Your country's top 25 players..

[Ajacied]

Reading the Laudrup thread got me thinking about the best players in the world. But, how would you rank your own country's top 25 players? Maybe we could make our own top 100 players list, as the FIFA 125 list from 2004 is already 14 years old. Would be fun if you grade them as well, like EA's FIFA does. I'll try the Netherlands when I get home..

Click to read more...

 

[The Abusement Park]

USA: Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Tim Howard
Clint Dempsey
Christian Pulisic
Landon Donovan

 

[Ajacied]

I think the USA can actually make a fairly decent list nowadays..

Anyway, made my list, which was already partly made, but finished during my three hour train ride. Hard to mix in all types of generations, but I've gathered my fair share of information over the years..

100 – Elite.
Exceptional, once in a lifetime player. One who influenced and changed the game and could win games singlehandedly.

90 – Superstar.
Player who had the talent to lead its team to great accomplishments, had great stats and flourished for the biggest sides that were out there. Best or near best at his position during his prime.

80 – Star.
Player who lead its team and was among the best of his position, but lacked the influence, stats, longlivity, peak or accomplishments for superstardom.

70 – Good.
Quality player, but was never among the best of his position.

60 – Above average.
Never took part on the bigger stages or failed to impress for big sides.

1) Johan Cruijff – AM/RW – Ajax - 100
2) Marco van Basten – ST – Ajax - 97
3) Willem van Hanegem – DM/CM – Feyenoord - 96
4) Johan Neeskens – CM – Ajax - 94
5) Ruud Gullit – AM/SS – HFC Haarlem - 94
6) Abe Lenstra – ST – Heerenveen - 93
7) Frank Rijkaard – DM – Ajax – 92
8) Ruud Krol – LB – Ajax - 92
9) Rob Rensenbrink – LW – DWS Amsterdam - 91
10) Dennis Bergkamp – AM/SS – Ajax - 91
11) Faas Wilkes – ST – Xerxes – 91
12) Ronald Koeman – CB – FC Groningen – 91
13) Arjen Robben – LW – FC Groningen – 91
14) Piet Keizer- LW – Ajax – 90
15) Edwin van der Sar – GK – Ajax - 90
16) Willy van der Kuilen – ST – PSV - 90
17) Jaap Stam – CB – Zwolle - 90
18) Wesley Sneijder – AM – Ajax - 90
19) Ruud van Nistelrooij – ST – FC Den Bosch - 90
20) Robin van Persie – SS/ST – Feyenoord – 90
21) Edgar Davids – DM – Ajax 90
22) Clarence Seedorf – CM – Ajax – 90
23) Frank de Boer – CB –Ajax - 89
24) Patrick Kluivert – ST – Ajax - 88
25) Arie Haan – CM – Ajax - 88

Honorable mentions:
Marc Overmars, Coen Moulijn, Hans van Breukelen, Rinus Israel, Jan van Beveren, Philip Cocu.

 

[Il Mediano]

These lists are impossible to me because I always feel like I should only comment on players I've actually watched. It just seems disingenuous to rate guys I've never really seen play.

Like, I've heard Giuseppe Meazza was incredible , but I have no idea. Paolo Rossi , Dino Zoff ... I mean, even Baresi.... I don't really know how I'd rate these guys. Baggio's true prime was before I could really adequately judge players too.

So for guys I've seen , I guess it'd go something like this:

1. Maldini
2. Buffon
3. Totti
4. Pirlo
5. Nesta
6. Cannavaro
7. Del Piero
8. Costacurta
9. De Rossi
10. Chiellini
11. Inzaghi
12. Gattuso
13. Zambrotta
14. Vieri
15. Marchisio
16. Barzagli
17. Luca Toni
18. Bonucci
19. Di Natale
20. Verratti
21. Cassano
22. Insigne
23. Materazzi
24. Gilardino
25. Abbiati

I dunno , this was insanely difficult. @StevenF1919 , @Juve feel free to jump in. I'm sure you guys see it differently and I'm sure I forgot some dudes.

 

[StevenF1919]

These lists are impossible to me because I always feel like I should only comment on players I've actually watched. It just seems disingenuous to rate guys I've never really seen play.

Like, I've heard Giuseppe Meazza was incredible , but I have no idea. Paolo Rossi , Dino Zoff ... I mean, even Baresi.... I don't really know how I'd rate these guys. Baggio's true prime was before I could really adequately judge players too.

So for guys I've seen , I guess it'd go something like this:

1. Maldini
2. Buffon
3. Totti
4. Pirlo
5. Nesta
6. Cannavaro
7. Del Piero
8. Costacurta
9. De Rossi
10. Chiellini
11. Inzaghi
12. Gattuso
13. Zambrotta
14. Vieri
15. Marchisio
16. Barzagli
17. Luca Toni
18. Bonucci
19. Di Natale
20. Verratti
21. Cassano
22. Insigne
23. Materazzi
24. Gilardino
25. Abbiati

I dunno , this was insanely difficult. @StevenF1919 , @Juve feel free to jump in. I'm sure you guys see it differently and I'm sure I forgot some dudes.

I was about to chastise you for not having Baggio at the top before I read your opening paragraph haha. Not sure I'd put Abbiati anywhere near that list tbh, especially since Toldo was the far superior keeper. Beppe Signori deserves an honourable mention at least as well.

 

[Il Mediano]

Beppe Signori deserves an honourable mention at least as well.

Little before my time.

Not sure I'd put Abbiati anywhere near that list tbh, especially since Toldo was the far superior keeper.

Good call. Toss him in there. Like I said , there's just no way I'd be able to remember everyone. It was pretty hard as is.

I was about to chastise you for not having Baggio at the top

You'd have him number 1?

 

[StevenF1919]

Little before my time.



Good call. Toss him in there. Like I said , there's just no way I'd be able to remember everyone. It was pretty hard as is.



You'd have him number 1?

He was before my time but from everything I've seen/heard, he'd likely be #1.

 

[robertmac43]

This doesn't seem like the thread for a Canada National Team fan....

 

[Albatros]

1. Franz Beckenbauer
2. Fritz Walter
3. Gerd Müller
4. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
5. Lothar Matthäus
6. Jürgen Klinsmann
7. Matthias Sammer
8. Miroslav Klose
9. Uwe Seeler
10. Sepp Maier
11. Paul Breitner
12. Berti Vogts
13. Helmut Rahn
14. Wolfgang Overath
15. Max Morlock
16. Thomas Häßler
17. Rudi Völler
18. Jürgen Kohler
19. Jupp Heynckes
20. Andreas Möller
21. Bert Trautmann
22. Jürgen Grabowski
23. Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
24. Uli Hoeneß
25. Georg Schwarzenbeck

 

[Bon Esprit]

1. Franz Beckenbauer
2. Fritz Walter
3. Gerd Müller
4. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
5. Lothar Matthäus
6. Jürgen Klinsmann
7. Matthias Sammer
8. Miroslav Klose
9. Uwe Seeler
10. Sepp Maier
11. Paul Breitner
12. Berti Vogts
13. Helmut Rahn
14. Wolfgang Overath
15. Max Morlock
16. Thomas Häßler
17. Rudi Völler
18. Jürgen Kohler
19. Jupp Heynckes
20. Andreas Möller
21. Bert Trautmann
22. Jürgen Grabowski
23. Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
24. Uli Hoeneß
25. Georg Schwarzenbeck

Trautmann? Respect!
Most Germans don't know him.

Only Sammer from the ex-GDR. I read somewhere some of their player were good.

 

[Juve]

These lists are impossible to me because I always feel like I should only comment on players I've actually watched. It just seems disingenuous to rate guys I've never really seen play.

Like, I've heard Giuseppe Meazza was incredible , but I have no idea. Paolo Rossi , Dino Zoff ... I mean, even Baresi.... I don't really know how I'd rate these guys. Baggio's true prime was before I could really adequately judge players too.

So for guys I've seen, I guess it'd go something like this:

1. Maldini
2. Buffon
3. Totti
4. Pirlo
5. Nesta
6. Cannavaro
7. Del Piero
8. Costacurta
9. De Rossi
10. Chiellini
11. Inzaghi
12. Gattuso
13. Zambrotta
14. Vieri
15. Marchisio
16. Barzagli
17. Luca Toni
18. Bonucci
19. Di Natale
20. Verratti
21. Cassano
22. Insigne
23. Materazzi
24. Gilardino
25. Abbiati

I dunno , this was insanely difficult. @StevenF1919 , @Juve feel free to jump in. I'm sure you guys see it differently and I'm sure I forgot some dudes.

I can agree with with most of this list. Some of these players I watched at the end of their career. I have no clue Costacurta is. I would put Del Piero higher. It's only because I am a biased, he's my favourite player of all time.

 

[Juve]

This doesn't seem like the thread for a Canada National Team fan....

Christine Sinclair!!!!

 

[gary69]

These lists are impossible to me because I always feel like I should only comment on players I've actually watched. It just seems disingenuous to rate guys I've never really seen play.

Like, I've heard Giuseppe Meazza was incredible , but I have no idea. Paolo Rossi , Dino Zoff ... I mean, even Baresi.... I don't really know how I'd rate these guys. Baggio's true prime was before I could really adequately judge players too.

So for guys I've seen , I guess it'd go something like this:

1. Maldini
2. Buffon
3. Totti
4. Pirlo
5. Nesta
6. Cannavaro
7. Del Piero
8. Costacurta
9. De Rossi
10. Chiellini
11. Inzaghi
12. Gattuso
13. Zambrotta
14. Vieri
15. Marchisio
16. Barzagli
17. Luca Toni
18. Bonucci
19. Di Natale
20. Verratti
21. Cassano
22. Insigne
23. Materazzi
24. Gilardino
25. Abbiati

I dunno , this was insanely difficult. @StevenF1919 , @Juve feel free to jump in. I'm sure you guys see it differently and I'm sure I forgot some dudes.

Wow, that's extremely high for Costacurta if you didn't see him at his best (based on your comments on Baresi, Baggio).

 

[Gecklund]

USA: Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Tim Howard
Clint Dempsey
Christian Pulisic
Landon Donovan

Literally only players that matter.

 

[Ajacied]

Would be fun if you all could grade them as well.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Landon Donovan: 72
Clint Dempsey: 73
Christian Pulisic(currently): 69
Tim Howard: 77

 

[Ajacied]

Brad Friedel and Michael Bradley wouldn't look out of place among those you mentioned

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Brad Friedel and Michael Bradley wouldn't look out of place among those you mentioned

I’ll make a list for USA soon. I haven’t had the time to get around to it yet, but I’ve started thinking about which players will be on the list.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Brad Friedel and Michael Bradley wouldn't look out of place among those you mentioned

True!

Brad Friedel: 74
Michael Bradley: 67

 

[Ajacied]

.. or Altidore and Beasley, who both had solid periods here in the Eredivisie.

 

[Albatros]

Trautmann? Respect!
Most Germans don't know him.

Only Sammer from the ex-GDR. I read somewhere some of their player were good.

Yeah, there definitely were very fine players in the GDR as well; Jürgen Croy was an excellent goalkeeper, Dixie Dörner another fine defender, some forwards like the Ducke brothers or Joachim Streich were excellent too, but with the exception of Sammer there's a certain lack of achievement, they played in a mediocre league and never achieved much internationally so it's difficult to include them ahead of guys that had a big role in winning it all. Had they played for the DFB eleven they probably would have mastered it without much problem just like Sammer and Ulf Kirsten did.

 

[Corto]

25 is a lot. I'll do 10 for Croatia:

Luka Modric
Davor Suker
Zvonimir Boban
Ivan Rakitic
Josip Skoblar
Alen Boksic
Darijo Srna
Robert Prosinecki
Igor Tudor (high peak, career cut short by injuries)
Robert Jarni

 

[MaxV]

Top 25 is a big project, but I definitely think that the following players would be there for Russia:

Lev Yashin (G)
Eduard Streltsov (F)
Albert Shestyornov (CB)
Igor Netto (CM)
Valery Voronin (DM)
Yuriy Voynov (DM)
Valentin Ivanov (F)
Rinat Dasayev (G)
Igor Chislenko (F)
Fedor Cherenkov (RW)
Evgeny Lovchev (LB)
Anatoly Bashashkin (CB)
Gregory Fedotov (F)
Sergey Ilyin (LW)
Anatoly Maslyonkin (CB)
Viktor Ponedelnik (F)

Some of the modern guys like Arshavin and Akinfeev might make it. Mostovoy maybe also, although the guy was a major head case.

 

[StevenF1919]

25 is a lot. I'll do 10 for Croatia:

Luka Modric
Ivan Rakitic
Davor Suker
Zvonimir Boban
Josip Skoblar
Alen Boksic
Darijo Srna
Robert Prosinecki
Igor Tudor (high peak, career cut short by injuries)
Robert Jarni

Rakitic over Suker and Boban???

 

[Ducks76]

These lists are impossible to me because I always feel like I should only comment on players I've actually watched. It just seems disingenuous to rate guys I've never really seen play.

Like, I've heard Giuseppe Meazza was incredible , but I have no idea. Paolo Rossi , Dino Zoff ... I mean, even Baresi.... I don't really know how I'd rate these guys. Baggio's true prime was before I could really adequately judge players too.

So for guys I've seen , I guess it'd go something like this:

1. Maldini
2. Buffon
3. Totti
4. Pirlo
5. Nesta
6. Cannavaro
7. Del Piero
8. Costacurta
9. De Rossi
10. Chiellini
11. Inzaghi
12. Gattuso
13. Zambrotta
14. Vieri
15. Marchisio
16. Barzagli
17. Luca Toni
18. Bonucci
19. Di Natale
20. Verratti
21. Cassano
22. Insigne
23. Materazzi
24. Gilardino
25. Abbiati

I dunno , this was insanely difficult. @StevenF1919 , @Juve feel free to jump in. I'm sure you guys see it differently and I'm sure I forgot some dudes.

Where is Roberto Baggio?