Forgotten Legends: Footballers Who Shaped the Game But Aren't in the Spotlight
Over the years football has produced many iconic superstars, held up as pioneers or masters of the beautiful game. If asked to name a few on the one hand, most fans would hold up Pele, Maradona, or more recently Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as some of the game’s luminaries.
But for every Maradona, there are many legendary footballers who, despite having contributed to shaping and developing the sport, are often overlooked by the annals of history. These forgotten legends have influenced tactics, inspired teams, and pushed the boundaries of what football could be — let’s look at a few now.
Gunnar Nordahl (Sweden)
One striker who isn’t often part of the conversation about great attacking players is Swede Gunnar Nordahl, and yet few have scored as prolifically. From the late 40s through the 50s he was a central part of the AC Milan team, a powerhouse forward with a strong physical presence, clinical finishing, and overall game awareness. He helped Milan win five Serie A titles, and to this day remains the second-highest scorer in the history of the Italian top flight.
Despite all this, Nordahl remains a marginal figure in footballing history, overshadowed by many other iconic players, including his countryman Zlatan Ibrahimović. This could be due to a relatively short international career, as the governing bodies of the age didn’t allow players who conducted their club careers on foreign soil eligibility for their national teams. But he shouldn’t be neglected — he left an undeniable influence on the Italian game and was a goal scoring master.
Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)
Spare a thought for goalkeepers, often the most underappreciated of the eleven players on a team. It's ridiculous really, when you consider that some of the world’s best wear gloves. Lev Yashin transcended the role, becoming a legend in his time, as well as enduring one of the toughest eras internationally. From a poor background, he impressed the Dynamo Moscow youth coaches and began playing in the top flight.
Revolutionising the goalkeeper position, Yashin was highly vocal about his goal, organising his defence vigorously. In an era where many goalies spent their time dawdling on the goal line, he rushed out to defend corners and crosses and charged down advancing forwards. He has come to be regarded as the greatest goalkeeper of the 20th Century, and one of the greatest of all time, with an Olympic gold medal to his name, as well as a Ballon d’Or (the only goalie ever to be awarded one).
Didi (Brazil)
Waldyr Pereira, better known as Didi, was the creative force behind Brazil’s World Cup victories in 1958 and 1962, but with other names such as Pelé and Garrincha on the team list, his place in history has been blurred somewhat.
A midfield maestro, Didi was renowned for his vision, passing accuracy, and ability to dictate the tempo of a match. He also had a presence on the pitch, adopting a leadership position in the strong Brazilian squad of the era, and winning the Golden Ball as the best player of the 1958 World Cup.
Didi was also a tactical innovator, famous for his "folha seca" (dry leaf) free-kick technique, which caused the ball to dip suddenly as it approached the goal, baffling goalkeepers. His influence extended beyond his playing days, as he went on to coach teams in Brazil and abroad, helping to spread the Brazilian style of play.
Despite these accomplishments, Didi’s name often goes unmentioned in conversations about football’s greatest midfielders, though his legacy remains strong in the development of the modern game.
Sandro Mazzola (Italy)
Widely regarded as one of Italy’s greatest ever players, yet perhaps eclipsed by the likes of later stars, Mazzola (son of legend Valentino) won numerous trophies and left an indelible mark on the game, playing most of his career for Inter Milan.
A versatile attacking player, he was able to move from midfield out wide and into the attack and had an all-round game encompassing speed, agility, and technical prowess. He was also no stranger to the goalsheet, attested by his Serie A Top Scorer Award, won in 1965.
Mazzola’s playing style was versatile, and he was able to play in several positions, including as a forward, a midfielder, and a winger. He was known for his speed, acceleration, and endurance, as well as his ability to dribble the ball, agility, technical skills, and balance. He was also a prolific goal scorer, winning the Serie A Top Scorer Award in 1965.
These are just a few players who helped shape the modern game in ways that still resonate today. Their brilliance may not always be celebrated in mainstream conversations, but their influence endures, reminding us that football’s true greatness often lies beyond the spotlight.
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