This is always a topic that is bantered around. The term "world class" is used so often it's a fad. With this list, I do hope to give my 11 players that would be in my dream team. Feel free to comment, good or bad.
Manager: Sir Matt Busby
So many of you expected me to pick Sir Alex Ferguson, but no. I have gone for Busby. For me, he is the greatest manager ever. To build a phenomenal squad, capable of beating almost anyone, and then lose the majority in the Munich Air Disaster, would have destroyed the normal manager.
Not Sir Matt Busby. After recovering in hospital, and mourning the death of his loyal players, he set about rebuilding the team to it's former glory. That he did. 10 years after the tragic disaster, he guided a new, rejuvenated, young team to European Cup glory.
The second coming of the Busby babes ruled Europe. He produced Charlton, Law and Best. The greatest trio ever. For that, his achievements, and his courage to remain as manager after the crash, he gets my vote.
The formation I have chosen is a personal favourite, and apparently Sir Matt Busby's favourite. I have gone with a 4-3-1-2 formation. I believe it's an almost perfect formation. Four typical defenders, three midfielders, one supporting midfielder, a goal scorer as well, and two strikers.
Lets begin with the man with the gloves. I had many choices. Peter Schmeichel, Peter Shilton, Gordon Banks, Gianluigi Buffon. The list goes on, but I had to choose someone.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
I chose the Danish master because he quite simply is the best 'keeper ever. No one could save a ball like him, he even scored a few goals in his time. He never gave up during a game, and I always felt he was a sure fire candidate for the United captaincy.
He's made some very important saves, mainly saving a Dennis Bergkamp penalty in the 1999 F.A. Cup semi final replay. That save kept the treble dreams alive.
When he announced he would leave Manchester United after winning that treble, a big hole was left at United. It took many years for that hole to be filled by a keeper of similar quality. Edwin Van Der Sar may make an all time list in the future, but Schmeichel makes this one.
Now onto the defence. I'll begin with central defence. Defenders are a pinnacle part of a team. There is only so much a goal keeper can do. Their job is to, er, defend. Obvious I guess. There have been many greats, but I have to choose two. Bloody hell.
Central defender: Bobby Moore
Pele called Bobby Moore the greatest defender he's ever played against. Is that enough praise for you?
He set up the equaliser in the 1966 world cup final, in an act of professionalism. He got hacked down by Wolfgang Overath, but rather than react to it, he took a quick free-kick, and set up Geoff Hurst to make the score 1-1.
Amazingly, it's believed that Moore could have been dropped for the final. The decision to keep him in proved decisive. He recognised that in the extra-time period, the Germans were getting tired.
With the opposing team exhausted, he launched a 40 yard ball forward to Hurst, with the scores at 3-2, and even though his intention was to kick it out, Hurst scored, completing a unique hat trick.
- B/R Ticket Guide
From that day forward, Moore was recognised as one of the best defenders ever. For his phenomenal performance in that game, and his illustrious career, he gets the nod here.
Central defender: Franz Beckenbauer
This man is referred to as "Der Kaiser" for his fierce play on the pitch. He is one of the most successful players of all time, winning an astounding hat-trick of European Cups with Bayern Munich. They also won three league titles in a row. He managed to win the world cup with West Germany in 1970, and then as manager in 1990.
Beckenbauer is the only man to achieve that feat. To many, he is the absolute best defender ever, and plays an important part in world football to this day. For all of his achievements, he gets the nod in this team.
Left back: Lillian Thuram
Thuram is typically a central defender, but I have chose him to play on the left side here. He is the most experienced French player ever, and was a part of the amazing team that conceded just two goals in seven games, on the way to the 1998 World Cup.
He was an integral part of the team that won Euro 2000 as well. His club career has been one of much loyalty, with tenures at just four clubs. Many have described him as the most difficult defender to play against in modern times. He can pick apart an attack very easily. Well, he makes it look easy.
I had no hesitation in choosing Thuram as my left back here. For me, no one else could argue their worth better than Thuram.
Right back: Cafu
What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best right back ever, in my opinion. He is famous for his tireless overlapping runs down the right wing, able to provide crosses for goal scorers.
At the age of 38, he may be retiring, but he will always be remembered as one of the absolute greats. He won two world cups with Brazil, and played in four consecutive world cups.
Pele named him as one of the best players ever, and he gets the nod in my team.
I now come to the midfield. Central position first.
Central midfielder: Sir Bobby Charlton
A survivor of the Munich Air Disaster, and a cherished man at Manchester United. He is the top goalscorer for England, and until Ryan Giggs surpassed his record, the most experienced United player.
He won the world cup with England, multiple legaue titles with United, F.A. Cup, and a European Cup.
He was also part of the famous trio that included himself, George Best and Denis Law. I had no hesitation in including him in this squad. For me, he is the best midfielder to ever grace the game.
I know what you are all thinking. He's a striker, but no, he is a midfielder as well. So in this team, I would have him making bursts forward to terrorise the defence, and score in the process. Same old Bobby.
Left midfielder: Ryan Giggs
I have never, ever seen anyone who can tear up the left side of midfield like Ryan Giggs. Undoubtedly the greatest left sided midfielder ever. His success story speaks for itself.
10 league titles, two European Cups, four F.A. Cups, two Carling Cups, one Uefa Super Cup and the Intercontinental. He is the longest serving United player, passing Sir Bobby Charlton at the Champions League Final.
He has scored 144 goals in his time at United, and been voted the top midfielder in many fan polls. You may all think this is slightly United biased, but it isn't. Giggs is simply the best.
Right midfielder: Johan Cruyff
Righto. If you have read this article previously, you know I had chosen David Beckham. I then sat down and thought to myself - What the hell?
What was I thinking? I don't know, but anyway, Cruyff comes in for Becks. The man was voted the best European Player of the 20th Century in a poll by the IFFHS, and came second to Pele in the world vote.
Cruyff invented his own move, the Cruyff turn. In 521 league games, he scored 293 goals for various clubs. He spent the majority of his time at Ajax from 1964-1973 before moving to Barcelona. He spent five years at Barcelona before moving to America.
His international record is also very good. In 48 appearances for the Netherlands, he scored 33 goals. He helped Holland to a runners-up lace in the 1974 World Cup, in which they dominated almost everyone they played.
Forgive me for choosing Beckham originally, what was that about? We now have the truly greatest right midfielder ever here, in my view anyway.
Attacking midfielder: George Best
What do I need to say? Nothing. The best ever, by a clear margin. Even Pele agrees. No one will ever grace the world of football like Best. Cristiano Ronaldo has been compared to him. The boy isn't fit to lick his boots.
He could fool the opposing players, and his team mates. He would often infuriate his fellow players by not passing the ball. A torrent of abuse would be prepared, but they would be silenced by a phenomenal goal.
One quote sticks in my head. "I was thinking, give me the ball you greedy little git. I was halfway through shouting you greedy bas... oh what a goal!"
The greatest ever. George Best. R.I.P
Striker: Pele
Best striker ever. Simple as. The most well respected player ever. A player that won three World cups. The top Brazil goalscorer. The list goes on. I could go on forever, but I won't.
Pele gets in the team. It really would be a travesty if he didn't.
Striker: Marco van Basten
The man is a legend. One of the greatest players, and the second best striker ever, only second to Pele. Success was never far from van Basten. He won multiple trophies with Ajax and AC Milan. He won the European championships with Holland in 1988.
He now manages the Dutch national team, but will become Ajax manager after Euro 2008. He will undoubtedly bring success there, but for me, only one man could be van Basten. Pele.
Had Pele not existed, Van Basten would surely be regarded as the greatest srtiker ever.
So, that's it. Now tell me what you think.
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5 months ago
manchester much? geez.
man, i'll admit, i'm a bit biased towards hating them, but there are plenty of other quality choices. In goal, Lev Yashin or Oliver Kahn. Right back, Roberto Carlos. Becks at right mid? Riiight, Luis Figo anyday over Becks. And Ryan Giggs was great, I don't think the greatest ever.
from 5 months ago
i did think about yashin, but schmeichel won me over here. i thought roberto carlos was left footed? therefore, wouldn't he be at left back? becks for me is better than figo, and giggs is simpy the best ever. so this is my team i guess.
5 months ago
no maradona ???
you must be kidding me.......id pick him over giggsy.
from 5 months ago
ah you see, his right hand prevented me from choosing him.
from 5 months ago
how about his solo goal vs England ?
the English are still gaping at its brilliance.
5 months ago
Not again,Micheal!! I'm just kiddin..good piece..Thuram,Beckham and Giggs are fine players but their inclusion ought to raise some eye brows.
from 5 months ago
tought so, but it's my choice i guess, although i am thinking about garrincha in right mid.
5 months ago
It is a Man Utd centric piece. So, I don't think I would "kid" this time. How on Earth can Giggs and Beckham be on a team labelled " the greatest"?! I also think that greats like Lev Yashin are being totally ignored - for Schmeichel.
And when has Thuram ever played on the left side of defense? He's not a left-back by any stretch of imagination.
I suppose that this is your greatest team, but a lot of people would beg to differ.
from 5 months ago
like i said, i had to consider the manager, how he would play a team, the formation among other things. i trawled through books and videos, and this is the team i came up with. 6 players that have never had any association with united.
becks sodded off cos of fergie, charlton left eventually, best ruined him self with the booze and schemichel ended up laying at man city, so not too biased at all.
5 months ago
How about Garincha? He was class up front for Brazil.
from 5 months ago
i knew someone would say it. if van basten wasn't as good, then garincha would probably have been in the team. he was probably at his best during the 62 world cup. i watched a video of that last night, and i was in two minds over who to choose.
5 months ago
BTW Giggs sucks as does manure.
from 5 months ago
manure. what an awful nickname. i heard that stamford bridge, and the whole away section just err, that's just a bit wrong lol
5 months ago
bollocks..............I believe this is the correct English term.
Correct me if I am wrong as English is not my first Language.
from 5 months ago
correct term indeed. who do you disagree with?
from 5 months ago
a fantastic use of the word!!!
5 months ago
i wud have this as my team:
--------------------------------
Lev Yashin
Nilton Santos
Franz Beckenbaeur
Giancinto Fachetti
Carlos Alberto
Johann Cruyff
Bobby Charlton
Garrincha
Diego Maradona
Pele
Gerd Muller
--------------------------------
Coach: Rinus Michels.
5 months ago
How the hell does Paolo Maldini not get a look in...
As for left or right mid, two words.... Johan Cruyff
No Maradona? Madness.
Only one member of the Brazil 1970's World Cup winning team?
Sorry, just read the title of the piece again. YOUR best team. I take it back. very nice. My best team however would look totally different.
from 5 months ago
damn it man, i wanted maldini in the team, but more and "der kaiser" wern't leaving at all. i did wittle thr right back down to cafu and maldini, but i went with cafu instead.
maradona was left out cos of is right hand. u no what i mean lol.
as for johan cruyff, it took me a full 45 mins to decide who to put in. cruyff or becks, and amazingly, becks won it. even i think i may have been wrong there. he invented his own move man!
now see, if i included too many brazil 1970 world cup players, some people would have a pop at me for been biased. they did with the united factor, but as i said earlier, charlton left eventually, becks was forced out by fergie, best did leave and ruined himself, and schemeichel ended up playing for man city. when that happended, i did wonder why fergie didn't get him back.
5 months ago
Michael this just proves what most of us already know, you clearly know very little about football, please for the good of everyone, stick to wrestling before you embarrass yourself further.
from 5 months ago
explain yourself. who do you disagree with?
from 5 months ago
Thuram, Left Back? Have you ever even seen Thuram play?
Giggs the best left midfield player EVER, come on, he is a modern great of English football, but his global status is minimal.
David Beckham! Have a word with yourself man. Come on. Another class act on his day, but worthy of a place in the GREATEST EVER. He was dismal in both Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006 (one free-kick aside). Great players perform when it matters most.
Best the greatest ever? Come one, Pele says a lot of things, he is a politician, stick him on Ugandan TV and he would say that that the Ugandan no 9 was world class, it doesn't make it true. Pele, Maradona and Garrincha are the only contenders for greatest ever, to suggest anyone else is just insulting to them, and to football as a whole.
I can accept your cases for Busby to a degree, Schmeichel, and even Bobby Charlton (I wouldn't pick any of them, but they are reasonable picks that can be argued fairly) but the others are just ludicrous and the predictable Man United bias is beyond funny.
from 5 months ago
i've already got rid of becks, but i'm sticking to best. i'm not going for world recognition, im going for who i think are the best players, and giggs gets it.
tell who you would have a left back.
from 5 months ago
hold on, what makes you say I know nothing about football? and what the hell does wrestling have to do with this article?
rather than bring another sport into my articles or comments i make on other articles, just don't bother from now on, cos frankly, i'm bored of seeing anything along the lines of i either know nothing about footy, or i like wrestling, which is "childish"
sure mate, too bad that your childish for resorting to that.
5 months ago
I guess Simon said everything I wanted to say after reading this piece. It has a degree of Man United Biasness in it....
from 5 months ago
hold on mate, seven players had no association with united, schmeichel ended up playing at man city, best left united, as did charlton. so it's not united biased at all, just my personal best team.
4 months ago
Very nice topic, do a greatest team of the world is always polemic.
Have inumerous players with merit to be included on this list.
In my opinion, the presence of Paulo Roberto Falcao (King of Rome and King of Beira Rio) on the defensive midlefield is obrigatory... :)
Another great strikers that I remembered: Garrincha, Maradona, Di Stefano, Romario...
Regards,
Felipe
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