The Best starting 11
Hi guys, it’s been quite a long time since I write anything about football, the most watched sport in the world, only rivaled by the Olympics and Formula 1. Less than 12 months we are going to witness the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and some countries has qualified and some ‘big’ names are surprisingly struggling to reach the tournament. As a considerable big fan of the sport and plays regularly at my hometown field back then, I’ve seen a generations of football players and styles throughout the years, in the 90s and the 2000s. Many legends have already retired and now we can see new legends are emerging in this modern world football.
In the spirit of World Cup, I would like to list down my best 11 that I’ve seen with my own eyes playing their football and what makes them a legend in my book in the past years and present.
Goalkeeper:
1. Peter Schmeichel
- Produced some of the best saves the world has ever seen. The one hand save from Faustino Aprilla in ‘95 and the one hand save vs Rapid Vienna in ‘97 are just a handful of memorable moment in his career. Big, tall, agile are few of his great attributes. He also booked himself in the international hall of fame by helping Denmark to their 1992 European Championship triumph. Since his departure from Man Utd., they struggled to find a similar replacement.
Defenders:
1. Alessandro Nesta
- I consider him a stronger and tougher defender than Maldini. Coming through the ranks of SS Lazio as a ball boy, then youth team and finally made his senior appearance in 1993. Has won every major trophy the game has to offer. Strong, hard tackling and quick made him the best defender in Italy in my book. Injuries always stops him from achieving more games and has been injured in all his World Cup campaigns in the middle of the tournament. But his contribution to the team was never in doubt. His pairings with Cannavaro made Buffon’s work light.
2. Rio Ferdinand
- Massively consistent, but once he made a mistake, it always cost his team a goal. That’s how important he has been for every team he has played since his West Ham days until Manchester United. He is the heartbeat of the defense, whereas if he’s not on form, the team is not on form. But that’s a rarity in his game. Tall and quick, his tackling always seems easy that some strikers didn’t realize they had lost the ball to him. Kaka compliment him by saying that he is the toughest defender he ever came across with.
3. Bixente Lizarazu
- One of the most unsung hero in world football, he is considered one of the best left backs of all time, a career spanning 19 years, from Bordeaux to Bayern Munich. His ability to stop an attack and counter attacking with his pace does brings fear to the visiting team and was crucial in Bayern’s successful 2001 UEFA CHampions League campaign. The best French defender by a good margin.
4. Jaap Stam
- The most memorable moment I had about him was his stellar performance vs Inter Milan in the quarter final of the 1998/99 UEFA CHampions League match. His ‘body nudge’ of Ivan Zamorano from the back does tell a lot about him, almost everything. Strong, fast, no-nonsense and hard tackling are only a handful of his attributes. Only an internal spat with Alex Ferguson cut short his blossoming career with Man United, but his career never took a fall from that point until his retirement in 2008.
Midfielders
1. Zinedine Zidane
- Whoever omits him from his best starting 11 is insane, full stop! One of only 2 players his history to be named three-times World Footballer of the Year by FIFA, every moves on the pitch is a touch of genius. Played in France, Italy and Spain, and mostly these clubs were on their golden years during which Zidane was playing for them. Eric Cantona did persuade Alex Ferguson to buy him when he was at Bordeaux, but he didn’t. That was probably the greatest mistake Alex has ever made. He has won every major honor football can offer including 1998 FIFA World Cup and 2000 EUFA European Championship. His most memorable goal should be that volley against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 UEFA Champions League final. Another great moment probably was his scream after Buffon tipped his header over the bar in the 2006 World Cup final. It still sends chills to my back whenever I remember that moment.
2. David Beckham
- The celebrity footballer, BUT a total professional on the football pitch as well. Who can balance these 2 different life in one go? Only Beckham does. Even Ronaldinho succumbs. With all the modeling thing and wild gossips everyday, his total commitment to football is always second to none, as Dwight Yorke once describe: “When I was at Manchester United, I was always the second fittest player in training, behind only to David Beckham”. His trademark free kick will never be copied by anybody, and is already something the football world is starting to miss. He has won every major honor in club-level football, but only on international stage the glory still haunts him. His 50 yards goal vs Wimbledon in 1996 and his equalizing goal vs Greece in 2001 was only some of his memorable performance that also include that tackle on Diego Simone that never was.
3. Steven Gerrard
- The ONLY Liverpool player I would love to see playing for Manchester United. Still below 30 and he’s already a legend in the game. A long shot specialist, he can win or lose a game practically by himself. Liverpool fans should thank God that he was born in the Merseyside. A leader by example, he motivates his teammates through his pace, passing and determination. When he got the ball just outside the box, most of the time it will rip the back of the net or crush the crossbar. One of his memorable goal was a 37-yards leveler vs West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final. Still at the top of his game, his team’s fortune always depends on how he plays.
4. Ryan Giggs
- The most appearance for Manchester United, currently standing at 814 and still counting, already surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton. The best ever FA Cup goal vs Arsenal in 1999 FA Cup semi final. Need to say more????
Forward
1. Eric Cantona
- King Eric was voted Player of the Century by Manchester United fans says everything. He was the player responsible for the club’s revival from the 26-year wait for a league title to it’s present dominance in English football. A rather controversial move from Leeds United in 1992 for 1.2million pounds after they had just won the league did raised a few eyebrows at the time. But this seemed to be the masterstroke of Sir Alex Ferguson when his influence made them champions in the same season for the first time in 26 years. He won 4 league titles in 5 years in Manchester before announcing his surprise retirement in late 1997, but his impact he left was evident until today. And not too far to say that his contribution and influence to the team made Roy Keane look childish. A legend of legend.
2. Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima
- The best striker I’ve ever witness to date, and most probably ever. The most complete striker. Already three-times FIFA World Footballer of the Year, his goals-per-game ratio his very impressive, wherever he plays. His most notable experience was definitely in the 1996/97 season, while playing for Barcelona, netting 34 goals in 37 appearance. In that season he showed everything a striker craves for; speed, agility, dribbling, finishing, heading and movement. In his heyday, his combination of speed and dribbling skills frightened defenders like no other they’ve seen in their life before. 2 times world cup winner with Brazil and a record 15 goals in the tournament cemented his position as the best striker in world football. A talent that can never be witnessed again in our lifetime surely.
On the bench:
1. Jose Luis Chilavert (GK)
2. Lilian Thuram (DF)
3. Pavel Nedved (MF)
4. Roy Keane (MF)
5. Ruud van Nistelrooy (FW)
6. Fernando Torres (FW)
7. Romario (FW)
Head Coach: Sir Alex Ferguson
Notable missing name, but worthy of a mention:
1. Wayne Rooney (FW)
- Need another 3 years and consistency in front of goal to entitled him in the hall of fame.
2. Jurgen Klinsmann (FW)
- He invented the diving celebration while at Spurs. Flamboyant striker, a joy to watch. Sadly his managerial career didn’t quite match his playing career.
3. Juan Roman Riquelme (MF)
- He dictates the tempo and style of play of his team. His silky skills and vision in the Argentinian team is second to none. But a great player needed to play at the highest level. Unfortunately his spells in Barcelona and Villareal didn’t quite lived up to his high standards.
4. Fernando Hierro (DF)
- The captain of the Galacticos in early 2000s, winning 2 UEFA Champions League medal along the way. A tough defender to get past and a great ambassador for the game.
5. Fillipo Inzaghi (FW)
- I don’t personally liked him or his play. But you have to give respect where it’s due. At the age of 35, he still scores on a regular basis at Milan and have been a loyal servant to the club. He holds the record for the most goals scored in the history of UEFA Champions League/European Cup with 68 goals. His most recognized attributes are his finishing touch and movement in the box.
