Post by gerrard on Oct 1, 2006 1:49:15 GMT
Here is AC's top 30 European Players - please post your thoughts - did we leave your fav out? Let us know!!!!!
30. Gheorghe Hagi Romania
Romania's most talented player - made his international debut at 28 - his performance in the 1990 World Cup earned the midfielder a move to Real Madrid.
29. Zinedine Zidane France
Playmaker who played a pivotal role in France's success in the late 1990's World Cup and European Championships. He had an impressive career with Juventus and Real Madrid with clever passing and exceptional goalscoring.
28. Franco Baresi Italy
Master at the back, and exceptional reader of the game, this creative defender had a long distinguished career at AC Milan
27. Ruud Gullit Holland
A versitile player and one of the most intelligent footballers. He had a glittering career in Italy, and was World Footballer of the Year in 1987 & 1989
26. Luis Figo Portugal
Outstanding for Club and his country Portugal, this Real Madrid forward was World Player of the Year 2001
25. Peter Schmeichel Denmark
One of the best goalkeepers of his era and an intregal part of his countries surprise win in the European Championships in 1992, an agile shot stopper, he won the European Cup with Manchester Utd in 1999
24. Marco van Basten Holland
A prolific goalscorer, on of the finest forwards of his time. He moved from Ajax to AC Milan where he was successful
23. Hristo Stoitchkov Bulgaria
An outstandingly talented player who achieved 84 caps for his country and scored 37 goals. Moved from CSKA Sofia to Barcelona. He was top goalscorer in the 1994 World Cup and European Footballer of the Year in the same year
22. Jurgen Klinsmann Germany
This great German striker had an illustrious career in France, Italy and England. He won the World Cup in 1990 and the European Championships in 1996
21 Kevin Keegan England
A striker of the highest order starring for Liverpool FC and moved on to Hamburg in 1977, European Footballer of the Year in 1978 and 1979
20. Johan Neeskens Holland
The industry behind Hollands dominance in the 1970's - they made the World Cup Finals in 1974 and 1978 - he played for Ajax winning 3 European Cups and Barcalona
19. Lev Yashin USSR
Russian goalkeeper 1954-70 - he played for Dynamo Moscow and named twice in the Fifa World 11. Yashin was European Footballer of the Year in 1963
18. Gordon Banks England
World Cup winning England goalkeeper in 1966 - will be remembered for his one handed save from Pele in Mexico 1970. Banks was strong and brave.
17. Denis Law Scotland
European Footballer of the Year 1964, Law signed for Manchester Utd in 1962 from Torino, he earned 55 caps for his country and scored 30 goals.
16. Gerd Muller Germany
Prolific goalscorer, scored winner for Germany (West) in 1974 World Cup Final
15. Sir Stanley Matthews
Still playing for Stoke City at 50 yrs of age, he was the most respected player of his time and still to this day, his balance and skill was superb, he made over 700 league appearances, and won 84 caps for England
14. Lothar Matthaus Germany
Germany's most capped international with 150 appearances. an inspirational midfielder - he played in the World Cup final in 1990. He later played as a sweeper and his Clubs were Bayern Munich and Inter Milan
13. John Charles Wales
Charles was the best ever Welsh player. He was the first Briton to play overseas when he moved to Italy in 1957 (Juventus) - he was never booked or sent off. The 'Gentle Giant' was very respected and admired and was equally effective as a striker or defender
12. Bobby Charlton England
Widely admired midfielder, he made his league debut at 17 and was the creative force behind Man Utd's success in the 1960's. He was also one of the World Cup winning team in 1966
11. Dino Zoff Italy
Goalkeeper when Italy won the European Championships in 1968 - In the 1973-74 season he went a record 1,143 mins without conceding a goal
10. Kenny Dalglish Scotland
Without doubt Scotland's finest player, he moved from Celtic to Liverpool in 1977 and was part of the team that won the European Cup three times
9. Bobby Moore England
Bobby is the only England Captain to lift the World Cup - an organiser at the back and a very skilful defender as well as being a complete gentleman on and off the pitch
8. Paolo Maldini Italy
Maldini rose through the ranks at AC Milan and made his debut in 1985 aged 16. A skilful left back, he has won the European Cup four times with his Club
7. Fevenc Puskas Hungary
A prolific forward of immense talent, for his Club Real Madrid and his country. Still spoke of in highest regard to this day
6. Michel Platini France
This masterful midfielder led France to the European Championships in 1984. and was European Footballer of the Year three years in a row
5. Alfredo di Stefano Espana
Argentinian born he moved to Spain in 1952. With his Club Real Madrid he won 5 successive European Cups, and was European Footballer of the Year in 1957 & 1959
4. Eusebio Portugal
An explosive forward for his Club Benefica and Portugal in the 1960's. In the 1966 World Cup he was the top scorer
3. George Best N.Ireland
A supremely gifted footballer with electric pace, and sparkling skill. He won the European Cup with Man Utd in 1968 and was European Footballer of the Year in 1968. Pele once famously said of Best that he (Best) was the greatest footballer he had ever seen
2. Johan Cruyff Holland
Cruyff made his international debut at 19. An imaginative footballer of is era spearheading 'the Dutch 'Total Football' revolution. He led this nation to the World Cup final in 1974, his creativity and flair was there for all to see, including the famous 'Cruyff Turn'
1. Franz Beckenbauer Germany
The legendary World Cup captain led West Germany to the World Cup in 1974 and the European Championships in 1976.
Initially a midfielder he dropped to defense as an attacking sweeper and was European Footballer of the Year in 1972 & 1976.
After retiring he is still an influential figure in the game leading West Germany to World Cup success as coach in 1990
30. Gheorghe Hagi Romania
Romania's most talented player - made his international debut at 28 - his performance in the 1990 World Cup earned the midfielder a move to Real Madrid.
29. Zinedine Zidane France
Playmaker who played a pivotal role in France's success in the late 1990's World Cup and European Championships. He had an impressive career with Juventus and Real Madrid with clever passing and exceptional goalscoring.
28. Franco Baresi Italy
Master at the back, and exceptional reader of the game, this creative defender had a long distinguished career at AC Milan
27. Ruud Gullit Holland
A versitile player and one of the most intelligent footballers. He had a glittering career in Italy, and was World Footballer of the Year in 1987 & 1989
26. Luis Figo Portugal
Outstanding for Club and his country Portugal, this Real Madrid forward was World Player of the Year 2001
25. Peter Schmeichel Denmark
One of the best goalkeepers of his era and an intregal part of his countries surprise win in the European Championships in 1992, an agile shot stopper, he won the European Cup with Manchester Utd in 1999
24. Marco van Basten Holland
A prolific goalscorer, on of the finest forwards of his time. He moved from Ajax to AC Milan where he was successful
23. Hristo Stoitchkov Bulgaria
An outstandingly talented player who achieved 84 caps for his country and scored 37 goals. Moved from CSKA Sofia to Barcelona. He was top goalscorer in the 1994 World Cup and European Footballer of the Year in the same year
22. Jurgen Klinsmann Germany
This great German striker had an illustrious career in France, Italy and England. He won the World Cup in 1990 and the European Championships in 1996
21 Kevin Keegan England
A striker of the highest order starring for Liverpool FC and moved on to Hamburg in 1977, European Footballer of the Year in 1978 and 1979
20. Johan Neeskens Holland
The industry behind Hollands dominance in the 1970's - they made the World Cup Finals in 1974 and 1978 - he played for Ajax winning 3 European Cups and Barcalona
19. Lev Yashin USSR
Russian goalkeeper 1954-70 - he played for Dynamo Moscow and named twice in the Fifa World 11. Yashin was European Footballer of the Year in 1963
18. Gordon Banks England
World Cup winning England goalkeeper in 1966 - will be remembered for his one handed save from Pele in Mexico 1970. Banks was strong and brave.
17. Denis Law Scotland
European Footballer of the Year 1964, Law signed for Manchester Utd in 1962 from Torino, he earned 55 caps for his country and scored 30 goals.
16. Gerd Muller Germany
Prolific goalscorer, scored winner for Germany (West) in 1974 World Cup Final
15. Sir Stanley Matthews
Still playing for Stoke City at 50 yrs of age, he was the most respected player of his time and still to this day, his balance and skill was superb, he made over 700 league appearances, and won 84 caps for England
14. Lothar Matthaus Germany
Germany's most capped international with 150 appearances. an inspirational midfielder - he played in the World Cup final in 1990. He later played as a sweeper and his Clubs were Bayern Munich and Inter Milan
13. John Charles Wales
Charles was the best ever Welsh player. He was the first Briton to play overseas when he moved to Italy in 1957 (Juventus) - he was never booked or sent off. The 'Gentle Giant' was very respected and admired and was equally effective as a striker or defender
12. Bobby Charlton England
Widely admired midfielder, he made his league debut at 17 and was the creative force behind Man Utd's success in the 1960's. He was also one of the World Cup winning team in 1966
11. Dino Zoff Italy
Goalkeeper when Italy won the European Championships in 1968 - In the 1973-74 season he went a record 1,143 mins without conceding a goal
10. Kenny Dalglish Scotland
Without doubt Scotland's finest player, he moved from Celtic to Liverpool in 1977 and was part of the team that won the European Cup three times
9. Bobby Moore England
Bobby is the only England Captain to lift the World Cup - an organiser at the back and a very skilful defender as well as being a complete gentleman on and off the pitch
8. Paolo Maldini Italy
Maldini rose through the ranks at AC Milan and made his debut in 1985 aged 16. A skilful left back, he has won the European Cup four times with his Club
7. Fevenc Puskas Hungary
A prolific forward of immense talent, for his Club Real Madrid and his country. Still spoke of in highest regard to this day
6. Michel Platini France
This masterful midfielder led France to the European Championships in 1984. and was European Footballer of the Year three years in a row
5. Alfredo di Stefano Espana
Argentinian born he moved to Spain in 1952. With his Club Real Madrid he won 5 successive European Cups, and was European Footballer of the Year in 1957 & 1959
4. Eusebio Portugal
An explosive forward for his Club Benefica and Portugal in the 1960's. In the 1966 World Cup he was the top scorer
3. George Best N.Ireland
A supremely gifted footballer with electric pace, and sparkling skill. He won the European Cup with Man Utd in 1968 and was European Footballer of the Year in 1968. Pele once famously said of Best that he (Best) was the greatest footballer he had ever seen
2. Johan Cruyff Holland
Cruyff made his international debut at 19. An imaginative footballer of is era spearheading 'the Dutch 'Total Football' revolution. He led this nation to the World Cup final in 1974, his creativity and flair was there for all to see, including the famous 'Cruyff Turn'
1. Franz Beckenbauer Germany
The legendary World Cup captain led West Germany to the World Cup in 1974 and the European Championships in 1976.
Initially a midfielder he dropped to defense as an attacking sweeper and was European Footballer of the Year in 1972 & 1976.
After retiring he is still an influential figure in the game leading West Germany to World Cup success as coach in 1990
