Best Player since Maradona?

**ciaran76** · 20/04/2006, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by colster

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

Originally Posted by hoops1

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

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

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

Originally Posted by Dassa

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

Originally Posted by beautifulrock

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

Originally Posted by Dodge

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

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

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

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.

**Stuttgart88** · 21/04/2006, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Docboy

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

Originally Posted by hoops1

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

Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu

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