My All-Time Dream Team: Football Legends Through the Years
Those players who passed the ball exquisitely, had tackling attributes,and had the bravery to dive into the path of an attacker's stud.
Those with a mazy dribble, with wizardry seldom seen anywhere else.
Here is my dream team of those players, players who were the best to grace the football field.
Goalkeeper: Gordon Banks
1 of 11Gordon Banks was one of, if not, the greatest shot stoppers of all time .
He saved 33 shots on target in nine World Cup games. He had a 89.2 percent chance of saving a shot, the highest ratio in a World Cup ever known.
This is why I rate him higher than Lev Yashin, who revolutionized the goalkeeping position by commanding his area better than any who had come before him.
In the 1966 World Cup, he had a run of seven clean sheets which was finally stopped by Eusebio's penalty in the semifinal.
Left Back: Roberto Carlos
2 of 11This Real Madrid stalwart is renowned for his amazing free kicks. He also had the ability to make fantastic attacking runs and cross well.
With explosive running speed of 34km/h, powerful curling trajectory shot of 170km/h and hand throwing shot of 36 meters, Carlos has dominated the position of left wingback.
He was voted in the UEFA Team of the Year 2002 when Real Madrid won the Champions League. He was an integral part of the Brazil team which dominated the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
Centre Back: Bobby Moore
3 of 11A true Legend. He spent most of his career at West Ham United and was initially called up to the England side because of his early form.
He played at the 1962 World Cup and was part of the England side that was bundled out by an impressive Brazil. He won the 1966 World Cup with England, with a string of scintillating performances.
He also had a fine showing at the 1970 World Cup, giving good performances as England were bundled out of the competition despite leading 2-0 at halftime to West Germany.
Centre Back:Franz Beckenbauer
4 of 11The German was primarily known for his role as a Libero (defender initiating attacks from deep, he was a pioneer of this role).
He was a centre back, however, during his triumphs in the '70s. He won the 1972 European Championship and 1974 World Cup, not to mention three European cup triumphs with Bayern Munich.
He was a magnificent defender and had a good scoring record for a sweeper.
Right Back: Djalma Santos
5 of 11Brazil's greatest right back is one of the best players ever. He had supreme defensive talent, as well attacking ability as well.
He won the 1958 and the 1962 World Cups with Brazil and many trophies with Palmeiras.
Defensive Midfielder: Lothar Matthaus
6 of 11The German had exquisite tackling, passing and shooting ability. He operated as the midfield pivot and captain for a very strong West German team in 1990, which won the World Cup.
He was also runner-up in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. He also won many trophies with Internazionale and Bayern Munich, including finishing runner-up at the Champions League twice.
Creative/Attacking Midfielder: Bobby Charlton
7 of 11
The England midfielder was a bona fide legend and (arguably) the greatest England midfielder of all time.
He had incredible passing ability from midfield and a long-range shot, which was venomous. He won the 1966 World Cup with England, as well as winning the 1968 European Cup with Manchester United.
He was the man of the match during the 1966 World Cup semifinal, where he faced Eusebio and scored twice (this match was between two of the best players of the tournament).
Creative/Attacking Midfielder: Johan Cruyff
8 of 11The Dutch midfielder is credited with putting the football theory of Rinus Michels (Total Football) into practice and dazzling several sides with his grace.
He had perfect balance and control, as well as a firece shot. He is credited with inventing the Cruyff turn.
This trick involves changing pace at a sixpence, which bamboozles defenders. He won three European Cups with Ajax and enjoyed Spanish success with Barcelona.
Left Wing: Diego Maradona
9 of 11Diego Maradona was one of the greatest players ever. An Argentine international, he almost single-handedly led the national team to World Cup glory in 1986, as well as a runners-up place during the World Cup 1990.
He had great pace and dribbling ability ( see:Goal of the Century, England vs. Argentina). He also had great success with Napoli and Barcelona, although he never won the Champions League.
Striker: Pele
10 of 11He was the King of Football, the greatest player ever.
He had unearthly balance as well as strength, which he learned during his time training in Tres Coraces, his hometown. He scored over 1,000 goals in his career (for Santos and New York Cosmos) and is Brazil's all-time top scorer.
He is the only player to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970).
Right Wing: Garrincha
11 of 11The Brazil winger had so much skill, he is often credited as the greatest Brazilian players of all time.
He had dribbling skill exemplified, as well as pace. He had a bent leg, but that did not stop him at all.
He was called the Angel with a bent leg, due to his injury. He also won the 1958 and 1962 World Cups with Brazil.
