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Best playmakers of all time thread
25. Gheorghe hagi
Romania's greatest contribution to the world of football, Gheorghe Hagi was an exceptional talent who featured for Real Madrid and Barcelona, among others, in what was a glittering career. Hagi was one of the greatest entertainers the game has seen.
Romania's greatest contribution to the world of football, Gheorghe Hagi was an exceptional talent who featured for Real Madrid and Barcelona, among others, in what was a glittering career. Hagi was one of the greatest entertainers the game has seen.
24. Dennis bergkamp
An artist as much as a footballer, Bergkamp had as good a technique as almost any player before or after him. For both Ian Wright and Thierry Henry he provided the perfect foil as an unselfish but incredibly talented strike partner.
An artist as much as a footballer, Bergkamp had as good a technique as almost any player before or after him. For both Ian Wright and Thierry Henry he provided the perfect foil as an unselfish but incredibly talented strike partner.
23. Franz beckenbauer
By far the most defensive minded player of this list, some would argue that Beckenbauer played too deep to ever be considered a 'playmakeer'. He had quite incredible success, winning every honor going on a club, international, and individual level.
By far the most defensive minded player of this list, some would argue that Beckenbauer played too deep to ever be considered a 'playmakeer'. He had quite incredible success, winning every honor going on a club, international, and individual level.
22. Roberto baggio
The Italians, perhaps more so than any other nation, love a no. 10, and Baggio is arguably the most iconic of them all.Baggio was the best player in the world at the height of his fame, and he has the 1993 Ballon d'Or to prove it.
The Italians, perhaps more so than any other nation, love a no. 10, and Baggio is arguably the most iconic of them all.Baggio was the best player in the world at the height of his fame, and he has the 1993 Ballon d'Or to prove it.
21. Francesco totti
The King of Rome', as he is known, has spent his entire career with Roma He plays a narrow game in between the lines of the oppositions defense and midfield. The Roma legend currently has an incredible 187 assists and 299 goals to his name.
The King of Rome', as he is known, has spent his entire career with Roma He plays a narrow game in between the lines of the oppositions defense and midfield. The Roma legend currently has an incredible 187 assists and 299 goals to his name.
20. Paul scholes
His range of passing was extraordinary and his vision and understanding of the game were as good as anyone's. His list of admirers include Socrates, Zidane, Edgar Davids, Pirlo, Thierry Henry, Xavi, Guardiola.He spent his career at Manchester United, scoring 155
His range of passing was extraordinary and his vision and understanding of the game were as good as anyone's. His list of admirers include Socrates, Zidane, Edgar Davids, Pirlo, Thierry Henry, Xavi, Guardiola.He spent his career at Manchester United, scoring 155
19. Ronaldinho
In his prime, in the early-mid 2000s, Ronaldinho was simply unplayable. Given a free role at Barcelona, the Brazilian was absolutely majestic. At times, he did things with a football that others could only dream of.
In his prime, in the early-mid 2000s, Ronaldinho was simply unplayable. Given a free role at Barcelona, the Brazilian was absolutely majestic. At times, he did things with a football that others could only dream of.
18. Socrates
Two-footed and with an unerring ability to read the game, he along with Zico, were the stars of the 1982 Brazil team. Socrates spent his best years with Botafogo and Corinthians, as well as his ability to control games and create goals, he scored 300 goals.
Two-footed and with an unerring ability to read the game, he along with Zico, were the stars of the 1982 Brazil team. Socrates spent his best years with Botafogo and Corinthians, as well as his ability to control games and create goals, he scored 300 goals.
17. Juan schiaffino
Juan Schiaffino was ranked as Uruguay's greatest ever player.Schiaffino was renowned for prolifically assisting others. Schiaffino scored the first of Uruguay's two goals when they beat Brazil 2-1 in the 1950 World Cup final, the greatest upset in football.
Juan Schiaffino was ranked as Uruguay's greatest ever player.Schiaffino was renowned for prolifically assisting others. Schiaffino scored the first of Uruguay's two goals when they beat Brazil 2-1 in the 1950 World Cup final, the greatest upset in football.
16.Rivellino
Diego Maradona once cited Rivellino as his greatest inspiration when growing up Short in stature, Rivellino had incredible accuracy when passing a ball, particularly over large distances. He was also the man who perfected the "flip flap" move which is used regularly
Diego Maradona once cited Rivellino as his greatest inspiration when growing up Short in stature, Rivellino had incredible accuracy when passing a ball, particularly over large distances. He was also the man who perfected the "flip flap" move which is used regularly
15.Xavi
Xavi rarely carries the ball, preferring to present himself, receive the ball, take a touch, and move it on again. It was Xavi who ensured that Barcelona dominated possession in every game they played. He has won eight la liga titles, three Copa del Rey's, four Ucl's 1WC
Xavi rarely carries the ball, preferring to present himself, receive the ball, take a touch, and move it on again. It was Xavi who ensured that Barcelona dominated possession in every game they played. He has won eight la liga titles, three Copa del Rey's, four Ucl's 1WC
14. Gianni Riviera
A genius of the game, Gianni Rivera is best remembered for his footballing intelligence. As well as his vision and reading of the game, Rivera also had the skill and technique to capitalize upon what he could see and other could not
A genius of the game, Gianni Rivera is best remembered for his footballing intelligence. As well as his vision and reading of the game, Rivera also had the skill and technique to capitalize upon what he could see and other could not
13. Enzo Francescoli
Zinedine Zidane has described Enzo Francescoli as his greatest inspiration in the football world when he was growing up, and even went as far as naming one of his sons 'Enzo' after the Uruguayan legend.
Zinedine Zidane has described Enzo Francescoli as his greatest inspiration in the football world when he was growing up, and even went as far as naming one of his sons 'Enzo' after the Uruguayan legend.
12. Jose Manuel Moreno
Along with Lionel Messi, Alfredo di Stefano and Diego Maradona, Jose Manuel Moreno is probably among the finest footballers to emerge from Argentina. Best known for his vision, Moreno was the first ever player to win league titles in four different countrie
Along with Lionel Messi, Alfredo di Stefano and Diego Maradona, Jose Manuel Moreno is probably among the finest footballers to emerge from Argentina. Best known for his vision, Moreno was the first ever player to win league titles in four different countrie
11. Didi
Legendary central midfielder Didi is undoubtedly one of the greatest midfield players in football history. He was the complete midfielder, possessing technique, vision and superb stamina. He played for Brazil in three World Cups, winning two.
Legendary central midfielder Didi is undoubtedly one of the greatest midfield players in football history. He was the complete midfielder, possessing technique, vision and superb stamina. He played for Brazil in three World Cups, winning two.
10.Zico
He picked up the nickname the 'white Pele' over his career, and was best known for his technique, vision, passing and finishing. As an attacking midfielder, Zico spent the vast majority of his career at Flamengo, playing just over 800 times and scoring 539 goals
He picked up the nickname the 'white Pele' over his career, and was best known for his technique, vision, passing and finishing. As an attacking midfielder, Zico spent the vast majority of his career at Flamengo, playing just over 800 times and scoring 539 goals
8. Michel platini
Michel Platini, is one of the finest midfield players that the game has ever seen. One of the best passers of the ball that the game has ever seen, Platini also had exquisite technique and remarkable ability from dead ball situations.
Michel Platini, is one of the finest midfield players that the game has ever seen. One of the best passers of the ball that the game has ever seen, Platini also had exquisite technique and remarkable ability from dead ball situations.
8.luis miramontes
is considered by many as Spain's greatest ever footballer. He is considered a legend at both Barcelona and Inter Milan, he was played as a attacking midfielder at Barcelona where he spent the majority of his footballing career he scored 61 goals in 122 games.
is considered by many as Spain's greatest ever footballer. He is considered a legend at both Barcelona and Inter Milan, he was played as a attacking midfielder at Barcelona where he spent the majority of his footballing career he scored 61 goals in 122 games.
7.Zinedine zidane
He played for Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid, setting a record transfer fee when he joined the latter. Zidane won 14 trophies in total, the most memorable being the 1998 World Cup, 2000 European Championship and the 2002 Champions League.
He played for Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid, setting a record transfer fee when he joined the latter. Zidane won 14 trophies in total, the most memorable being the 1998 World Cup, 2000 European Championship and the 2002 Champions League.
6.Michael laudrop
The key playmaker in Johan Cruyff's Barcelona 'Dream Team' was always likely to be a world class talent, and Michael Laudrup certainly was just that. He has been named Denmark's greatest ever player.
The key playmaker in Johan Cruyff's Barcelona 'Dream Team' was always likely to be a world class talent, and Michael Laudrup certainly was just that. He has been named Denmark's greatest ever player.
5. Alfredo di Stefano
Alfredo di Stefano is regarded by many as the most complete player in football history.di Stefano was deployed as a forward, but whilst strike partner Ferenc Puskas would always play high up the pitch, di Stefano was not afraid to drop deep.
Alfredo di Stefano is regarded by many as the most complete player in football history.di Stefano was deployed as a forward, but whilst strike partner Ferenc Puskas would always play high up the pitch, di Stefano was not afraid to drop deep.
4. Andrea pirlo
Like a fine wine he has grown better with age, and how foolish must AC Milan feel after letting him go on a free transfer in 2011. Unlike most on this list who play quite far up the pitch, Pirlo has spent most of his career as a deep-lying playmaker.
Like a fine wine he has grown better with age, and how foolish must AC Milan feel after letting him go on a free transfer in 2011. Unlike most on this list who play quite far up the pitch, Pirlo has spent most of his career as a deep-lying playmaker.
3. Diego Maradona
A quite incredible talent, El Diego will forever be remembered as one of the great figures of the beautiful game.. Only 5-foot-5, Maradona had a very low center of gravity which allowed for his incredible maneuverability, and turn of pace.
A quite incredible talent, El Diego will forever be remembered as one of the great figures of the beautiful game.. Only 5-foot-5, Maradona had a very low center of gravity which allowed for his incredible maneuverability, and turn of pace.
2. Lionel Messi
At Barcelona, he has practically re-written the record books. He became the club's all-time top scorer at the age of 24, he has the most goals in a single season, the most goals in a calendar year, the most goals in El Clasico history, and the most goals inlaliga
At Barcelona, he has practically re-written the record books. He became the club's all-time top scorer at the age of 24, he has the most goals in a single season, the most goals in a calendar year, the most goals in El Clasico history, and the most goals inlaliga
1. Johan cruyff
Few would argue that Johan Cruyff was one of the finest players in football history, and his influence upon the game as a player is probably greater than any other players. The 'Total Football' of Ajax and Holland probably wouldn't have been possible without it
Few would argue that Johan Cruyff was one of the finest players in football history, and his influence upon the game as a player is probably greater than any other players. The 'Total Football' of Ajax and Holland probably wouldn't have been possible without it
star pupil, Cruyff. Immortalized by the 'Cruyff turn', he won three Ballon d'Ors and countless trophies.Cruyff was a genius at finding space, he would roam from forward positions, into the midfield, out on the wing and all the way back to the defensive line to pick the ball up.
and confuse his markers,there have been few as effective as the Dutch legend.
