The 22nd installment of Barney Corkhill's Greatest Ever series is here!
In this series, I will look at the greatest talents to grace various sports. Here, I continue to look at football, this time counting down the top ten right-midfielders of all time. To avoid any confusion, I have also included right-wingers in this countdown!
Enjoy!
10. David Beckham (ENG)
Perhaps the most recognisable and well-known footballer in history, David Beckham is one of the greatest passers of the ball and free-kick takers that has ever played the game. During his career, he has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, three of the world's biggest clubs.
At those clubs, he won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one La Liga title, and a European Cup. At international level, the former captain has won 108 caps, equalling Bobby Moore's record for an outfield player, a record he looks set to break.
Individually, Beckham was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1997 and has twice finished as runner-up in the World Player of the Year awards.
9. Billy Meredith (WAL)
Meredith was one of football's first superstars. When a match involving him was announced it usually had "featuring the great Billy Meredith" under his team's name, such was his appeal.
A legend of both Manchester United and Manchester City, Meredith won two FA Cups and two First Division titles throughout his career. He made his debut in 1890 and then, 34 years later, played his final game aged 47-years-old.
Meredith fought hard against the maximum wage throughout his career, and was a key figure in it being abolished.
8. Jimmy Johnstone (SCO)
Celtic's greatest ever player, "Jinky" Johnstone was the typical winger. His mesmerising runs down the right-hand flank bemused many world class full-backs, including Giacinto Facchetti and Emlyn Hughes.
He was part of Jock Stein's magnificent Celtic side, winning nine consecutive league titles, four Scottish Cups, five Scottish League Cups, and a European Cup. That European Cup winning side later became known as the "Lisbon Lions" after beating the much fancied Inter Milan side in Lisbon.
7. Roberto Donadoni (ITA)
The great AC Milan side of the late 1980s and 1990s owed as much to Roberto Donadoni as it did to the Dutch trio of Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard. His pace and dribbling provided countless goal-scoring opportunities and made him a vital part of Arrigo Sacchi's and, later, Fabio Capello's dream team.
At Milan, he won five Serie A titles and three European Cups, including two consecutively. For Italy, he won 63 caps, which included the third place finish in the 1990 World Cup, and the runners-up finish four years later.
6. Luis Figo (POR)
Luis Figo is probably the only player that could be mentioned in the same breath as Eusebio when talking about Portugal's greatest ever player. He is one of few players to have played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, after signing for the latter for a then world record £38 million.
During his illustrious career, Figo has won a Portuguese Cup, four La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, three Serie A titles, an Italian Cup, a Cup Winners' Cup, and a Champions League. At international level, he led Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, and their best World Cup finish since 1966. He ended up with a record 127 caps.
Individually, he was named the Portuguese Player of the Year six years in a row, won the Ballon d'Or in 2000, and the World Player of the Year award one year later.
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