Definition of attacking midfielder include only central midfielder who could operate creativity for team but they must be base on midfield area and go attacking later. Some of them might be a free-role playmaker but they must not be often operate thier game in the edge of the field. Most of them have beautiful style of playing and being the most influence of team. The important skills of this position is consist of vision, passing, dribbling and even scoring. This kind of player was available in early decade known as “ Wing-Half ” or "Inside Forward".
Criteria cover these items ;
1. Level of Abilities
2. Consistency, Longevity
3. The Greatness, Awards
4. Standard Competition In Each Era
50. Paul Gascoigne
[IMG]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4268982628_7b41741546_m.jpg [/IMG]
Date Of Birth : 27 May 1967
Nation : England
Height : 177 cm
Major Club : Newcastle, Tottenham, Rangers
Caps : 57 Games (10 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1990 (6 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Scottish Premier League
1 Time FA Cup
1 Time Scottish Cup
1 Time Scottish League Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1988 PFA Young Player of The Year
1990 BBC Sport Personality of The Year
1990 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
1996 SFWA Footballer of The Year
1996 SPFA Players’ Player of The Year
Paul Gascoigne was one of the most talent British footballers of all-time but was involved in many off-field incidents, and is believed never to have fulfilled his potential as a player. Since his career finished he has suffered from alcoholism, mental illness and personal legal problems. He was very famous after done his performance well in World Cup 1990 that England won fourth place. That year he won 4th European footballer of the year. In 1991-1992 season, He was out of that season due to his injury, then moved to play in Italian Series A with Lazio but the latter injury keeping him out for the majority of the 1994-95 season again. Gascoigne still showed his finally impressive result in EURO 96 before becoming failing down in performance in his lately career.
49. Enzo Scifo
Date Of Birth : 19 February 1966
Nation : Belgium
Height : 178 cm
Major Club : Anderlecht, Monaco
Caps : 84 Games (18 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998 (17 Games)
Club Honours : 4 Times Belgium League
1 Time French League
1 Time Copa Italia
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1984 Belgian Golden Shoe
1986 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player
1990 French League Foreign Player of The Year
Enzo Scifo was one of the great Belgian superstars in their history. He became a main player of his nation for 14 years. Originally Italian born by Italian parents, At the age of 18, Enzo gained Belgian nationality in June 1984 just in time for the European Championships. He was one of the most promoting youngsters in the world in the mid-80s. In 1986, Belgium surprised many by reaching the semifinals of the World Cup in Mexico, and Scifo contributed a great deal to their success. Anderlecht could not stop him from taking the big step to the Serie A in 1987. Unfortunately his spell at Inter Milan was anything but successful and he was soon transferred to French side Bordeaux. After another miserable season, Enzo was ready to give up football at the tender age of 23. Guy Roux saved Enzo’s career and took him under his wings and soon Scifo was back at his best level again. Scifo went back to Italy and had a few successful years with Torino and also enjoyed success at Monaco before he returned back home to Anderlecht after ten years away.
48. David Kipiani
Date Of Birth : 18 November 1951
Nation : Georgia
Height : 184 cm
Major Club : Dynamo Tbilisi
Caps : 19 Games
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours : 1 Times Soviet Championship
2 Times Soviet Cup
1981 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1977 Soviet Footballer of The Year
David Kipiani is regarded as the best playmaker to ever play for Soviet Union, and one of the greatest Georgians footballers of all-time. He was few caps due to being non-favorite of coach. Kipiani was an impressively technical player of Soviet Union during the 1970s. He was not only a rhythmic controller and creator of the game but also available in physical options and very great support scoring. His states as scorer led him as one of a few midfielders to be a member of Grigory Fedotov club. Today some people consider him as “Zidane of The East” and some others doesn’t hesitate to regard him as “Maradona of Georgian” The Georgian Cup and the stadium in the town of Gurjaani were named after him.
47. Krassimir Balakov
Date Of Birth : 29 March 1966
Nation : Bulgaria
Height : 176 cm
Major Club : VFB Stuttgart
Caps : 92 Games (16 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1994, 1998 (10 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time DFB-Pokal
1 Time Portuguese Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Bulgarian Footballer of The Year (1995, 1997)
1994 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
Krassimir Balakov is considered as the greatest playmaker in history of Bulgarian football. He was famous for his effectively all-round playmaking ability. Balakov start well-known due to his performance in World Cup 1994 that he was one of the most important role to lead Bulgaria surprising the World winning fourth place which is the best achievement for their history. Afterwards, He signed from Sporting Lisbon to play in Germany for 8 seasons but it seems to be underrated by kicker ranking him just a half season of world-class and 2.5 international-class seasons in spite of his great performance as one of the famous trio ‘EL-BAL-BO’. However, It is possible for his failing down because of his lately career for VFB Stuttgart.
46. Lajos Detari
Date Of Birth : 24 April 1963
Nation : Hungary
Height : 183 cm
Major Club : Budapest Honved
Caps : 61 Games (13 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1986 (3 Games)
Club Honours : 3 Times Hungarian League
1 Time Hungarian Cup
1 Time DFB-Pokal
1 Time Greek Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 3 Times Hungarian League Top Scorer
Lajos Detari is regarded as the finest Hungarian footballer during the 1980s and the last Hungarian superstar before their long period of failure years until Nowadays. Détári was transferred from Honvéd Budapest to Bundesliga. He played for Eintracht Frankfurt in 1987/88 scoring 11 goals in 33 games. Then, Détári scored the only goal in the German Cup final from a direct free kick just outside the box against VfL Bochum, leading Eintracht to their last cup title to this day. At the beginning of the following season he was on the move again, to Olympiacos. Détári arrived in Greece to a tumultuous reception by the Piraeus club's supporters. Unfortunately, he did not justify the expectations of Olympiacos or the money spent in his acquisition. After leaving Greece, Détári played for many clubs. Further clubs that Détári played for were Bologna , Ancona , Neuchatel Xamax and VSE St. Pölten. Detari was famous for his scoring, made more than 170 goals in around 400 games during his club career.
45. Safet Susic
Date Of Birth : 13 April 1955
Nation : Yugoslavia
Height : 181 cm
Major Club : FK Sarajevo, Paris Saint-Germain
Caps : 54 Games (21 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1990 (8 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time French League
1 Time French Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : UEFA Jubilee Award (Bosnia and Herzegowina)
1979 Yugoslavian Footballer of The Year
1980 Yugoslavian League Top Scorer
1983 French League Foreign Player of The Year
Safet Susic was the most prominent star of Yugoslavia during the early 1980s. In his playing days, he operated as playmaking attacking midfielder with superb passing ability. Darko Pancev ever mentioned about him that ‘He's unsurpassable, the best Yugoslavia had, Probably one of the best in the world. I was often known to say that us other players should have to pay to play in the same team as Pape. At least I always talked and thought like that. Pape was a treasure for every forward. His crosses were unbelievable. Sometimes his ball would hit me without me even being aware of it ‘A wonderful player’’. Gerd Muller gave his compliment to him as one of the top great players he has ever seen.
44. Giancarlo Antognoni
Date Of Birth : 1 April 1954
Nation : Italy
Height : 179 cm
Major Club : Fiorentina
Caps : 73 Games
World Cup Participation : 1978, 1982 (11 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time Copa Italia
International Honours : 1982 FIFA World Cup Winners
Individual Achievement : None
Giancarlo Antognoni is regarded as one of the great legends of Fiorentina. He was a deep-lying playmaker similar to Andrea Pirlo but greater in defensive quality. He was known for his stamina and precision passing. Antognoni was an important player helping Italy won fourth place in World Cup 1978 and European championship 1980. He was a starter of Italy in World Cup 1982 until getting the big injury in semi-final round and was unable to play in the final match. Later, That injury led him could not reach his prime any longer and retire for international level just at his age of 29 only. He played for Fiorentina more than 400 games and was chosen by many journalists in www.channel4.com in all-time Fiorentina XI as well as all-time Italy XI.
43. Johnny Haynes
Date Of Birth : 17 October 1934
Nation : England
Height : Unknown
Major Club : Fulham
Caps : 56 Games (18 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1954, 1958, 1962 (6 Games)
Club Honours : None
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1961 Bronze Ball European Footballer of The Year
Johnny Haynes is the legendary English footballer in the lately 1950s to the early 1960s alongside Billy Wright and Tom Finney, played a club-record 658 games and scored 158 goals for Fulham Football Club. An inside forward, Haynes is widely regarded as the greatest footballer ever to play for the London club, particularly noted for his exceptional passing skill and ability to read a game. An accomplished international, many of his appearances were done while playing for Fulham in the Second Division. Haynes became the first player to be paid £100 a week, immediately following the abolition of the £20 maximum wage in 1961. Pelé described 'The Maestro' as the "best passer of the ball I've ever seen". In 2008, Fulham announced that fundraising had commenced, with the co-operation of a fan's group, to produce a lasting tribute to Haynes. A statue was commissioned and was unveiled at Craven Cottage.
42. Alain Giresse
Date Of Birth : 2 August 1952
Nation : France
Height : 163 cm
Major Club : Bordeaux
Caps : 47 Games
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986 (12 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times French League
1 Time French Cup
International Honours : 1984 European Championship Winners
1986 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : 3 Times French Player of The Year (1982, 1983, 1987)
1982 Silver Ball European Footballer of The Year
1982 Silver Ball Onze d’Or
1984 European Championship Team of The Tournament
Alain Giresse was one of the famous players of France national team during the early 1980s alongside Michel Platini, Luis Fernández and Jean Tigana formed the legendary (Magic Square) in midfield, got successful three consecutive tournaments during 1982 – 1986. Aside from his achievement in international level in 1984 and 1986, Giresse won fourth place in World Cup 1982 with France. He was one of the smallest footballer to ever appear in the Europe but this point led him to be advantage in agility and acceleration. Giresse was an intelligent playmaker combined with beautiful style of play. He was voted seventh place as the greatest French player of all-time by France Football.
41. Jan Ceulemans
Date Of Birth : 28 February 1957
Nation : Belgium
Height : 191 cm
Major Club : Club Brugge
Caps : 96 Games (23 Goals)
Professional Score Record : 231 Goals/ 515 Games
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986, 1990 (16 Games)
Club Honours : 4 Times Belgian League
2 Times Belgian Cup
International Honours : 1980 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 3 Times Belgian Golden Shoe (1980, 1985,1986)
1980 European Championship Team of The Tournament
1981 Bronze Ball Onze d’Or
1986 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
‘Captain Courageous’ Jan Ceulemans was a top-class attacking midfielder in Europe during the 1980s. He was not a creative playmaker but known for his specialist to go support scoring by himself. Ceulemans was a workhorse and his tireless running in midfield combined with his long legs made him able to cover lots of ground. He could run fast with the ball at his feet and was good in the air as well. He was very skillful despite being tall and scored many goals after beating a man or two. Among one of Ceulemans' finest achievements was captaining his national side to fourth place in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals in the tournament including a beautiful diving header against Spain in the quarter-finals. His performance earned the nickname "Captain Courageous". He retired from international competition after the 1990 FIFA World Cup; Jan scored the 3rd goal in a 3-1 win over Uruguay but Belgium was eliminated by England in the round of sixteen, with the winning goal being scored by David Platt in the 119th minute in extra time. Jan had struck the post during the game.
40. Andrea Pirlo
Date Of Birth : 19 May 1979
Nation : Italy
Height : 177 cm
Major Club : AC Milan
Caps : 64 Games
World Cup Participation : 2006 (7 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time Italian Series A
1 Time Copa Italia
2 Times UEFA Champion League Winners (2003, 2007)
2005 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
International Honours : 2006 FIFA World Cup Winners
Individual Achievement : 2006 FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball
2006 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
2006 FIFPro World XI
‘The Architect’ Andrea Pirlo is the best Italian playmaker during the 2000s, praised for his inventive playing, he is also a free-kick specialist. For both club and country Pirlo plays central midfield, as a deep-lying playmaker. He came in 3rd and 2nd in IFFHS World Playmaker of the Year awards in 2006 and 2007 respectively, is known for his long passes frequently set up goal-scoring opportunities for the Azzurri. Recently, when playing for Italy, Pirlo has returned to his old position as a traditional play-maker behind striker that he ever routinely plays when he was a player of Inter Milan. Focus to his style of play, Pirlo is not suitable for playing in 4-4-2 system because he has never done in defensive game well and not great as a scorer enough to play as second striker as well.
39. Thomas Haessler
Date Of Birth : 30 May 1966
Nation : Germany
Height : 166 cm
Major Club : AS Roma, Karlsruhe, 1860 Munich
Caps : 101 Games (11 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1990, 1994, 1998 (14 Games)
Club Honours : None
International Honours : 1990 FIFA World Cup Winners
1992 European Championship Runner-Up
1996 European Championship Winners
Individual Achievement : 2 Times German Footballer of The Year (1989, 1992)
1992 European Championship Team of The Tournament
1992 Bronze Ball FIFA World Player of The Year
‘Icke’ Thomas Hassler was recognized as the impressively finest German playmaker during the 1990s. He was reputable for his professional mind, agility, tireless stamina and dazzling dribbling sprees. Hassler was a playmaking free-role who tired to create assist in everywhere of the front line in the pitch with his work-rate. He was also a free-kick specialist. Unbelievably, He never won any trophy in club level but finished second place Bundesliga with FC Koln 2 two times plus one time UEFA Cup Runner-Up. Moreover, He reached Copa Italia final in 1993 with Roma but lost again. Then, He played for two unsuccessful clubs in Germany. All was opposite in international level, He got successful so much. In 1992, He also won 4th of Ballon d’Or. Kicker rated him 1.5 world-class seasons and 7.5 seasons of international-class.
38. Ademir Da Guia
Date Of Birth : 3 April 1942
Height : 180 cm
Major Club : Palmeiras
Caps : 12 Games
World Cup Participation : 1974 (1 Game)
Club Honours : 5 Times Brazil State Championship
1 Time Brazil National Championship
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : None
Ademir da Guia is the greatest idol of history Palmeiras where he was holder absolute over sixteen years. Considered by critics as one of the best of Brazilian soccer players of all time, played by the class that inherited the surname of his father, Domingos da Guia, and is now called the "Divine." He is also considered one of the most wronged ace in the history of Brazilian soccer, as throughout his long career, was convened only 14 times for the Select, and disputed only one match at the World Cups, in 1974, when Brazil already was disqualified in the dispute for 3rd place against Poland. Ademir wasn’t too much as an accuracy long-passer but he was superb in short-passing and his dribbling and technical ability was among the top-class in the World. It is so regrettable that his appearance for Brazil was very few due to playing the same position as Rivelino.
37. Julio Cesar Romero
Date Of Birth : 28 August 1960
Height : 185 cm
Major Club : Fluminese
Caps : 32 Games (13 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1986 (4 Games With 2 Goals)
Club Honours : 2 Times NASL Champions
1 Time Brazil National Championship
2 Times Brazil State Championship
International Honours : 1979 Copa America Winner
Individual Achievement : 1 Time Paraguayan League Top Scorer
1985 South American Footballer of The Year
Julio Cesar Romero or “Romerito” is the greatest Paraguayan midfielder of all-time, a skillful attacking midfielder. He was a brain to create the game and also being a great second striker to support doing many scores. Romero started his career at local club Sportivo Luqueño in 1977, by 1979 Romerito's consistent performances had earned him a place in the Paraguay national football team that played in the FIFA World Youth Championship and was considered one of the best players of the tournament along with Diego Maradona. In the same year, Romerito played the Copa América which was eventually won by Paraguay. However, He was failure in Barcelona due to his injury.
36. Larbi Benbarek
[IMG] http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4157288253_bb91ce0d40_m.jpg[/IMG]
Date Of Birth : 16 June 1914
Nation : Morocco
Height : 178 cm
Major Club : Atletico Madrid
Caps : 19 Games for France
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours : 2 Times Spanish La Liga
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : FIFA Order of Merit
“The Black Pearl” Larbi Benbarek is a forgotten first African legends who played football during the World War II, is regarded as the greatest footballer to born in North Africa. Ben Barek blazed a trail to the European, and particularly French and Spanish, leagues. He arrived at Marseille, France at the age of 20, and became an instant favourite with the fans for his skills and technical abilities. Pele took the name of the "Black Pearl" after he made a famous statement about Larbi: "If I am the King of Soccer, then Larbi Ben Barek is the God of it". His career was interrupted by the onset of World War II but he was soon back to his best with Stade Français FC and then in Spain, with Atlético Madrid, where he truly blossomed and where his international fame spread. His nickname with the fans in Spain was "The Foot of God".He returned to Marseille in 1953. Benbarek is rated as one of the finest players ever to represent France, his adopted country. But his comeback in 1954 against Germany in Hanover was curtailed by an injury after half an hour and proved to be the end of his career.
35. Ricardo Bochini
Date Of Birth : 25 January 1954
Position : Playmaking-Attacking Midfielder/ Left-Winger
Height : 168 cm
Major Club : Independiente
Caps : 11 Games
World Cup Participation : 1986 (1 Game)
Club Honours : 1 Time Argentina Champion
2 Times Torneo Nacional
2 Times Torneo Metropolitano
4 Times Copa Libertadores Cup (1973, 1974, 1975, 1984)
2 Times Intercontinental Cup (1973, 1984)
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1983 Argentinean Footballer of The Year
1984 Bronze Ball South American Footballer of The Year
Ricardo Bochini is regarded as one of the most underrated South American footballers of all-time due to his few caps. He was Maradona's idol and was noted for his superb passing abilities combined with excellent technique. Bochini was devoted his whole career, and some might say whis whole live, to the club of his heart: Independiente. He stayed there for 19 years, scoring near a 100 goals, and winning so many titles and becoming a legend between the Independiente's supporters, who still see him as one of the greatest Argentinean of all times. Nowadays, whenever someone does a great, unbelievable pass a lot of Argentineans refer to them as a "bochinean pass"; imagine the excentricity of this player's lobs and passes.
34. Cesar Cueto
Date Of Birth : 6 June 1952
Nation : Peru
Height : 167 cm
Major Club : Alianza Lima, Atletico Nacional
Caps : 51 Games
World Cup Participation : 1978, 1982 (9 Games)
Club Honours : 3 Times Peruvian League
International Honours : 1975 Copa America Winner
Individual Achievement : 1980 Peruvian Footballer Of The Year
2 Times Colombian League Player of The Year (1980, 1981)
“The Poet With The Golden Left Foot” Cesar Cueto is one of the most underrated footballers in history of South American football despite his availability in all great skills for being playmaker and artist of the game, never won any ball in South American Footballer of The Year, and the cause might be his low-profile achievement in club level. His only weakness is scoring ability. However, He was one of the most important players leading Peru winning Copa America and qualifying for two consecutive World Cup tournaments. Even Cubillas was a lot famous player due to doing a large number of scores in WC, It is actually Cueto who was the important key as creator and Peruvian has rated Cueto wasn’t inferior to Cubillas in overall abilities.
33. Juan Roman Riquelme
Date Of Birth : 24 June 1978
Nation : Argentina
Height : 182 cm
Major Club : Boca Junior, Villareal
Caps : 54 Games (18 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 2006 (5 Games)
Club Honours : 3 Times Argentina Apertura
1 Time Argentina Clausura
1 Time UEFA Intertoto Cup
International Honours : 2007 Copa America Runner-Up
2008 Olympic Game Gold Medal
Individual Achievement : 3 Times Argentinean League Footballer of The Year
1999 Bronze Ball South American Footballer of The Year
2 Times Silver Ball South American Footballer of The Year (2000, 2008)
2001 South American Footballer of The Year
2005 Spanish La Liga Foreign Footballer of The Year
2007 Copa Libertadores Cup Most Valuable Player
Boca Juniors Greatest Player Ever
Juan Roman Riquelme is the most talented playmaker in the world during the 2000s. His main assets are his passing and setting the tempo of play. After he won the best player in South America continent, He signed for Barcelona but his coming seems to be political signing for Luis Van Gaal and he was mostly dropped as a reserved player for matches. Consequently, Riquelme was moved to Villareal and becoming the indispensable playmaker to lead them finished third place of Spanish league in 2005 and incredibly reached semi-final round in UEFA Champion League 2005 -2006 despite the first participation. He came back to play in his homeland again and became the most important player of Argentina national team in World Cup 2010 qualification until Diego Maradona got to control and dropped him out of squad due to his attitude.
32. Liam Brady
Date Of Birth : 13 February 1956
Nation : Republic of Ireland
Height : 174 cm
Major Club : Arsenal
Caps : 72 Games (18 Goals)
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours : 2 Times Italian Series A
1 Time FA Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1979 PFA Players’ Player of The Year
IFFHS Republic of Ireland’s Player of The Century
‘Chippy’ Liam Brady is regarded by many as the best playmaker in history of Arseanl and Republic of Ireland. In his playing days, he was a midfielder renowned for his elegant technical skills, most notably his left foot “a most magical left peg” as they say in Britain. Brady had tremendous vision and exactness in his passing and more than enough dribbling ability to get free for his incisive strikes. During this time at Arsenal he was voted the club's player of the year three times. In 1980, Arsenal reached the Cup Winners' Cup final. Brady's performance in the tie impressed the Italian giants and they finally signed him. He is remembered as one of Arsenal's all-time greats, playing 307 matches for the Gunners and setting up many more. After the arrival of Michel Platini in summer 1982, Brady moved to Sampdoria, and went on to play for Internazionale and Ascoli , before returning to London to play for West Ham.
31. Dragan Stojkovic
Date Of Birth : 3 March 1965
Nation : Yugoslavia
Height : 175 cm
Major Club : Red Star Belgrade, Nagoya Grampus Eight
Caps : 84 Games (15 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1990, 1998 (9 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Yugoslavian League
1 Time J League
1 Time Yugoslavain Cup
1991 European Cup Runner-Up
1993 European Cup Winners
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Yugoslavian Footballer of The Year (1988, 1989)
1990 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
1995 Jay League Most Valuable Player
Dragan Stojkovic is considered one of the best players in the history of Yugoslavian and Serbian football. He is one of the five players to be awarded the title Star of the Red Star. He developed into the best player in the league and his stellar performances with the club earned him the title of Zvezdina Zvezda only given out to the very best players in the club's storied history. Then he moved to Olympique de Marseille but mostly out of almost two seasons due to the injury, a half-season loan move to Hellas Verona sandwiched in-between his stints in Marseille. In the finals of the UEFA Champion's Cup, Marseille played against Stojkovic's former team Red Star. Stojkovic, a penalty kick specialist, entered the game late as a substitute but refused to shoot against his former team. Stojković then signed with Japanese J-League team Nagoya Grampus Eight, then managed by Arsène Wenger. He spent seven seasons with the Grampus Eight. He was named J-League MVP for the 1995 season.
30. Glenn Hoddle
Date Of Birth : 27 October 1957
Nation : England
Height : 183 cm
Major Club : Tottenham Hot Spurs
Caps : 53 Games
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986 (7 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time French League
2 Times FA Cup
1 Time French Cup
1984 UEFA Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1980 PFA Young Player of The Year
1988 French League Foreign Player of The Year
Glenn Hoddle is considered as the most gifted British footballer of all-time. sublime balance and close control, unrivalled passing and vision and extraordinary shooting ability, both from open play and set pieces". Though regarded as a genius with the ball at his feet, Hoddle was considered an enigmatic and unreliable player to international managers guilty of over- emphasizing hard work and physical prowess instead of technical ability and attacking creativity. He was included in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup squads, playing an important role in the latter campaign. Hoddle also featured prominently in the European Championship squads of 1980 and 1988. Hoddle's talent is widely appreciated abroad; less so in England. Arsene Wenger, who worked with him at Monaco, recalled: 'His control was superb and he had perfect body balance. His skill in both feet was uncanny. I couldn't understand why he hadn't been appreciated in England. Perhaps he was a star in the wrong period, years ahead of his time.' As Jean-Luc Ettori, Monaco's club captain at the time, put it: 'For us Glenn was le bon dieu - he was a god. There's nothing else to say.
29. Dejan Savicevic
Date Of Birth : 15 September 1966
Nation : Yugoslavia
Height : 182 cm
Major Club : AC Milan
Caps : 59 Games (19 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1990, 1998 (5 Games and No Goal)
Professional Score Record : 113 Goals/ 358 Games
Club Honours : 3 Times Yugoslavian League
3 Times Italian Series A
1 Time Yugoslavian Cup
2 Times European Cup Winners (1991, 1994)
1995 European Cup Runner-Up
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1991 Silver Ball European Footballer of The Year
Dejan Savicevic is one of the greatest Yugoslavian stars during the 1990s. He started well-known when helped Red Star Belgrade successfully won their only European Cup. By that time, He played as attacking playmaker. He was excellent in skillful dribbling, close control and vision to create assists. AC Milan brought him in the next season after then. His first season for the club was mostly spent in substitution. Afterwards, Many stars moved out and he became the first team more often. Savicevic could play as wing-forward on both side or second striker as well but he was not a great scorer, more often operate as an assister. Nevertheless, He face many times of injury and it led him mistake several important games in both club and national level. All in all, Savicsevic is one of the most talented players to come from Yugoslavia but the longevity was a main obstacle.
28. Bernd Schuster
Date Of Birth : 22 December 1959
Nation : West Germant
Height : 183 cm
Major Club : Barcelona
Caps : 22 Games
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours : 3 Times Spanish La Liga
5 Times Copa Del Rey
1982 European Cup Winners’ Cup
1986 European Cup Runner-Up
International Honours : 1980 European Championship Winners
Individual Achievement : 1980 Silver Ball European Footballer of The Year
1980 European Championship Team of The Tournament
2 Times Bronze Ball European Footballer of The Year (1981, 1985)
2 Times Spanish La Liga Best Foreign Player of The Year (1985, 1991)
Bernd Schuster is famous for his flair, great technique and vision, is believed as one of the best German playmakers of all-time if he didn’t face the two big problems. The first one is getting injury in 1981 when he played for Barcelona, he received a bad injury on his right knee by Andoni Goikoetxea. at the age of 21 only. He could came back to show his amazing performance but the fact that he never reached his prime any longer. The second reason is due to his repeated disagreements with the German Football Association to include player playing outside West Germany, then national team manager Jupp Derwall, and teammates including Paul Breitner. His refusal to take part in a match against Albania in order to be home for the birth of his second son David caused a sporting scandal at the time. Schuster later moved to play both big clubs in Madrid and back Germany to play for Leverkusen, was still ranked in international-class in 1993.
27. Nicolae Dobrin
Date Of Birth : 26 August 1947
Nation : Romania
Height : 180 cm
Major Club : Arges Pitesti
Caps : 48 Games
World Cup Participation : 1970 (6 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Romanian League
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 3 Times Romanian Footballer of The Year (1966, 1967,1971)
"The Prince of Trivale" Nicolae Dobrin is considered by many to be the best Romanian player of the 1960s and 1970s and one of the most talented players ever to play the game. Nicolae Dobrin Stadium in Piteşti is named after him. During his whole career, Nicolae Dobrin played 409 matches, scoring 111 goals in all. Dobrin is also known for famously missing out on a transfer to Real Madrid. After playing them in a European Cup game and scoring a goal, Santiago Bernabéu, their famous president was so impressed with Dobrin's skills that he wanted to transfer him to the Spanish team with a huge amount of money for that time. Because of the communist regime in Romania in that period, Bernabéu had to hold talks with Nicolae Ceauşescu himself, but could not persuade him, because Dobrin was regarded as a "national good" and such values could not be "estranged", especially not working for foreigners, according to the communist doctrine of that time. It is said that this was the biggest regret of Dobrin's life.
26. Kaka
Date Of Birth : 22 April 1982
Nation : Brazil
Height : 186 cm
Major Club : AC Milan
Caps : 73 Games (26 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 2002, 2006 (6 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time Italian Series A
2005 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
2007 UEFA Champion League Winners
International Honours : 2 Times FIFA Confederation Cup (2005, 2009)
Individual Achievement : 2002 Brazilian League Footballer of The Year
3 Times Series A Foreign Footballer of the Year (2004, 2006, 2007)
2 Times Series A Footballer of the Year (2004, 2007)
2005 UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder
3 Times UEFA Team of the Year (2006, 2007, 2009)
3 Times FIFPro World XI (2006, 2007, 2008)
2007 Italian Series A Fairest Player
2007 UEFA Champions League Top Scorer
2007 UEFA Champions League Best Forward
2007 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year
2007 FIFPro World Player of the Year
2007 European Footballer of The Year
2007 FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball
2007 World Soccer Player of The Year
2007 FIFA World Player of the Year
2007 Onze d'Or
2007 IFFHS World‘s Best Playmaker
2007 IAAF Latin Sportsman of the Year
2008 FIFA Team of the Year
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball
Kaka is the greatest Brazilian footballer and World’s best playmaker in the lately 2000s and one of the most superstar in the World in this minute not only due to his abilities and performance but also his peaceful characteristic. His outstanding performance for Sao Paulo and Brazil U-20 led him signing for AC Milan. Kaka didn’t disappoint his club and scored more than 15 goals for four seasons plus creating many assists during his six seasons there. 2007 was his best year that he won so many individual awards. Kaka is currently playing for Real Madrid “The Galacticos III” alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. From now on, Kaka has to prove himself as an important role for the new Real Madrid team and significantly for Brazil in the upcoming World Cup 2010.
25. Gheorghe Hagi
Date Of Birth : 5 February 1965
Nation : Romania
Height : 174 cm
Major Club : Steua Bucharest, Galatasalaay
Caps : 125 Games (35 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1990, 1994, 1998 (12 Games)
Club Honours : 3 Romanian League
4 Turkish League
3 Romanian Cup
2 Turkish Cup
1989 European Cup Runner-Up
2000 UEFA Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 6 Times Romanian Footballer of The Year
2 Times Romania League Top Scorer
1994 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
Romania All-Time Top Scorer
UEFA Jubilee Award (Romania)
“The Maradona of Carpathians” Gheorghe Hagi is widely considered as the greatest Romanian footballer of all-time, and was regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the Early1990s. He had excellent technique and vision, his passing abilities was unparalleled, and his shots often found the goal. He was very creative in the pass or shot, as witnessed by his long-range goal against Colombia in the 1994 World Cup first round. His dribbling ability was also formidable. Hagi was everything of Romania national team in their greatest era, qualified for 3 consecutive World Cup final tournaments. On the other hand, He fail to success his career in Spain both in Real Madrid and Barcelona, partly because of his injury but he totally had a hard time to adjust himself to their style of play. Hagi would be in his prime when playing as the most important role in midfield like Brescia or Galataslaay. Heagi also won second place Romanian footballer of the year 6 times mostly only to Gheorghe Popescu.
24. Rui Costa
Date Of Birth : 29 March 1972
Nation : Portugal
Height : 180 cm
Major Club : Fiorentina, AC Milan
Caps : 94 Games (26 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 2002 (2 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time Italian Series A
1 Time Portuguese League
3 Times Copa Italia
2003 UEFA Champion League
International Honours : 2004 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 2 Times European Championship Team of The Tournament (1996, 2000)
Rui Costa is regarded as the greatest playmaker to play for Fiorentina. He start his reputation with playing in the popularly Portugal golden generation team that won FIFA World youth champion three times alongside Luis Figo, Jao Pinto and Pedro Pauleta. Despite the heavy competition with the best midfielders of Italian Series A in that time such as Zinedine Zidane, Costa was named the best playmaker in the league a few times. His departure from Fiorentina came true after the club went bankrupt. Costa became Milan's most expensive transfer of all-time. Later, Brazilian youngster Kaká joined the ranks at Milan and relegated Costa to the bench. Though pleased with Kaká's success, he was disappointed to be restricted to the bench in the twilight of his career. In 2004, Costa played his last match for the Portuguese squad at the UEFA Euro 2004 final, when Portugal lost to underdogs Greece 1-0. He also helped Portugal reached semi-final in EURO 2000.
23. Antonio Sastre
Date Of Birth : 27 April 1911
Height : 176 cm
Major Club : Independiante, Sao Paulo
Caps : 34 Games
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours : 2 Times Argentina Champions
2 Times Brazilian League
International Honours : 2 Times Copa America Winners
Individual Achievement : AFA Hall of Fame
Antonio Sastre is the most underrated Argentinian footballer of all-time. He was the greatest playmaker in the pre-war era. He was notable as the inventor of playmaking style of play and his skills was imitated by top Argentinian legends like Jose Manuel Moreno and Alfredo Di Stefano. Sastre was an all-round midfielder that he could play well in everywhere in this line. His name has never been famous in the worldwide enough just because of his non-participation in World Cup tournament. After he did his great performance in Argentina, Then he moved to play in Brazil with Sao Paulo and he still did impressive quality of his game until the old fans of the club in nowadays still remember him as one of the best legends of their club.
22. Pavel Nedved
Date Of Birth : 30 August 1972
Nation : Czech Republic
Height : 177 cm
Major Club : Lazio, Juventus
Caps : 91 Games (18 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 2006 (3 Games)
Club Honours : 4 Times Italian Series A
2 Times Copa Italia
1999 UEFA Cup Winners Cup
2003 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
International Honours : 1996 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 2003 Series A Foreign Footballer of The Year
2003 Guerin Italian Series A Footballer of The Year
2003 Series A Footballer of The Year
2003 UEFA Champion league Best Midfielder
2003 European Footballer of The Year
2003 World Soccer Player of The Year
6 Times Czech Player of The Year
2003 Czech Player of Decade
3 Times UEFA Team of The Year (2003, 2004, 2005)
2004 European Championship Team of The Tournament
Pavel Nedved is the greatest Eastern European footballer during the early 2000s. His impressive performance as central midfielder in EURO 96 led him about the offering from Lazio. During his five seasons for the club, Nedved occasionally played as left-winger and sometimes as central midfielder. He was known for his energy, tireless running as well as his goal scoring ability from the long-range. Moreover, He was also very good in dribbling and playmaking abilities. Nedved helped Lazio won their second Italian League trophy in their history. His prime was reached after he was signed to Juventus. Particularly, He was one of the best players in the world in 2003. Despite he won Ballon d’Or in that year but not be voted in even top 3 FIFA World player of the year award in the same year. Nedved was chosen as a starter in All-Time Lazio XI by many jiournalists in www.channel4.com.
21. Enzo Francescoli
Date Of Birth : 12 November 1961
Nation : Uruguay
Height : 181 cm
Major Club : River Plate
Caps : 72 Games (15 Goals)
Professional Score Record : 227 Goals/ 572 Games
World Cup Participation : 1986, 1990 (8 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time Argentina Champion
1 Time French League
1996 Copa Libertadores Cup
International Honours : 1995 Copa America Winners
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Argentina League Footballer of The Year (1984, 1995)
2 Times Copa America Best Player (1983, 1995)
1990 French League Foreign Player of The Year
1999 IFFHS Romania Player of The Century
2 Times South American Footballer of The Year (1985, 1995)
4 Times Argentinean League Top Scorer (1984, 1985, 1994, 1996)
“The Prince of Uruguay” Enzo Francescoli is rated as one of the greatest player in history of Uruguay national team. He was noted for his graceful, fluid abilities on the ball and ability to score. These qualities would later influence the style of French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who has stated that Francescoli was his favorite player as a young boy and even named one of his sons Enzo as a hompage to him. Francescoli had a problem like many South American footballers about adaptation to play in Europe especially in Italian Series A. He played for Cagliari and Torino in total 4 seasons and done his performance just less than his potential. Francescoli scored 227 goals in 572 games in all competition of club career. He holds the record all-time top scorer-foreigner of River Plate.
20. Kazimierz Deyna
Date Of Birth : 23 October 1947
Nation : Poland
Height : 180 cm
Major Club : Legia Warzaw
Caps : 97 Games (41 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1974, 1978 (13 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Polish League
1 Time Polish Cup
International Honours : 1972 Olympic Game Gold Medal
1974 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : 1974 FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball
1974 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
1974 Bronze Ball European Footballer of The Year
Kazimierz Deyna is regarded by many Polish as the greatest footballer ever for their country. He was one of the best marksmen in the history of world football, was a playmaker or deep lying forward famed for his finishing, vision and elegant way of playing. He had the ability to score from unusual positions, e.g. directly from a corner. Thanks to his skills, he was chosen several times the Football Player of the Year by Polish fans. In 1972 he was the Top Goalscorer of the Olympic Games, with a total of nine goals. 1974 was his best year, won the third place both in Ballon d’Or and the best player in World Cup tournament beat world superstar like Johan Neeskens, Gerd Muller and Wolfgang Overath. He played for Manchester City in the lately career for three seasons but often face the injuries problem.
19. Teofilo Cubillas
Date Of Birth : 8 March 1949
Nation : Peru
Height : 173 cm
Major Club : Alianza Lima, FC Porto
Caps : 81 Games (26 Goals)
Professional Score Record : 312 Goals/ 533 Games
World Cup Participation : 1970, 1978, 1982 (13 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Peruvian League
1 Time USA Soccer League
1 Time Swiss League Cup
International Honours : 1975 Copa America Winners
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Peruvian League Top Scorer
1970 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player
1970 FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot
1972 Libertadores Cup Top Scorer
1972 South American Footballer of The Year
1975 Copa America Best Player
1978 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
1981 NASL All-Time All Star Team
Peru All-Time Top Scorer
1999 IFFHS Peru Player of The Century
IFFHS Peru’s Player of The Century
CONMEBOL All-Time XI
“The Kid” Teofilo Cubillas was a midfielder of excellent technical ability, powerful shot and great dribbling, he was also known as a free kick specialist. He was a prolific goalscorer, his 10 World Cup goals place him in seventh place in the ranking of the World Cup all-time scorers, and are the most by any midfielder in the World Cup. He is the all-time leading scorer for his country, with 45 goals. Cubillas was so famous in World Cup tournament, Led Peru reached quarter-final round in 1970 and 1978 those are the best acheivement in their history. He was voted the 48th best footballer in the world and 17th South American footballer of the 20th century in a poll by the IFFHS. In 2008, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Brazilian World Cup victory, he was selected in the All-Star First Team of South America of the past 50 years.
18. Nils Liedholm
Date Of Birth : 8 October 1922
Nation : Sweden
Height : 183 cm
Major Club : AC Milan
Caps : 21 Games (10 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1958 (5 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Swedish League
4 Times Italian Series A
1958 European Cup Runner-Up
International Honours : 1948 Olympic Game Gold Medal
1958 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : Aftonbladet Greatest Swedish Player of The Century
Nils Liedholm is one of the greatest Swedish footballers of all-time. was a Swedish football midfielder and coach, famous for being part of Sweden's "Gre-No-Li" trio of strikers along with Gunnar Gren and Gunnar Nordahl at A.C. Milan and the Swedish national team. Famous for his passing abilities, Liedholm was the creator of many of Gunnar Nordahl's goals. Nordahl still has the scoring record in Serie A. According to legend, it took two years playing for Milan until Liedholm misplaced his first pass at the San Siro, the rarity prompting a five-minute ovation from the home crowd. Liedholm was also one of the first players to realize the importance of fitness to a good performance. Consequently, he put in many more hours of training than other players, saying himself that he did the 100 meters, 3000 meters, javelin, shot put and high jump twice a week. His club career would continue until he was almost 40. Liedholm scored the opening goal of the final round of World Cup 1958, which makes him the oldest player to score in a World Cup Final.
17. Gunther Netzer
Date Of Birth : 14 September 1944
Nation : West Germany
Height : 178 cm
Major Club : Borussia MunchenGladbach
Caps : 37 Games
World Cup Participation : 1974 (1 Games)
Club Honours : 2 Times Bundesliga Champion
2 Times Spanish La Liga
1 Time Swiss Super League
1 Time DFB-Pokal
2 Times Copa Del Rey
International Honours : 1972 European Championship Winners
1974 FIFA World Cup Winners
Individual Achievement : 2 Times German Footballer of The Year (1972, 1973)
1972 European Championship Team of The Tournament
1992 All-Time Europe XI
Gunther Netzer was considered to be one of the greatest passers in the game's history. He also appeared very briefly for 21 minutes against East Germany in the World Cup in 1974, during which time the goal was scored against his team. At this tournament, Wolfgang Overath was the central figure in Germany's midfield; Netzer and Overath were considered to not being able to play together. Nevertheless, Due to the fact that he several times could not play for West Germany well under pressure situation although his abilities never been doubted, This led him just as the reserved player of Overath. Netzer was the iconic playmaker and is considered one of the most talented midfielders of all times, gaining a lot of attention with his long passes and pushes from deep within his own half of the pitch. Apart from his superior ball skills, his natural authority made him the undisputed leader of his team.
16. Wolfgang Overath
Date Of Birth : 14 September 1944
Nation : West Germany
Height : 176 cm
Major Club : FC Koln
Caps : 81 Games (17 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1966, 1970, 1974 (19 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time Bundesliga Champion
1 Time DFB-Pokal
International Honours : 1966 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
1970 FIFA World Cup Third Place
1974 FIFA World Cup Winners
Individual Achievement : 1974 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
Wolfgang Overath is the most underrated German footballer of all-time in spite of being the greatest playmaker Germany has ever produced. He holds the all-time record most appearances for FC Koln with 765 games and scored 287 goals. Kicker ranking rated him in 4 world-class seasons and 9 seasons of international-class. Overath is one of the few players with World Cup medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. He was known for his passing and organizing ability, especially with his left foot. In World Cup 1970, Many foreign journalists voted him Germany's best player in Mexico. Overath was also very famous for his winning-mental and always was able to perform an aggressive playing combined with technical option to help West Germany got back to win after being led scores. Despite his world-class performance both for his club and national team, He unbelievably never won German footballer of the year. But still, He is FC Koln’s greatest player ever.
15. Sandro Mazzola
Date Of Birth : 8 November 1942
Nation : Italy
Height : 179 cm
Major Club : Inter Milan
Caps : 70 Games (22 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1966, 1970, 1974 (12 Games)
Club Honours : 4 Times Italian Series A
2 Times European Cup Runner-Up (1967, 1972)
2 Times European Cup Winners (1964, 1965)
2 Times Intercontinental Cup (1964, 1965)
International Honours : 1968 European Championship Winners
1970 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1965 Italian Series A Top Scorer
1968 European Championship Team of The To
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