Ever since I became a football fan in 2001, there has been so many great footballers that has graced the game. I consider myself to be lucky and grateful to see these great players during my time. I often get the questions of who is my favorite footballer. Hence, I've decided to write this in my admiration for these exceptional players. I have selected the best 11 players according to their positions with 7 substitutes. The players are only those that I've seen during my time as a football fan. An early apology if any of the facts stated below are inaccurate and will be truly appreciated if the mistakes are pointed out.
Formation: 4-3-3
Coach: Marcello Lippi
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| Probably the calmest and coolest manager ever! |
Lippi will always be remembered as the coach that guided Italy to success in the 2006 World Cup. He is considered the best in setting his side to be defensively organized and gives his attacking players the freedom to express themselves. He has 5 Serie A titles and one champions league medal under his belt and also he was the manager for the Chinese league team, Guangzhou Evergrande when they won the AFC Cup in 2013. This achievement showed the class of Lippi as he can be successful wherever he goes. The most successful manager in the international and club level that I've seen.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
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| The save hands of Turin |
Buffon has been around ever since I started watching football until this present day. He has been the most reliable save hands as well as being really consistent throughout his career. The 2006 World Cup winning goalkeeper did not concede a single goal from open play in the whole tournament. A big and commanding presence at the back he always keeps his defense organised like a typical Italian style. I wonder how Italy is ever going to find a replacement for him.
Right Back: Cafu
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| Captain Samba |
Trust me, Philip Lahm came very close here but Cafu just shaded for this spot. During his time in Milan, many regarded him as the most complete right back in terms of attacking and defending. He always had the right balance in his game and never stopped running up and down the pitch. He was literally unbelievable in the 2002 World Cup guiding his team to glory as the captain. That 2002 Brasil team is the best football team I've ever seen in terms of attacking and if he was the captain for that side, that says how special Cafu was. He is also the only player to have played 3 world cup finals in a row.
Center Back: Fabio Cannavaro
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| Italy's great wall |
Cannavaro is the last defender to have the prestigious Balon D'Or prize. He was central and the main figure of the Italian team in 2006 that won the world cup without conceding a single goal from open play. They only concede two with one being an own goal and another a penalty. It is a truly amazing feat when such achievement is done at the highest stage of a football tournament. Despite being only 5ft 9, he showed height is not an issue to be a great defender. He was also part of the Real Madrid team that won the La Liga back to back in 2007 and 2008. Since he left, Madrid was unable to achieve that again.
Center Back: Carlos Puyol
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| The rock of Camp Nou |
Left Back: Paolo Maldini
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| Never mess with Mr. AC Milan |
Paolo Maldini will remain until this very day as the best ever defender in an one on one situation. I remember wingers being left frustrated going against Maldini as he has the speed to go along his great reading of the game. Assured with both feet and a great header of the ball, Maldini could play anywhere across the back-line without breaking sweat. He is an all time Milan great. AC Milan lost its identity and image when Maldini retired.
Defensive Midfielder: Andrea Pirlo
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| The Architect |
Where do I start with this Italian Mozart? Just like fine wine, he became better with age. He made football look easy while playing in a deep lying play-maker role. In the 2006 World Cup, Pirlo had a part to play in every single Italian game either with a goal or an assist including the final. In Euro 2012, he dictated every single game until the final and was rightfully named the best player of the tournament. He has an exquisite touch and passing range with a calmness that makes the audience think they are watching an exhibition match. Left AC Milan in 2011 after winning the league and Champions league twice. After joining Juventus he guided them to win the Serie A title 4 times in a row as well as bringing them to the Champions League final in 2015. A true artist of the game.
Center Midfielder: Zinedine Zidane
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| The General |
The most skillful midfielder I have seen? The great Zizou. The first champions league final that I've watched is the 2002 final between Madrid and Leverkusen where Zizou settled the final with a full first time volley at the edge of the box with the ball dropping from 15 meters in the air. I don't remember seeing a more beautiful goal being scored in a final. Zizou was central in the great 'Galacticos' team of Real Madrid. He was also named as the best player in the 2006 World Cup despite being at the age of 34 where he almost single handedly guided France to the final. An all round midfielder who could beat opponents with ease. Pure class.
Center Midfielder:Paul Scholes
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| The Dictator |
Paul Scholes was admired and considered as the best by both Pirlo and Zidane and it would be literally criminal to not include this ginger prince in my list. When I started watching football Scholes was an attacking midfielder with great eye for goals. When Scholes was the heart of the England national team, that was the last England were able to compete with the best in the international stage. England only narrowly lost to the mighty Brasil team in the 2002 World Cup quarter finals and the international team has been in a free fall since. With 11 league titles and 2 champions league medals to his name, Scholes is definitely the best player that I've seen playing for Man Utd. Scholes was used as a role model in the Barcelona academy, La Masia. In his later years, he changed his game to a more deep lying role and the 2011 champions league cemented his place as a true great as 5 Barcelona players ( Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi and Busquets) raced for his jersey after the final whistle. Iniesta won.
Left Wing: Ronaldinho Gaucho
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| The Best of the Best |
The only footballer that no matter which team you support, you just can't hate. Ronaldinho played the game in a way that other players can only dream off. There will never be another Ronaldinho. I can't find words to describe his greatness as I'm just sitting here thinking how to express my admiration of him and making myself look like a fool. He scores when he wants to, dribbles when he wants to and settle a football match when he feels like doing so. Always with a smile on his face, he is the one who made me fall in love with football through his mesmerizing performances in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Hence, it can be said, what made me be a fanatic football fan? The answer is Ronaldinho. He made other legends of the game including those in this list look like total amateurs with his sublime skills and mouthwatering movement with the ball. The best footballer I've ever seen so far. Enough said.
Right Wing: Lionel Messi
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| The Genius |
Messi is a pure genius as he knows what to do at the right time. He never hesitates to lay the ball on a plate for his teammates when he could have easily score himself. He is blessed with a natural footballing gift with extraordinary vision, touch and dribbling skills. Messi has won the Balon D'Or 4 times and is in the running for his 5th accolade. It is almost impossible to stop Messi when he is running with the ball on his magical left foot. Barcelona has been blessed to have him among their ranks. He is another player that shows size doesn't matter to be the best. Messi is indeed without a doubt the best football player who is still playing the game. The only player who is faster with the ball than without it. A living legend.
Center Forward: Luis Ronaldo
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| The Phenomenon |
The most complete striker that I've seen so far is without a doubt is Luis Ronaldo. He could do almost anything that you expect from a striker. Equally talented with both feet, blessed with spectacular shooting ability Ronaldo was striker any team would dream of having in their team. The 2002 World Cup was the highlight of his sublime career.You don't see many strikers in the present day who is so comfortable with finishing a chance by rounding past the the goalkeeper. Ronaldo was born to score goals.
Substitutes:
Iker Casillas
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| The save of his life |
Another goalkeeper who has been there ever since I started watching football. He will always remain as the image of Real Madrid. A wonderful goalkeeper and was also an important pivot for Spain to winning the 2010 World Cup and the 2008, 2012 Euros. Manuel Neuer came close for this spot.
Phillip Lahm
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| Mr. Underrated |
Manager Pep Guardiola quoted that Lahm is the most intelligent player that he has coached. Lahm could play 3 different positions comfortably due to his brilliant football mind. He would have been more appreciated if football players are not based just by the number of goals. Lahm is a player who is consistent almost every game and it was so fitting to see him lift the 2014 World Cup as the captain of Germany.
Xavi Hernandez
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| The conductor of Spain |
The midfield conductor for Barcelona and the reason for all their achievements during the Guardiola era. He is another player that was not given enough attention due to his lack of goals. Only fans who truly understands football will appreciate his talents and what he brings to the team. Xavi was also the midfield general for Spain during their Euro and World Cup success. Roy Keane and Claude Makelele came close for his spot.
Andres Iniesta
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| The goal that broke the heart of every Dutch fan including myself |
Xavi's partner in crime both in the club and international level, Iniesta is a magician on the ball with an eagle eye vision for an assist. Scorer of the 2010 World Cup winning goal, and the best player for Spain in Euro 2012, Iniesta could run games according to his tempo. When everyone thought he was washed out, he produced one of his best performances in the 2015 champions league final claiming the Man of the Match award. Currently my favorite footballer who is still playing. Steven Gerrard just ran short for Iniesta's spot.
Ryan Giggs
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| The Man for all seasons |
The Welsh wizard will be considered as the best player ever in the Premier League era as he was constantly tearing teams apart at will with his speed and skill. If 13 premier league titles and 2 champions league medals is not enough to determine his class, Giggs changed to a central midfielder as he became older which showed his footballing intelligence and he received a standing ovation from the Bernabeau faithful when he was substituted off as he earned a man of the match performance against Madrid at the age of 40. Kaka lost this spot due to short prime form as compared to Giggs.
Cristiano Ronaldo
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| The Machine |
A goal-scoring machine, Cristiano is just simply relentless in terms of scoring and his always challenging himself to be better. Started out as a youngster at Man Utd, Ronaldo raised to great heights due to his hardwork in training in his determination to be the best. He has broken countless of goalscoring records during his tenure at Madrid and his hattrick of Balon D'Or wins showcases his greatness.
Thierry Henry
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| The King of Highbury |
A class striker during his prime at Arsenal. An important member of the great 'invincibles' Arsenal team during the 2002-2003 season. Everytime he gets the ball inside the box you would just know that something was about to happen. One of the most skillful players to have graced the game and probably the best all round premier league striker.
by Ivan Vincent
