Ukusi su razliciti.....al` je meni ovaj najdrazi

Ali Bergomi, kakav je to kostolomac bio 

Код свакога од нас заузима посебно место у срцу 

Скроз сам заборавио на ово...

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Definition of Central Midfielder covers this role

1. Box-To-Box Midfielder : The midfielders who operate in both defensive and offensive game, occasionally went forward to support attacking game or even scored by themselves

2. Holding Midfielder : The midfielders who mostly based on the central midfield area, available in ball controlling, vision and passing. Must be good in defensive game as well.

3. Destroyer : The midfielders who mainly responsible for destroying the game of opponent.

All in all, Central Midfielder covers every midfielder who was at least good in their responsibility in defensive game no matter what they would go attacking or not. However, It is absolute for some players to be an all-round central midfielder. In this case, I try to classify them from their most outstanding skills. This is certainly an advantage of box-to box midfielder and holding midfielder to be ranked higher position than destroyer because they were available in defensive and offensive skills. In another world, Some might be called “Commanding Midfielder “ . To compare player in diffrent style was quite hard, I try to classify thier level in thier role.

Describing of this kind of player in early decade of football history, They were called “Center-Half ” in 2-3-5 system. Most of them were outstanding not only defensive but also attacking game to support the front line.


Criteria cover these items ;

1. Level of Abilities
2. Consistency, Longevity
3. The Greatness, Awards
4. Standard Competition In Each Era

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50. Demetrio Albertini



Date Of Birth : 23 August 1971
Nation :  Italy
Height : 180 cm
Major Club :  AC Milan
Caps : 79 Games
World Cup Participation : 1994, 1998 (11 Games)
Club Honours :  5 Times Italian Series A
1994 Times UEFA Champion League
2 Times UEFA Champion League Runner-Up (1993, 1995)
International Honours :  1994 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 2000 European Championship Team Of Tournament


Demetrio Albertini was a special style midfielder not similar to any central midfielder because he never been a top-class physical or defensive player, and also was not much outstanding in technical abilities. On the other hand, Albertini was a kind of rhythmic controlling player who was so good in teamwork, mentality and brilliant passing and these are the most important factors that helped him as a major player for AC Milan and Italy for a decade. However, His lower speed with more ages affected him a big problem to play the same level as he had done. So, He moved to Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Barcelona in each a season before his retirement. All in all, Albertini is the best Italian midfielder during the 90’s.



49. Karl Koller

 

Date Of Birth : 8 February 1929
Nation :  Austria
Height : 183 cm
Major Club :  First Vienna
Caps : 86 Games
World Cup Participation : 1954, 1958 (8 Games)
Club Honours :  1 Time Austria Bundesliga
1 Time Austrian Cup
International Honours :  1954 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : None


Karl Koller is regarded as one of the great midfielders to ever represent for Austria national team, was forgotten by many due to playing for unsuccessful club. He unbelievably played 836 matches and scored around 100 goals during his 17 seasons of professional career despite there are not that many games like nowadays. He played for Austria as right-half at the time of their glory year alongside famous legends like Ernest Ocwirk and Gerhard Hanappi became one of the best midfield lines in the world. Koller was rated as one of the best 100 European footballers of the 20th century by the IFFHS.



48. Carlos Dunga

 

Date Of Birth : 31 October 1963
Nation :  Brazil
Height : 177 cm
Major Club :  Fiorentina
Caps : 91 Games
World Cup Participation : 1994, 1998 (18 Games)
Club Honours :  1 Time J League
International Honours :  1994 FIFA World Cup Champion
1997 FIFA Confederation Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
2 Times Copa America Winners (1989, 1997)
1995 Copa America Runner-Up
1984 Silver Medal Olympic Games
Individual Achievement : 2 Times FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1994, 1998)
J League Most Valuable Player

“Dopey” Carlos Dunga was very famous as a captain leading Brazil to be champion of 1994 World Cup and also reached final round in 1998. He was voted in all-star team both tournaments. He played the anchor role in midfield, was best as a team organizer with his smooth style of play but hidden of effectiveness and full of leadership. His each passing was intelligent, rarely went to ground to make a tackle, instead using his anticipation and timing. However, It has to be support team’s style of play like Brazil during the 90’s because he was not great as destroyer and also was not a kind of killed passer. These reasons led him not success in his club career especially his performance in Bundesliga for two seasons has never rated even international-class but kicker ranked him as a world-class player in 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup.



47. Didier Deschamps

 

Date Of Birth : 15 October 1968
Nation :  France
Height : 174 cm
Major Club :  Olympic Marseile, Juventus
Caps : 103 Games
World Cup Participation : 1998 (6 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times French League
3 Times Italian Series A
1 Time Copa Italia
1 Time FA Cup
2 Times UEFA Champion League Winners (1993, 1996)
3 Times UEFA Champion League Runner-Up (1997, 1998, 2001)
1996 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  1998 FIFA World Cup Champion
2000 European Championship Winners
Individual Achievement : 1996 European Championship Team Of Tournament
1996 French Player Of The Year

Didier Deschamps is known as the captain who received FIFA world cup champion trophy in 1998. He was strong, great tactical ability and very reliability. Deschamps played for Olympique Marseile in their glory year for three seasons before being transferred to Juventus where he spent his career for five seasons and reaching UEFA Champion league final round three times. Deschamps started his international career in what was a dark time for the French team as they failed to qualify for the World Cup in both 1990 and 1994. After then, He was selected as captain for the new golden generation team and got the great achievement by the end.



46. Wilfried Van Moer

 

Date Of Birth : 1 March 1945
Nation :  Belgium
Height : 182 cm
Major Club :  Standard Liege
Caps : 57 Games
World Cup Participation : 1970, 1982 (6 Games)
Club Honours :  3 Times Belgium League
International Honours :  1980 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 3 Times Belgium Golden Shoe (1966, 1969, 1970)

Wilfried Van Moer is one of the great Belgium legends who won fourth place European footballer of the year in 1980. He was internationally regular first team player helping his nation to reach semi-final in European championship 1972. However, He was broken leg in that tournament. Although he recovered, the leg-break and other injuries restricted his international appearances over the next 3 seasons. He finally could get back to play for Belgium in EURO 80 and helped them to reach final-round. For many the outstanding player of an unspectacular tournament was Van Moer with the seemingly boundless energy. He ran the show in most every game he played, scheming, prompting and holding the ball, never wasteful his performances were as dynamic as they were inspirational as Belgium went all the way to their only major Final. Van Moer was arguably the most influential player in the tournament and indeed at 35.



45. Gheorghe Popescu

 

Date Of Birth : 9 October 1967
Nation :  Romania
Height : 188 cm
Major Club :  PSV Eindhoven, Galatasaray
Caps : 115 Games
World Cup Participation : 1990, 1994, 1998 (13 Games)
Club Honours :  1 Time Romanian League
2 Times Dutch Champions
3 Times Turkish Leagues
1 Time Romanian Cup
1 Time Copa Del Rey
2 Times Turkish Cup
1997 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
2000 UEFA Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 6 Times Romanian Footballer Of The Year

Gheorghe Popescu was the second best Romanian footballer during 1990s only to Gheorghe Hagi. He could play as defensive midfielder or center-back. His tactical knowledge as a defender made him valuable team member in top European competitions even until he reached his late-thirties. Beside from his defending skills, his is also capable of using the ball and starting attacks from deep with his technical and playmaking abilities. At international level, Popescu stands among Romania's all-time most capped players with 115. Popescu was never outside the top 4 in the Romanian Footballer of the Year awards for 13 years from 1989 until 2001.


44. Mauro Silva

 

Date Of Birth : 12 January 1968
Height : 177 cm
Major Club :  Deportivo La Coruna
Caps : 58 Games
World Cup Participation : 1994 (7 Games)
Club Honours :  1 Time Spanish La liga
2 Times Copa Del Rey
International Honours :  1991 Copa America Runner-Up
1994 FIFA World Cup Champion
1997 Copa America Champion
Individual Achievement : 1991 Brazilian League Footballer of The Year


Mauro Silva started well-known in the worldwide when he played in the first match of World Cup 1994. He showed his world-class performance as a destroyer, always was able to stop opponent’s game in midfield area with his tireless stamina, superb strength and ability to snatch the ball. Mauro Silva was an indispensable player of Deportivo La Coruna in their glory years, reached to the deep-round in UEFA Champion league for several seasons and won the only victory champion of Spanish La Liga in their history. Regrettably, He got injury for a long period until he was withdrawn in the 1998 World Cup squad of Brazil national team. Aside from 1991, He also won second place Brazilian league footballer of the year in 1992.



43. Svatopluk Pluskal

 

Date Of Birth : 28 October 1930
Nation :  Czechoslovakia
Height : 177 cm
Major Club :  Dukla Prague
Caps : 56 Games
World Cup Participation : 1954, 1958, 1962 (8 Games)
Club Honours :  8 Times Czechosloavkian League
3 Times American Cup
International Honours :  1962 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : None


Svatopluk Pluskal was a world-class defensive midfielder who could down to play as center-back as well. Thanks to his important contribution to the success in World Cup at Chile, Pluskal received recognition on the international stage. On October 23, 1963, he was a member of the "Rest of the World" team that played England at Wembley in front of 100,000 fans, to celebrate 100 years of English football. Next year he played for the "Europe" team in Belgrade. Pluskal's career was ended by a knee injury in 1967. In the league he played 282 matches. He was a universal footballer, a good header of the ball, and he was famous for his slide tackles, with which he cleanly took the ball from his opponents. Although players often protested against this style of play, referees usually considered it to be within the rules. During his football career, this tireless fighter became an impenetrable shield, able to concentrate on what was needed. Off the field, he helped the team with his easy humour.



42. Mikael Essien

 

Date Of Birth : 3 December 1982
Nation :  Ghana
Height : 178 cm
Major Club :  Chelsea
Caps : 45 Games
World Cup Participation : 2006 (3 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times French Champons
1 Time Premier League
2 Times FA Cup
1 Time League Cup
International Honours :  2008 African Cup Of Nation Third Place
Individual Achievement : 2005 French League Player Of The Year
2006 BBC African Footballer Of The Year
2008 African Cup Of Nations Team Of Tournament
2007 Silver Ball African Footballer Of The Year
3 Times Bronze Ball African Footballer Of The Year (2005, 2006, 2008)

“The Bison” Mikael Essein is widely regarded as the greatest midfielder ever in history of African football and the greatest defensive midfielder in the world during lately 200s. He is the most expensive African footballer and defensive midfielder of all-time with 24.4 million pound when he was transferred to Chelsea. Despite availability of opportunity to transfer his race to play for France like many players from The Africa but Essein still select to play for his born nation. Essien is notable for his ability to exert boundless energy to support defensive and offensive play. He also has a good eye for goal and has on occasion scored important. One of his trademark abilities is to hit a shot from distance. His best international achievement was the third place African Cup of nations in 2008.



41. Johnny Giles

 

Date Of Birth : 6 November 1940
Nation :  Republic Of Ireland
Height : Unknown
Major Club :  Manchester United, Leeds United
Caps : 59 Games
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours :  2 Times English Top Division
2 Times Fair Cup
2 Times FA Cup
1 Time League Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : UEFA Jubilee Awards (Republic of Ireland)

Johnny Giles was surprised to win UEFA Jubilee Award instead of Liam Brady. He was moved to Manchester United after the Munich disaster to represent of Duncan Edwards, played alongside Boby Charlton in midfield. After wards, He was transferred to Leeds United, played in midfield alongside skipper Billy Bremner and went on to form a central midfield partnership which was one of the best in English club football. Giles was known as the creative force. Despite his craft, Giles was later pinned down as one of the tougher and dirtier players in what was an often uncompromising Leeds side. In altogether, Giles won more than 500 appearances and scored more than 100 goals for Leeds United. He was finished 5th Leeds United’s greatest player ever by The Times.

40. Frank Lampard

 

Date Of Birth : 20 June 1978
Nation :  England
Height : 183 cm
Major Club :  Chelsea
Caps : 75 Games (20 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 2006 (5 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times English Premier League
2 Times FA Cup
2 Times League Cup
1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup
2008 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 2004 European Championship Team Of Tournament
2005 FWA Footballer Of The Year
2005 Silver Ball FIFA World Player Of The Year
2005 Silver Ball European Footballer Of The Year
2005 FIFPro World XI
2008 UEFA Club Best Midfielder
3 Times Chelsea Player Of The Year
3 Times PFA Team Of The Year

Frank Lampard is already one of the greatest players to play for Chelsea. He plays most often as a box-to-box midfielder and has also enjoyed spells in a more advanced attacking midfield role. Lampard is Chelsea's top active goalscorer with 136 goals, the most in club history for a midfielder, and is the highest goal-scoring midfielder in Premier League history with 111 league goals in total, he is also 2nd in the all-time Premier League assists table with 71. He has a good opportunity to score reaching 200 goals in the near future. Johan Cruijff ever give his sentence about him that “Lampard is the best midfielder in Europe”. In 2005, He won many individual awards and became the only player in history of Chelsea club to win award in European Footballer Of The Year.



39. Clarence Seedorf

 

Date Of Birth : 1 April 19796
Nation :  Netherlands
Height : 176 cm
Major Club :  AC Milan
Caps : 87 Games
World Cup Participation : 1998 (4 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times Dutch Champions
3 Times Italian Series A
1 Time Spanish La Liga
1 Time Dutch Cup
4 Times UEFA Champion League Winners (1995, 1998, 2004, 2007)
1998 Intercontinental Cup
2005 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
2007 FIFA Club World Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Dutch Football Talent Of The Year (1994, 1998)
2007 UEFA Champion League Best Midfielder
2007 Silver Ball FIFA Club World Cup
2 Times UEFA Team of The Year (2002, 2007)

Clarence Seedorf is famous for his consistency international-class through his career and being the only player in history of the game to win UEFA Champion League with three different teams. He is a versatile midfielder, can adapt himself to create game on the left or right side in midfield, possesses high stamina, basic technique, excellent teamwork, fitness and intelligent. Seedorf started well-known with golden generation of Ajax alongside Kluivert, Davids and Rizeger. He also played for Sampdoria and Inter Milan but didn’t win any trophy with them. His national appearances had not been more impressive due to his ongoing conflict with Van Basten. Seedorf has mostly been a starter for his club for more than a decade, close to done 700 career matches played in the near future.



38. Branko Oblak

 

Date Of Birth : 27 May 1947
Nation :  Croatia
Height : 178 cm
Major Club :  Olimpija Ljubijana, Bayern Munich
Caps : 46 Games
World Cup Participation : 1974 (5 Games)
Club Honours :  1 Time German Bundesliga
1 Time Yugoslavian League
1 Time Yugoslav Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 1971 Slovenian Sport Man of The Year
UEFA Jubilee Award (Slovenia)

Branko Oblak was voted as the most outstanding player of Slovenia in the last 50 years, beat players like Zlatko Zahovic and Srecko Katanec. He was a deep-lying playmaker who positioned himself at central midfield area, notable for his excellent dribbling, great in vision and precision passing with his talent, also could do his defensive duty to be satisfied. However, He was in his prime during his career in Yugoslavian league, already 28 year olds of age when he moved to play in Bundesliga for Schalke and was rated only two international-class seasons in his five seasons in West Germany. But still, Oblak is widely regarded as one of the great legends in history of Yugoslavian football.



37. Zvonimir Boban

 

Date Of Birth : 8 October 1968
Nation :  Croatia
Height : 183 cm
Major Club :  AC Milan
Caps : 51 Games
World Cup Participation : 1998 (6 Games)
Club Honours :  4 Time Italian Series A
1994 European Cup
International Honours :  1998 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : 1996 European Championship Team Of Tournament
1991 Yugoslavian Footballer of The Year
1999 Croatian Footballer of The Year

Zvonimir Boban was regarded as the greatest central midfielder in history of the Yugoslavian football group, an all-round deep-lying playmaker well known for his passing range and vision, strong and excellent in teamwork. Croatia never lost a match when he scored. He rarely went forward to attack but always based on central midfield line. Boban stayed at AC Milan for nine seasons. He alongside Dejan Savicsevic was known as the most prominent stars from The Eastern Europe in Italian Series A. He was a captain of the 1998 FIFA World Cup which Croatia won bronze medal but mistook in the most important game in semi-final round because of his injury.



36. Stefan Effenberg

 

Date Of Birth : 2 August 1968
Nation :  Germany
Height : 188 cm
Major Club :  Bayern Munich, Borussia Munchengladbach
Caps : 35 Games
World Cup Participation : 1994 (3 Games)
Club Honours :  3 Times Bundesliga Champions
2 Times DFB-Pokal
2 Times German League Cup
1999 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
2001 UEFA Champion League Winners
2001 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  1992 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1992 European Championship Team Of Tournament
2001 UEFA Champion League Most Valuable Player

Stefan Effenberg was the first-rate box-to-box midfielder in the world during the 90’s. He possessed leadership skills, powerful shooting ability, vision to pass long and physical strength, but also a fearsome and controversial character. His international career was marked by controversy and several years in the international wilderness, after the German Football Association refused to consider him for selection following an incident at the 1994 World Cup. In the first round, Effenberg had gestured in an inappropriate manner ("gave the finger") to fans at the stadium when he got substituted after a subpar performance. In the German first division alone, Effenberg collected 109 yellow cards, an all-time worst at the time of his retirement. All in all, Kicker magazine rated him in world-class just a half of season in 2000 and 8.5 International-class seasons.



35. Toninho Cerezo

 

Date Of Birth : 21 April 1955
Nation :  Brazil
Height : 183 cm
Major Club :  Atletico Mineiro, Sampdoria
Caps : 57 Games
World Cup Participation : 1974, 1978 (10 Games)
Club Honours :  1991 Italian Series A
4 Times Copa Italia
1984 European Cup Runner-Up
1991 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
1993 Copa Libertadores Cup
2 Times Intercontinental Cup (1992, 1993)
International Honours :  1978 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Brazilian League Footballer Of The Year (1977, 1980)

Toninho Cerezo is the greatest defensive midfielder Brazil has ever produced, not very much as a organizer like Carlos Dunga but full of defensively toughness and tireless combined with middle-level of skillful. Toninho had the successful career in Italian Series A. Aside from Sampdoria, He previously played for AS Roma and reached European cup final round with them. Toninho notably played for the 1982 Brazil World Cup team which is considered as the most beautiful played team of all-time. In 1993, He was selected as man of the match in intercontinental cup. He was chosen as starter in all-time Sampdoria XI by many journalists in www.channel4.com.



34. Michael Ballack

 

Date Of Birth : 26 September 1976
Nation :  Germany
Height : 189 cm
Major Club :  Bayern Munich, Chelsea
Caps : 97 Games (42 Games)
World Cup Participation : 2002, 2006 (11 Games)
Club Honours :  4 Times Bundesliga Champions
3 Times DFB-Pokal
2 Times FA Cup
1 Time German League Cup
1 Time English League Cup
2 Times UEFA Champion League Runner-Up (2002, 2008)
2001 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  2002 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
2006 FIFA World Cup Third Place
2008 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 2 Times European Championship Team Of Tournament (2004, 2008)
2 Times FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (2002, 2006)
3 Times German Footballer Of The Year (2002, 2003, 2005)
2002 UEFA Club Midfielder Of The Year
2008 Bronze Boot European Championship

Michael Ballack is the greatest German footballer during the 2000s, was famous for his leadership and effectiveness. He is one of the most runner-up trophies players, won second place in UEFA champion league, European Championship and FIFA World Cup with no any champion in these tournament. Especially, Ballack won the triple runner-up in 2001-2002 season with Leverkusen, consisted of Bundesliga, UEFA Champion league and DFB-pokal. He played as defensive midfielder in some year during early 2000s and settle his position up to attacking midfielder. By the end of 2008-2009 season, Ballack is totally rated by kicker ranking in the same profile as Stefan Effenberg with a half of world-class season in 2002 and 8.5 international-class seasons, was voted fifth place European Footballer Of The Year in 2002.



33. Romeo Benetti

 

Date Of Birth : 20 October 1945
Nation :  Italy
Height : 182 cm
Major Club :  AC Milan, Juventus
Caps : 55 Games
World Cup Participation : 1974, 1978 (9 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times Italian Series A
6 Times Copa Italia
1973 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
1977 UEFA Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : None

Romeo Benetti is one of the most underrated Italian footballers of all-time despite his world-class performance as a central midfielder. He was a pioneer of Italian midfielder who always seriously took defensive duty with a hard tackle and stamina, was known as one of the greatest hardmen of all-time. Benetti several times could go attack to make score by his own. His best period was at AC Milan where he incredibly scored almost 50 goals for club in spite of being known as a defensive player during his six years there. He also played with Sampdoria and AS Roma for a few seasons. His greatest international achievement was winning fourth place in World Cup 1978.



32. Xavi Hernandez

 

Date Of Birth : 25 January 1980
Nation :  Spain
Height : 170 cm
Major Club :  Barcelona
Caps : 81 Games
World Cup Participation : 2002, 2006 (7 Games)
Club Honours :  4 Times Spanish La liga
1 Time Copa Del Rey
2 Times UEFA Champion League (2006, 2009)
2 Times Intercontinental Cup (1998, 2002)
International Honours :  2008 European Championship
Individual Achievement : 1999 Spanish Liga Young Player Of The Year
2005 Spanish Player Of The Year
2008 European Championship Player Of Tournament
2008 IFFHS World Best Playmaker
2008 FIFPro World XI
2009 UEFA Club Best Midfielder
2009 Bronze Ball European Footballer of The Year
2 Times UEFA Team Of The Year (2008, 2009)

Xavi Hernandez is one of the most valuable players in history of Spanish football, has just been a world-class midfielder in the last two years after his international-class was sustained for almost a decade. Xavi won the best player of Euro 2008 tournament plus man of the match in 2009 UEFA Champion league final round were enough to mention him as one of the current best midfielders in the world. He was a successor of Joseph Guardiola in the Barcelona’s engine room, was not a kind of excite player style but full of intelligent and effectiveness in central midfield area, have assisted to a lot goals. In 2008, Xavi was voted 5th European footballer of the year.



31. Steven Gerrard



Date Of Birth : 30 May 1980
Nation :  England
Height : 188 cm
Major Club :  Liverpool
Caps : 76 Games
World Cup Participation : 2006 (5 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times FA Cup
2 Times League Cup
2005 UEFA Champion League Winners
2007 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 2000 PFA Young Player Of The Year
2005 UEFA Champion League Most Valuable Player
2005 Silver Ball FIFA Club World Cup
2005 Silver Ball Onze d’Or
2005 Bronze Ball European Footballer Of The Year
2006 PFA Player’s Player Of The Year
2007 Order Of The British Empire
2009 FWA Footballer Of The Year
7 Times PFA Team Of The Year
3 Times UEFA Team Of The Year (2005, 2006, 2007)
2 Times FIFPro World XI (2007, 2008)

“Stivi G” Steven Gerrard is an actively popular superstar of “The Red Machine” Lliverpool where he already selected as the second best of the club by The Times and being going on his road to be club’s greatest ever in the near future. He started well-known as a prominent defensive midfielder in the premier league when Roy Keane and Patrice Vieira were in their late career. He switched to play as attacking midfielder later then but he was still very much to participate in defensive game. Gerrard is a modern midfielder who is outstanding in movement, organizing, work rates, leadership and superb long-shot, became one of the most important scorers of his club, scored more than 20 goals for three seasons, is rated as a world-class midfielder although his technical abilities and passing were not in the first-rate level.

30. Edgar Davids

 

Date Of Birth : 13 March 1973
Nation :  Netherlands
Height : 170 cm
Major Club :  Juventus
Caps : 74 Games
World Cup Participation : 1998 (6 Games)
Club Honours :  3 Times Dutch Champions
3 Times Italian Series A
2 Times Dutch Cup
1 Time Copa Italia
1992 UEFA Cup
1995 UEFA Champion League Winners
3 Times UEFA Champion League Runner-Up (1996, 1998, 2003)
1995 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 1998 FIFA World Cup All Star Team
2000 European Championship Team Of Tournament

Edgar Davids was the great powerful dinamo midfielder, was noted for his tireless running, uncompromising and excellent agility. He was rated as one of the best defensive midfielders of the world during lately 1990s. Davids liked to support attacking game with his technical abilities and great acceleration. He had glaucoma, which requires him to wear protective goggles during football matches. His dreadlocked hair and his protective eye wear make Davids one of the most recognizable footballers of his generation. Davids moved to Italy in 1996 to play for AC Milan. He did not see much playing time at Milan, and moved on to league rival Juventus. Juventus manager Marcello Lippi once described him as "my one-man engine room." Davids also won the 1998 FIFA World Cup fourth place with Holland. On 17 May 2001, Davids was suspended for a year by FIFA when he tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid, nandrolone. His career performance has gone down after down.



29. Osvaldo Ardiles

 

Date Of Birth : 3 August 1952
Nation :  Argentina
Height : 169 cm
Major Club :  Tottenham Hot Spurs
Caps : 63 Games
World Cup Participation : 1978, 1982 (11 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times FA Cup
1984 UEFA Cup
International Honours :  1978 FIFA World Cup Winners
Individual Achievement : None

“Ossie” and “The Python” Osvaldo Ardiles was rated by so many as the finest foreigner in English league during 1980s. He was a competitive and skillful central midfielder. He snaked like dribbling skill and possessed great passing abilities. Because of Tottenham's perceived defensive weakness, He was signed to play for club after winning World Cup 1978 with Argentina as the center in the midfield area and being the most important role to control defensive and offensive game. He notably left England for a period as a result of the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982, thus missing most of the 1982–83 season. In 2008, He was induced into Tottenham Hotspurs Hall of Fame.



28. Roy Keane

 

Date Of Birth : 10 August 1971
Nation :  Republic Of Ireland
Height : 178 cm
Major Club :  Manchester United
Caps : 66 Games
World Cup Participation : 1994, 2002 (4 Games)
Club Honours :  7 Times English Premier League
1 Time Scottish Premier League
4 Times FA Cup
1 Time Scottish League Cup
1999 UEFA Champion League
1999 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 2000 FWA Footballer Of The Year
2000 PFA Player’s Player Of The year
5 Times PFA Team Of The Year

Roy Keane was an aggressively powerful midfielder and one of the most hard mans in British football history. He was full of winning-mind and proved himself as a true leader for his club and national team, was a key to create Man U’s glory year, routinely activate his team to get back as a winner even being led for scores. However, It often became his violent behavior, was suspended and sent-off several times during his career until holds the record for the most red cards in English football with 13. The most famous event was his hard tackling to Alf-Inge Haland due to his wanting to revenge. As a result, Haland was broken leg and retired from football shortly afterwards. Roy Keane could play as sweeper as well although it was rare to see him play as this position. All in all, Roy Keane is regarded as one of the best footballers Ireland has ever produced.



27. Patrice Vieira

 

Date Of Birth : 23 June 1976
Nation :  France
Height : 192 cm
Major Club :  Arsenal
Caps : 107 Games
World Cup Participation : 1998, 2002, 2006 (12 Games)
Club Honours :  3 Times English Premier League
3 Times Italian Series A
4 Times FA Cup
International Honours :  1998 FIFA World Cup Champion
2000 European Championship Winners
2001 FIFA Confederation Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 2000 European Championship Team Of Tournament
2001 French Player Of The Year
2001 UEFA Team Of The Year
2006 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
6 Times PFA Team Of The Year

Patrice Vieira is rated by so many as one of the best defensive midfielders between lately 1990s to early 2000s and the greatest midfielder ever to born in The Africa. He was born in Senegal. Vieira possessed all-round abilities, very strong in defensive task, good ball controlling and passing. Vieira played as holding midfielder for Arsenal and France, always showed his great as organizer in midfield. But still, He was commented by French football fan that he never been as great performance in national level as his career with Arsenal where he was very remarkable especially co-ordination with Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, were major role to make that Arsenal team to be the best team ever in history of the club. After then, He want to be more successful and decided moving to Juventus and later Inter Milan. He also ever played for AC Milan in the first period of his career for a season and unable to intervene himself as a starter.


26. Billy Bremner

 

Date Of Birth : 9 December 1942
Nation :  Scotland
Height : 164 cm
Major Club :  Leeds United
Caps : 54 Games
World Cup Participation : 1974 (3 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times English Top Division
1 Time FA Cup
1 Time League Cup
2 Times Inter Cities Fairs Cup (1968, 1971)
1975 European Cup Runner-Up
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 1970 FWA Footballer Of The Year
Leeds United’s Greatest Player Ever

Billy Bremner was chosen by The Times as the greatest player in history of Leeds United club. and has a statue outside the South East corner of Elland Road. Sir Alex Ferguson. Ever said there are more skilled players in this list, but nobody better epitomized the bloody-minded brilliance of prime-time Leeds. By the time debuted his career for Leeds United, Bremner quickly established himself as an uncompromising player, tough in the tackle and often going beyond the rules to get the better of a skilled opponent - a Sunday Times headline dubbed him as "10st of barbed wire". But he could play too - he had a stamina to work from one end of the pitch to the other and could pass with precision and timing. He also weighed in with his share of goals, and had an extraordinary ability to score crucial goals in the biggest games. Bremner played 772 matched for Leeds United that is almost the record of his club just only to Jacky Charlton one game and scored 115 Goals. In 1973, Bremner was best honoured in international level, was voted 5th in Ballan’ Dor.



25. Claude Makelele

 

Date Of Birth : 18 February 1973
Nation :  France
Height : 173 cm
Major Club :  Nantes, Real Madrid, Chelsea
Caps : 71 Games
World Cup Participation : 2002, 2006 (8 Games)
Club Honours :  1 Time French Champons
2 Times Spanish La Liga
2 Time Premier League
1 Time FA Cup
2 Times English League Cup
2002 UEFA Champion League
2002 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  2006 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : None

Claude Makelele is regarded by many as one of the greatest destroyers ever to play the game and being called the “Makelele Role”. His primitive race was Zaire. He began well-known around the world when he moved to play for Real Madrid and became an indispensable player who was in the back scene of their successful. After he had to move out to Chelsea because of coming of David Beckham, The major players like Zidane and Hierro both agreed it would be unworthy exchanging. Even himself said an interesting sentence “Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine”. On the other hand, He became an important role for Chelsea because of their style of play. Makelele never won any individual award due to his smooth style of play.



24. Dave Mackay

 

Date Of Birth : 14 November 1934
Nation :  Scotland
Height : 172 cm
Major Club :  Tottenham Hot Spurs
Caps : 22 Games
World Cup Participation : 1958 (1 Game)
Club Honours :  1 Time Scottish Champion
1 Time English Top Division
1 Time Scottish Cup
2 Times Scottish League Cup
3 Times FA Cup
1963 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 1969 FWA Footballer Of The Year

Dave Mackay is the finest destroyer in history of British football if not consider Duncan Edwards. He was believed by some as the better player than legends like Billy Bremner, Roy Keane and Bryan Robson due to his more completed player. Mackay was not only a superlative destroyer who was indispensable for his team but also great in passing and reading the game. It is often overlooked that the powerful half back could beat a player just as easily as he could stop one in his tracks. Mackay suffered two broken legs, the second in a reserve match as he was returning from the first, but his spirit remained intact during a punishing recovery program of strengthening exercises and dieting. That drive – accompanied by fine vision and passing – pushed Spurs to success in the Sixties, A warrior of a player who walks with a bow-legged gait that stems from a career of exertion, He could play as sweeper as well. Mackay was selected by the times as Spurs’s the second greatest player of all-time.



23. Marco Tardelli



Date Of Birth : 24 September 1954
Nation :  Italy
Height : 178 cm
Major Club :  Juventus
Caps : 81 Games
World Cup Participation : 1978, 1982, 1986 (13 Games)
Club Honours :  5 Times Italian Series A
2 Times Copa Italia
1977 UEFA Cup
1984 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
1985 European Cup
International Honours :  1982 FIFA World Cup Winners
Individual Achievement : 1980 European Championship Team Of Tournament


Marco Tardelli is widely regarded as the greatest defensive midfielder Italy has ever seen. He was well known for his battling qualities, primarily his stamina and mentality as well as his ruthless tackling. He was also known for his technical abilities and his ability to score vital goals. Tardelli is one of a few players in history to win all three titles of European competition. He is particularly remembered for his famous goal celebration in the final. With tears in his eyes, he sprinted towards the Italian bench, fists clenched in front of his chest, tears pouring down his face, screaming "goal!" as he shook his head wildly. This celebration would become known as the "Tardelli cry". Tardelli was selected by many journalists in www.channel4.com as a starter in all-time Juventus XI.



22. Bryan Robson

 

Date Of Birth : 11 January 1957
Nation :  England
Height : 180 cm
Major Club :  Manchester United
Caps : 90 Games (26 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986, 1990 (8 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times English Premier League
4 Times FA Cup
1 Time League Cup
1991 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : None

“Captain Marvel” Bryan Robson is widely regarded as the greatest central midfielder England has ever had. He was a consistency box-to-box midfielder who made a large number of scores, great tackles, ball winning and passing abilities. Additionally, He was a good header of the ball, but what set him apart from other midfielders was his ability to get to the goal. Robson captained both Manchester United and England for more than a decade. He is best remembered in World Cup 1982 as the fastest scorer in history of World Cup with 27 second in match against France before the record was destroyed by Hakan Sukur in 2002. He had to wait until 37 year olds for a league champion medal. Robson scored almost 100 goals for Manchester United. Although never won any individual award, He was voted in top ten European Footballer Of The Year four times between 1983 to 1985 and 1987



21. Herbert Prohaska

 

Date Of Birth : 8 August 1955
Nation :  Austria
Height : 183 cm
Major Club :  Austria Wienna
Caps : 83 Games
World Cup Participation : 1978, 1982 (11 Games)
Club Honours :  7 Times Austria Bundesliga
1 Time Italian Series A
4 Times Austrian Cup
1 Time Italian Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : UEFA Jubilee Award (Austria)
3 Times Austria Footballer of The Year (1984, 1985, 1988)

“Schneckerl” Herbert Prohaskas is selected from Austria football association as their greatest player in the last 50 years beat Austria’s legend like Hans Krankl. He played as deep-lying playmaker and created game in midfield area, known for his precision passing and his uncompromising to destroy opponent’s game. Prohaska played in Austria for eight years before decided to move playing in Italian Series A with Inter Milan for two seasons. Then, He was transferred to AS Roma where he played just a season but that was so special because he could be a part to win their first Italian Series A trophy in history. Prohaska scored more than 100 goals during his professional career.

Mnogo je tu igraca.

Zidan,Maldini,Rivaldo,Ronaldinjo,Roberto Badjo....ma ima ih bas mnogo,tesko je da se covjek odluci..

20. Valery Voronin

 

Date Of Birth : 17 July 1939
Nation :  Soviet Union
Height : 181 cm
Major Club :   Torpedo Moscow
Caps : 63 Games
World Cup Participation : 1962, 1966 (9 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times Soviet Union Champions
1 Time Soviet Cup
International Honours :  1964 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Soviet Union Footballer Of The Year (1964, 1965)
1962 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team

Valery Ivanovich Voronin was one of the best midfielders in the world during the 60’s, a versatile midfielder who had incredible technical abilities and passing combined with his toughness in defensive game led him as one of the most completed defensive midfielders. was also used as a central defender. He also won fourth place in World Cup 1966 with Soviet Union and the same place in EURO 1968. In 1965, He was voted 8th European Footballer of the year. During the summer of 1969 he was involved in a serious car accident from which he recovered physically but which left him psychologically scarred.



19. Paul Breitner

 

Date Of Birth : 5 September 1951
Nation :  West Germany
Height : 176 cm
Major Club :   Bayern Munich
Caps : 48 Games (10 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1974, 1982 (14 Games)
Club Honours :  5 Times Bundesliga Champions
2 Times Spanish Liga
1 Time Copa Del Rey
2 Times DFB-Pokal
1974 European Cup Winners
1982 European Cup Runner-Up
International Honours :  1974 FIFA World Cup Winners
1982 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
1972 European Championship Winners
Individual Achievement : 1972 European Championship Team Of Tournament
1974 FIFA World Cup All-Star
1981 German Player Of The Year
1981 Silver Ball European Footballer Of The Year
1981 Silver Ball Onze d’Or

Paul Breitner is the most controversial player of Germany. During the first half of his career, He operated as left-back, most outstanding in support offensive game as wing-back. Kicker rated him as a world-class player during his four years with Bayern Munich in one seasons and two international-class seasons. Afterwards, He moved to play for Real Madrid for three seasons. This affected him not to be called for West Germany for six years because of Jupp Derwall’s rule that would not include any player who played outside West Germany. However, He backed to play in his country again and switching his position to central midfielder that he was rated 2.5 world-class seasons and 3.5 international-class seasons. Breitner became one of the best midfielders in the world for this position. By many of the older and more traditional football fans in Germany he was decried for his "revolutionary" attitude and his tendency for voicing strong opinions on political and social issues.



18. Igor Netto

 

Date Of Birth : 9 January 1930
Nation :  Soviet Union
Height : 179 cm
Major Club :   Spartak Moscow
Caps : 54 Games
World Cup Participation : 1958, 1962 (6 Games)
Club Honours :  5 Times Soviet Union Champions
3 Times Soviet Cup Winners
International Honours :  1960 European Championship Winners
1956 Gold Medal Olympic Game
Individual Achievement : 1960 European Championship Team Of Tournament

Igor Netto is considered one of the greatest Soviet players ever, also regarded by many coaches in Russia as the best midfielder to ever for the Soviet Union. He started out as a left defender but, due to his offensive mentality, dribbling and technical abilities moved into midfield. He was the captain of the USSR national football team from 1954 to 1963. During his career, He played for only one club was Spartak Moscow and became their legendary player after his retirement. Regrettably, Netto never won Soviet footballer of the year because this award was established when he was already 34 year olds.



17. Jose Leandro Andrade

 

Date Of Birth : 2 November 1901
Nation :  Uruguay
Height : 172 cm
Major Club :   Bella Vista, Nacional, Penarol
Caps : 34 Games
World Cup Participation : 1930 (4 Games)
Club Honours :  4 Times Uruguay Champions
International Honours :  1930 FIFA World Cup Champion
3 Times Copa America Winners (1923, 1924, 1926)
Individual Achievement : 1930 Bronze Ball FIFA World Cup

“The Black Pearl” Andrade was credited with being an intelligent and honest player who never celebrated his goals. He preferred to play a direct style without the physicality of many of his team mates. Andrade won his first Olympic gold medal at the 1924 Olympic football tournament in Paris. He was recognized as being the first black international football player to play Olympic football. Despite not being at his peak he managed to be one of Uruguay's best players as they won the 1930 World Cup. At the end of the tournament he was selected in the All-Star team. In 1994 he was selected by France Football as number ten in their World Cup Top-100. He was also voted 29th World’s player of century by IFFHS’s poll.



16. Horst Szymaniak

 


Date Of Birth : 29 August 1934
Nation :  West Germany
Height : 178 cm
Major Club :   Wuppertaler
Caps : 43 Games
World Cup Participation : 1958, 1962 (9 Games)
Club Honours :  None
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : None

Horst Szymaniak is a long-period world-class defensive midfielder during 1950s and Germany’s greatest defensive midfielder of all-time. He was rated by kicker magazine in 4.5 world-class seasons and 2.5 seasons of international-class seasons of his career in Bundesliga. After then, He was one of a few German players to play outside his country, was transferred to Italian Series A to play with three club in five seasons, was believed reach 2 seasons world-class with Catania. Later, He moved to play for Inter Milan where he won a European Cup with team but not a starter. All in all, Szymaniak was one of the most underrated footballers to ever play for West Germany.



15. Mario Coluna

 

Date Of Birth : 6 August 1935
Nation :  Portugal
Height : 172 cm
Major Club :   Benfica
Caps : 57 Games
World Cup Participation : 1966 (6 Games)
Club Honours :  10 Times Portuguese League
6 Times Portuguese Cup
2 Times European Cup Winners (1961, 1962)
3 Times European Cup Runner-Up (1963, 1965, 1968)
International Honours :  1966 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : 1966 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team

“The Sacred Monster” Mario Coluna is best remembered as the best assister for Eusebio in Portugal’s glory year. His primitive was Mozambique as well as Eusebio, captained the legendary team of the "Magriços". Regarding his style of play, Strong at midfield, Coluna was known for the way he played on the field because of his elegant and efficient style. Coluna used to score long distance goals with ease. He was also known for is stamina, that allowed him to control all the areas in the field. In his early days in S.L. Benfica he was tested as a Central Forward by Otto Glória because of his great technical skills, but he achieved greater notoriety, as a Central Midfielder. In 1967, He was selected as a starter FIFA World XI against Champion of Europe “Spain” Coluna scored around 150 goals in 677 matches for Benfica.



14. Danny Blanchflower

 

Date Of Birth : 10 February 1926
Nation :  Northern Ireland
Height : 173 cm
Major Club :   Tottenham
Caps : 56 Games
World Cup Participation : 1958 (5 Games)
Club Honours :  1 Time English Top Division
2 Times FA Cup
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : Tottenham Hot Spurs’s Greatest Player Ever
1958 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
2 Times FWA Footballer Of The Year

Danny Blanchflower was ranked as the greatest player in Spurs history by The Times in 2009 beat famous legends like Glenn Hoddle, Dave Mackay and even Jimmy Greaves. Also, is remembered as one of the great tacticians in the history of the game, renowned for his passing, and as an outstanding right-half. He was an indispensable for Spurs during lately 1950s to early 1960s and help them won first double champions consisting of English league and FA Cup in the 20th century. He was the man who ran the show, and what a show it was. Always keeping the ball moving, the right half would wait for an opening and find a pass that the opposition had not seen and an angle that didn’t seem to exist. Several generations considered him the finest player to grace the lilywhite shirt, He did the most important role for Northern Ireland as well, Led them reach the deepest round in World Cup in history of his country at quarter-final round in 1958. Blanchflower is similar to Fernando Redondo in their useful not too great in defensive quality but excellent as a game controller in deep-lying midfield area, hardly scored by himself.



13. Willem Van Hanegem

 

Date Of Birth : 20 February 1944
Nation :  Netherlands
Height : 178 cm
Major Club :   Feyenoord Rotterdam
Caps : 52 Games
World Cup Participation : 1974 (7 Games)
Club Honours :  3 Times Dutch Champions
2 Times Dutch Cup
1974 UEFA Cup
1970 European Cup
1970 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  1974 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : None

“The Crooked” Willem Van Hanegem is regarded by many Dutch old-timers as the second greatest footballer ever in history of Dutch football and one of the most underrated midfielder of all-time. His abilities were without any doubt. He is respected for his tactical insight. Both his way of sprinting (he had bandy legs), and his skill to give the ball a curve achieved by striking the ball with the outside of his left foot. He is also well known for his fantastic passing range, his ability with the ball at his feet and his excellence in the air. However, Van Hanegem never performed his talents in international competitions as one of the most prominent players in the world. World Cup 1974 final round was the bigger meaning for him than an opportunity to win the first world cup in history of his country. He lost his father, sister and two brothers whom German soldier killed during the World War II. He was full of angst and hate. After the game, He left the field in tears. Van Hanegem is known as Feyenoord’s greatest player ever. He had an impressive record scoring almost 100 goals around 300 games for Feyenoord.



12. Jean Tigana

 

Date Of Birth : 23 June 1955
Nation :  France
Height : 166 cm
Major Club :   Bordeux
Caps : 52 Games
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986 (12 Games)
Club Honours :  3 Times French League
3 Times French Cup
International Honours :  1986 FIFA World Cup Third Place
1984 European Championship Winners
Individual Achievement : 1984 French Player Of The Year
1984 Silver Ball Onze d’Or
1984 European Championship Team Of Tournament
1986 Silver Ball European Footballer Of The Year
1986 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
1987 Bronze Ball Onze d’Or

Jean Tigana is well-known as one of “The Magic Square” the great midfield foursomes of all-time, alongside Michel Platini, Alain Giresse and Luis Fernandez in World Cup 1986. His primitive race was Sudan. Tigana was best noted for his intelligent in great movement, teamwork and tireless stamina, basically played as a box-to box midfielder responsible for defensive game before went forward to create passing. In club level, He could reach European Cup semi-final round which is the best record of the club. Also, He won fourth place in World Cup 1982 with france. In conclusion, Jean Tigana is regarded as the best central midfielder France has ever produced.



11. Obdulio Varela

 

Date Of Birth : 20 September 1917
Nation :  Uruguay
Height : 178 cm
Major Club :   Montediveo, Penarol
Caps : 45 Games
World Cup Participation : 1950, 1954 ( Games)
Club Honours :  6 Times Uruguay Champions
International Honours :  1950 FIFA World Cup Winners
1942 Copa America Winners
Individual Achievement : 1950 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team

“The Black Chief” due to his dark skin and the influence he had on the pitch, and especially after the unlikely victory over Brazil. People recall Varela as one of the greatest classic centre halves, a midfield player equally adept in defense eating scoring chances. The 1950 World Cup final match Uruguay needed to win to become champion. Varela drove the Uruguayan team to victory against all odds. Before the match, Varela delivered an emotional speech about how they must face all the odds and not to be intimidated by the fans or the opposing team. The speech, as was later confirmed well, Varela played a big role when he took the ball and disputed the validity of the goal with George Reader about player offside. Varela was finally subdued, then took the ball to the center of the field, and shouted to his team, "Now, it's time to win!". Uruguay came back and scored twice to win the match and become champions in front of nearly 200.000 spectators. The win is remembered as a miracle and made Varela immortal in the eyes of the Uruguayan people. Varela was voted 13th South America’s player of century by IFFHS’s poll.

10. Ernest Ocwirk



Date Of Birth : 7 March 1926
Nation :  Austria
Height : 183 cm
Major Club :  Austria Wienna, Sampdoria
Caps : 62 Games
World Cup Participation : 1954 (5 Games)
Club Honours :  5 Times Austria Bundesliga
3 Times Austrian Cup
International Honours :  1954 FIFA World Cup Third Place
Individual Achievement : 1951 Austrian Sportsman Of The Year
1954 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team

“The Clockwork” Ernest Ocwirk is considered as one of the greatest Austrian footballers of all-time. He was voted by IFFHS’s poll as the second place Austria’s player of century only to Matthias Sindelar. He is often cited as the last of the old-fashioned attacking centre-halves; he was known for his aesthetic and technical style of playing, his heading ability and his passing range. The fans loved him for his modest and fair personality. The international media of the era saw Ocwirk as "the best centerhalf in the world". In 1953, His international successes earned him the honour of twice being named captain of the "FIFA World team". Ocwirk was chosen in Austria’s team of the century in 2001.



9. Luis Monti

 


Date Of Birth : 15 May 1901
Nation :  Argentina
Height : 167 cm
Major Club :  Juventus
Caps : 16 Games For Argentina, 18 Games For Italy
World Cup Participation : 1934, 1938 (9 Games)
Club Honours :  4 Times Argentina League
4 Times Italian Series A
1 Time Italian Cup
International Honours :  1934 FIFA World Cup Champion
1930 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
1927 Copa America Winners
1928 Silver Medal Olympic Games
Individual Achievement : 2 Times FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1930, 1934)

“The Double Wide” Luis Monti is considered as the greatest Half-Back in the world before the World War II. Monti was gotten his nickname because of his coverage on the pitch, was a rugged and ruthless player, but had good technical skills to go with his strong tackling. He played as an attacking centre half in the old-fashioned Metodo system: a position roughly equivalent to the defensive central midfield position today. As such he would mark the opposing centre forward when his team were defending, but would be the main midfield playmaker when his team was on the attack. He played in two World Cup final with different team, fist won runner-up with Argentina and changing to play for Italy and winning the 1938 World Cup after then. A match against Austria in World Cup 1934 was one of the best remembered games of his, Monti responsible for marking Matthias Sindelar who was one of the greatest attackers in that era, This task was a lot of success completed.



8. Johan Neeskens

 

Date Of Birth : 15 September 1951
Nation :  Netherlands
Height : 172 cm
Major Club :  Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona
Caps : 49 Games (17 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1974, 1978 (12 Games)
Club Honours :  3 Times Dutch Champions
2 Times Dutch Cup
1 Time Copa De Rey
1979 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
3 Times European Cup (1971, 1972, 1973)
1972 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  2 Times FIFA World Cup Runner-Up (1974, 1978)
Individual Achievement : 1974 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
1976 Best Spanish League Foreign Player

“Johan The Second” Johan Neeskens is best known for being a partner with Johan Cruijff in Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona and Holland national team. He began playing as right-back until the end of 1970-1971 season which he was a starter in European Cup final. Neeskens transformed his position to central midfielder because of his tireless running, great technical skills and scored his fair share of goals. He was a mercurial midfielder who could fulfill any role – ball winner, creator or scorer. Always one of the fittest players on the pitch, He was also deadly on penalty kicks. He personified the “Total Football Style” as well as Johan Cruijff. Neeskens is one of three midfielders to score five goals in a world cup along with Cubillas and Rivaldo. In 1974, He was finished 5th European footballer of the year.



7. Fernando Redondo

 

Date Of Birth : 6 July 1969
Nation :  Argentina
Height : 186 cm
Major Club :  Real Madrid
Caps : 29 Games
World Cup Participation : 1994 (4 Games)
Club Honours :  2 Times Spanish La Liga (1995, 1997)
1 Time Copa Italia
3 Times UEFA Champion League (1998, 2000, 2003)
1998 Intercontinental Cup
International Honours :  1993 Copa America Winners
1992 FIFA Confederation Cup
Individual Achievement : 2000 UEFA Champion League Most Valuable Player
1992 Golden Ball FIFA Confederation Cup

Fernando Redondo was considered as the greatest holding midfielder in history of the game. He could perform in either a defensive or creative midfield role with his great left-foot. Redondo was a master of creativity, ball controlling and passing abilities. All of these was perfectly done as a usual by himself. But still, His only disadvantage was going attack to make score which was essential for holding midfielder to do it instead of strikers when they were marked out of game because Redondo was not a natural destroyer. Sir Alex Ferguson ever said after losing to real Madrid in UEFA champion league 2000 quarter-final which is one of the best Redondo’s game in his career that Redondo’s boots was as if having a magnet. He played for Argentina less than 30 matches because of refusing to cut his long hair and this was a rule of Daniel Passarella. Moreover, He got injury for years in AC Milan and played less than 20 games during his 4 seasons in Italian Series A.



6. Paulo Roberto Falcao

 

Date Of Birth : 16 October 1953
Nation :  Brazil
Height : 183 cm
Major Club :  Internacional, AS Roma
Caps : 34 Games
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986 (7 Games)
Club Honours :  3 Times Brazil National Champions
1 Time Italian Series A
1984 European Cup Runner-up
International Honours :  1991 Copa America Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1982 FIFA World Cup Silver Ball
1982 Silver Ball South American Footballer Of The Year
1982 Bronze Ball Onze d’Or
1983 Onze d’Or
2 Times Brazilian League Footballer Of The Year (1978, 1979)
Brazil Football Museum Hall Of Fame

“8th King Of Rome” Falcao was a part of Brazil national team in World Cup 1982 which has been regarded as the most beautiful playing team in history of World Cup. He was one of the greatest players ever of AS Roma which he was chosen as a starter in their all-time XI by many journalists in www.channel4.com. Falcao is the most talented midfielder of all-time. He played as a box-to-box midfielder not so great in defensive quality but his vision, passing and long-range shot were in world-class. Even there are so many world-class players in World Cup 1982, He was able to win the silver ball beat outstanding players like Platini, Zico and Rummenigge. However, His career was not consistency due to his often injury led him played just around 300 matches



5. Jozsef Bozsik

 


Date Of Birth : 28 November 1925
Nation :  Hungary
Height : 173 cm
Major Club :  Kispest Honved
Caps : 101 Games (11 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1954, 1958 (8 Games)
Club Honours :  5 Times Hungarian League
1959 Mitropa Cup
International Honours :  1954 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1954 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team

“Cucu” Jozsef Bozsik was one of the world-class players in “The Magic Magyars” The Hungary Golden team. In his era, Bozsik was considered the best attacking half-back in the world. This position is the same as defensive midfielder in the present. He was known for his flawless technique, flair, tactical nous, passing accuracy and creativity, although he suffered from a lack of pace. He was often used as a deep lying playmaker where his tackling ability was also helpful. Throughout his career, Bozsik won many honours and was even made a Member of Parliament. Bozsik was voted 6th European footballer of the year in the first year of this award. Besides, He was voted the third place Hungary’s player of century by IFFHS’s poll only to Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Kocsis.



4. Frank Rijkaard

 

Date Of Birth : 30 September 1962
Nation :  Netherlands
Height : 190 cm
Major Club :  AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam
Caps : 73 Games (10 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1990, 1994 (8 Games)
Club Honours :  5 Times Dutch Champions
2 Times Italian Series A
3 Times Dutch Cups
1987 UEFA Cup Winners Cup
3 Times European Cup (1989, 1990, 1995)
1993 European Cup Runner-Up
2 Times Intercontinental Cup (1989, 1990)
International Honours :  1988 European Championship Winners
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Dutch Golden Shoe (1985, 1987)
2 Times Bronze Ball European Footballer Of The Year (1988, 1989)
1988 European Championship Team Of Tournament
1992 Guerin Italian Series A Footballer Of The Year

Frank Rijkaard is regarded by many as the greatest defensive midfielder ever to play the game. His primitive race is Suriname. He started his professional career as central defender but he was transformed into a world-class holding midfielder at AC Milan and became an indispensable player alongside his comrades like Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten to build their glory year. Rijkaard basically played as man’s marker for Netherlands national team. He possessed tremendous determination and excellent technique, both of which served him well in controlling the middle of the field. His vision and ability to advance forward also made him a formidable defensive force. Rijkaard was remembered of his unsuitable behavior spat in Voller’s hair. This led him to be sent off and Holland finally lost to West Germany. He ended his career with a luxury scene winning the first UEFA Champion League in 1995.In spite of a defensive player, He scored more than 150 goals in all club competition.


3. Lothar Matthaus

 

Date Of Birth : 21 March 1961
Nation :  Germany
Height : 175 cm
Major Club :  Inter Milan, Bayern Munich
Caps : 150 Games (23 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998 (25 Games)
Club Honours :  7 Times Bundesliga Champions
1 Time Italian Series A
2 Times DFB-Pokal
2 Times UEFA Cup (1991, 1996)
2 Times UEFA Champion League Runner-Up (1987, 1999)
International Honours :  1990 FIFA World Cup Winners
1986 FIFA World Cup Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1978 Bravo Award
1990 European Footballer Of The Year
1990 FIFA World Cup Silver Ball
1990 World Soccer Player Of The Year
1990 Onze d’Or
1991 FIFA World Player Of The Year
1991 Silver Ball European Footballer Of The Year
1991 Bronze Ball Onze d’Or
2 Times German Footballer Of The Year (1990, 1999)
1988 European Championship Team Of Tournament

“The Superman” Lothar Matthaus is a powerful dynamo midfielder, has played in five World Cups more than any other outfield player, and holds the record for the most World Cup appearances with 25 games. He also played in Euro 80, 84, 88, and 2000. He is the most capped German player of all time with 150. Maradona said about Matthäus "he is the best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him". During his career, he usually played as a box-to-box midfielder which was the centre of the team to operate both defensive and offensive games. Kicker Magazine rated him as a world-class player in World Cup 1986, 1990 and 8 international-class seasons as a midfielder in Bundesliga. However, He also reaches 3 world-class years at Inter Milan where he won many big individual awards. Aside from 1990 and 1991, He won 4th in Ballon’ Dor. Afterwards, He moved down to play as Libero, was rated a half world-class season and 5.5 seasons international-class, noted for his two years injury. He was renowned for his perceptive passing, positional sense, movement, tireless, acceleration and well-timed tackling, as well as his explosive shot. All in all, He played in professional level for 22 seasons. Matthaus was voted 15th World’s player of century in IFFHS’s poll and the same place in UEFA Jubilee’s poll.



2. Didi

 

Date Of Birth : 8 October 1929
Nation :  Brazil
Height : cm
Major Club :  Fluminese
Caps : 68 Games (20 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1954, 1958, 1962 (15 Games)
Club Honours :  4 Times Campeonato Carioca
International Honours :  2 Times FIFA World Cup Winners (1958, 1962)
3 Times Copa America Runner-Up (1953, 1957, 1959)
1952 Pan American Games
Individual Achievement : 1958 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
Brazil Football Museum Hall Of Fame

Valdir Pereira “Didi” is considered to be one of the greatest midfielder ever. He had incredibly accurate passing, ball controlling, vision, great stamina and strength. He played as holding creative midfielder and created many of assists to Brazil’s strikers and scored a lot of goals by his own. Didi is credited as the inventor of the unpredictable “Dry Leaf” or “Banana” free-kick technique, where the ball would swerve seemingly downwards at the right time resulting in a goal. Despite his great reputation after the 1958 World Cup which he won player of the tournament, He moved to Real Madrid and played only 19 matches for the Spaniards and often clashed with the team leader Alfredo Di Stéfano, who felt offended by the divide in the fan’s attention with this newcomer; this situation precipitated his exit from the club. Didi was voted 20th World’s player of century by IFFHS’s poll.



1. Duncan Edwards

 

Date Of Birth : 11 October 1936
Nation :  England
Height : 180 cm
Major Club :  Manchester United
Caps : 18 Games
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours :  2 Times English Top Division
International Honours :  None
Individual Achievement : 1957 Bronze Ball European Footballer Of The Year


“Big Dunc” Duncan Edwards is the most regrettable losing in history of football. He was one of the victims who died as a result of the Munich air disaster when his age was just 21 year olds. There is certainly no enough his profile to consider him as reasonable. Nonetheless, Edwards had gotten everything indicating him would go on his road to be as one of the greatest British footballer ever. He was a starter to play for Manchester United at his only 17 year olds of age and already played for almost five seasons with 177 games and won two Top Division Titles. Also, He was caps 18 matches for England national team. Moreover, He won the third place in European footballer of the year in 1957 despite his only 20 year olds. In abilities, Duncan Edwards was a completed and versatile midfielder the world has ever seen. As a defensive midfielder, He could switch to play as center-back or even striker when needed. His greatest asset is physical strength, stamina, toughness, his level of authority on the pitch and dynamic coming forward, the power and timing of his tackles, his ability to pass and shoot equally well with both feet, his surging runs up the pitch and was equally skilled at heading the ball and at striking fierce long-range shots. All in all, Edwards had gone his early career as great as the likes of Pele and Maradona.

Скоро се уопште не слажем са овом листом... Кренувши од тога да нема Пирла и Сколса, па да је на првом месту играч који се само 4 године бавио фудбалом, па да је Бобан испред Лампарда, да у топ10 није Макелеле