Post by QPR Report on Jun 1, 2009 6:39:24 GMT
Daily Mail starting a list.
THE LIST: The greatest players in the history of football, Nos 50-41
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:07 AM on 01st June 2009
Comments (0) Add to My Stories
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Who is the greatest footballer of all time?
Sportsmail's team of experts have picked their top 50 footballers of all time for the latest instalment of The List. But who would be at the top of your list as the Beautiful Game's greatest artist - Pele, Maradona, or someone closer to home, perhaps?
TELL US
WHAT YOU THINK Lionel Messi staked his claim to be regarded as greatest player in the world with a sublime performance in the Champions League final.
The Barcelona forward was in breathtaking form as he guided the Spanish giants to victory over Manchester United in Rome.
Messi's display again prompted comparisons with his Argentina hero Diego Maradona, one of the game's true superstars.
But just who are the greatest players to ever grace the sport?
In our latest List, Sportsmail's team of experts have selected the Top 50 footballers in history.
This was clearly no easy task and there were stacks of legendary men who failed to make the cut. Now it's your turn - please tell us your greatest ever players by leaving your comments below or on our message boards.
SPORTSMAIL'S GREATEST FOOTBALLERS IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME - Nos 50-41
50 Michael Laudrup (Denmark)One of the greatest attacking midfielders of his generation, Laudrup won numerous La Liga titles with Barcelona and scored 158 goals in 582 appearances for club and country.
Reign in Spain: Michael Laudrup (left, our No 50) in Barcelona's colours and Francisco Gento (No 49) in the white of Real Madrid
49 Francisco Gento (Spain)Made the number 11shirt his own at Real Madrid, during 18 goal-laden years. 126 goals in 428 games sees him squeeze into our list.
48 Enzo Francescoli (Uruguay)The gifted striker won the Copa America with Uruguay three times in 1983, '87 and '95.
Striking a chord: Uruguay forward Enzo Francescoli (left, No 48) and Ukraine and AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko (No 47)
47 Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)Unstoppable in front of goal, until he moved to Chelsea, that is. 'Sheva' has returned to Italy with AC Milan and will hope to re-live former glories such as his Champions League victory in 2003.
46 George Weah (Liberia)World footballer of the year in 1995, George was a prolific goal scorer with unlimited ambition. He ran (unsuccessfully) for president in his native Liberia in 2005.
Sharp-shooters: George Weah (left, No 46) and Gabriel 'Batigol' Batistuta (No 45)
45 Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina)Famous for his flowing locks and stacks of goals. 184 goals in Serie A and remains the all-time top goal scorer for Argentina with 56 goals in 78 appearances.
44 Kenny Dalglish (Scotland)'King Kenny' always led from the front and attained hero status wherever he played. The first to score 100 goals in both English and Scottish leagues and won 102 caps for his national side.
Red hot: Kenny Dalglish (left, No 44) and Poland star Zbigniew Boniek (No 43)
43 Zbigniew Boniek (Poland) The only Polishman in this list but what a player. Named by Pele as one of the greatest living players and won the European Cup with Juventus in 1985.
42 Emilio Butragueno (Spain)A legendary striker, best known for his spell with Real Madrid where he netted 123 goals in 341 appearances.
Latin flair: Emilio Butragueno (left, No 42) and Mario Kempes (No 41)
41 Mario Kempes (Argentina)Kempes, nicknamed El Matador (The Bullfighter), was the man who scored the goals for Argentina as they lifted the World Cup in 1978.
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1189873/THE-LIST-The-greatest-players-history-football-Nos-50-41.html
THE LIST: The greatest players in the history of football, Nos 50-41
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:07 AM on 01st June 2009
Comments (0) Add to My Stories
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Who is the greatest footballer of all time?
Sportsmail's team of experts have picked their top 50 footballers of all time for the latest instalment of The List. But who would be at the top of your list as the Beautiful Game's greatest artist - Pele, Maradona, or someone closer to home, perhaps?
TELL US
WHAT YOU THINK Lionel Messi staked his claim to be regarded as greatest player in the world with a sublime performance in the Champions League final.
The Barcelona forward was in breathtaking form as he guided the Spanish giants to victory over Manchester United in Rome.
Messi's display again prompted comparisons with his Argentina hero Diego Maradona, one of the game's true superstars.
But just who are the greatest players to ever grace the sport?
In our latest List, Sportsmail's team of experts have selected the Top 50 footballers in history.
This was clearly no easy task and there were stacks of legendary men who failed to make the cut. Now it's your turn - please tell us your greatest ever players by leaving your comments below or on our message boards.
SPORTSMAIL'S GREATEST FOOTBALLERS IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME - Nos 50-41
50 Michael Laudrup (Denmark)One of the greatest attacking midfielders of his generation, Laudrup won numerous La Liga titles with Barcelona and scored 158 goals in 582 appearances for club and country.
Reign in Spain: Michael Laudrup (left, our No 50) in Barcelona's colours and Francisco Gento (No 49) in the white of Real Madrid
49 Francisco Gento (Spain)Made the number 11shirt his own at Real Madrid, during 18 goal-laden years. 126 goals in 428 games sees him squeeze into our list.
48 Enzo Francescoli (Uruguay)The gifted striker won the Copa America with Uruguay three times in 1983, '87 and '95.
Striking a chord: Uruguay forward Enzo Francescoli (left, No 48) and Ukraine and AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko (No 47)
47 Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)Unstoppable in front of goal, until he moved to Chelsea, that is. 'Sheva' has returned to Italy with AC Milan and will hope to re-live former glories such as his Champions League victory in 2003.
46 George Weah (Liberia)World footballer of the year in 1995, George was a prolific goal scorer with unlimited ambition. He ran (unsuccessfully) for president in his native Liberia in 2005.
Sharp-shooters: George Weah (left, No 46) and Gabriel 'Batigol' Batistuta (No 45)
45 Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina)Famous for his flowing locks and stacks of goals. 184 goals in Serie A and remains the all-time top goal scorer for Argentina with 56 goals in 78 appearances.
44 Kenny Dalglish (Scotland)'King Kenny' always led from the front and attained hero status wherever he played. The first to score 100 goals in both English and Scottish leagues and won 102 caps for his national side.
Red hot: Kenny Dalglish (left, No 44) and Poland star Zbigniew Boniek (No 43)
43 Zbigniew Boniek (Poland) The only Polishman in this list but what a player. Named by Pele as one of the greatest living players and won the European Cup with Juventus in 1985.
42 Emilio Butragueno (Spain)A legendary striker, best known for his spell with Real Madrid where he netted 123 goals in 341 appearances.
Latin flair: Emilio Butragueno (left, No 42) and Mario Kempes (No 41)
41 Mario Kempes (Argentina)Kempes, nicknamed El Matador (The Bullfighter), was the man who scored the goals for Argentina as they lifted the World Cup in 1978.
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1189873/THE-LIST-The-greatest-players-history-football-Nos-50-41.html
