source: flickr © free-ers

Who is the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch? In this regular feature I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserves a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Name:
Andriy Shevchenko

Age:
32

Clubs played for:
1994-1999 – Dynamo Kyiv
1999-2006 – AC Milan
2006-2008 – Chelsea
2008 – AC Milan

Career highlights:
• 1997 – Commonwealth of Independent States Cup Top Scorer
• 1997 – Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
• 1998 – Ukrainian Premier League Top Scorer
• 1998 – UEFA Champions League Best Forward
• 1998 – UEFA Champions League Top Scorer
• 1999 – Serie A Top Scorer
• 1999 – Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
• 2000 – Serie A Forgien Footballer of the Year
• 2000 – Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
• 2001 – Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
• 2003 – Serie A Top Scorer
• 2004 – Ballon D’or
• 2004 – Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
• 2005 – Ukrainian Footballer of the Year
• 2005 – UEFA Champions League Top Scorer
• Ukrainian National Team All-time Top Scorer

Believe it or not:
Although he doesn’t speak a word of English, he is married to American model Kristen Pazik. Apparently the couple communicate with each other in Italian, which they both use as a second language. As odd as it sounds, it must be working as the marriage has managed to last over two years so far!

Where is he now:
After a lackluster two seasons at Chelsea he has returned back to his roots and to the team that made him the “football shirts” household name he is, AC Milan.

Rated: from 3116 votes

Who is the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch? In this regular feature I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserves a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Name:
Gary Linekar

Age:
47

Clubs played for:
1978-1985 – Leicester City
1985-1986 – Everton
1986-1989 – Barcelona
1989-1992 – Tottenham Hotspur
1992-1994 – Grampus Eight

Career highlights:
• 1985 – English League Top Scorer
• 1986 – English League Top Scorer
• 1986 – FIFA World Cup Golden Boot
• 1988 – Copa del Rey
• 1989 – UEFA Cup Winners Cup
• 1990 – English League Top Scorer

Believe it or not:
Known as football’s golden boy, Gary Linekar’s he was known throughout his career in the public eye as Mr Nice Guy. A series of adverts for Walkers Crisps took advantage of this however, and portrayed him as a mean-hearted chap who stole packets of crisps from small boys. They were hilarious; as I’m sure you’d agree. He’ll be stealing kids’ football boots (http://www.bizrate.co.uk/footballequipment1/football-boots–firm-ground-football-boots/age-gender–children/all-your-football-equipment-here–football-boots/products__att650318–723660-__att683178–1035-__att723645–650318-.html) next.

Where is he now:
When he is not making Walkers crisp adverts, he is presenting Match of the Day for the BBC. It is hard to judge which one he is better at.

Rated: from 3417 votes

source: flickr © akuppa - alan shearer

Who is the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch? In this regular feature I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserve a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Name:
Alan Shearer

Age:
38

Clubs played for:
1988-1992 – Southampton
1992-1996 – Blackburn Rovers
1996-2006 – Newcastle United

Career highlights:
• 1994 – Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year
• 1995 – PFA Players’ Player of the Year
• 1996 – Euro 96 Golden Boot Winner
• 1997 – PFA Players’ Player of the Year
• 2004 – Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame
• Highest-ever Premier League goalscorer (260 goals)
• Most overall goals scored for Newcastle United (206)
• Most European goals for Newcastle United (30)

Believe it or not:
Hailed as Newcastle United’s golden boy, ironically Alan Shearer’s best days were arguably served whilst at Blackburn. His goals there were the cornerstone for the teams Premier League title, and it was here that he was the more prolific goalscorer.

Where is he now:
Working as a football pundit and colour commentator for the BBC, Alan has repeatedly denied that he wants to embark on a career as a manager, much to the Geordies fans disappointment.

Rated: from 2088 votes

Henrik Larsson Source: wikipedia anton holmquist soasta

Who is the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch? In this regular feature I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserves a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Name:
Henrik Larsson

Age:
37

Clubs played for:
1988-1992 – Hogaborgs BK
1992-1993 – Helsingborgs IF
1993-1997 – Feyenoord
1997-2004 – Celtic
2004-2006 – FC Barcelona
2006 – Helsingborgs IF
2007 – Manchester United

Career highlights:
• 2000-2001 – European Golden Boot
• 1998, 2004 – Guldbollen
• 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 – SPL Top Goalscorer
• All-time Leading SPL Goalscorer
• All-time Greatest Swedish Footballer
• Member of the British Empire

Believe it or not:
Henerik was awarded his MBE in 2006 for his contributions to British football by the consulate in Barcelona in the name of Queen Elizabeth II. Not bad for a Swedish footballer who only spent 7 years of his career in Scotland!

Where is he now:
Still playing for his club side Helsingborgs and internationally for Sweden, where he is the present team’s captain.

Rated: from 2071 votes

Who is the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch? In this regular feature I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserves a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Name:
Samuel Eto’o

Age:
27

Clubs played for:
1997-2000 – Real Madrid
1997-1998 – CD Leganes (loan)
1999 – Espanyol (loan)
2000 – Real Mallorca (loan)
2000-2004 – Real Mallorca
2004 – Barcelona

Career highlights:
• 2003 – African Player of the Year
• 2004 – African Player of the Year
• 2005 – African Player of the Year
• 2006 – UEFA Champions League Best Forward
• 2006 – Spanish La Liga Top Scorer
• 2006 – African Cup of Nations Top Scorer
• 2008 – African Cup of Nations Top Scorer

Believe it or not:
A passionate player with a mean streak, sometimes Eto’o has been known to take things too far when he crosses someone he doesn’t like. A good example of this was when he was playing for Real Mallorca in 2002, when he was accused of issuing a reporter and his own agent with death threats in separate incidents. Nice!

Where is he now:
The football transfers market was awash with football rumors last season that he would move elsewhere after allegedly being unhappy with the coaching set-up at Barcelona. He was even supposed to be joining Tottenham at one point, but in the end no suitable buyer was found, so he still plies his trade at the Spanish giants.

Rated: from 2114 votes

Who is the greatest player ever to grace a football pitch? In this regular feature I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best who deserves a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Name:
Ronaldo

Ronaldo antonio cruz Source: Wikipedia © Agencia brasil

Age:
32

Clubs played for:
1993-1994 – Cruzeiro
1994-1996 – PSV Eindhoven
1996-1997 – Barcelona
1997-2002 – Internazionale
2002-2007 – Real Madrid
2007-2008 – AC Milan

Career highlights:
• 1996, 1997, 2002 – FIFA World Player of the Year
• 1997, 2002 – European Footballer of the Year
• 1996, 1997, 2002 – World Soccer Player of the Year
• 1997, 2002 – Onze d’Or
• 1996, 1997 – Bravo Award
• 1997 – European Golden Boot
• 1998 - FIFA World Cup Golden Ball MVP
• 1997, 2003 – La Liga Best South American Player
• 1997, 2003, 2004 – La Liga Team of the Year
• 2008 – Champion of Champions
Plus many more… too many to list, in fact!

Believe it or not:

Ronaldo was in the news earlier this year, but for all the wrong reasons. After returning to Brazil for some rehabilitation after injuring himself, he was caught red-handed in a motel by his own mother whilst enjoying the company of three transvestite prostitutes. One of the transvestites tried to blackmail him in return for not telling the media of the incident, but his/her plans were scuppered when Ronaldo hosted his own press conference to tell the world himself his side of the story before any damage was done to his reputation. He denied knowing the prostitutes were transvestites and thanked his Mum for saving him just in the nick of time! You couldn’t make it up if you tried.

Where is he now:

Ronaldo was last seen telling anyone who would listen that Manchester City are interested in hiring his services. The club, however, deny even contacting him.

Rated: from 1599 votes

Who is the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch? In this regular feature I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserve a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Name:
Cristiano Ronaldo

fantasy foot c ronaldo Source: wikipedia Ray Booysen

Age:
23

Clubs played for:

2001-2003: Sporting CP
2003-Present: Manchester United

Career highlights:
• 2003 – UEFA Team of the Year
• 2004 – Bravo Award
• 2004 – FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year
• 2005 – FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year
• 2005 – PFA Premier League Team of the Year
• 2006 – FWA Footballer of the Year
• 2006 – PFA Premier League Team of the Year
• 2006 – UEFA Team of the Year
• 2006 – Barclays Player of the Season
• 2006 – PFA Young Player of the Year
• 2006 – PFA Player’s Player of the Year
• 2006 – PFA Fan’s Player of the Year
• 2007 – Barclays Player of the Season
• 2007 - FWA Footballer of the Year
• 2007 – PFA Premier League Team of the Year
• 2007 – PFA Fan’s Player of the Year
• 2007 – PFA Player’s Player of the Year
• 2007 – Barclays Golden Boot
• 2007 – Barclays Merit Award
• 2007 – European Golden Shoe
• 2007 – UEFA Club Forward of the Year
• 2007 – UEFA Club Footballer of the Year

Believe it or not:

Much has been said about the raw talent of Ronaldo, and love him or hate him, you cant but help admire his skill. Johan Cruijiff gave him the ultimate accolade recently in an interview, stating “Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United.” High praise indeed.

Where is he now:

After last summer’s transfer saga that turned into an epic will he/wont he tug of war between Manchester United and Real Madrid, he finally decided, after months of speculation, to stay at his current club… for now. Expect more of the same next summer, when many tip him to finally make his dream move to Spain.

Rated: from 1517 votes

Who is the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch? Every week in this sport blog I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserve a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Totti Italian Cup 2008 © Presidenza della repubblica Italia

Name:
Francesco Totti

Age:
32

Clubs played for:
1993 – Present: AS Roma

Career highlights:
• 1999 – Serie A Young Footballer of the Year
• 2000 – Serie A Footballer of the Year
• 2000 – Italian Footballer of the Year
• 2001 – Italian Footballer of the Year
• 2003 – Serie A Footballer of the Year
• 2003 – Italian Footballer of the Year
• 2004 – Italian Footballer of the Year
• 2006 – Serie A Top Scorer
• 2006 – European Golden Boot
• 2007 – Italian Footballer of the Year
• AS Roma All-Time Leading Scorer
• AS Roma All-Time Highest Number of Appearances

Believe it or not:
A budding comedian when he’s not playing football, Totti published two joke books which became best-sellers in Italy, the proceeds of which went to UNICEF. Go on Totti, give us a joke…

Where is he now:
Still playing as the main striker for AS Roma, his only professional club to date.

Rated: from 1822 votes

Each and every week I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserve a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Name:
Marco van Basten

Age:
43

Clubs played for:

Van Basten Wikipedia © jacoplane

1982-1987 – Ajax Football Club
1987-1993 – AC Milan

Career highlights:
• 1992 FIFA World Player of the Year
• 1988, 1992 World Soccer Player of the Year
• 1989,1990, 1992 UEFA Player of the Year
• 1988, 1989, 1990 IFFHA Player of the Year
• 1988, 1989 Onze d’Or
• 1987, 1992 Onze d’Argent
• 1987 Bravo Award
• 1988 Top Scorer UEFA European Championship
• 1988 Best Player UEFA European Championship
• 1988, 1989,1992 European Footballer of the Year
• 1984, 1985 Dutch Footballer of the Year
• 1985 European Golden Boot
• 1989 European Top Scorer
• 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 Dutch League Top Scorer
• 1989, 1991 Serie A Top Scorer

Believe it or not:
Marco has a worrying habit of falling out with some of Holland’s greatest footballers. At various stages of his career, he has been involved in arguments with Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Edgar Davids, Mark van Bommel, Roy Makaay and Dennis Berkamp. Easy to get along with then…

Where is he now:
Currently the manager of the Dutch national team, he has been a roaring success so far, guiding them to a successful Euro 2008 campaign where they lost out on a place in the finals to Russia.

Rated: from 1743 votes

Each and every week I will be profiling a true hero of the game; the kind of player whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to inspire his team to victory. The best of the best, who deserve a place in any football hall of fame. Agree or disagree? Feel free to comment!

Thierry Henry Wikipedia © Shay

Name:
Thierry Henry

Age:
31

Clubs played for:
1994-1998 – AS Monaco
1999 – Juventus
1999-2007 – Arsenal
2007 - Barcelona

Career highlights:
• 2000 French Player of the Year
• 2002 Highest Goal Scorer in the Premier League
• 2003 PFA Player’s Player of the Year
• 2003 Football Writer’s Association Player of the Year
• 2003 voted in the Premier League Team of the Decade
• 2003 French Player of the Year
• 2004 Highest Goal Scorer in the Premier League
• 2004 PFA Player’s Player of the Year
• 2004 Football Writer’s Association Player of the Year
• 2004 French Player of the Year
• 2005 Highest Goal Scorer in the Premier League
• 2005 French Player of the Year
• 2006 Football Writer’s Association Player of the Year
• 2006 Highest Goal Scorer in the Premier League
• 2006 French Player of the Year
• 2008 voted Greatest Arsenal Player
• France’s All-Time Goal Scorer
• 3rd All-Time English Premier League Goal Scorers

Believe it or not:
Football was never an interest for a young Thierry, and if it wasn’t for his father pushing him into training, it was a path he would never have pursued. As a player, it was apparent he needed a father figure too, and under Arsene Wenger’s careful guidance, quickly transformed himself from a raw talent to the professional he is today.

Where is he now:
Having left Arsenal in 2007, Henry currently plies his trade at Spanish giants Barcelona, where his magnificent goal scoring record continues.

Rated: from 2476 votes