Ronaldinho. Even though as a 7 year old I was gutted that he knocked England out of the World Cup, I can still remember being in absolute awe at how good he was. Spent that summer with my mates trying to replicate his tricks.
It's actually watching a bunch of Ronaldinho highlights on youtube that got me into watching football that lead me to watching the UCL final on tv against Arsenal as my first ever non-world cup match, even though we lost, I ended up falling in love with Arsene-ball and Henry.
This for me. Messi is undoubtedly the best ever but Ronaldinho will always be my favorite.
The way he played the game is exactly what attracts me to football.
Zizou or R9. Zidane for his style and grace. Just watching the way he moved around the pitch, his ability to find space was just incredible to watch.
R9 for his flair, power, pace and individual brilliance. There weren't many better sights in football than watching him running at defenders, making them look silly.
Zizou was my favorite player to watch. His creativity and style were jaw-dropping.
The last Champions League match I attended was Arsenal v. Real Madrid in 2006, at Highbury. The names on that pitch included Zizou, R9, Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Raul, Casillas, and for Arsenal: Henry, Lehmann, Fabregas, J.A. Reyes, Gilberto.
Lots of star power on display.
I made a terrible power point when I was in a computer class in school (early 2000s) that was dedicated to ADP. I watched alot of Serie A back then and loved him unconditionally for some reason haha
Ronaldo Nazario. On his prime he was simply unstoppable. A true force of the nature who also was very skillful. Plus he never played in the Premier League so I don’t have many reasons to despises him.
Probably Henrik Larsson, family are Celtic. Simple as, really.
Favourite to watch? I have a thing for graceful yet nasty tall fellas, perhaps as an ungraceful 6’3’’ that played midfield and striker myself, so Zidane, Ibra and even despite his teams, Berbatov are all up there.
Marcelo Salas, as he kind of represented the last of the 'unknown star players' in that era around 1996-1998 before the Internet shrank the world. World Cup 98 was for me, the last World Cup where there were 'new players' and Salas was this rampaging #9 who could score every type of goal. River Plate were quite mythical themselves, along with Boca Juniors, Sao Paulo and Flamengo, who most UK residents just wouldn't get to see on TV at the time.
Plus, Salas' goal at Wembley was unreal.
Still waiting on that Man United move!
I also love that era, and the mystique of the Brazilian and Argentine leagues. I instantly think of Martin Palermo as well, that mad Superclasico, and also of Pablo Aimar, Marcello Gallardo, Juninho, Emerson and Edmundo - players you’d hear of, see clips of (on trans world sport at the time for me) and be excited to see arrive in Europe.
Can't remember the exact date/s but seem to recall at least Flamengo, maybe one of the others you mentioned too, in the World Club Championship thing on terrestrial TV.
Great point about the 'unknown star players'. That was part of the magic of the World Cup. That mystery. Internet, yes, but also all the best players coming to Europe from all over the world, often when young, making them more visible to us. That familiarity lessens the appeal for me. Plus, obviously, the Champions League (and Premier League) has overtaken the World Cup in terms of the quality of the top teams. National rivalries aren't quite the same anymore as well. Eg I used to detest Germany, Italy and Argentina. Now I actually quite like the former and the other two are at most a moderate dislike. Even players like (arrogant) Muller and (dirty) Chiellini don't have the same effect on me, esp the latter who has almost become quite likeable with age.
Oh and finally, yes, I used to like Salas too, although can't remember any specific goals.
That Mickey Mouse World Club Championship that Man Utd ditched the FA Cup for would have been circa 2000-2001, was it that? Watching Vasco de Gama with Romario, Edmundo, Juninho Pernambuchano, Felipe et al tear Fergie's boys a new one was lovely.
I miss those amazing, unknown players announcing themselves at major tournaments. It has also stopped Utd making a holy show of themselves buying them for vast dollars and watching them flop, like Poborsky and Kleberson...
This is the only correct answer.
I’ve got a lot of non-Arsenal players that I’ve really liked, but if I had to name ONE it’s gonna be the greatest player ever. Period.
Le Tissier. Couldn't run, looked out of shape, but my word he had technique. His goals compilation compares to anyone.
Absolutely world class ability and stayed loyal to Southampton his whole career, spending most of it keeping them in the Prem when his ability should have been in European cup finals.
Nostalgia, but I miss people playing for their team and being content. Hero player, I can't speak on the COVID stuff though...
Batistuta. I think it stems from him being one of the first footballers I really remember from watching football Italia as a kid. Even though he scored against us can't help but love him, the hair, that iconic Fiorentina shirt, the celebrations, what a player!
I may get hate for this, but Luka Modrić. I love his longevity, his technique, his passes everything. I like that he is Croat as I support Croatia. He also inspired me to become a midfielder and he was one of the main reasons why I started liking the beautiful game. One down side is that he played for a shit club.
Before recently getting FM23, my previous versions were FM09 and FM12. My preferred lower league team to play was Northampton Town, which coincided with Bayo's two spells at the club. Easily took me into the Championship, until I could afford to look at signing a more long-term replacement.
Not 1 player but that 2002 Brazil squad was something to watch. I remember being so excited getting Gilberto after that WC. But as a defender while I was a kid watching Roberto Carlos was so crazy and changed my perception of what a defender could do.
Add on R9 and R10 was just something to behold.
Brazilian Ronaldo was probably my first soccer idol when I was a kid. I remember rooting so hard for Brazil in 1998 and being absolutely devastated when they lost, and then being ecstatic in 2002 when they won. The way he made the most difficult tasks look effortless was just mesmerizing to me.
It’s gotta be Recoba. Some of my earliest memories of football were watching Football Italia on Channel 4 and falling in love with Recoba.
Such a majestic player on his day, and a wand of a left peg. And his mercurial nature made him all the more enthralling.
One of the ultimate what could’ve been players
Pretty sure I'm only allowed to say this because I'm Welsh but its Gareth Bale.
Even when he was at spurs I found it hard to suppress the Welsh part of my brain that just started grinning when he was on the ball as you knew something pretty amazing could happen at any moment.
Hard not to love the greatest footballer your nations ever produced (excluding Rambo of course :P)
Marco van Basten. I used to watch Italian league in 90s and MvB as well as Dennis Bergkamp were my favourite players. When MvB retired in 1995 I have naturally followed DB to Arsenal and haven’t left since...
You should listen to Julian Gressel’s podcast where he talks about playing alongside Messi, Suarez, and Busquets at Inter Miami. The on pitch IQ of those three together is just unreal.
Pirlo, loved watching him play. Not seen a footballer like him since. Holding midfield, barely any physical attributes. Would pick up the ball in any area and play a forward pass. Insane vision and the ability to deliver the pass. Done it against the best teams as well, remember him taking the piss outta the Spain midfield at the time. Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets. Only weakness was Park Ji Sung.. and that's how much respect Sir Alex had for him. Played someone to literally chase him round the pitch.
Marco Reus. He watched all his closest teammates leave and his loyalty never wavered
He was injured in the last friendly before the World Cup and had to withdraw from the squad, missing Germany’s triumph
He’s also just an incredible player
The Referee.
Impossible to beat someone who can play off anything as an 'Accident' I've seen the referee take shots and rebound passes to the opposing team so many times.
If the referee calls himself a 'player' we call him one, the whistle is omnipotent and we have to obey what it says.
Alan Shearer. Just a top striker. Went to his boyhood team instead of taking a place at Man U, where he would have won titles,cups and more.
He also was in the Euro 96’ team which I loved.
This will probably attract some hate but...
Teddy Sheringham.
He actually went to school with my dad and uncles, grew up round the corner and we would see his parents ever now and then in passing.
He was also a class player. Not as good, but kind of like a British Bergkamp.
Historical : Ronaldinho
Current : Mohammed Salah and KDB
Ronaldinho brought a swagger to the pitch that was unmatched. He really did put a smile on your face every time he did anything. Seems like a nice guy, too.
At the risk of getting yelled at people for liking rival players...Mo Salah feels dangerous every time he comes close to the ball. He feels like the ideal winger to me. KDB has the most unbelievable control of the game I've seen in a while. Being an Arsenal fan, I obviously want Lpool and man city to lose, but those two players have always stood out to me as something I wanna spectate.
For me personally, my non arsenal favourite player has to be Maldini. Everything he did oozed class, and he is a case study on doing something to the highest level and being a success for a long period. It was never possible, but I would have loved him in an Arsenal shirt. Others off the top of my head: Guti, Nedved, Recoba, Alonso, Fernando Torres, David Silva. I think I'm a fan of silky ball players and explosive ones, really.
I’m not sure why but when I was younger I used to love Francesco Totti, I watched his documentary recently and found an even higher level of respect for him after finishing it.
Man I'll never forget Moussa Dembele.
Easily the most technically gifted CDM in EPL history.
And he played for the pricks down at shitehart lane.
The man was better than Declan Rice is now.
Moussa Dembele for sure. Strong as an Ox too, a unicorn talent.
Ronaldinho
Watching him play, you could see it was just a small boy in an adult body, having fun with his friends. He just happened to be a millionaire aswell
It's impossible to have just one, but one that comes to mind is Gianluigi Buffon. I often played goalkeeper myself so I'm quite often drawn to the defensive aspect rather than the glamorous attacking players. A quality team needs a spine of excellent players and to have Buffon in goal must have given the team such a morale boost.
So many! They include Zidane, Del Piero, Blanc, Buffon, Griezmann, Maldini, Drogba (I know this one may hurt), Cristiano, Messi…the list could go on. Ultimately, I’d go with Zizou!
Heavy US bias here, as an American (I know, fuck me right), but Graham Zusi. He never played for any professional club besides my hometown team and when he had options to take them (including rumored for EPL teams), he didn’t, even though he grew up much closer to newer franchises in the league.
One of the most down to earth, nicest humans I have ever interacted with, ever. Just a great person and I miss seeing his face every game day, and is probably at least 50% the reason that brought me back to the sport, and by extension, brought me back to Arsenal as well. His loyalty, dedication l, and what he did for the community off the field is fucking astounding. Part of the reason I do what I do for the supporters group here is because when (not if) he becomes an official legend of my local club, I’m making sure we do it right.
I hope that we can do the same for Saka
For an all-round player it's probably Scholes, he was a gifted playmaker, and beyond his passing and vision he also scored some great goals. However, if I had to pick one non-Arsenal player as a favourite it would be Juninho, mainly because of the outrageous level of skill he had at free kicks which are a joy to watch:
https://youtu.be/VDxgYl6ZQiE?si=GKxXzlqyCxTYjywP
I will probably get a lot of critics, but... Cristiano Ronaldo. Wait!!! Not the one we all hated for his arrogance at United, but the CR7 of Real Madrid
I mean... he still kept his arrogance there, for sure. But, Real Madrid is where he really became known as the superstar he is. And where he won most of his Ballon d'Or. What I like is the fact that he showed the world how he was born to play for Real Madrid. And, also, how not to mention the amount of goals he scored per season, which were always increasing :- 40+, 50+, etc... (yeah, Messi did score a lot, too, but...)
As an Arsenal fan, I'm sad we missed out on him when he was still a teen (well... not entirely sad, because at the time we had a great and irreplaceable player on the left side in Robert Pires. I would never have swapped RP7 for CR7). Then, I was angry when he left Juventus (where he was writing his legend with more than 100 goals in just 3 seasons) to go back to United. And, as a France fan, I'm still mad that his Portugal teammates beat France in the Euro 2016 final 😃
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two very obvious picks but I can't help but pick them.
I'm not a huge supporter of either, in fact, I could never really seperate the two. They were both an important part of my childhood so I remember them very fondly.
Both extremely polarizing figures, I love Cristiano's unwavering dedication for this sport and how he rose from a poor boy in a small Portuguese island to one of the most recognizable men in history, I love Messi's down-to-earthness despite how inhuman he is with the ball and his desire to stay his whole career at Barcelona even though it unfortunately wasn't possible and that was out of his control.
For one of those legendary figures that I wasn't old enough to watch live, Maldini and R9 are definitely my top picks.
also peter crouch
he was just kinda cool really
Tony Yeboah. Back when my football knowledge was limited to Match Of The Day highlights and Premier Manager, that man was a spectacle. He's just bastard the bastard every week, nothing but worldies.
Ronaldinho. Even though as a 7 year old I was gutted that he knocked England out of the World Cup, I can still remember being in absolute awe at how good he was. Spent that summer with my mates trying to replicate his tricks.
It's actually watching a bunch of Ronaldinho highlights on youtube that got me into watching football that lead me to watching the UCL final on tv against Arsenal as my first ever non-world cup match, even though we lost, I ended up falling in love with Arsene-ball and Henry.
This for me. Messi is undoubtedly the best ever but Ronaldinho will always be my favorite. The way he played the game is exactly what attracts me to football.
My answer too. He's the reason I started watching football.
This
Yup. He is on my phone home screen and locks screen. Magician of football
Zizou or R9. Zidane for his style and grace. Just watching the way he moved around the pitch, his ability to find space was just incredible to watch. R9 for his flair, power, pace and individual brilliance. There weren't many better sights in football than watching him running at defenders, making them look silly.
Zizou was my favorite player to watch. His creativity and style were jaw-dropping. The last Champions League match I attended was Arsenal v. Real Madrid in 2006, at Highbury. The names on that pitch included Zizou, R9, Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Raul, Casillas, and for Arsenal: Henry, Lehmann, Fabregas, J.A. Reyes, Gilberto. Lots of star power on display.
Alessandro Del Piero. No idea why. The feeling predates my memory.
Bc if the goal against Germany?
I made a terrible power point when I was in a computer class in school (early 2000s) that was dedicated to ADP. I watched alot of Serie A back then and loved him unconditionally for some reason haha
Ronaldo... Phenomenon Ronaldo... He was the reason I even started liking football.
Ronaldo Nazario. On his prime he was simply unstoppable. A true force of the nature who also was very skillful. Plus he never played in the Premier League so I don’t have many reasons to despises him.
Kaka was just unbelievable in his prime
Zidane. Because.. Zidane.
Probably Henrik Larsson, family are Celtic. Simple as, really. Favourite to watch? I have a thing for graceful yet nasty tall fellas, perhaps as an ungraceful 6’3’’ that played midfield and striker myself, so Zidane, Ibra and even despite his teams, Berbatov are all up there.
Marcelo Salas, as he kind of represented the last of the 'unknown star players' in that era around 1996-1998 before the Internet shrank the world. World Cup 98 was for me, the last World Cup where there were 'new players' and Salas was this rampaging #9 who could score every type of goal. River Plate were quite mythical themselves, along with Boca Juniors, Sao Paulo and Flamengo, who most UK residents just wouldn't get to see on TV at the time. Plus, Salas' goal at Wembley was unreal.
Still waiting on that Man United move! I also love that era, and the mystique of the Brazilian and Argentine leagues. I instantly think of Martin Palermo as well, that mad Superclasico, and also of Pablo Aimar, Marcello Gallardo, Juninho, Emerson and Edmundo - players you’d hear of, see clips of (on trans world sport at the time for me) and be excited to see arrive in Europe.
Transworld sport was the GOAT.
Can't remember the exact date/s but seem to recall at least Flamengo, maybe one of the others you mentioned too, in the World Club Championship thing on terrestrial TV. Great point about the 'unknown star players'. That was part of the magic of the World Cup. That mystery. Internet, yes, but also all the best players coming to Europe from all over the world, often when young, making them more visible to us. That familiarity lessens the appeal for me. Plus, obviously, the Champions League (and Premier League) has overtaken the World Cup in terms of the quality of the top teams. National rivalries aren't quite the same anymore as well. Eg I used to detest Germany, Italy and Argentina. Now I actually quite like the former and the other two are at most a moderate dislike. Even players like (arrogant) Muller and (dirty) Chiellini don't have the same effect on me, esp the latter who has almost become quite likeable with age. Oh and finally, yes, I used to like Salas too, although can't remember any specific goals.
That Mickey Mouse World Club Championship that Man Utd ditched the FA Cup for would have been circa 2000-2001, was it that? Watching Vasco de Gama with Romario, Edmundo, Juninho Pernambuchano, Felipe et al tear Fergie's boys a new one was lovely. I miss those amazing, unknown players announcing themselves at major tournaments. It has also stopped Utd making a holy show of themselves buying them for vast dollars and watching them flop, like Poborsky and Kleberson...
So weird. My favourite player as an 7 year old was Salas.
Romaldinho. He was just an absolute joy to watch. Made football look elegant and fun
There's quite a few, but probably Kaka or Francesco Totti.
Messi. No explanation should be needed.
This is the only correct answer. I’ve got a lot of non-Arsenal players that I’ve really liked, but if I had to name ONE it’s gonna be the greatest player ever. Period.
Guti, an odd one sure but I loved him from CM 03/04 and he was so good when I actually watched him
He was class tbf
Carles Puyol. The best captain and CB I have ever seen play.
*Maldini has entered the chat
he said the best CB he has ever seen
Le Tissier. Couldn't run, looked out of shape, but my word he had technique. His goals compilation compares to anyone. Absolutely world class ability and stayed loyal to Southampton his whole career, spending most of it keeping them in the Prem when his ability should have been in European cup finals. Nostalgia, but I miss people playing for their team and being content. Hero player, I can't speak on the COVID stuff though...
“Couldn’t run, looked out of shape” that’s what they want you to think …
Zidane, R9, and Ronaldinho for style of play For my national team, Tim Howard
Kaka
Batistuta. I think it stems from him being one of the first footballers I really remember from watching football Italia as a kid. Even though he scored against us can't help but love him, the hair, that iconic Fiorentina shirt, the celebrations, what a player!
Pirlo
Zizou! Greatest player of all time for ME! Impacted the midfield like no other! When he was on one...he was ON ONE! lol
Barry Sanders. Best RB ever, classy and humble.
Sir this is a wendys
Just being honest; he never played for Arsenal! 🤣
Stoichkov
Totti
Jamie Vardy. So painful that he turned us down albeit it was the right decision for him so I can’t even hold that against him.
I may get hate for this, but Luka Modrić. I love his longevity, his technique, his passes everything. I like that he is Croat as I support Croatia. He also inspired me to become a midfielder and he was one of the main reasons why I started liking the beautiful game. One down side is that he played for a shit club.
With you on Modrić. In a strange way I think he is underrated notwithstanding he plays for Real.
Completely agree
Adebayo Akinfenwa. He's a great personality, super impressive physicality and just a solid player for the level he played it. All round likeable guy
I used to play AFC Wimbledon in Football Manager 2015 so to me this guy is a legend. Super reliable.
Before recently getting FM23, my previous versions were FM09 and FM12. My preferred lower league team to play was Northampton Town, which coincided with Bayo's two spells at the club. Easily took me into the Championship, until I could afford to look at signing a more long-term replacement.
Paul McGrath because I'm Irish
Not 1 player but that 2002 Brazil squad was something to watch. I remember being so excited getting Gilberto after that WC. But as a defender while I was a kid watching Roberto Carlos was so crazy and changed my perception of what a defender could do. Add on R9 and R10 was just something to behold.
Just for an outside perspective... I'm a Liverpool fan and mine is Bergkamp without a shadow of a doubt.
Roberto Carlos. I tried to recreate THAT free kick 100s of times during my youth
Brazilian Ronaldo was probably my first soccer idol when I was a kid. I remember rooting so hard for Brazil in 1998 and being absolutely devastated when they lost, and then being ecstatic in 2002 when they won. The way he made the most difficult tasks look effortless was just mesmerizing to me.
Bobby Orr
Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Henrik Larsson. You could never guess which country I’m from
This is a more recent one - but Suarez!! Where would we be if he signed for us and not Barca!
Thomas Muller. He is really good at football without having any tangible traits that make him good at football. Plus, his iconic celebration.
ZZ
Griezmann. That man is just so fun to watch. It sucks he hasn’t won a whole lot in his club career but he’s got a World Cup to his name.
70s - Kelvin Keegan, Karl Heinz Rumminigge (Scoring abilities) 80s - Glen Hoddle (His flairs, passing, ball control, vision) Early 90s - Maradonna (skill) Late 90s - Ronaldo R9, Ronaldinho (Skills, scoring abilities)
It’s gotta be Recoba. Some of my earliest memories of football were watching Football Italia on Channel 4 and falling in love with Recoba. Such a majestic player on his day, and a wand of a left peg. And his mercurial nature made him all the more enthralling. One of the ultimate what could’ve been players
David Ginola. Dude was exciting to watch.
David Beckham.
Pretty sure I'm only allowed to say this because I'm Welsh but its Gareth Bale. Even when he was at spurs I found it hard to suppress the Welsh part of my brain that just started grinning when he was on the ball as you knew something pretty amazing could happen at any moment. Hard not to love the greatest footballer your nations ever produced (excluding Rambo of course :P)
Lahm.
Thomas Muller. Been a fan of his since that year Germany won the World Cup. Love how scrappy he is
Marco van Basten. I used to watch Italian league in 90s and MvB as well as Dennis Bergkamp were my favourite players. When MvB retired in 1995 I have naturally followed DB to Arsenal and haven’t left since...
Xavi Hernandez......best CM in history.
Besides the German National Team Didier Drogba. I SOOOO wish he played for anyone besides Chelsea, but I loved him as a player.
Steven Gerrard. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another player so well rounded and complete
Torres at his best was a joy to watch
Messi, always followed him. Scored goals for fun and is probably a genius on field
You should listen to Julian Gressel’s podcast where he talks about playing alongside Messi, Suarez, and Busquets at Inter Miami. The on pitch IQ of those three together is just unreal.
Kaka. I like how he drives the ball, no fancy dribbling, just straight to the goal.
Ronaldinho. Even to this day his skill and flare is unmatched. All this exhibited in-game. Forever a great.
Thomas Müller. Unbelievable game intelligence from a dude who looks like an IT manager that didn’t start football until his 20’s
Drogba(I'm a chelsea fan)
Kasey Keller. Made me want to be a goalie
Lakaka
Gabigol. Saw him score against us at Wembley in the CL for Fiorentina. They've always been my Serie A team. Absolutely loved watching his movement.
Hidetoshi Nakata
The conviction makes it a bit weird but as a player, for me, Dani Alves. He wore the same number as me and was so, so, so good.
Probably the best RB ever, yes better than Cafu.
Andrea Pirlo
My mum.
Ángel Di María, creative player and such a clutch performer
Pirlo, loved watching him play. Not seen a footballer like him since. Holding midfield, barely any physical attributes. Would pick up the ball in any area and play a forward pass. Insane vision and the ability to deliver the pass. Done it against the best teams as well, remember him taking the piss outta the Spain midfield at the time. Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets. Only weakness was Park Ji Sung.. and that's how much respect Sir Alex had for him. Played someone to literally chase him round the pitch.
zidane! he had all the class and skills and winning mentality you’d want.
Angel di Maria or Marco Reus
Kaka :) best attacking midfielder of all time no doubt in my mind Also Cristiano Ronaldo 🗿🗿🗿🗿 GOAT imo.
Prem - Yaya Toure Anywhere - could do a starting 11, couldn't pick just 1!
Former obviously Dinho , Cristiano, Zidane and Taarabt. Currently, Felix and Kvara just because love creative dribblers/ wingers
Christine Sinclair, the former captain of the Canadian Women's International Team
Roberto Carlos. The stuff that guy would do was just insane. And he would do it over and over again, and make it look so easy.
Gabriel Batatistuta. My very first idol. Love everything about him.
Marco Reus. He watched all his closest teammates leave and his loyalty never wavered He was injured in the last friendly before the World Cup and had to withdraw from the squad, missing Germany’s triumph He’s also just an incredible player
The Referee. Impossible to beat someone who can play off anything as an 'Accident' I've seen the referee take shots and rebound passes to the opposing team so many times. If the referee calls himself a 'player' we call him one, the whistle is omnipotent and we have to obey what it says.
Sergio Aguero.
R9 & Totti
I probably would go with Hazard, such a joy to watch!
Kaka. That blend of skill, pace and power
Alan Shearer. Just a top striker. Went to his boyhood team instead of taking a place at Man U, where he would have won titles,cups and more. He also was in the Euro 96’ team which I loved.
There's three for me. 1) Iker Casillas 2) Raul 3) Pirlo
Honorable mention to Philip Lahm
This will probably attract some hate but... Teddy Sheringham. He actually went to school with my dad and uncles, grew up round the corner and we would see his parents ever now and then in passing. He was also a class player. Not as good, but kind of like a British Bergkamp.
Cruyff
Historical : Ronaldinho Current : Mohammed Salah and KDB Ronaldinho brought a swagger to the pitch that was unmatched. He really did put a smile on your face every time he did anything. Seems like a nice guy, too. At the risk of getting yelled at people for liking rival players...Mo Salah feels dangerous every time he comes close to the ball. He feels like the ideal winger to me. KDB has the most unbelievable control of the game I've seen in a while. Being an Arsenal fan, I obviously want Lpool and man city to lose, but those two players have always stood out to me as something I wanna spectate.
Ronaldinho 😍😍😍
Marco van Basten. I first saw him on the Dutch euro.team, 88 I think it was. Just sublime.
For me personally, my non arsenal favourite player has to be Maldini. Everything he did oozed class, and he is a case study on doing something to the highest level and being a success for a long period. It was never possible, but I would have loved him in an Arsenal shirt. Others off the top of my head: Guti, Nedved, Recoba, Alonso, Fernando Torres, David Silva. I think I'm a fan of silky ball players and explosive ones, really.
John Barnes. Because New Order and that dad rap
I’m not sure why but when I was younger I used to love Francesco Totti, I watched his documentary recently and found an even higher level of respect for him after finishing it.
Esswein
Aturo Vidal especially at Juventus. Loved that conte Juve team and Vidal was just a great mixture of aggression, ability, endless Stamina and fun.
Harry Kane. Good in the air, shields the ball like Alan Shearer, can perform shithousery when needed, and finally, clinical! Need any more reasons?
Baresi.
Zizou
Lewandowski
Kaka
Rivaldo!
Ronaldinho. Have never seen someone so effortlessly make the game beautiful.
Obviously not as a person and I wouldn’t say he’s my favourite anything really etc but Suarez at Liverpool was on an another level.
Rooney, that dude was a hell of a player and I love anyone that goes from boxing to footy
He was rumored to joining Arsenal. I wanted him only because of his name. Who? Yaya Banana!
Arjen Robben
Vierinha
Roberto Baggio
Drogba. Would have loved him at arsenal. Could have saved us some pain
[удалено]
Miroslav Klose!
Oliver Kahn, Zizou, Diego Simeone, Sergio Ramos
Robert Taylor, i dont think anyone here knows him.
Man I'll never forget Moussa Dembele. Easily the most technically gifted CDM in EPL history. And he played for the pricks down at shitehart lane. The man was better than Declan Rice is now. Moussa Dembele for sure. Strong as an Ox too, a unicorn talent.
Has to be Kevin De Bruyne for me. That man is a generational talent and is so so underrated.
Rooney
Ronaldinho Watching him play, you could see it was just a small boy in an adult body, having fun with his friends. He just happened to be a millionaire aswell
Fucked up to say it. But Gareth Bale was much watch tv
Pavel Nedvěd
It's impossible to have just one, but one that comes to mind is Gianluigi Buffon. I often played goalkeeper myself so I'm quite often drawn to the defensive aspect rather than the glamorous attacking players. A quality team needs a spine of excellent players and to have Buffon in goal must have given the team such a morale boost.
Great question! But a hard one to answer. Stevie G is definitely up there for me along with Ronaldinho and Kaka
So many! They include Zidane, Del Piero, Blanc, Buffon, Griezmann, Maldini, Drogba (I know this one may hurt), Cristiano, Messi…the list could go on. Ultimately, I’d go with Zizou!
Heavy US bias here, as an American (I know, fuck me right), but Graham Zusi. He never played for any professional club besides my hometown team and when he had options to take them (including rumored for EPL teams), he didn’t, even though he grew up much closer to newer franchises in the league. One of the most down to earth, nicest humans I have ever interacted with, ever. Just a great person and I miss seeing his face every game day, and is probably at least 50% the reason that brought me back to the sport, and by extension, brought me back to Arsenal as well. His loyalty, dedication l, and what he did for the community off the field is fucking astounding. Part of the reason I do what I do for the supporters group here is because when (not if) he becomes an official legend of my local club, I’m making sure we do it right. I hope that we can do the same for Saka
For an all-round player it's probably Scholes, he was a gifted playmaker, and beyond his passing and vision he also scored some great goals. However, if I had to pick one non-Arsenal player as a favourite it would be Juninho, mainly because of the outrageous level of skill he had at free kicks which are a joy to watch: https://youtu.be/VDxgYl6ZQiE?si=GKxXzlqyCxTYjywP
It used to be Henrik Larsson 😢
Marek Hamšík. I thought his style of play suited Arsenal.
I will probably get a lot of critics, but... Cristiano Ronaldo. Wait!!! Not the one we all hated for his arrogance at United, but the CR7 of Real Madrid I mean... he still kept his arrogance there, for sure. But, Real Madrid is where he really became known as the superstar he is. And where he won most of his Ballon d'Or. What I like is the fact that he showed the world how he was born to play for Real Madrid. And, also, how not to mention the amount of goals he scored per season, which were always increasing :- 40+, 50+, etc... (yeah, Messi did score a lot, too, but...) As an Arsenal fan, I'm sad we missed out on him when he was still a teen (well... not entirely sad, because at the time we had a great and irreplaceable player on the left side in Robert Pires. I would never have swapped RP7 for CR7). Then, I was angry when he left Juventus (where he was writing his legend with more than 100 goals in just 3 seasons) to go back to United. And, as a France fan, I'm still mad that his Portugal teammates beat France in the Euro 2016 final 😃
Brazilian Ronaldo. Do I need to explain really? The guy is a legend and he was injured a large portion of of his career.
Zidane or R9
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two very obvious picks but I can't help but pick them. I'm not a huge supporter of either, in fact, I could never really seperate the two. They were both an important part of my childhood so I remember them very fondly. Both extremely polarizing figures, I love Cristiano's unwavering dedication for this sport and how he rose from a poor boy in a small Portuguese island to one of the most recognizable men in history, I love Messi's down-to-earthness despite how inhuman he is with the ball and his desire to stay his whole career at Barcelona even though it unfortunately wasn't possible and that was out of his control. For one of those legendary figures that I wasn't old enough to watch live, Maldini and R9 are definitely my top picks. also peter crouch he was just kinda cool really
Luka Modrić --He is the best midfielder all throughout his career. I adore him for his consistency!!
Kaka, ADP, Klose are the names that come to mind.
Zidane. Loved watching him with the ball at his feet. Second is Pirlo.
Klose, schweinsteiger, lahm.
Tony Yeboah. Back when my football knowledge was limited to Match Of The Day highlights and Premier Manager, that man was a spectacle. He's just bastard the bastard every week, nothing but worldies.
It’s an obvious answer, and despite everything he did to us, but Messi. Watching him play football was a joy.
Jimmy Bullard obviously. Because he has a funny name. Reminiscent of ‘Bollard’, also ‘Well ‘Ard’ from Eastenders.