Yes, you are right, the high frequency of posting is because I have holidays.
This post is inspired by the footballer of the decade poll that is being conducted on espnstar.com.
Inclusions in the list that I disagree with:
1. Christiano Ronaldo
They might have as well included Baichang Bhutia!!! Christiano is fast and has deadly shot power. But that is not enough qualification to be on the footballer of the decade list!. If he is there, why is Messi absent? I do not see any difference between them. It is just recent hype and the fact that Real Madrid were stupid enough to spend on him almost twice the amount they spent on Zidane. I sincerely hope he does not win!
2. John Terry
Fantastic footballer. But still does not deserve a nomination for this title. For me every nomination should have something extra-ordinary that makes you say "wow! no one can do that like he does". John Terry is not one like that.
3. Eto'O
Once again, far from extra-ordinary. In fact, does not have anything special according to me. He scored a lot of goals only because he was surrounded by the likes of Ronaldinho and Messi. Another guy who has succesfully fooled the world into believing he is good just because he scores a lot (remember Ruud Van Nistelrooy). I am sorry, but I cannot write any soccer post without making fun of Van Nistelrooy.
4. Raul
Good, but I see so many better ones who could have been there, Rivaldo, Ronaldo (the Brazilian), Bergkamp, the list goes on.
Exclusions that make my heart ache:
1. David Beckham
Yes, he does not have the best history. But give me just "one" footballer who is a better free-kick taker than him. He was a great shot too.
2. Ronaldo (Brazilian)
He is the phenomenen! The most scintillating footballer of the decade. At his best, he could beat 5 defenders and score! God knows how Eto and Raul were chosen over him.
3. Roberto Carlos
Not that he is better than any of the defenders currently on the list, but I think we should have a specialist "left-back". I know Maldini could fill in for that position. But I say he should have been there instead of Terry. After all, the previous decade saw him win a Champions League as well as a World Cup.
Some others- Dennis Bergkamp, Roy Keane, Rivaldo... I know some of the footballers I have talked about were well past their prime in this decade, but I still believe the list should have had them.
I shall now make up my "dream team" from the last decade. There are many ways you can make up a dream team. It is all about perspective...
(1) Taking the biggest names in each position, and not worrying whether they can play with the others in the team
(2) Choosing people always thinking that they have to "play with each other". So you choose people wanting to build a complete team.
I shall do it the 2nd way. Below is my team. Total Football will be used, at least among the midfielders and the forwards. Everyone is responsible for both defence as well as attack.
Fabien Barthez (GK): A maverick. But still unbeatable when in the mood. Buffon, Casillas, etc might be more reliable but I consider Fabien the best shot-stopper. And given the technical defenders, he would add some craziness to the otherwise boring defence.
Lilian Thuram (RB): Nothing to say, picks himself.
Maldini (CB): Nothing to say.
Nesta (CB): Considered a lot of other people for this position, but thought he would gel best with Maldini, given that they played together.
Roberto Carlos (LB): Would add to the adventurousness of the defence, just like Barthez. A very capable defender and probably the most powerful kicker of the football. Would help behead an opponent with his kick.
Roy Keane (CDM): Captain of the team. Given the attacking formation and the general nature of the other players, he would help hold the midfield together.
David Beckham (RM): Natural Choice. Would be the primary freekick taker and corner man too.
Solksjaer (CM): A weird choice I know. Reason for choosing - the team is composed of stars. Stars have a tendency to collectively fail on a single day. Ole would help rescue the team on such a day. There are a lot of people who can fit this description, but what to do, Manchester United bias you see :)
Zinedine Zidane (LM): Nothing to say. A true GOD!
Ronaldo Luiz Nazario (LF): Not the idiotic Portuguese, the Brazilian. The most devastating striker I have ever seen. Was unstoppable at his peak.
Wayne Rooney (RF): Another choice I need to explain. The attack is largely composed of high maintenance flair players (Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo...). Rooney has always shown to be willing to run back and do a bit of defending. This is again an attempt to balance the team, with a strong Manchester United bias ;)
And last, definitely not the least, the most important guy, i.e. the manager/coach.
My pick for footballer of the decade. Zinedine Zidane. I do not say "God" for all and sundry. But this guy truly was. He made soccer look easy. He always looked to be playing in slow motion. Perfectly economical and optimal movements with mesmerising skill and control of the ball. Though I have not seen any footage of Pele, Maredona, I would say he is the best footballer ever. Maybe not w.r.t goal scoring, but for sheer class and finesse. Below is a video of him. Watch it and you will know why I love him so much.
This post is inspired by the footballer of the decade poll that is being conducted on espnstar.com.
Inclusions in the list that I disagree with:
1. Christiano Ronaldo
They might have as well included Baichang Bhutia!!! Christiano is fast and has deadly shot power. But that is not enough qualification to be on the footballer of the decade list!. If he is there, why is Messi absent? I do not see any difference between them. It is just recent hype and the fact that Real Madrid were stupid enough to spend on him almost twice the amount they spent on Zidane. I sincerely hope he does not win!
2. John Terry
Fantastic footballer. But still does not deserve a nomination for this title. For me every nomination should have something extra-ordinary that makes you say "wow! no one can do that like he does". John Terry is not one like that.
3. Eto'O
Once again, far from extra-ordinary. In fact, does not have anything special according to me. He scored a lot of goals only because he was surrounded by the likes of Ronaldinho and Messi. Another guy who has succesfully fooled the world into believing he is good just because he scores a lot (remember Ruud Van Nistelrooy). I am sorry, but I cannot write any soccer post without making fun of Van Nistelrooy.
4. Raul
Good, but I see so many better ones who could have been there, Rivaldo, Ronaldo (the Brazilian), Bergkamp, the list goes on.
Exclusions that make my heart ache:
1. David Beckham
Yes, he does not have the best history. But give me just "one" footballer who is a better free-kick taker than him. He was a great shot too.
2. Ronaldo (Brazilian)
He is the phenomenen! The most scintillating footballer of the decade. At his best, he could beat 5 defenders and score! God knows how Eto and Raul were chosen over him.
3. Roberto Carlos
Not that he is better than any of the defenders currently on the list, but I think we should have a specialist "left-back". I know Maldini could fill in for that position. But I say he should have been there instead of Terry. After all, the previous decade saw him win a Champions League as well as a World Cup.
Some others- Dennis Bergkamp, Roy Keane, Rivaldo... I know some of the footballers I have talked about were well past their prime in this decade, but I still believe the list should have had them.
I shall now make up my "dream team" from the last decade. There are many ways you can make up a dream team. It is all about perspective...
(1) Taking the biggest names in each position, and not worrying whether they can play with the others in the team
(2) Choosing people always thinking that they have to "play with each other". So you choose people wanting to build a complete team.
I shall do it the 2nd way. Below is my team. Total Football will be used, at least among the midfielders and the forwards. Everyone is responsible for both defence as well as attack.
Fabien Barthez (GK): A maverick. But still unbeatable when in the mood. Buffon, Casillas, etc might be more reliable but I consider Fabien the best shot-stopper. And given the technical defenders, he would add some craziness to the otherwise boring defence.
Lilian Thuram (RB): Nothing to say, picks himself.
Maldini (CB): Nothing to say.
Nesta (CB): Considered a lot of other people for this position, but thought he would gel best with Maldini, given that they played together.
Roberto Carlos (LB): Would add to the adventurousness of the defence, just like Barthez. A very capable defender and probably the most powerful kicker of the football. Would help behead an opponent with his kick.
Roy Keane (CDM): Captain of the team. Given the attacking formation and the general nature of the other players, he would help hold the midfield together.
David Beckham (RM): Natural Choice. Would be the primary freekick taker and corner man too.
Solksjaer (CM): A weird choice I know. Reason for choosing - the team is composed of stars. Stars have a tendency to collectively fail on a single day. Ole would help rescue the team on such a day. There are a lot of people who can fit this description, but what to do, Manchester United bias you see :)
Zinedine Zidane (LM): Nothing to say. A true GOD!
Ronaldo Luiz Nazario (LF): Not the idiotic Portuguese, the Brazilian. The most devastating striker I have ever seen. Was unstoppable at his peak.
Wayne Rooney (RF): Another choice I need to explain. The attack is largely composed of high maintenance flair players (Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo...). Rooney has always shown to be willing to run back and do a bit of defending. This is again an attempt to balance the team, with a strong Manchester United bias ;)
And last, definitely not the least, the most important guy, i.e. the manager/coach.
My pick for footballer of the decade. Zinedine Zidane. I do not say "God" for all and sundry. But this guy truly was. He made soccer look easy. He always looked to be playing in slow motion. Perfectly economical and optimal movements with mesmerising skill and control of the ball. Though I have not seen any footage of Pele, Maredona, I would say he is the best footballer ever. Maybe not w.r.t goal scoring, but for sheer class and finesse. Below is a video of him. Watch it and you will know why I love him so much.
18 comments:
Nice post. I'd have played Sergio Ramos instead of Carlos. He's super-adventurous and can defend as well as attack like no other.
@Sharma: Have never watched him :(
That's weird. Nodu, then. The crowd go mad in Madrid. And he's cynical too. Has a reputation for getting red cards.
Never andre not enough to make a judgement about him!
Zidane!! glad u agree
@Burli: Magical!
giggs is class man....By far the best in his position....If not the footballer of decade,he deserves to be named in the poll atleast.
@abhi : I agree about ronaldo too. He can't gather the ball and pass . He has to gather the ball ..do some unwanted tricks..and lose the ball..
I feel Kaka would also be a good option as a mid.
@Dilip: I agree! He is fantastic. But I still believe he is not world class. Messes up very often with his finishing.
@Karthik: Glad you agree about Ronaldo.
I did consider Kaka. Solksjaer could be removed and maybe used as a substitute :). Like I said, MU bias. Kya karein...
I dont think great players make great coaches. Maybe you should consider the ones who have done that over the decade like fergie or wenger or mourinho etc...
@Dilip: The coach is me dude! As far as I know, I am not a great player :P
The post is about the footballer of the decade....so i feel we should consider players who have played well throughout the decade...Ronaldo, Beckham had their days at the beginning of the decade, not the whole period...so leaving them out makes sense....likewise giggs has been with united all through the decade and won a lot....so including him makes sense..Just an opinion :)
@Dilip: I agree. But there are a lot of inclusions like that. Maldini, Zidane, etc. So I guess we must just consider the people who did "well" anytime during the decade.
@Dilip: And yes, I would put Fergie as the coach.
@Dilip: And about Giggs, I just think he is not world class. He is damn good! Fantastic, but not world-class. Bergkamp/Rivaldo should have been there. For that matter, Giggs' hey days were also during the last decade.
@Dilip: I thought a lot about it and I agree that I was wrong about Giggs. He should be on the list.
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