OT - Good World Cup Feature on ESPN
I know this board has a lot of Soccer fans, so this ought to be a good read for you or for others who want to learn a little about the sport and its players prior to this Summer's World Cup.
Bios for the best 50 players in the world (according to ESPN).
Of note -- Messi is number one. No surprise, the man (he's only 22), is just a magician. Not since Maradona have I seen a player like him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t3KgXbxHnc
Spain - 9 players in the top 40. Wonder who the favorites are going to be this year.
Donovan -- comes in at number 50. Great player, but I'm guessing this was a little US bias to get one in the top 50.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/page/worldcup101-0301201…
His armband proved he was a red
Torres, Torres
'You'll never walk alone', it said
Torres, Torres
We bought the lad from sunny Spain
He gets the ball, he scores again
Fernando Torres, Liverpool's number nine!
na nar na nar
na nar na nar
na nar na nar
na nar na nar
Fernando Torres, Liverpool's number nine!
EDIT: I changed my mind and turned off autoplay, probably a little too obnoxious. Even for me.
I just read that list and it's pretty accurate for the most part. However, a few things stuck out...
Pato should be on there. That kid is easily the best player for Milan and should be starting with Luis Fabiano up top. I'm not sure if that will happen but in my mind that would be a lethal striking tandem for Brazil. And an argument could be made for both Robinho and Ronaldinho, particularly the latter who has been having a good year. Oh, and about Donovan, yeah whatever, it was cool to see a U.S. player on there. And I love that Marquez didn't get in there.
Even though it's obvious, after reading that list it is easy to see why Spain is so dominant. They are so talented and so damn deep.
+1 For hating on Marquez.
Nice find. Donovan on the list is entertaining, but c’mon.
I don’t know if anyone has heard but the Pontiac Silverdome is hosting The Greenbowl this summer. Ghana will be there featuring Michael Essien, #10 rated player on the ESPN list. Great player!
I've heard that Brock Olivo, Bennie Blades, Cory Schlesinger, and Jerry ball will be there to re-open the stadium...lol
http://www.africansoccerunion.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=art…
I actually heard Tracy Scroggins will be emceeing.
the list is of the top 50 players in the 2010 World Cup so with that being said, I can see why Landycakes Donoman made the list.
Good list for the most part and a really interesting read. Amazing how good these guys get at such early ages.
It did seem to me like there were a few too many strikers though, and definitely some guys that were there based on reputation rather than current skill level, Henry and Ballack for instance. I'd put Donovan over either of those two.
Because I don't watch that much soccer after having played it my whole life (I can't get into games too boring). I don't know if I'd compare Messi to Maradona I mean come on. Dude has some pretty good footwork but honestly I didn't see a goal that was an amazing shot or anything.
But yeah he definitely has some handles.
Personally I think Christian Ronaldo is number one but thats just my opinion. Ronaldo has the cockiness and attitude that makes him better thank Messi. I also believe that in his photoshoot with megan fox he end up screwing her anyone ever see the list of the girls hes been with? pretty impressive. As far as the game goes messi has some sick goals but ronaldo has some real fancy footwork
Ronaldo is the most talented, but Messi is a ridiculous talent himself and a much better teammate imo. Ronaldo's game is predicated on 1-on-1 (or 1-on-3) moves that hurt the flow of his teams' game. Granted, he's the best in the world at that, but Messi is a more creative distributor and if I were a top-flight striker I would much rather play with Messi.
He doesn't play striker, he plays winger. Messi is at his best cutting in from the wing.
hence why i said if i were a striker i would want to play WITH Messi not Ronaldo
Six Frenchmen in the top 45, and yet the team barely snuck in the field. Doesn't say too much about Raymond Domenech as a manager.
I guess you could say they were HANDED the spot.
As someone pointed out, it's top players in the World Cup, which means guys like Shay Given or Andrei Arshavin are not on the list.
So I could see Landon on there. He's probably in the top 100 players in the world. Maybe.