Best Player since Maradona?

**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?do...zidane&pl=true

and is this the best nutmeg ever?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...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

Originally Posted by ciaran76

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.