Zidane for me. Could do it all. Range of passing, vision, could dribble, shoot, volley, half volley, great header of the ball, excellent finisher, ball control. None of the other players named could run a game from the middle of the park the way Zidane could, but he could have played striker, out wide easily
Maradona for me. After getting literally kicked out of Spain he could have decided to go for an easy option but choose to go to Napoli a team that had never won serie A. They win the league twice during his stay at the club and he also wins the UEFA cup as well. He was an absolute game changer of a player. He played in the hardest position,a creative forward in Italy .In the 1980s, Italy was the hardest, toughest league physically and mentally in the world. And yet he excelled. Unfortunately he was introduced to the Naples underworld and that ultimately was his downfall. He is and always will be the benchmark for every future Argentinian footballer.
With the drugs,no doubt.Without them who really knows.It’s Maradona.
If they also signed Brazil's centre forward or the equivalent of Neymar? Ferrara was one of the world's best centre backs as well at the time wasn't he? A few excellent players in his team probably helped more than people remember.Yep. The impact he made on Napoli is staggering. The equivalent would be something like Messi going to West Ham and having that success.
Flip of a coin with MaradonnaRangers Da standard answer to this question;
Pele.
Given the money Napoli threw around when they had that side that’s miles from the truth if we’re being honest.Yep. The impact he made on Napoli is staggering. The equivalent would be something like Messi going to West Ham and having that success.
When I hear a commentator or pundit utter the cliche ‘grab the game by the scruff of the neck’, that’s the goal I always think of.Diego Armando Maradona for me is the greatest player of all time ,and I was lucky to get a glimpse of him at hampden in 79 as a 13 year old .
His goal against England in 86 is unsurpassed in my opinion.
Cheating wank.Maradona.
If they also signed Brazil's centre forward or the equivalent of Neymar? Ferrara was one of the world's best centre backs as well at the time wasn't he? A few excellent players in his team probably helped more than people remember.
Zidane was great with his head too.The man was WILDLY good.
For me Ronaldo, the original.
How do you cheat at wanking? Use two hands?Cheating wank.
You score a goal with your hand.How do you cheat at wanking? Use two hands?
Given the money Napoli threw around when they had that side that’s miles from the truth if we’re being honest.
Well whatever you like to call it.You score a goal with your hand.
You score a goal with your hand.
No other answer neededMaradona.
Wee Blue Devil...No1Alan Morton
But it is Maradona
That doesn't take away from his ability as a player though. His second goal in that game wasn't too badYou score a goal with your hand.
Alternatively it could make him even better than was.Maradona also wouldn't survive in the modern game with improved sports science.
In the past 30 years nobody comes close to Messi and C.Ronaldo.9 Champions League titles between them and godknows how many goals.Cristiano Ronaldo as an all rounder, had everything at his peak.
Was born 1984 only saw highlights of Maradona, Pele, Cruyff etc… not doubting their ability but would never chose anybody I never watched full games of regular(ish) or only saw highlights of.
Yeah mate. They were outspending most. In the context of the EPL West Ham ain’t big spenders. Napoli bought some of the best players in the world. This is where I think Diego’s aura verges off into fantasy a little bit. Really he doesn’t need it his ability speaks for itself.Is it really? West Ham are hardly small spenders within the EPL. I struggle to think of a player now that could have a similar impact. It's all hypothetical of course.
And before anyone starts,stefan guivarch won a world cup!! HahaIn the past 30 years nobody comes close to Messi and C.Ronaldo.9 Champions League titles between them and godknows how many goals.
Yeah mate. They were outspending most. In the context of the EPL West Ham ain’t big spenders. Napoli bought some of the best players in the world. This is where I think Diego’s aura verges off into fantasy a little bit. Really he doesn’t need it his ability speaks for itself.
I have no optionHow do you cheat at wanking? Use two hands?
Someone else posted in the most recent thread on the subject that smaller Italian teams winning the league was hardly new in that period. Hellas Verona finished first when Maradona pitched up and Napoli finished 8th with Torino in 2nd. I'm not an expert on Italian football in the 80s beyond looking at Wikipedia tables, but it seems like that period was a bit unusual as Roma won their 2nd ever title around then and Sampdoria their first shortly afterwards. It was also at time when smaller European clubs from smaller European leagues won the European Cup, so potentially that hints at it being an unusually strong or unusually weak time for world football.They did have some good players, but they were nowhere near winning the league. And I don't see WH winning the league with Neymar tbh.
Someone else posted in the most recent thread on the subject that smaller Italian teams winning the league was hardly new in that period. Hellas Verona finished first when Maradona pitched up and Napoli finished 8th with Torino in 2nd. I'm not an expert on Italian football in the 80s beyond looking at Wikipedia tables, but it seems like that period was a bit unusual as Roma won their 2nd ever title around then and Sampdoria their first shortly afterwards. It was also at time when smaller European clubs from smaller European leagues won the European Cup, so potentially that hints at it being an unusually strong or unusually weak time for world football.
Messi and Ronaldo have set new standards for longevity at the very top of the game. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zidane and I think he's often overlooked but Kaka were all the best player in the world or widely considered to be the best player in the world at various times until Messi and Ronaldo basically broke away from the pack. Iniesta, Modric, Xavi, Bale, Pirlo, Sneijder, Henry and even possibly Alves were at times unbelievable but nobody ever would've realistically put them above those two. There's maybe a dozen others in there I'm forgetting but the point is that Ronaldo and Messi are just seen as being far and away the best despite some amazing careers and players there.Not many mentions for Zico, he was the best player in the world in the early 80s.
For what it’s worth I was the one who posted the info he’s referring to about Verona, Sampdoria and RomaYour rational, thought out replies are on ignore.