Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten 

                                            

    Marco van Basten is a former Dutch footballer. As a player, he represented two of Europe's elite clubs namely Ajax FC and A.C Milan . He also featured in for the Dutch national team in the late 80's and early 90's. He primarily played as a striker but was also capable of playing as winger or as a attacking playmaker. 

 A marvellous player on the ball, he was known for tactical awareness and spectacular volleys and goals.

 He is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all-time. He scored an astonishing 277 goals in his high-profile career which was cut short by a career threatning injury in 1993. He was forced into retirement two years later, he was only 28.

 FIFA world player of the year 2 times and a 3 time ballon D'or winner, he also won the prestigious European Cup(now UEFA CL) 2 times with A.C Milan. A FIFA hall of famer, he stood second to Dutch legend Johan Cruyff in a nationwide poll for the title of greatest Dutch footballer ever. The trio Basten-Gullit-Rijkaard is regarded as the best of that time.

   

                      

Van Basten playing for Milan

 After retirement, he has managed several clubs like Ajax FC and SC Heerenveen. Currently, he is the manager of well known football club, AZ Alkmaar. He has also managed the Dutch National Team in the early 2000's.

   

The Legendary TRIO

                 

Basten as manager of SC Heerenveen

A dutch legend, he will always be remembered for his brilliance on the pitch. A true LEGEND.. MARCO VAN BASTEN 

                

Quotes:

  "Marco was the greatest striker i ever coached. His early retirement was a misfortune for him, for football and Milan."

                           -Fabio Capello(Former AC Milan coach)

From the theater:

                

                

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George Best

George Best  

                          

                                                                                                                                                                      George Best was a Northern Irish footballer, who was primarily deployed as a winger for Manchester United and Northern Ireland International team. 

Born and brought-up in Belfast, Best was spotted by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop. Bishop personally called manager Matt Busby and told him that he had found a 'GEM'. Best was subsequently given a trial at United and he impressed the staff. Homesick in the early days he was allowed to train with the squad only twice a week.

Best made First Team at the age of 17 and was given his debut against West Bromwich Albion. He further scored six goals in the season. (Quite impressive for the debut season)

In the coming years, Best kept on promising the crowd match after match but was away from stardom because of the likes of Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Best finally came to light when he showcased his talents in the European Cup against the mighty Benfica. The performance from the young lad was so good that the local media gave him the name "Qi Quinto Beatle"(5th Beatle).

Best was also a Fashion icon and was a big crowd attraction. Whenever he played, the stadiums were full. He is also regarded as 'The Playboy' of football. As Best kept on promising for the United, he was also getting more involved in the fashion industry. He was the face of Hundreds of magazines and papers worldwide.

In the following season 1967-68, Best helped United to the European Cup finals after beating Real Madrid in the semis. In the final, the opponents Benfica knew of George's talents and deployed a man-marker to keep him away from creating chances and scoring. But in the Extra-time, Best rounded off his marker, collected a direct pass from the keeper and scored past the Benfica goalie. It was a milestone year in his career in which he was also awarded the Ballon D'or. 

Scoring Against Benfica in the Finals

Best With The Ballon D'or

 At the age of just 22 years, Best had won all the major european honours. But after this, his steady decline began. The football icon was fading away. He engaged in alcoholism and partied away from the town. Best was subsequently dropped from the United team. He walked out of the United team in 1972 and announced his retirement. He was only 27.

After retirement he spent most of his time in the USA. Over the next decade, Best played for various clubs in South Africa, America and England. At the International Level, Best never represented his country in the World Cup. 

Best is regarded as the best player of all-time. Pele, considered by many as world's greatest admired Best.  Pele once stated "George Best was the greatest player in the world." He added "Best was an unbelievable player who never reached his true potential."

Best was once quoted as saying, "Pele called me the greatest of all time, that is the ultimate salute to my life.".

Best With Pele

Best died in 2005, aged 59, due to complications from the drugs he was taken after his controversial liver-transplant.

On what would have been his 60th birthday, the Belfast City airport was renamed 'George Best Belfast City Airport'. He is remembered by his fans as "the beautiful boy with a beutiful game".

Quotes:

  "What he had was unique, you can't coach it."

                              - Joann Cruyff

  

     "George Best was one of the most talented players of all time and probably the best footballer who never made it to the major world finals."

                           - Franz Beckenbauer

  

Maradona GOOD, Pele BETTER, George BEST

 From the theater:

               

               

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Oliver Kahn

Oliver Kahn 

Oliver Kahn, is a former German goalkeeper. He is widely acknowledged as one of the best goalkeepers the world has ever seen. His presence between the posts and his commanding style earned him the nickname "vol-kahn-no"(volcano). Kahn is one of the most successful players in the German history who represented his nation in 4 world cups. Although the german team never won the World Cup in that era, Kahn remains the only goalkeeper to win the prestigious Golden Ball award. 

A boyhood Munich fan, he moved to the club of his dreams in 1994, after several seasons with Karlsruher SC where he was established keeper and was fast earning global fame. Although he had some rough patches in his Bayern career, he ended his career on a high note. In his last season, Bayern won the Bundesliga title.

He is regarded as the finest goalkeeper of his generation which included others like Peter Schmeichel, Fabian Barthez.

He was known for pulling out extraordinary saves and lifting team spirit from the goal-line. He also captained the Bayern Munich side for several years.

He currently resides in Germany and is a Bayern Munich global ambassador. He has also made several television appearences as a football pundit.

A legendary keeper. A collection of trophies from a glittering career at a supreme club. what else do you want to consider him a LEGEND !!

From the theater:

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Ronaldo

Ronaldo 

               

                   

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, or just 'Ronaldo' is considered by experts and fans to be one of the greatest players of all time. Dubbed as 'The Phenomenon',he is one of only 3 men to have won the FIFA World player of the year award thrice. Beautiful, delicate and a skillful dribbler on the ball. He was a splendid finisher in front of the goal and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers ever !!

A Brazilian International with 98 caps and 62 goals internationally, he represented supreme clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan at club level.

Ronaldo won the World Cup with the star-studded Brazilian team. He was the World Cup's Top scorer with 15 goals until Miroslav Klose surpassed his tally.

A Brazilian Hall of famer, Ronaldo was once the costliest teenager in the World. He was the spark that every team required and showcased his class from time to time. Ronaldo's hat-trick against the Red Devils of Manchester in the UEFA Champions League is widely considered as his finest display ever at club level.

He was a World Cup star from the start. A golden ball winner at the 1998 FIFA WC in France and won the golden boot in the following 2002 WC in S.Korea/Japan where he finally got his hands on the trophy.

In the later stages of his career he was mostly down with injuries or wasn't match fit. He finally called time on his marvellous career in 2011. He currently resides in Brazil and makes several appearences in Charity matches.

Ronaldo is the "name" that we all know symbolizes the game of football. Although Cristiano is more famous now, it was this guy who iconized the name 'RONALDO'. 
A true legend. One of the best if not the best undoubtedly. 
A game changer who was considered a top player although he never reached his full  potential.

Quotes:

" I trained Ronaldo, but the real Ronaldo is the Brazilian         Ronaldo "

              - Jose Mourinho (Manager,Chelsea)

From the theater:

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Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer  

Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed 'Der Kaiser' because of his all-round abilities and leadership is regarded as the best German footballer EVER. Tactically Strong and ball-playing defender, there are only few who would argue against Beckenbauer being the best defender to have ever played the game.

After 2 World Cup Final defeats, Beckenbauer finally got his hands on the trophy in 1974 while captaining the German team. 

At the club level, he played for the mighty 'BAYERN MUNICH'. He was the leader of a phenomenal team which included the likes of Gerd Muller and Jupp Heynckes. He won 3 consecutive European Cups and remains the only player to win it 3 times as a "captain".

He represented West Germany a staggering 103-times at the International Level. He later managed the two sides (Bayern Munich and Germany) and is one of only two men, to have won the prestigious World Cup both as a player and manager. A inspiring Footballer, who stood tall at defense and also never hesitated to break in the attack, he is still a role model for the German kids at football academies.

He is currently working as a pundit for skyGermany and is also a columnist. He still remains a influential figure in world and German football.

He is often credited for inventing the role of modern sweeper. He was twice named the European Footballer Of The Year. A True LEGEND.

Quotes:

"Franz Beckenbauer symbolizes Football and a winning mentality. And on top of that, he brought the World Cup to his country."

                            -Boris Becker (Tennis Legend)

Gallery:

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An Intro To The Blog..!!

The Legends Of Football 

This Blog is a personal tribute to "ALL" the greatest Football Players who have graced the football field decade after decade.

Football is a simple game. 22 players chasing after 1 ball. Well,There are some people who possess that something special.

The players who inspire the whole generation. This is a tribute to all those players..

I'll be posting about the legends on a daily basis.
Reviews And comments are always "Welcome".
TY and enjoy the beautiful game of "FOOTBALL"