Best Player since Maradona? [Archive]

Donadoni

19/04/2006, 3:40 PM

Fell into a discussion about this last night watching you-know-whoinho earning his crust.

So since Maradona who has been the most talented footballer?

I think it's Ronaldinho. Though I do think that he's still along way behind Diego. He was phenomenal right throughout his career, Ronaldinho has only really come of his current form over the last couple of seasons. If the latter has a spectacular tournament this summer then he will move lot closer to Diego. Right now he doesn't have that iconic moment, no Hand of God or Goal of the Century.

NeilMcD

19/04/2006, 3:49 PM

i would have Zidane and Ronaldinhio tied and maybe Henry and Roberto Baggio behind them. Marco Van Basten was top notch also.

OwlsFan

19/04/2006, 4:26 PM

Best player does not necessarily mean most skilfull. For instance a Roy Keane at his prime - he would run Ronaldinho close overall as a player because he would have many attributes which the Brazilian wouldn't possess. Ronaldinho is the most naturally gifted of the current generation and before that Zidane and before that Maradona, Platini and then Pele. Personally, I think George Best was overrated. If I see the clips of him scoring against the then 2nd Division Fulham again, I'll shoot myself. A very good player but not sure he was one of the world's best (if you pardon the pun).

jockser

19/04/2006, 7:22 PM

Zidane was awsome in my opinion a few years ago.
And marco van basten......what a striker he was, such a pity his career was cut short

superfrank

19/04/2006, 7:23 PM

Ronaldinho, Zidane, Cafu, Henry.

Any of those four.

beautifulrock

19/04/2006, 7:48 PM

I would say Van Basten, Ronaldhino or Zidane

dfx-

19/04/2006, 8:03 PM

Maldini, Van Basten, Matthaus would be up there...not many of today's players at all, imo

Clifford

19/04/2006, 8:40 PM

Maldini, Maldini, Maldini for me. Class in a glass. Still is.

Ronny might get there - God knows the signs are good for him, but who knows where the next 5 years will take him. Like Zizu leaving Juve, a move at this stage might be a bad thing. Hopefully he'll stay at Camp Nou for years and reap all the rewards he'll deserve.

gustavo

19/04/2006, 8:45 PM

if your talking pure talent Romario and Ronaldo

deadman

19/04/2006, 10:48 PM

if ronaldinho can maintain his form for a few more years he could be mentioned in the same breath as maradona.

his ability to do things that almost no other players can do in a competitive game puts him on a different level to other players (roy keane included)

CollegeTillIDie

20/04/2006, 6:47 AM

I agree with many of the suggestion but baulk at Thierry Henry.
One of the qualities of a World's best player has to be consistency.
Henry's performances away from home especially in the Premiership earlier this season were lacklustre and he has had a few blow hot blow cold seasons. Ronaldinho is the opposite, consistency itself!

Donadoni

20/04/2006, 8:05 AM

Ronaldinho needs to be instrumental in winning the World Cup with Brazil. Plus I don't think Ronaldinho will have the time or opportunity to mirror Diego's success at Napoli: guiding a club to its first two Scudetti (not forgetting two runners-up places) and to a UEFA cup all in the space of four years, incredible. I agree with most of the other names mentioned especially Zidane, Ronaldo and Van Basten. Along with Maldini I'd list Baresi. As for Keane, I'm sure he'd be first to say that Ronaldinho is in a different class talent-wise, but he wouldn't escape a rollicking if did one flick to many.

lofty9

20/04/2006, 8:24 AM

Zizou (my fav)- brilliant, unbelievable skill, strength and because these were so strong he didn't need to have pace. Two goals in a world cup final and a screamer volley in the champions league - the man is a footballing genius.

Remember him well for this

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7672976134238979063&q=zidane&pl=true

and is this the best nutmeg ever?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5379061211251151061&q=zidane&pl=true

Ronaldinho - could be even better but still has to do it in terms of Champions League and conducting a team at a World Cup the way Maradona did.

A special mention for him in that when he played at the Brandywell against Derry he did not act like a superstar for the three days he was in town - he was very obliging and a gent to all he met

Aberdonian Stu

20/04/2006, 8:47 AM

And yet nobody has mentioned Hagi. The man.

superfrank

20/04/2006, 9:08 AM

People are saying van Basten and Hagi. I never saw them play when they were in their prime.

lofty9

20/04/2006, 9:23 AM

Also, Rivaldo was some player in his prime.

Aberdonian Stu

20/04/2006, 10:06 AM

I didn't see enough of van Basten in his prime to judge fairly, although what little I remember was fantastic.

The Stars

20/04/2006, 10:13 AM

Zidane,Rivaldo,Denilson(on his day),Henry,Ronaldinho.....

ciaran76

20/04/2006, 10:24 AM

Van Basten, Sammer,Zidane are mine.

colster

20/04/2006, 10:48 AM

Van Basten, Sammer,Zidane are mine.

I don't think you can compare Van Basten or Sammer with Maradonna. They were excellent players but never had the impact or standing in the game that Maradonna had.

The likes of Zidane, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Romario all had that standing at one time or other. People would pay to see them.
Ronaldinho is the man now.

ciaran76

20/04/2006, 12:34 PM

I don't think you can compare Van Basten or Sammer with Maradonna. They were excellent players but never had the impact or standing in the game that Maradonna had.

The likes of Zidane, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Romario all had that standing at one time or other. People would pay to see them.
Ronaldinho is the man now.

I understand what you are saying but to me these were/are the type of players who could change how the team played or impact on a result. Just my opinion I know others won't think that. So to me they are best players. Maradona could do this also.

hoops1

20/04/2006, 12:48 PM

Was I the only one to laugh when Ronnie Whelan said Barca could be got
at down that side because Ronaldinho couldnt defend
Im sure all the top coaches reckon hes a weak spot.Good man Ronnie W

jebus

20/04/2006, 1:51 PM

For pure raw talent it has to be Ronaldo. When he was at Barcelona everyone thought he was going to be in the same bracket as Pele, Maradona (and now Zidane), the absolute top player in the world. Shame moving to Inter and the injury problems ruined his career though

bawn79

20/04/2006, 2:08 PM

Was I the only one to laugh when Ronnie Whelan said Barca could be got
at down that side because Ronaldinho couldnt defend
Im sure all the top coaches reckon hes a weak spot.Good man Ronnie W
laughed at that one myself, im sure ronnie w would have taken him off and put on a defender! muppet, when will people learn that attack is the best form of defence

eirebhoy

20/04/2006, 2:18 PM

I really believe Ronaldinho will prove to be the world's best ever player by the time he retires. The game is stronger now than 20 years ago when Maradona played imo. The players are fitter, training improves every year, teams are more organised, etc. Ronaldinho would still beat any team single handedly on his day, it's nearly always his day.

klein4

20/04/2006, 3:50 PM

mate of mine who live in italy reckons edmondo was the best player in the world a couple a seasons back at fiorentina(sp?)...dont go in for this the game is better now than it was in maradonnas day...its not that bloody long ago...

Dassa

20/04/2006, 4:13 PM

For a few seasons at Arsenal, Bergkamp for me was just amazing and his goal against Argentina pure class.

Number9

20/04/2006, 7:41 PM

I really believe Ronaldinho will prove to be the world's best ever player by the time he retires.

Totally agree.

TheJamaicanP.M.

20/04/2006, 10:26 PM

Was talkin to my uncle about this subject after the passing away of George Best. He's been watchin football for the last 50 years and just laughed at the notion of Best being the one of the greatest footballers of all time. He said he's never seen a player like Ronaldinho. Its hard to pick another player since Maradona who can actually change so many games single-handedly. Ronaldinho is a breath of fresh air for the beautiful game.

superfrank

20/04/2006, 10:49 PM

For a few seasons at Arsenal, Bergkamp for me was just amazing and his goal against Argentina pure class.
I remember he scored an identical goal against Leicester during the season before that WC.

Dodge

21/04/2006, 12:10 AM

I would say Van Basten, Ronaldhino or Zidane
Spot on. Not sure of the order. Shame to see Zidane not caring at Madrid

Anyone who failed in a league is discounted so Bergkamp has no chance.

Hitman

21/04/2006, 8:11 AM

Anyone who failed in a league is discounted so Bergkamp has no chance.

You could question the impact Ronaldinho had in France and Maradona in Spain, albeit not always for footballing reasons.

Dodge

21/04/2006, 10:44 AM

No you couldn't. Ronaldinho was the best player in France pretty much every year he was there and Maradona himself says he played siome of his best football at Barcelona.

Docboy

21/04/2006, 11:02 AM

I really believe Ronaldinho will prove to be the world's best ever player by the time he retires. The game is stronger now than 20 years ago when Maradona played imo.

The game may be stronger but the top players are afforded a lot more protection these days than when Maradona plyed his trade. He was literally kicked off the park week after week. Whether Ronaldinho could have withstood the tackles is another question.

For me and what I've seen Maradona is still head & shoulders above anyone else, an absolute joy to behold.

Dassa

21/04/2006, 11:24 AM

Stuttgart88

21/04/2006, 12:35 PM

Whether Ronaldinho could have withstood the tackles is another question.
He dealt with some pretty meaty tackles at Stamford Bridge recently, late in the game over at the touchline. One of Ronaldinho's great assets is his strength. He's not just about silky skills.

In terms of ability Ronaldinho has got it all. But if Brazil fails to win the WC I fear he may not be remembered in the same vein as Pele, Maradona or even Zidane.

In my opinion Zidane is unlucky not to be considered in a higher regard as he is. As Europeans I think we consider Argentinian or Brazilian talent as more "exotic" and therefore better. Has anyone mentioned Cruyff above for example? I also think Zidane's time as the world's greatest player was relatively short-lived, especially compared to Pele & Maradona who each had their own "era", meaning he'll fade from the memory that bit quicker. His legacy will be tainted by Real's lack of domestic success too.

But Zidane had everything that categorised true greatness in my opinion, including:

~He was a big-game player: 2 goals in WC Final & one of the most technically brilliant goals ever in a European Cup Final against Leverkeusen
~He introduced new techniques: Cruyff invented the turn that we can all do now, but it was new in the early 70s. Zidane introduced that "double drag back" thing which when I first saw it I thought it was amazing.
~ He had/has the best first touch I've ever seen. He can still receive even a hospital pass with ease. The ball just sticks to his feet.

I think Ronaldinho is an even better player still but he needs to steer Barcelona to CL glory & Brazil to WC glory to be remembered as a true legend.

Aberdonian Stu

21/04/2006, 1:12 PM

In fairness I think the reason Cruyff hasn't been brought up is because most of the focus is on players who came after Maradona.

I think the point about the World Cup is fair as he was the newest of the 3 Rs in 2002 but is now seen as the pivotal player for Brazil (I don't know if he is as I haven't seen enough of the current Brazil squad in action) even though they have some other players who are exceptionally talented, albeit not necessarily at his level.

NeilMcD

21/04/2006, 2:22 PM

Was I the only one to laugh when Ronnie Whelan said Barca could be got
at down that side because Ronaldinho couldnt defend
Im sure all the top coaches reckon hes a weak spot.Good man Ronnie W

I think this was a pretty decent comment from Ronnie Whelans to be honest. Ronaldinhio is an attacker playing on the left side of Barca front three. They play there midfielders very narrow so that basically leaves the right winger free access to the left back for Barca. If they double up and the right full comes forward well then they are in a great position. He was not slagging Ronaldinhio at all just saying that tracking back is not his forte or is he encouraged to do so. Van Bronchhurst is not left back either and looks edgy at times also. I certainly think its an avenue that Wenger would try to expose if he got to the final. He would know Gio better than most also.

Stuttgart88

21/04/2006, 2:29 PM

In fairness I think the reason Cruyff hasn't been brought up is because most of the focus is on players who came after Maradona Of course, as the thread title says! My mistake.

hoops1

21/04/2006, 2:45 PM

Nah dont agree Ronnie was just looking for something negative to say
about Ronaldinho.
If hes playing in a front 3 that means AC has to play 4 at the back(at least)
if either full back moves you have got 3v3 (you dont want to go there)
That would lead to a more open game where the best attacking side would win playing into Barcas hands
Just becuase hes Ronnie W doesnt mean hes not talking nonsense
If there was any value in it the european coaches would have been onto
it in a flash there not muppets

NeilMcD

21/04/2006, 2:51 PM

I never said that Ronnie Whelan does not talk nonsense from time to time but in this instance I thought he had a point. It is an area that other teams can expose. Put it this way Chelsea have a man who tracks back on the left hand side whether that be Duff or Robben, however theydont have the player that Ronnaldinhio is. Just cause it is an area to exploit does not mean its a fault in Ronaldinhios game. These tare the decision that coaches make all the time and if I were playing Barc I would encourage my right winger to be on the ball las much as possible.

hoops1

21/04/2006, 3:07 PM

I will agree with you on one thing
If i could change any result in Irish football it would be that Holland game

eirebhoy

21/04/2006, 3:36 PM

One way to look at world class players is to see if they single handedly took the club to a new level in a team of average players, like maradonna did with Napoli and I think Bergkamp at Arsenal. Anyone think of any others.
They built their team around Maradona just like Villarreal build their team around Riquelme. They play to their strenghts. Riquelme failed at Barca because he wasn't the centre of attention. Ronaldinho would do well in any team.

Bluebeard

21/04/2006, 3:51 PM

Rather predictable, but for me the greatest players since Maradonna's real retirement in 1994(?) have been, in no particular order:
Paolo Maldini (Late 30s and still one of the best defenders in the world)
Denis Bergkamp (Amazing in his prime, still an addition to any major side)
Ronaldinho (far better player than his near namesakes)
Zinidine Zidane (seems to have succumbed to the Real Madrid not giving a damn thing, but could do such things on the field)

Honorable mention for Ronnie O'Brien, not for being best players, but rather for being a legend

klein4

21/04/2006, 4:06 PM

what about cantona?
a lot of the criticisms that can be levelled against him are more due to fact most people saw a lot more of him play than some of the others mentioned above!

Dassa

21/04/2006, 6:45 PM

yea and an absolute bargain for �1 million, what were leeds thinking.

dfx-

21/04/2006, 8:00 PM

One of Ronaldinho's great assets is his strength. He's not just about silky skills.

I think that's why I think he is much better than I thought he'd be at Barcelona - it is trickery and flamboyance, but when results are needed, he will have an end product - it is skill for a reason. They needed a goal to secure the game against Chelsea and he stands up to be counted. Compare this to the much over-rated technical ' ability' of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has literally one or two tricks, but only appreciated and allowed at 3-0 and coasting. I tlooks good, but there isn't much threat or substance to it.

The problem for Milan as you say is that they can't push their right back forward and that's what Cafu excels at. Also Ronaldinho isn't always on the left because the real threat of Barca is the constant interchanging of Eto'o/Larsson/Giuly/Messi/Ronaldinho. You're not marking one of them - you'll have to mark all three at some stage and so I think that's the real difference in why Barca are so good/effective and why I wouldn't automatically put Ronaldinho as the difference and so not in the class of player yet required to be alongside Maldini et al.

stojkovic

24/04/2006, 8:05 PM

I think we all agree on van Basten, Zidane and Ronaldinho, in that order IMO but Ronnie may take top spot by the time he retires. To complete the five i would add Maldini and Matthaus as others mentioned.

As with Cruijff (before Maradona) there is a player who was around at the same time as Maradona - a certain Michel Platini. He was in Italy at the same time as Diego and it was Platini who received the most plaudits. In fact it was only after Platini retired at Juve that Napoli won the scudetta.