foot. However, he was regarded as one of the greatest outside shooters of all time, and, well, the stats speak for themselves.

He was part of the “Mighty Magyars,” a talent-laden Hungarian National Team that was favored to win the World Cup in 1954. Puskás did his part in the group stage, scoring three goals in the first two matches before getting injured. He didn’t return until the Finals, and was hobbled and out of form as West Germany (who had lost to Hungary by a score of 8-3 in the group stage) upset them. Despite his injury, he scored the first of Hungary’s two goals, and he thought he scored the equalizer until he was controversially ruled off-side. He suited up for Spain in the 1962 World Cup, but failed to score any goals.

Puskás was on tour in Spain with Honved when the Revolution of 1956 broke out in Hungary. Puskás decided to defect to Spain, and the ensuing controversy over his immigration status found him banned from football for two years. He played in a few unofficial matches for Espanyol before signing with Real Madrid. There, he teamed with fellow immigrant Alfredo Di Stefano to give the club a dominant strike force. Their dominance was on display during the 1960 European Cup Final, when Real Madrid defeated Eintracht Frankfurt by a score of 7-3, with Puskás scoring four goals and Di Stefano adding three. Puskás won five La Liga crowns and was a member of the team for three out of Real Madrid’s five consecutive European Cups. He also won five Hungarian League crowns and was named FIFA World Player of the Year twice.

Despite his defection, Puskás remains revered in Hungary. He was named the country’s greatest player of the last 50 years, and the Puskás Ferenc Stadion in Budapest was named in his honor.

Ferenc Puskás VIDEO:

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Garrincha
BRAZIL
1953-1972
Botafogo (1953-1965) Corinthians (1966) Portuguesa Carioca (1967) Atlético Junior (1968) Flamengo (1968-1969) Olaria (1972)

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Considered by many to be the second-best Brazilian forward after Pele, Manuel Francisco dos Santos “Garrincha” (”little bird” in Portuguese) established himself as one of the greatest dribblers of all time. Not bad for someone who was born with several birth defects, including a right leg that bent inwards and a left leg that was slightly shorter than his right and curved outwards. Those physical deformities didn’t stop him from becoming a great dribbler, and he supposedly earned his first professional contract by dribbling a ball through the great Nilton Santos’s legs during a training session. He was able to use his handicap to his advantage, as opposing players could never tell which way he was going to go when he started dribbling the ball.

In addition to his dribbling skills, he was a great shooter who could score with either foot. He was also a great free-kicker and dead-ball specialists who often took corners for his team, scoring three goals directly from corner kicks. Garrincha operated from the right wing a lot, and he could use his speed and dribbling to get past defenders and set up goal chances for himself or for his teammates. He was also a good header, despite standing 5’7’’.

He made 612 appearances for Botafogo, scoring 243 times. He won the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro Tournament) three times, the Torneio Rio-São Paulo (Rio/Sao Paulo tournament) three times, and the Roca Cup, a tournament between Brazilian and Argentinean clubs.

He had his greatest success on the international stage, where he was a part of the 1958 and 1962 World Cup winning squads for Brazil. He was voted to the Best XI in the 1958 World Cup, despite only playing in 4 matches and not scoring a single goal. He was responsible for setting both of Vava’s goals in the Final against Sweden, and he was dominant in matches against the USSR and Wales. In 1962, he continued his success for the Brazilian national team, as he was voted Most Outstanding Player of the World Cup. He carried his team after Pele was injured early in the tournament, and finished with four goals. He scored a number of dazzling goals, including the famed “Banana Shot” against England, and had a brace in the Semi-Finals against Chile.

Garrincha was known for his child-like demeanor and was seen as an idiot savant. He was never a huge football fan and had never dreamed of playing professionally until just before he signed with Botafogo. He didn’t understand the rules of the World Cup and was decidedly low-key after they won in 1958. Apparently, he thought they were going to play all the teams again, so he refrained from celebrating until he realized his team had won it all. He was also known as “Mané” (short for “Manuel” but which also means “half-wit/fool”) by his teammates. Despite his perceived lack of intelligence, his prodigious talent and natural ability was more than enough for him to attain legendary status.

Garrincha VIDEO:

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Pele
BRAZIL
1956-1977
Santos (1956-1974) New York Cosmos (1975-1977)

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There are legends, there are icons, and then there’s Pele. Without question, Pele is the greatest player of all time, someone whose talent transcended the game. If you don’t know anything else about football, you know that Pele was the best. Much like how Jimi Hendrix is considered to be greatest guitarist that ever lived and Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time, Pele is the greatest footballer ever to walk the planet. Some people might come up with contrarian arguments, just to be different. They might say that Maradona was better, just like how some people claim that Clapton was better than Hendrix or that Oscar Robertson was better than Jordan.

Don’t buy it.

Pele scored 1,281 goals, a number made all the more remarkable since these are just the ones recognized by FIFA. By contrast, Romario claimed to have scored 1,000 goals, however some of them came during his days with the youth team and others were in unsanctioned events. He scored 77 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil, and scored 589 domestic goals in 605 appearances. When he came out of retirement to play for the Cosmos, he managed to bag 31 goals in 56 games while doing something that David Beckham couldn’t do, namely, turning the Cosmos into an American phenomenon.

He revolutionized the forward position, blending his playmaking skills with his deadly shot to become the ultimate weapon. He was a great dribbler and passer, and was blessed with blistering pace and exception aerial skills. He made the number 10 shirt synonymous with his playmaking abilities, and as a result, he turned what had been a random shirt assignment into a coveted number usually reserved for a team’s best player. Whenever teams say that they’re looking for a “number 10,” they’re really referring to Pele.

He was a part of four World Cup squads, winning three of them. He won 25 trophies while playing with Santos, and added to his cabinet with an NASL Title while with the Cosmos. He has a whole slew of individual and lifetime achievement awards, which are too many to name. Suffice it to say that it’s a bigger story when Pele doesn’t win an award than when he does.

He is a national icon, a global ambassador for the game, and a philanthropist who has used his fame to help those less fortunate than he is. Based on his playing statistics alone, he would be the greatest player of all time. However, his off-the-field activities make him a true legend, and an icon that everyone can embrace.

Pele VIDEO:

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Eusebio
PORTUGAL
1957-1978
Sporting Lourenço Marques (1957-1960) Benfica (1960-1975) Rhode Island Oceaneers (1975) Boston Minutemen (1975) Monterrey (1975-1976) Beira-Mar (1976-1977) Toronto Metros-Croatia (1976) Las Vegas Quicksilver (1977) New Jersey Americans (1977-1978) União Tomar (1977-1978)

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Widely considered to be the greatest Portuguese player of all time, the Mozambique-born Eusebio also gained fame as one of the first great players of African descent. “The Black Panther” spent most of his career at Benfica, where he 319 goals in 313 appearances, including two seasons where he topped 40. However, he also played in other parts of the world, notably the United States, Croatia, Canada, and Mexico, making him one of the true worldwide icons of the sport.

Eusebio won plenty of silverware during his time at Benfica. He won eleven League titles, five Portuguese Cups, and won the European Cup in 1962. He also won titles in the NASL and in Mexico. Eusebio won plenty of individual honors as well, taking home the Ballon d’Or in 1965 and won the very first Golden Boot award in 1968, knocking home 42 goals for Benfica. He won a second Golden Boot award in 1973 with another 40 goals, and led the Portuguese League in scoring seven times.

He continued his goal scoring ways for the Portuguese national team, notching 41 goals in 64 appearances. He led Portugal to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup, losing to eventual winners England in the Semi-Finals. Eusebio scored the lone Portuguese goal in that match and finished with a tournament-high 9 goals. Most notably, he scored on a penalty in the consolation match against the USSR by beating the great Lev Yashin, which was no small feat. He finished his Portuguese career as the all-time leading scorer, a record that stood until 2005. He may not be Portugal’s leading scorer anymore, but he remains the most beloved and respected Portuguese player of all time.

Eusebio VIDEO:

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Gerd Müller
GERMANY
1963-1981
TSV 1861 Nördlingen (1963-1964) Bayern Munich (1964-1979) Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1979-1981)

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The phrase “Goal Machine” gets thrown around a lot. Müller, however, more than lived up to his reputation as a goal scorer, finding the net an astonishing 365 times in 427 Bundesliga matches, and 68 times in 62 international appearances. Müller wasn’t very tall (5’9’’), wasn’t very fast, and had short stubby legs that made him look like the last person capable of scoring on the pitch. However, his short, powerful legs allowed him to accelerate past defenders with ease, stay on his feet even after being tackled by defenders, and gave him a surprising amount of leverage in winning headers.

Known as “Bomber der Nation” (the nation’s bomber), Müller, along with Sepp Maier and Franz Beckenbauer, was part of the great Bayern Munich teams of the 70’s. He won four Bundelisga titles, four German Cups, one Cup Winners’ Cup, and three consecutive European Cups from 1974-1976. He led the Bundesliga in scoring seven times and won the Golden Boot twice. He still holds the Bundesliga’s single-season scoring record with 40 goals in 1971-1972, and his 66 goals in 72 European Cup matches is still a record. He is, by far, the all-time leading scorer in Bundesliga history, having scored nearly 100 more goals than the person in second place.

His success continued to the international stage, as he was part of the Golden Generation of West German football. He was part of the 1972 European Championship squad and provided the goal scoring that led West Germany to the 1974 World Cup. Playing in his final international match, Müller scored the game-winning goal in the Final against the Netherlands. He finished his World Cup career with 14 goals, a record that stood until Ronaldo passed it in 2006.

He has continued his involvement with Bayern Munich, coaching the reserve team. Unlike his fellow German icons, Maier and Beckenbauer, he has kept a low profile following his retirement, choosing not to voice his opinion on controversial matters relating to German football. Despite his low-key approach, Müller remains one of the most beloved and respected players of all time.

Gerd Müller VIDEO:

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George Weah
LIBERIA
1981-2003
Young Survivors (1981-1984) Bongrange Company (1984-1985) Mighty Barolle (1985-1986) Invincible Eleven (1986-1987) Tonnerre Yaoundé (1987-1988) AS Monaco (1988-1992) Paris Saint-Germain (1992-1995) A.C. Milan (1995-2000) Chelsea (2000) Manchester City (2000) Olympique Marseille (2000-2001) Al-Jazira (2001-2003)

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Sometimes, calling someone a legend doesn’t do that person nearly enough justice. George Weah is an example of that. His on-field accomplishments were impressive, however they didn’t come close to measuring his impact on the game. Coming from the tiny and war-torn country of Liberia, Weah used his success and his status as one of the best in the world to improve conditions in his home.

Weah was a great player in his own right. He was big and strong and had a powerful shot. He was a no-frills player who frequently ran straight at opponents, using his strength but also mixing in some excellent ball-control skills. He was a great header of the ball, and he had good speed for someone his size. He scored against Verona after taking a ball from his own penalty box and running through the defense a lot like how Maradona knifed through the England defense in the World Cup.

He was an excellent goal scorer and thrived under Arsene Wenger at Monaco before moving to PSG and AC Milan. He won a French League Title and three French Cups to go with his two Scudetti and FA Cup from his time at Milan and Chelsea, respectively. He never made the World Cup, although he came close in 2002, when a weak and under-funded Liberia missed out by a single point. He remains the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, a task he accomplished in 1995. He was also voted African Player of the Century.

Naturally, Weah became a politician and ran for President in 2005 after the second Liberian Civil War and the resignation and exile former President (and indicted war criminal) Charles Taylor. Weah was seen as the “People’s Candidate” and he managed to win the initial round of balloting, only to lose in the runoff amid allegations of massive voter fraud. Weah eventually conceded, however he remains popular and committed to improving life in his home country.

George Weah VIDEO:

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Marco van Basten
NETHERLANDS
1982-1993
Ajax Amsterdam (1982-1987) AC Milan (1987-1993)

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His career was cut short by injuries, but what a career it was! Van Basten had an incredible goals-to-games ratio for both club and country. He found the net 218 times in 280 league appearances in both the Netherlands and Italy, and he scored 24 times in 58 appearances for the national team. In all, he scored 301 goals in 428 total appearances for club and country.

His main attribute was his strength on the ball, which allowed him to score in crowded areas. Indeed, he was so big and strong that he seemed to invite hard challenges from defenders, leading to his career-ending injury. Despite his size and strength, he was extremely agile and skilled, capable of scoring off bicycle kicks and overhead kicks. He was also known for his thunderous shot, which allowed him to score from distance as well.

He won three Eredivisie titles, three Dutch Cups, and one UEFA Cup during his time at Ajax, and added three Serie A titles, three Italian Supercups, and back-to-back European Cups (1988 and 1989). Along the way, he racked up a slew of individual honors, including the Golden Boot for the 1985-1986 season when he scored 37 goals in 26 league appearances for Ajax. He won the Ballon d’Or three times (1988, 1989, 1992), World Soccer Player of the Year twice (1988, 1992), FIFA World Player of the Year once (1992), and UEFA Player of the Year three times (1989, 1990, 1992). More amazingly, he led the Eredivisie in scoring every single season he played at Ajax, except for his rookie season, and was the top scorer in Serie A twice (1989-1990, 1991-1992).

He won Euro 88, scoring 5 goals, including a hat trick against England and their legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton in the group stage. He also led the Netherlands to the semi-finals of Euro 1992, where they lost to Denmark in a shootout. Van Basten only played in one World Cup, which was in 1990. His Netherlands team lost to eventual champions West Germany in the Round of 16.

Van Basten eventually retired because of a serious ankle injury. His career may have been cut short, but his brilliance was unquestionable.

Marco van Basten VIDEO:

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Hristo Stoichkov
BULGARIA
1982-2003
Hebros Harmanli (1982-1984) CSKA Sofia (1984-1990, 1998) FC Barcelona (1990-1995, 1996-1998) Parma (1995-1996) Al-Nassr (1998) Kashiwa Reysol (1998) Chicago Fire (2000-2002) DC United (2003)

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The fiery forward was known for his explosive dribbling and shooting and his equally explosive temper on the pitch. He was an excellent free-kick taker and played most of his career on the left side of the field, where his pace and dribbling gave defenders fits and his great crossing skills produced opportunities for his teammates. His on field tantrums and antics didn’t detract from his legendary status, though, and he was voted to FIFA’s 100 and was named Bulgaria’s greatest player of the last 50 years.

Stoichkov’s well traveled career saw him star at CSKA Sofia and Barcelona, where he had his best years. He won three Bulgarian League titles, four Bulgarian Cups, and was awarded the Golden Boot in 1989 after scoring 38 goals in 30 games for CSKA Sofia. At Barcelona, he experienced even more success by winning five La Liga crowns, one Copa del Rey, one Cup Winner’s Cup, and one European Cup.

Despite Bulgaria’s lack of strength on the international stage, Stoichkov was able to achieve some success while representing his country. At the 1994 World Cup, he led Bulgaria to the Semi-Finals, where they lost to Italy, 2-1. Stoichkov was the co-leading scorer of the tournament with six goals, and half of them came in the knock out round. He scored the equalizer against Germany in the Quarterfinals, and scored Bulgaria’s lone goal against Mexico in the Round of 16. Along the way, Stoichkov also scored against Argentina, helping to lead his country to a huge upset of one of the pre-tournament favorites (FYI: this was the first match Argentina played after Maradona was thrown out). Bulgaria finished fourth, which was their best World Cup showing.

With Stoichkov, controversy was never far away, and he amassed an impressive resume when it came to on-the-field incidents. He was once suspended for two months after stomping on a referee’s foot. He also broke an opposing player’s leg while playing in MLS. As a manager, he’s continued his controversial ways, clashing with players and getting sent off in matches for arguing with referees. Clearly, he has not mellowed with age.

Hristo Stoichkov VIDEO:

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Roberto Baggio
ITALY
1982-2004
Vicenza (1982-1985) Fiorentina (1985-1990) Juventus (1990-1995) AC Milan (1995-1997) Bologna (1997-1998) Inter Milan (1998-2000) Brescia (2000-2004)

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One of the most popular Italian players to play the game, Baggio more than lived up to the adoration and adulation of the fans. With his good looks and charisma, he became a bonafide superstar and ranks as possibly the most famous Italian player of all time. He wasn’t just flash, though, as he averaged nearly a goal every two matches despite playing his entire career in defensive-minded Italy, and he scored 27 times in 56 appearances for the Italian national team. Even his playing style was attractive, as he became known for his dazzling runs into the box, his ability to elude defenders, and his skill at flicking passes or shots with either foot.

Baggio won Serie A titles with both Juventus and AC Milan. He also won a Coppa Italia while with Juventus, and added a UEFA Cup title to his haul in 1995. Baggio won the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 1993, after leading Juventus to the UEFA Cup and scoring 30 goals in all competitions. In 2002, he was named to FIFA’s All-Time Dream Team, alongside players like Pele, Maradona, Beckenbauer, Cruijff, and Platini.

Obviously, he is most famous (or infamous) for missing a penalty kick during the shootout in the 1994 World Cup Final against Brazil. While his miss didn’t cost the Italians the match, as Brazil were ahead and would have won if they had converted their next kick, his miss clinched the title for Brazil. The miss overshadowed what had been a great tournament for him, as he named to the World Cup Starting XI and his 5 goals were tied for second-most among all players. He also played well in 1990, scoring the “Goal of the Tournament” against Czechoslovakia, and in 1998, when he became the first Italian player to score in three World Cups.

He accomplished so much and he was such a special player that it’s a shame that many people only know about his penalty miss in 1994.

Roberto Baggio VIDEO:

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Very few teams can win without great players in the midfield. MIDFIELDERS have to cover a lot of ground, they have to win and hold the ball, they must complete passes, and they have to be adept at both ends of the field. Sometimes, they’ll be asked to take on leadership roles, barking out commands while cajoling teammates to work hard. Or they might be asked to turn the match on its head by providing one moment of brilliance, either with a perfectly placed free kick, a gorgeous cross or through-ball that sets up a teammate for a goal, or a crushing tackle in midfield to cut out a counter-attack.

Simply put, midfielders have to do it all, and these legends were the very best of their brethren.

You’ll note that I didn’t include any defensive midfielders. The defensive midfielder role is a relatively new phenomenon in modern football, and while Roy Keane or Claude Makelele might, one day, be considered legends on par with the players listed below, I couldn’t justify putting one or both of them on the list ahead of someone like Zidane. If anyone disagrees feel free to vent in the comments section below, but please keep it clean. And please don’t say that I’m biased against defensive midfielders. Once again, this is an informative feature, based on what the consensus is when it comes to what players are considered to be legends.

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Stanley Matthews
ENGLAND
1932-1965
Stoke City (1932-1947, 1961-1965) Blackpool (1947-1961)

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Known as “The Wizard of the Dribble,” Matthews was, obviously, a fantastic dribbler, especially from the right wing, which was where he played for most of his career. He was teetotaler who was known for his fantastic fitness, traits that allowed him to play for over 30 years. At 50 years old, he was the oldest player to ever play in England’s top division.

Matthews used his dribbling skills to set up teammates, to score goals, to keep possession, and to kill time if his team was ahead in the closing minutes of a match. The F.A. Cup Finals of 1953 was dubbed “The Matthews Final” as a result of his overall brilliance. During that match, his Blackpool squad were trailing, 3-1, when he assisted on two goals (including the match-winner), both coming from long crosses from the right-wing. In addition to that famous victory, Matthews won the inaugural Professional Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award in 1948 and 1963, and won the Ballon d’Or in 1956.

As a result of war, Matthews only made 54 appearances for England, despite playing for the team from 1934-1957. He played for England in the 1950 and 1954 World Cups, and had already retired from the game by the time England won their World Cup. Despite that, Matthews continued to be an important part of the national team, even as he reached his 40’s. In 1955, he set up five goals as England defeated Scotland in a match that saw the debut of the man that many people expected to be the next great winger in English football, Duncan Edwards.

Matthews died in 2000, but his legend has only grown in the intervening years. In 2002, he was the first inductee into the English Football Hall of Fame, and his birthday is unofficially a national holiday, as people are encouraged to come to work wearing football shirts. I’m sure most workers would rather have the day off, but it’s nice tribute to the English legend who defied the laws of aging and seemingly defied the laws of physics with his dribbling.

Stanley Matthews VIDEO:

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Bobby Charlton
ENGLAND
1953-1975
Manchester United (1953-1973) Preston North End (1973-1974) Waterford United (1975)

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One of the true legends of the game, Sir Bobby Charlton has been blessed with good fortune for his entire life. One of the only players who survived the Munich Air Disaster, Charlton carried the torch for his fallen comrades while providing a bridge to the new group of United players that took the team to success in the mid-60’s.

Charlton was known for his ferocious long-range shot and attacking skills in midfield, and his 249 goals for United remain a club record. He held the record for most club appearances until last season, when Ryan Giggs surpassed him. He was also the most-capped player for England at the time of his retirement, earning 106 caps for his country, and his goalscoring record for England still stands at 49 goals.

Charlton was a winner who experienced tremendous success on the pitch. He won League titles in 1957, 1965, and 1967, and an F.A. Cup title in 1963. He also captained United to its European Cup victory in 1968, and won both the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award and the Ballon d’Or in 1966.

He was a vital part of the English National Team, and scored both English goals in a 2-1 victory over Eusebio and the Portuguese team in the 1966 Semi-Finals. So dangerous was he, that, in the Finals, West Germany assigned their talismanic sweeper, Franz Beckenbauer, to mark him. Beckenbauer did the job, however Charlton showed his defensive skills and neutralized “Der Kaiser” on the other side of the ball.

Charlton has continued his service to the game, even in retirement. As Manchester United’s goodwill ambassador, his stature within the club has only increased with time. He has also served as an ambassador for English football, helping to promote England’s bids for the 2006 World Cup and the 2012 Olympics.

Bobby Charlton’s life was not snuffed out on that fateful day in Munich, and he has made the most of his second chance, continuing to contribute to the game while commemorating his fallen teammates.

Bobby Charlton VIDEO:

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George Best
N. IRELAND
1963-1984
Manchester United (1963-1974) Dunstable Town (loan, 1974) Stockport County (1975) Cork Celtic (1975-1976) Los Angeles Aztecs (1976, 1977-1978, 1978-1979) Fulham (1976-1977) Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1978-1979) Hibernian (1979-1980) San Jose Earthquakes (1980-1981) Bournemouth (1983) Brisbane Lions (1983) Tobermore United (1984)

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With a name like “Best” you had better be able to live up it. George Best did so, and more, during his long career. He was one of the greatest wingers of all time, as his fleet-footed pace and acceleration allowed him to blow by defenders, while his trickery with the ball won him fans and admirers all throughout the world. He was a deadly goal-scorer, putting up an astonishing 138 goals in 361 appearances for Manchester United, and finishing with 204 in his career for both club and country.

His best years were at Old Trafford, where he was surrounded by talented players such as Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. It could have been an even more impressive array of players, as the Munich Air Disaster had occurred five years before Best debuted with the senior team. Best was seen as the replacement for the gifted Duncan Edwards, who had perished in the crash, and Best soon set about making his own legend at Old Trafford. He won two League titles in 1966 and 1967, and in 1968, he had a dream season, winning a European Cup title and being voted European Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. In the semi-finals of the European Cup that year, United were in danger of going out against Real Madrid, but Best sent a brilliant side-pass to Bill Foulkes after seeing Real Madrid’s defense and realizing that a conventional cross into the box would have been cut out. Foulkes then scored the goal that put United in the Finals, where Best scored the Cup clinching goal against a Benfica team that was led by Portuguese legend, Eusebio.

Despite his brilliance on the pitch, he was never able to lead Northern Ireland to the World Cup. That didn’t diminish his stature in his home country. Neither did his rapid physical decline as a result of decades of hard-living that turned him into a tabloid laughing stock later in his life. In Northern Ireland, they have a saying there that goes: “Maradona: Good. Pele: Better. George Best.” That about sums it up.

George Best VIDEO:

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Johan Cruijff
NETHERLANDS
1964-1984
Ajax (1964-1973, 1981-1983) Barcelona (1973-1978) Los Angeles Aztecs (1979-1980) Washington Diplomats (1980-1981) Levante (1981) Feyenoord (1983-1984)

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Known as “Pythagoras in Boots” because of his mastery of passing angles, Cruijff was instrumental to the Dutch philosophy of “Total Football.” As such, Cruijff’s position can be difficult to ascertain, since he could score, pass, and defend, and moved all over the pitch, depending on where he was needed. However, his passing and scoring skills made him most effective as an attacking midfielder.

He was a great scorer, as evidenced by his 267 goals in 366 appearance for Ajax. In all, he scored over 400 goals during his career for club and country. As mentioned earlier, he was a tremendous passer, able to see the field unlike most of his peers and deliver accurate passes from anywhere on the pitch. He could dazzle too, as he perfected the “Cruijff Turn” in which he faked a pass or cross, forcing a defender to commit to it, only to drag the ball behind his planted foot and turning away from the flat-footed defender.

At Ajax, he was the leader of one of the greatest teams of all time. He won the treble in 1972, and nearly repeated the task the following season. In all, he won eight Eredivisie titles, five KNVB Cups, and three consecutive European Cups from 1971-1973. He added a Liga title while with Barcelona to his trophy cabinet, and won a Eredivisie title with Feyenoord. He also racked up the individual honors, taking home the Ballon d’Or in 1971, 1973, and 1974.

Despite playing on some extremely talented international teams, Cruijff was never able to win the World Cup. Their best chance to win came in 1974, when Cruijff (who won the Golden Ball that year as the Best Player in the World Cup) led the Netherlands to the World Cup Final against West Germany. The Dutch had sailed through their previous matches, with Cruijff scoring three goals. He set up the opening goal against West Germany in the Finals, drawing a foul inside the box that resulted in a penalty during the 2nd minute of the match. West Germany, however, did a great job man-marking Cryuff, shutting him down with the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Berti Vogts, and others.

After retiring, Cruijff became a successful manager, winning two KNVB Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup with Ajax and four consecutive La Liga crowns while with Barcelona. Despite his often stormy relationship with Ajax (he left for bitter rivals, Feyenoord after a salary dispute and was supposed to join the club as technical director until it fell through at the last minute), he remains a club icon whose number 14 jersey was retired.

Johan Cruijff VIDEO:

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Rivelino
BRAZIL
1965-1981
Corinthians (1965-1974) Fluminense (1974-1978) Al-Hilal (1978-1981)

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When you’re considered to be the fourth greatest player in Brazilian history after Pele, Zico, and Garrincha, that’s about as great an accomplishment as there is. Rivelino was lauded for his grace on the pitch, as well as his dazzling array of moves, which included his patented “Elastico,” in which he faked going right while keeping control of the ball and then spinning it to his left. This move has become a staple in modern football, popularized by the likes of Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Zidane, and others.

Rivelino, who perfected his tricks by playing futsal in Sao Paulo, was more than just a playground player. He had excellent passing skills, a sharp mind, excellent dribbling skills, and a thunderous left footed shot. He was also a tremendous free-kick taker, famous for his “banana-bending” kicks. He scored a famous goal against the Czechs during the 1970 World Cup that was nicknamed “The Atomic Kick.” He was an important part of the aforementioned 1970 World Cup squad, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time. He played in two subsequent World Cups and ended his international career with 92 appearances and 26 goals.

He was also a quick thinker, and one example of this was when he saw the opposing teams goalkeeper finishing up his pre-match prayer right as the whistle blew to begin the game. Rivelino took the kickoff and booted a long-range shot that beat the startled goalkeeper for what is considered to be the fastest goal in football history.

Well, you don’t become one of the greatest Brazilians of all time by being stupid. Actually, that’s not entirely true, as we’ll find out with Garrincha. Still, Rivelino carved out an excellent reputation for himself, despite playing in the shadows of Pele and Zico.

Rivelino VIDEO:

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Zico
BRAZIL
1971-1994
Flamengo (1971-1983 1985-1989) Udinese (1983-1985) Sumitomo Metals (1991-1992) Kashima Antlers (1992-1994)

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Often referred to as the “White Pele,” some soccer experts have made the case that Zico may have been better than his more celebrated countryman. Pele didn’t agree, but he did praise his fellow Brazilian, saying that, out of all the great players throughout the years, Zico was the one who came closest to him.

Widely considered one of the greatest dribblers in football history, he was also a powerful finisher. He was, perhaps, best known for his ability to bend and curve his brilliant free kicks. However, he wasn’t just a great scorer. He had excellent playmaking skills and was known for his fantastic vision and precise passing.

Perhaps his reputation suffers a bit as a result of failing to win a World Cup, despite going to three consecutive World Cups from 1978-1986. He did his part in the competition, scoring 5 goals in 3 World Cups, however, he came up short, especially in 1982 when a talented Brazilian squad just missed qualifying for the knock-out phase after losing to eventual-champions Italy.

At the club level, most of his success was at Flamengo, where he remains the club’s all-time leading scorer with 508 goals. He won seven Rio State Championships and four Brazilian Professional Championships with Flamengo and added a Japanese title to his collection after heading to the Sumitomo in the early 90’s. Zico remains active in coaching circles, leading Japan to the 2006 World Cup and managing Fenerbache, FC Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan, and CSKA Moscow. Today, he’s regarded as a brilliant and skillful player whose legend has only grown with time.

Zico VIDEO:

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Michel Platini
FRANCE
1972-1987
AS Nancy (1972-1979) Saint-Etienne (1979-1982) Juventus (1982-1987)

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One of the greatest French legends and icons of all time, Platini captained his team 49 times and presided over a golden era in French football. He combined with fellow midfielders Alain Giresse, Luis Fernández and Jean Tigana to make up the “carré magique” (Magic Square), where his outstanding playmaking skills and his expertise at free kicks made him the talismanic figure on the French national team. His 41 international goals were a French record until 2008, when Thierry Henry surpassed it.

Platini led France to the 1984 European Championship, winning the title with one of the greatest teams ever assembled. He scored a record 9 goals in the tournament, and scored two “perfect hat tricks” (he scored with both feet and his head – as opposed to an imperfect hat trick, where a hand is usually prominently involved) in the group stage against Belgium and Yugoslavia. He went to three World Cups, losing in the 1982 and 1986 Semifinals.

Platini won one French League title while with Saint-Etienne, but almost all of his domestic success came with Juventus. He won two Serie A titles and one Coppa Italia. He also won the 1985 European Cup and the 1984 Cup Winners’ Cup. He was the top scorer in Serie A for three consecutive seasons (1982-1985) and won three straight Ballon d’Ors from 1983-1985.

Since his retirement, Platini has continued to be active in European football. He managed France in the 1992 European Championships and was the head of the 1998 World Cup Organizing Committee. He currently serves as President of UEFA, where he has generated controversy for his support for a FIFA plan to limit each club to 5 foreign players in the starting lineup. It’s possible that his post-career activities could influence the game far more than anything he did on the pitch as a player. That would be saying something.

Michel Platini VIDEO:

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Diego Armando Maradona
ARGENTINA
1976-1997
Argentinos Juniors (1976-1981) Boca Juniors (1981-1982, 1995-1997) Barcelona (1982-1984) Napoli (1984-1991) Sevilla (1992-1993) Newell’s Old Boys (1993)

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It’s hard to argue with his on-the-field accomplishments. Most people consider him the best player ever to play the game not named Pele. In fact, some consider him to be have been better than Pele (he won FIFA’s Internet vote over Pele as “Player of the Century”). His position on the field can be difficult to categorize as he scored like a striker, but spent a lot of time in midfield creating chances for his teammates. More often than not, he lined up in midfield, but his skills were so complete that he would be all over the field. His skills were second-to-none, and his playing style has influenced generations of imitators. Much like how many talented basketball players have been labeled “the next Jordan,” many dynamic Argentine footballers have been tagged with the “next Maradona” label. Some (like Messi) have thrived, but most have failed to live up to the expectations.

It’s unfair to judge players by Maradona’s standards, because he was in a world of his own. It’s strange, considering his compact (and some would say, stocky) frame that he could be such a dominant player. However, his legs were extremely strong and capable of withstanding punishment. Plus, he had remarkable dribbling skills, which allowed him to go at full speed towards an opponent’s goal where he could either fire a deadly shot on goal or whip an accurate cross towards one of his teammates. As evidenced by his brilliant goal against England in the World Cup (the one where he didn’t use his hand), he was capable of galloping past defenders at full speed, with the ball seemingly stuck on his foot. He could pull out the tricks, as well, popularizing the Rabona technique, and was also a deadly free kicker.

On the field, he had some success at the club level, where he won an Argentine League title with Boca Juniors in 1981 and then won the double with Barcelona in 1983, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey. However, it was at Napoli where he became an icon. Moving from Barcelona for a then record £6.9 million, he presided over Napoli’s greatest era, winning the only two Scudetti in club history and guiding the team to a UEFA Cup title in 1988-1989. He remains the most beloved player in Napoli’s history, his popularity so great that when Argentina came to Italy for the 1990 World Cup, Napoli was the only city in Italy where the Argentine national anthem was not booed.

On the international level was where he affirmed his legendary status, as he led Argentina to the World Cup in 1986, during which time he scored two famous (or infamous – depending on your point of view) goals against England. His second goal was named “Goal of the Century” by FIFA, and it’s hard to come up with a better one.

He was a legend in every sense of the word, and his impact on the game is absolutely immeasurable. His problems off the field were well documented. He was suspended for 15 months in 1991 for testing positive for cocaine. He was famously tossed out of the 1994 World Cup after failing a doping test. His life has been one gigantic tabloid nightmare ever since leaving the game and his health has been so carefully scrutinized that you would think he was the President or the Pope.

Nevertheless, even if you accept that he was a controversial figure who hindered his career more than he helped it, you still can’t argue with his results. Simply put, he was one of the very best players of all time.

Diego Maradona VIDEO:

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Gheorghe Hagi
ROMANIA
1982-2001
Farul Constanţa (1982-1983) Sportul Studenţesc (1983-1987) Steaua Bucureşti (1987-1990) Real Madrid (1990-1992) Brescia Calcio (1992-1994) FC Barcelona (1994-1996) Galatasaray (1996-2001)

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Known as “the Maradona of the Carpathians,” Hagi is widely considered to be the greatest player in Romanian history. He was known as an excellent passer and playmaker in the midfield, and his prowess from long-range made him a threat to score every time he came down the pitch. He scored 237 goals in 513 games in his club career, and contributed 35 goals in 125 international matches. He is the second-most capped player for Romania, and remains the country’s all-time leading scorer.

Hagi won three consecutive domestic doubles with Steaua BucureÅŸti from 1987-1989, and lost in the 1989 UEFA Cup Final. He is one of the few players to have played with both Barcelona and Real Madrid, although he failed to win any silverware. His most successful club stint came with Galatasaray, where he won four consecutive Turkish League titles, won two consecutive Turkish Cups, and won the 2000 UEFA Cup. Due to his success, he is also considered a hero in Turkey.

Internationally, his shining moment came at the 1994 World Cup where he led Romania to the Quarterfinals, its best ever showing. He scored three goals, including a memorable 40-yard goal against Colombia, and was named to the Team of the Tournament. He played for Romania in the 1998 World Cup and in Euro 2000 before retiring from international competition.

Gheorghe Hagi VIDEO:

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Zinedine Zidane
FRANCE
1988-2006
AS Cannes (1988-1992) Bordeaux (1992-1996) Juventus (1996-2001) Real Madrid (2001-2006)

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When people ask me who the greatest player of the last 10 years was, I say, without any hesitation at all, Zinedine Zidane. Of course, people then come back with “Oh, the guy who committed the headbutt in the World Cup Final?” Yeah, Zidane was a hothead, and he ended his career on the worst possible note imaginable. However, it doesn’t diminish his brilliance, nor does it detract from his accomplishments.

Zidane was, arguably, the best playmaking international midfielder since Maradona. He was the heartbeat of the French National Team that dominated from 1998-2000, winning both the World Cup and the European Championship. If there were any doubt about how important he was to his country, look no further than the 2002 World Cup, where an injured Zidane watched the first two French matches from the bench and hobbled onto the field for the third and was unable to prevent France from being eliminated without scoring a single goal. Additionally, France’s struggles in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup without Zidane, and their poor display at Euro 2008 only underscored how reliant the team had become on his brilliant playmaking.

He wasn’t just a playmaker, though, and he was more than capable of putting the ball in the net on his own. He was a great free-kicker and was one of the best headers in the game. He had exquisite ball control skills and was great at keeping possession of the ball, especially when going forward. He had a ferocious shot, and he could finish from long-range or up close.

On the club level, Zidane was just as great as he was on the international scene. He won two Scudetti with Juventus and he won the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid. Additionally, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 and was a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year. With Kaka’s proposed transfer to Manchester City falling through the cracks, Zidane remains the most expensive player of all time, transferring to Real Madrid from Juventus for £46 million.

His temper, obviously, cost him dearly, and his sending off in the World Cup Final was hardly the first time he saw red during his career (both literally and figuratively). He was sent off 14 times during his career, including an ugly incident in the 1998 World Cup where he stomped on a Saudi Arabian player’s chest. His two-match ban got him back in time for the Quarter Finals, though, but it cost him a chance at the Golden Ball. Plus, there was the embarrassing scene in 2006, where he finally did win the Golden Ball, but was sent off in the World Cup Final after headbutting Marco Materazzi. Still, just because he didn’t have a fairy tale ending, it doesn’t make him any less of a legend.

Zinedine Zidane VIDEO:

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Back to Football Legends homepage.

Fresh from the great minds of Gazzetta dello Sport, here is a look at ALL THE PLAYERS from UEFA Champion’s League Arsenal vs. AS Roma.

Enjoy!

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	MANUEL ALMUNIA
	After the Lehmann-era, the Spanish keeper became a first-team choice almost by accident, without ever doing anything extraordinary to earn the choice of nº1 in one of most prestigious clubs of Europe. The verdict’s still out on him: sometimes the author of wonderful saves, Almunia has also put his mark on terrible blunders. Aerial balls aren’t his forte either.

DONI
The match at Emirates stadium will be Doni’s perfect opportunity to shut the trap of all those criticizing him, accusing the Giallorossi keeper of always crumbling under pressure in big matches. For someone who’s made his presence known on the international level for a while now, Doni now needs to prove that his reflexes & handling ability are finally up to par.

	BACARY SAGNA
	He’s certainly not the poster-boy for his field position in the Premiership, but that is more due to a lack of media presence than quality. For the ex-Auxerre wing-back is one of those players which makes very little mistakes, and although his technical qualities aren’t mind-melting he is a very disciplined character in defense. He’s certainly got Arsène’s confidence hasn’t he?

CICINHO
For a position which has undergone so many injuries at Roma recently, not to mention the latest Christian Panucci mutiny, Cicinho has become quite the indispensible player. Now, on the European set of the Emirates/Stadio Olimpico, the Brazilian can finally swing all the naysayers to his side. He will have to wait the return leg though, for he his presently injured.

KOLO TOURÉ

This season without a doubt, has not been the Ivorian player’s most memorable ones. He’s certainly played a LOT better in the past, to the point that he was once considered among the best center-backs in the world. Kolo’s biggest problems this year, seem to be focused particularly in the changing room, but fortunately all that’s water under the bridge now, and Touré can work on returning to his previous excellence levels.

PHILIPPE MEXÈS
While he may not have to deal with Emmanuel Adebayor in the first leg, Van Persie and Bendtner aren’t easy customers either. Mexès is one of those central-backs with enormous potential, but who sometimes lets his temper or lack of concentration work against him during big games. It’s something Philippe will have to avoid at all costs, because any error against Arsenal is to be paid very dearly.

WILLIAM GALLAS

Giallorossi fans: watch out for the French center-back’s headers, as Gallas is a real specialist when it comes to moving forward on set pieces and getting his noggin on match-winning crosses. Different story for his work at the back as the 31 year-old is starting to feel the weight of his years: his once trademarked super-fast interventions are no more, and could very well prove to be the Achilles’s heel of Wenger’s defense.

JUAN
A center-back with great class, big physique and ball control skills as any Brazilian should, Juan’s biggest weakness is his lack of speed. In other words, when dealing with the pacey Arsenal players anticipation will be the main key word, as good technique & positioning may prove to be insufficient. We’ll have to wait for the second leg to see, as Juan is out injured for the Emirates match.

GAËL CLICHY

Still a young gunner, but also a veteran gunner already. Clichy is one of Arsène’s preferred players, a fast defensive wing-back on which the French manager has invested and is now ready to collect. His pacey runs down the left wing are a secret to no one, but unfortunately Clichy also marked this season with a series of unexpected defensive blunders. Something Totti & friends will want to take advantage of.

MAX TONETTO
With Riise’s injury good ole’ Max is looking for a starting spot on the left side. This year, be it for injury problems or be it for tactical choices, he has not seen playing time as much as before. Spalletti know he can be counted on however, and will not hesitate giving him a spot at the Emirates.

	EMMANUEL EBOUÉ
	Since Sagna arrived at the Emirates, Eboué has regularly appeared higher up the field in a midfield position. Wenger may have tried making a center-mid out of him, but that was an experiment the French manager rapidly abandoned. His offensive contributions (even as a wing-back) are however undeniable, and Emmanuel knows how to make his speed count.

RODRIGO TADDEI
Who is Rodrigo Taddei? An unstoppable Brazilian who unites technique and execution speed to make Roma fly, or is he just a “good” player which still fails to make that last step towards champions adulthood? On paper, this match against Arsenal is the perfect opportunity to make that step, and it’s one Taddei must take full advantage of.

DENILSON

Wenger already toyed with the idea of Denilson a more stable position in midfield, but after Fà bregas’s injury the Brazilian player has become irreplaceable. He’s fast, he’s technical, and he’s certainly not shy: the 21 year-old has been given the reins of the Gunners’ midfield and will have to prove yet again he deserves that responsibility against Roma. A big step towards international adulthood.

DANIELE DE ROSSI

Capitan Futuro for so many years now, De Rossi’s maturing period has come to an end and he is now the pillar of the Giallorossi midfield. Uniting technical skill with interdiction qualities, there are very few like him in Europe. Fortunately for him and Roma he will not be facing Fà bregas, but that is a big big disappointment for us neutral spectators, as that would have been a fantastic duel to behold. Still, he will have to make full use of his international experience against the “kids” Denilson and Diaby.

	ABOU DIABY
	Unlike Eboué, the Frenchman was first tested on the wings and then moved back to the middle to cover Fà bregas’s absence. With good results, especially since his physical traits are quite reminiscent of a certain Patrick Vieira. A great powerful athlete, he’s also decently skilled with his feet, and at 22 years of age there is still plenty of margin for improvement.

MATTEO BRIGHI
Not even a year ago, who would have thought Matteo Brighi would become the missing link and irreplaceable piece of Spalletti’s midfield chessboard? His performances this season have been absolutely stellar, with no other player making himself as useful as he had so far. With the added bonus of getting on the scoreboard a few times, including in Europe.

	SAMIR NASRI
	Wenger made a real fuss of getting this player last Summer, and Nasri’s performances so far have repayed the French manager’s confidence. He’s generally fielded on the left side, but often moves back to the center to unleash his shooting & passing abilities (generally with good results). The added bonus? He’s got a strong tendency to shine during important games. Roma players have been warned.

SIMONE PERROTTA
When all is said and done, any “reliability” ranking at Roma for the past decade features Simone Perrotta very high up. Spalletti knows this as the Italian midfielder has always provided quality & quantity, moving perfectly amidst his midfield & striker teammates, capable of offensive as well as defensive contributions. The only snag? He’s got bricks on his feet when it comes to shooting.

	ROBIN VAN PERSIE
	He’s the most smashing talent of this young Arsenal team: quality incarnated. With great technique and a good free-kick specialist, he can score with both feet and has certainly taken a knack at doing so in important games. Assuming he can keep his temper under control, the Roma defense will have many problems dealing with him.

MIRKO VUCINIC
There is no doubt in the past three years the Montenegrin striker has become a key player for AS Roma. Should he player in front, behind, or on the same line as Francesco Totti, the result is the same: quality. In other words: he’s proven to be a great player who belongs on great team. His next step? Helping Roma advance in Europe.

	NICKLAS BENDTNER
	With Adebayor & da Silva injured (and missing out at least on the first leg) and Arshavin cup-tied, it looks like the Danish striker will be promoted to the European first team as well. A player with great physique and often getting on the scoreboard as a substitute, Bendtner will have to prove to be worthy of that starting spot he claims he “deserves”.

FRANCESCO TOTTI
This has been an unfortunate year for the Giallorossi captain, without a doubt. Missing out on more than half of the season for this or that injury, it would be about time (fingers crossed) karma left Totti alone and allowed him to play this Arsenal double header. For when he is on the field, Roma have two added gears to their engine.

	JOHAN DJOUROU
	With Silvestre out injured, the Swiss center-back should at the very least make an apperance on the Gunners’ subs bench. He is certainly not lacking in the technical and physical department, and despite his young age he’s also got a good baggage of international experience. Expect to see him at some point or another.

MARCO MOTTA
Last-minute transfer of the January Mercato, the on-loan Udinese wing-back has already proven extremely useful domestically. With Panucci on punishment & Cicinho out injured, he may yet be promoted to a starting role in EUrope.

	ALEXANDRE SONG
	The Cameroonian jewel, which has often appeared into the squad rotation of Arsène Wenger, has very rapidly convinced many Arsenal fans for his reliability. Not only that, but Song is capable of covering many roles as well in midfield as in defense. Amidst the young guns of Arsène, he is one of those “winning” bets. Being the nephew of Rigobert certainly provided some good inspiration.

DAVID PIZARRO
Depending on which starting formation Spalletti chooses, Pizarro may yet be in doubt of a starting role. Often tied to the fate of Aquilani, the Chilean midfielder’s playmaking ability will however be necessary, at some point or another, in the 180 minutes ahead.

	EDUARDO DA SILVA
	After his horrifying injury and subsequent year-long absence, the Croato-Brazilian striker has slowly returned to full fitness (and associated scoring efficiency). Even though he will have to skip the first leg, his presence will undoubtedly be useful to Arsène Wenger at some point or another.

JULIO BAPTISTA
He’s returning to the Emirates as an ex playe, and Baptista will undoubtedly be looking for “revenge” against a team and a manager which gave him a starting role almost exclusively in the FA Cup. He’s got technique, power, and international experience on his side, so the English defense had better watch out for “the Beast”.

Marco Pantanella is the Author & Editor of the mCalcio blog

For many years, the sole purpose of a DEFENDER was to stay back and protect the goal. They were seen but almost never heard. The soccer equivalent of freshmen Senators, offensive linemen, and models. There wasn’t much glory, but it was a necessary part of the game.

However, the game started to change, and defenders began doing more than just tackle, cut out passes, or jump up for 50-50 balls. As defenders became more skilled and more athletic, they became integral parts of their team’s attack. Some of them thrived along the wing, making lung-busting runs back and forth while whipping in crosses into the box. Others took the more straightforward approach and did a good job acting as midfielders while being able to track back and defend whenever the other team got the ball.

A changing game demanded greater flexibility and versatility from defenders, and these players were at the forefront of that evolution.

Once again, we’ll go in chronological order. You’ll note that there are 11 listed instead of the usual 10. After the first nine, I was down to one spot for Paolo Maldini or Roberto Carlos. I couldn’t decide which one to leave off, and I didn’t want to face the consequences for having to choose between them. So, since this is an informative feature (not a poll or column ranking the legends) I figured that both of them deserved to be mentioned. I’m sure no one here will complain… ;]

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Nilton Santos
BRAZIL
1940-1976
Botafogo PR . . .

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He doesn’t get as much respect or adulation as Carlos Alberto Torres (see below), but Santos was just as good as his more celebrated countryman. He was a wingback who operated on the left side of the field, and was known for his excellent dribbling, his outstanding technique, and his tackling. He also possessed one of the best minds in the game, as he was nicknamed “The Encylcopedia” due to the vast amount of football knowledge residing in his mind. He was one of the first defenders to attack out of the backfield, and he scored a memorable goal during the World Cup when he dribbled the length of the field and skillfully put the ball in the back of the net against Austria.

He combined with Djalma Santos to form an impressive partnership in defense, and was widely credited with stabilizing Brazil’s heretofore shaky backline, which had been the cause of their undoing in previous World Cups. With the international team, he won two World Cups and one Copa America title. With Botafogo, he played 1,004 matches, won the Campeonato Carioca six times, and won the Rio/Sao Paulo Tournament three times.

He eventually received his due as player after retiring from active competition. He was named to Mastercard World Team of the 20th Century, ahead of the likes of Giacinto Facchetti, Roberto Carlos, and Paolo Maldini. It was a fitting tribute to this smart and multi-talented player who helped usher in the modern era of fullbacks.

Nilton Santos VIDEO:

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Bobby Moore
ENGLAND
1958-1978
West Ham United (1958-1974) Fulham (1974-1977) San Antonio Thunder (1976) Seattle Sounders (1978)

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He wasn’t the biggest defender on the pitch. He wasn’t the fastest, either. Instead, Moore’s skills lay in his unique ability to read the game, close off lanes, mark his man, and anticipate plays, all of which were world class. As such, he established himself as the thinking-man’s defender and earned praise from no less than Pele for his defensive skills.

Moore’s greatest asset was his leadership, and nowhere was this more evident than during the 1966 World Cup, when he captained England to the championship. During the Finals, against West Germany, Moore showed that he could do more than defend. He set up England’s first goal as his quick free-kick found Geoff Hurst, who knocked it into the net for the first of his three goals on the day. He also set up England’s fourth goal, as he won possession of the ball in his own territory after West Germany sent most of their men forward in a desperate attempt to equalize and then sent a long pass to Hurst, who then fired it home to put the result beyond doubt.

Ultimately, his 108 caps stood as a record for English footballers until Peter Shilton broke it. Recently, David Beckham equaled his mark for an outfield player. Moore had success domestically, as well. He guided West Ham to the F.A. Cup in 1974, and added the Cup Winners Cup in 1975. Despite his reputation as a class-act on the pitch, he was known to partake in late-night carousing and drinking. However, he would always show up to the training facilities bright and early the next morning, usually to work off the alcohol.

He was a true national hero and a beloved figure in world football. He was named the most outstanding footballer of the past 50 years by the Football Association, and a statue of him stands outside Wembley Stadium to commemorate his greatest accomplishment, namely lifting the World Cup.

Bobby Moore VIDEO:

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Giacinto Facchetti
ITALY
1960-1978
Inter Milan . . .

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The backbone of the “Le Grande Inter” Era, Facchetti could do it all. He could play left back, where his dribbling and crossing skills, as well as his ability to make great runs down the flanks, made him an integral part of his team’s offense. He could also play center back, where his 6’3’’ frame and excellent tackling skills could make any forward’s day miserable. He had a nose for scoring, as well, notching 59 goals during his career for Inter Milan, and 3 goals for the Italian National Team.

His play at left-back was instrumental in turning Inter Milan into a dynamic offensive team that took the defensive-minded Serie A by storm, leading to loads of silverware. Facchetti won four Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, and won back-to-back European Cups in 1964 and 1965. He earned 94 caps for his country, which was a record at the time, and captained his side 70 times. He went to three World Cups and finished as a runner-up in 1970 (losing to a loaded Brazilian team). He did win the European Championships in 1968, though, and earned the honor of lifting the trophy in front of his home fans.

Perhaps most impressively, Facchetti was a sportsman on the pitch who was only sent off once in his career (for sarcastically applauding the referee – Wayne Rooney can relate). After he retired as a player, he showed his skills as an executive, moving his way up Inter’s corporate ladder until he became President in 2004. Sadly, he passed away due to pancreatic cancer, and Inter Milan honored their long-time captain and team official the best way they could. They retired his no. 3 jersey, a rare honor for any player in football.

Giacinto Facchetti VIDEO:

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Carlos Alberto Torres
BRAZIL
1963-1982
Fluminense (1963-1966, 1974-1977) Santos (1966-1974) Flamengo (1977) New York Cosmos (1977-1980, 1982) California Surf (1981)

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When you play for Brazil, you’re taking up the mantle of excellence and carrying on a glorious tradition built by legendary players like Pele, Zico, and Garrincha. For defenders, no figure has been more influential in Brazilian football than Torres. Playing as a wing-back for most of his career, Torres displayed outstanding offensive instincts to go along with his great tackling skills and ability to read the game. He was instrumental in Brazil’s attack and contributed 8 goals during his time with the national team.

His greatest accomplishment came in the 1970 World Cup. Torres scored one of the most memorable goals in World Cup history when he made a great run down the right wing and scored against Italy in the Final. Most importantly, on a star-studded team that consisted of the likes of Pele, Clodoaldo, Gérson, Jairzinho, Roberto Rivelino, and Tostão, it was Torres that held the trophy as the skipper.

On the domestic front, Torres won more than his fair share of silverware. He collected three Campeonato Carioca titles with Fluminese, and won the Taça Guanabara twice. He also won the Paulista Championship twice while with Santos, and supplemented his trophy case with four NASL titles with the Cosmos.

He was a pioneering defender who was just as much of a threat on offense as he was on defense.

Carlos Alberto Torres VIDEO:

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Franz Beckenbauer
GERMANY
1964-1983
Bayern Munich (1964-1977) New York Cosmos (1977-1980, 1983) Hamburger SV (1980-1982) .

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“Der Kaiser” is generally regarded as the greatest German footballer of all time, and with good reason. No one was better at winning trophies than Beckenbauer. He became the driving force of some of the greatest teams in football history while playing with Bayern Munich, combining with Sepp Maier and Gerd Muller to win four Bundesliga crowns, four DFB Cups, one Cup Winners Cup, and, most notably, three straight European Cups from 1973-1976. His winning ways continued after he left Bayern Munich, winning a Bundesliga title with Hamburger in 1982, and winning three NASL Championships with the Cosmos.

As successful as he was in domestic competition, he was even better on the international scene. Beckenbauer captained the West German side to the 1972 European Championships and the 1974 World Cup. During the 1974 World Cup Final, he had, arguably, his finest moment, as his West Germans were big underdogs against the Johan Cruijff and the “Total Football” Dutch juggernaut. However Beckenbauer, Berti Vogts, and other German defenders man-marked Cruijff so well that the Netherlands managed only one goal on a penalty shot.

Beckenbauer wasn’t just a winner. He was a pioneer that changed the way the game was played. Not content to sit back and concentrate on defense when he had great playmaking and attacking skills, or to stay in midfield when he had such excellent defensive instincts, he became the first great sweeper (“libero”) in the game.

Beckenbauer remains a dominant figure in German football. He won the 1990 World Cup as a manager, guiding the very last West German squad to glory. He also won a Bundesliga title as Bayern Munich’s manager, and picked up a UEFA Cup title to boot. He’s currently the Chairman of Bayern Munich, as well as the Vice-President of the DFB. He was instrumental in bringing the World Cup to Germany in 2006, and frequently makes headlines for criticizing various German players and managers. Hey, when you’ve won as much as he has, I guess you’ve earned that right.

Most notably, Beckenbauer’s success as a libero, prompted many teams to look for their own version of “Der Kaiser.” Some teams, like Italy with Scirea and Baresi or the later-day German squad with Matthaus succeeded. But, by and large, most teams found out that there was only one Beckenbauer.

Franz Beckenbauer VIDEO:

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Elias Figueroa
CHILE
1964-1982
Union La Calera (1964) Santiago Wanderers (1965-1966) Penarol (1967-1972) Internacional (1972-1976) Palestino (1977-1980) Ford Lauderdale Strikers (1981) Colo-Colo (1982)

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Widely regarded as the greatest Chilean footballer of all time, Figueroa was highly respected by the rest of the world, as well. He was voted South American Footballer of the Year in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He was voted “Best Defender” at the 1974 World Cup, and named Best Player in the World by FIFA in 1976. He was also voted “Greatest Chilean Player of All Time” cementing his legendary status in his home country.

Nicknamed “Don Elias,” Figueroa was a dominant center-back who was known for his leadership skills on the pitch. He captained Chile to three World Cups starting in 1966. Never known as an international power house, Chile never advanced past the first round during Figueroa’s tenure as skipper. They could also thank the lottery gods, who put them in the same group as the host country in both 1966 and 1974 (during the latter World Cup, they were actually in the same group as both East Germany and West Germany), and put them with powerhouse West Germany once again in 1982. Despite the adversity, Figueroa played hard and enhanced his worldwide reputation, as evident by the “Best Defender” award at the 74 Cup.

Figueroa had much more success domestically, winning league titles in Uruguay (with Penarol), Brazil (with Internacional), and Chile (with Palestino). He also captained Chile to a runner-up finish in the 1979 Copa America. Figueroa has continued to make an impact on the world, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.

Elias Figueroa VIDEO:

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Gaetano Scirea
ITALY
1972-1988
Atalanta (1972-1974) Juventus (1974-1988) . .

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He’s often considered to be greatest Italian defender of all time, which is high praise considering the sheer number of great defensive players that have come from there. He was so good that he essentially shut Franco Baresi (see below), another legendary sweeper, out of the national team until 1986, when Scirea was near the end of his career.

He wasn’t as offensively inclined as Beckenbauer, nor was he as predisposed to staying in the back like Baresi. Instead, he synthesized both approaches and combined his graceful and skillful tackling and man-marking with his offensive talent to become an important part of his team’s attack. He scored 24 goals during his time with Juventus, and notched an additional 2 goals while playing for Italy.

Most importantly, he was universally respected for his sportsmanship and class and was never sent off or suspended during his career, a feat that seems unthinkable given his position on the field and his defensive responsibilities. His ability to win balls fairly and make hard, yet clean tackles, was a testament to his skills and talents. His low-key approach won him few individual honors, but everyone who followed football knew how important he was to his club and to his country.

He won seven Scudetti (all with Juventus), two Italian Cups, one UEFA Cup, one Cup Winner’s Cup, one European Cup, which makes him one of the rare players to have won every single major domestic and international club trophy. He also won the 1982 World Cup, helping to lead his team past West Germany in the Finals. Tragically, he died in a car accident shortly after his retirement. Today, he’s remembered as one of the greatest players in Italian football history, as well as a fantastic role-model and sportsman.

Gaetano Scirea VIDEO:

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Franco Baresi
ITALY
1977-1997
AC Milan . . .

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Like Beckenbauer, Baresi played the libero role to perfection during his two decades at Milan. Unlike Beckenbauer, Baresi concentrated more on his defensive duties, holding down the middle of field and easily dispossessing anyone who dared enter the penalty area while he was standing guard. That’s not to say he didn’t go forward, because he did. However, his primary role was to protect his keeper and win the ball, which he did with amazing success.

Baresi had a phenomenally successful career with Milan, winning six Scudetti, three European Cups, and four Italian Supercups. As an international player, he was on the 1982 World Cup winning squad, but at 22 years old, he was an unused substitute behind Italian great Gaetano Scirea (see above), albeit one that left with a Winner’s Medal. He missed the 1986 World Cup, and didn’t make his debut until 1990, when Italy hosted the tournament. With high expectations, Italy came up short, losing to Argentina in the Semi-Finals, but were able to finish third after defeating England in the consolation match. He was the skipper for the 1994 team that lost to Brazil in the Finals, and was one of the players who missed in the penalty shootout, although he did not face nearly as much criticism as his teammate, Roberto Baggio, whose miss clinched the Cup for Brazil. Throughout his career, Baresi earned 81 caps, a number that would have surely been in the triple-digits if he hadn’t been competing with Scirea.

Ultimately, his greatest influence can be seen through his protégé, Paolo Maldini. Baresi spent a lot of time tutoring his younger charge while the two of them played together at Milan. As such, when Baresi retired, he turned over his captain’s armband to Maldini in a memorable moment involving the clubs current and future icons. Only Maldini has won more matches, made more appearances, and won more trophies with the club than Baresi.

Franco Baresi VIDEO:

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Lothar Matthäus
GERMANY
1979-2000
Borussa Mönchengladbach (1979-1984) Bayern Munich (1984-1988, 1992-2000) Inter Milan (1988-1992) New York/New Jersey Metrostars (2000)

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The heir to Beckenbauer as the best German libero in the world, Matthaus actually spent a lot of time playing in midfield due to his excellent passing skills and tremendous shooting ability. He amassed 184 goals during his career for both club and country, but wasn’t just an offensive force, as he was often tasked with man-marking the opposition’s best player. During the 1986 World Cup, he did an admirable job on Diego Maradona in the Finals. Even though Argentina went on to win, a respectful Maradona later said that Matthaus was the best rival he had ever had. This was well before Matthaus switched to the libero role upon returning to Bayern in 1994, having become a much more complete player and better defender after spending time in Italy.

Even though he came up short in 1986, Matthaus had plenty of other occasions to celebrate. He won seven Bundesliga titles (all with Bayern Munich), three German Cups, one Serie A title, and two UEFA Cups. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1990, and was FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991. He captained the West German side to glory, winning the World Cup in 1990. He also won the European Championship in 1980, which meant that he had won every single important domestic and international trophy, except for the UEFA Champions League/European Cup. He came close, losing in the Finals on two heartbreaking occasions to Porto in 1987 and to Manchester United in 1999. Ironically, when Bayern Munich finally won the Champions League in 2001, he had already retired, having played his final year in MLS with the Metrostars as the first big-name acquisition in the league’s history (though hardly the last).

Despite not having that Champions League medal, most players would gladly swap places (and trophy cases) with Matthaus. Almost all of them would gladly take his talent and versatility as well.

Lothar Matthäus VIDEO:

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Paolo Maldini
ITALY
1984-present
A.C. Milan . . .

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Like his mentor, the great Franco Baresi (see above), Maldini is an AC Milan legend who has played his entire career at the San Siro. Maldini has followed in Baresi’s footsteps in a number of other ways as well. He’s been club skipper, he’s been an inspirational and iconic figure, and most importantly, he’s been a winner. Maldini has won more games than anyone in an A.C. Milan kit, and has a crowded trophy room to boot. He has won seven Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, four Italian Super Cups, and five UEFA Champions League Titles. He was also the first European-based captain to lift the World Club Championship,. In 1994, he became the first defender to win World Soccer’s World Player of the Year award.

He is extremely versatile and has excelled at both left-back and center back during his career. He moved to center back after Baresi retired and has played much of his career for club and country in the heart of the defense. Indeed, the heart metaphor is apt when describing Maldini since he was always the inspirational leader of his team’s backline. He didn’t just use words and emotions to get the job done, though. He also led by example, and his exquisite skills, solid tackling, and guile made him, arguably, the greatest defender in the world during his day. He wasn’t as flashy as his counterpart, Roberto Carlos (see below), but most experts will tell you that he was a much better defender.

Internationally, he remains Italy’s most capped player with 126 appearances. He was skipper for 74 of those appearances, which is also a record. He didn’t win any trophies during his time with the national team, coming closest in 1994 when he was on the Italian squad that finished second to Brazil. He was also a runner-up at Euro 2000, where he came up short against France. Nevertheless, he is one of the most beloved players in Italian history and a true icon.

Paolo Maldini VIDEO:

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Roberto Carlos
BRAZIL
1990-present
Uniao Sao Joao (1990-1993) Palmeiras (1993-1995) Inter Milan (1995-1996) Real Madrid (1996-2007) Fenerbahce (2007-present)

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The latest in a long line of excellent Brazilian wingbacks, Roberto Carlos continues to excel, even as he approaches the end of his career. Roberto Carlos carved out a niche for himself in football history by becoming one of the very best free-kick takers in the world. He frequently dazzled fans, teammates, and opposing players with his skills, and scored a number of important goals for both club and country. He could bend balls in from angles, including one from almost impossible angle along the left end-line. He was also famous for a free kick against France in which he scored from 35 yards out and bent the ball so ferociously that it looked like it was going to a good 10 yards wide of the post, only to curl back in and easily beat a stunned Fabien Barthez.

Roberto Carlos was more than just a brilliant free-kicker, though. He was an excellent defender who was a vital part of his team’s defense. He was twice voted to UEFA’s team of the year, and finished second to Ronaldo in the voting for the FIFA Player of the Year in 1997. His lightning quickness made him a force on both sides of the ball, often tiring out opposing players and leading to scoring opportunities.

He was a part of some of the best modern-day teams in football history. He won three Champions League crowns and four La Liga titles with Real Madrid. He won a World Cup in 2002 for Brazil, and won a Copa America in 1997 and 1999. While he was usually brilliant for whatever team he suited up for, his career hasn’t been without controversy. He was vilified by the Brazilian media for his failure to mark Thierry Henry during the 2006 World Cup because he was busy adjusting his socks. Henry ended up scoring the lone goal in the match and Roberto Carlos took the blame. Additionally, he was roundly criticized for giving up an early goal to Roy Makaay in the Champions League Knock Out phase, which essentially ended Real Madrid’s chances of winning in 2006-2007. Nevertheless, his reputation as one of the greatest of all time has not diminished, despite these setbacks. If anything, they remind us that nobody is perfect, especially after 16 years.

Roberto Carlos VIDEO:

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