The Top 250 Players of All-Time: 40-31
In February 2013 up in the attic bedroom of our student house, Gareth Thomas, Ben Jones and Ollie Jackson after another prolonged football debate decided it was time we did something about the question, 'Who is the best player in the World?'. Housemate Liam suggested setting out to find the greatest 50 players of all time, this swiftly grew to 100, 150 and 200 before we settled on 250. Our original website www.top250.webs.com is still there to answer the debate but we furthered our work to blogging about the beautiful game starting up www.thefootballhistoryboys.blogspot.com.
Missed the last installment? Here it is!
40. Ruud GULLIT
POSITION: Forward;
NATION: Netherlands (66/17);
CLUB(s): HFC Haarlem (NED), Feyenoord (NED), PSV (NED), Milan (ITA), Sampdoria (ITA), Chelsea (ENG);
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Eerste Divisie, 3x Eredivisie, 1x KNVB Cup, 3x Serie A, 1x Coppa Italia, 2x Supercoppa Italiana, 2x European Cups, 2x UEFA Super Cup, 2x Intercontinental Cup, 1x FA Cup
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Eerste Divisie, 3x Eredivisie, 1x KNVB Cup, 3x Serie A, 1x Coppa Italia, 2x Supercoppa Italiana, 2x European Cups, 2x UEFA Super Cup, 2x Intercontinental Cup, 1x FA Cup
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x European Championship
"He was one of the most unpredictable of Sacchi's side, capable of incredible actions, supported by his powerful physique. Strong in the air and on the ground, during his first year as a Rossoneri, Gullit won a League Title. Despite his meniscus and knee injuries he won another two League Titles and numerous cups including two UEFA Champions League and two European/South American Cups. Gullit won the Golden Ball in the 1987 and he dedicated his victory to Nelson Mandela, a demonstration of his anti-racist commitment."
AC Milan - " Hall of Fame"
AC Milan - " Hall of Fame"
39. Eric CANTONA
POSITION: Forward;
NATION: France (45/20);
CLUB(s): Auxerre (FRA), Martigues (FRA), Marseille (FRA), Bordeaux (FRA), Montpellier (FRA), Nîmes (FRA), Leeds United (ENG), Manchester United (ENG)
CLUB HONOURS: 2x Ligue 1, 1x Coupe de France, 1x Football League First Division, 4x Premier League, 2x FA Cup, 4x Charity Shield
"He was the only player I saw who the manager never had a go at. We all went to a film premiere and were told to wear black ties. Eric turned up in a cream lemon suit with Nike trainers. The manager told him that he looked fantastic!" Andy Cole - Manchester United Teammate
"“Le Roi”.“Le Dieu”. Or good old – but never, ever, plain old – Eric. Whatever you want to call Monsieur Cantona, the Frenchman’s four-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford are the stuff of legend.No.7 shirt collar as stiffly upright as if it had been starched, that imperious look, theatrical swagger and poise, Eric Cantona was born to play for Manchester United – and, even better, he was pinched from across the Pennines to do so."
Manchester United - "Legends"
Manchester United - "Legends"
38. Giancinto FACCHETTI
POSITION: Defender;
NATION: Italy (94/3);
CLUB: Inter Milan (ITA)
CLUB HONOURS: 4x Serie A, 1x Coppa Italia, 2x European Cup, 2x Intercontinental Cup
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x European Championship
"Giacinto Facchetti could perhaps most aptly be described as the Pele of the defensive arts. He will forever be remembered as the man who brought fullbacks out of their shells and, while playing under that great architect of catenaccio Helenio Herrera, became the first attacking European of his position in the modern era..
Elegant both on and off the pitch, Facchetti was also a one-club man, rising through the ranks at Inter Milan from player to president and performing every role with the same degree of modesty and dignity. In short, Giacinto Facchetti was class personified." FIFA.com
37. Bobby CHARLTON
POSITION: Forward;
NATION: England (106/49);
CLUB(s): Manchester United (ENG), Preston North End (ENG), Waterford (IRE)
CLUB HONOURS: 3x Football League First Division, 1x FA Cup, 4x Charity Shield, 1x UEFA European Cup, 3x FA Youth Cup
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup
"It was the late 1960s. England had won the World Cup and Manchester United the European Cup. All over the world there were children who could speak only two words of English. One was "Bobby", the other was "Charlton", such was the esteem in which he was held."
www.ifhof.com quoting TV pundit Jimmy Hill
www.ifhof.com quoting TV pundit Jimmy Hill
36. Franco BARESI
POSITION: Defender;
NATION: Italy (82/2);
CLUB: Milan (ITA)
CLUB HONOURS: 3x UEFA Champions League, 2x Intercontinental Cup, 3x UEFA European Supercups, 6x Serie A, 2x Serie B, 4x Italian Supercup, 1x Mitropa Cup
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup
Adam Bate - GhostGoal.co.uk
Jamie Carragher
35. Ryan GIGGS
POSITION: Midfielder;
NATION: Wales (64/12);
CLUB: Manchester United (ENG)
CLUB HONOURS: 13x Premier League, 4x FA Cup, 4x Football League Cup, 9x FA Community Shield, 2x UEFA Champions League, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Intercontinental Cup, 1x FIFA World Club Cup
"The Ryan Giggs story goes on - and on and on - and still his powers refuse to wane. No longer the daring, dashing left-winger who tormented full-backs, but a calming influence and one of the sharpest passers around. Although his legs may have lost the explosive acceleration, his brain remains ahead of his younger rivals and his ability to produce telling crosses and assists has never been better. In summary, the Welshman is a phenomenon and a footballer to be treasured and talked about in revered tones long after he eventually decides to hang up his boots." Manchester United
34. Luis FIGO
POSITION: Forward;
NATION: Portugal (127/32);
CLUB(s): Sporting (POR), Barcelona (SPA), Real Madrid (SPA), Inter Milan (ITA)
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Taca de Portugal, 4x La Liga, 2x Copa Del Rey, 3x Supercopa de Espana, 1x Champions League, 2x Super Cup, 1x Cup Winners' Cup, 1x Intercontinental Cup, 4x Serie A, 1x Coppa Italia, 3x Supercoppa Italia
"Figo was peerless at dribbling and taking on opponents, and his perfect assists were a luxury for all of the forwards who played with him. He was a leader on the pitch who helped Real Madrid to win honours and further their legendary status." Real Madrid
33. RIVALDO
POSITION: Midfielder / Forward;
NATION: Brazil (74/34);
CLUB(s): Santa Cruz (BRA), Mogi Mirim (BRA), Corinthians (BRA), Palmeiras (BRA), Deportivo La Coruña (ESP), Barcelona (ESP), Milan (ITA), Cruzerio (BRA), Olympiacos (GRC), AEK Athens (GRC), Bunyodkor PFK (UZB), São Paulo (BRA), Kabuscorp (AGO), São Caetano (BRA)
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Brazilian Série A, 2x Campeonato Paulista, 2x UEFA European Supercup, 2x La Liga, 1x Copa del Rey, 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x Coppa Italia, 1x Campeonato Mineiro, 3x Greek Super League, 2x Greek Cup, 3x Uzbek League, 2x Uzebekistani Cup
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA Confederations Cup, 1x Copa América, 1x FIFA World Cup, 1x Umbro Cup
"During his near 25 year playing career, Rivaldo played more than 800 times at club level, scoring more than 350 goals in the process. He also won 74 caps for his country and scored 34 goals, eight of which came at the FIFA World Cup. He remains among fans and experts as one of the greatest attacking midfielders of his generation, maybe of all time. And in his pomp with Barcelona, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane stated that Rivaldo was the player he most wanted his team to sign." GiveMeSport.com
"During his near 25 year playing career, Rivaldo played more than 800 times at club level, scoring more than 350 goals in the process. He also won 74 caps for his country and scored 34 goals, eight of which came at the FIFA World Cup. He remains among fans and experts as one of the greatest attacking midfielders of his generation, maybe of all time. And in his pomp with Barcelona, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane stated that Rivaldo was the player he most wanted his team to sign." GiveMeSport.com
32. Dino ZOFF
POSITION: Goalkeeper;
NATION: Italy (112/0);
CLUB(s): Udinese, Mantova, Napoli, Juventus (All ITA)
CLUB HONOURS: 6x Serie A, 2x Coppa Italia, 1x UEFA Cup
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup, 1x UEFA European Championship
"Dino Zoff is regarded among many to be one of the greatest goalkeepers to have graced the game. He set many records in his career, one of the most notable being for the longest time without conceding a goal in international tournaments – 1142 minutes between 1972 and 1974." Forza Italian Football
"Dino Zoff is regarded among many to be one of the greatest goalkeepers to have graced the game. He set many records in his career, one of the most notable being for the longest time without conceding a goal in international tournaments – 1142 minutes between 1972 and 1974." Forza Italian Football
31. Michael LAUDRUP
POSITION: Midfielder;
NATION: Denmark (104/37);
CLUB(s): KB (DEN), Brondby (DEN), Juventus (ITA), Lazio (ITA), Barcelona (SPA), Real Madrid (SPA), Vissel Kobe (JAP), Ajax (NED)
CLUB HONOURS: 1x Serie A, 1x Intercontinental Cup, 5x La Liga, 1x Copa del Rey, 2x Spanish Super Cup, 1x UEFA European Cup, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Eredivisie, 1x KNVB
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA Confederations Cup
"Videos of the playmaker on youtube would show his classic touch of the ball, his astonishing speed, those thunderstrike long range goals blasted from 35-40 yards out, those magnificent feet, inch-perfect passes and a four-dimensional dribbling ability." Goal.com
"Who is the best player in history? Laudrup." Andres Iniesta
Voted for by the public between August and December 2013! Missed some? - click here!
"Who is the best player in history? Laudrup." Andres Iniesta
Voted for by the public between August and December 2013! Missed some? - click here!
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