| World class players since 2000 17:01 - Nov 26 with 1536 views | RobTheMonk |
Further on from the Maradona vs Ronaldo/Messi thread, who would you have as exceptional players since 2020? Not including Ronaldo and Messi as they've been on a level of their own.
I'm going to start with a three:
Pirlo - Oh my word. There was about 4 years where he was playing on another level with his forward passing. Wonderful player to watch.
Phillip Lahm - Absolute German efficiency.
Iniesta and Xavi - Counting them as one as together they were brilliant.
Loads more that I've missed. Give us your best! [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 17:02]
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:02 - Nov 26 with 1201 views | homer_123 |
Judge |  |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:06 - Nov 26 with 1179 views | Herbivore |
Neuer I would say. Ronaldinho's prime came post-2000 so I'd include him too. |  |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:07 - Nov 26 with 1172 views | Weekender |
Zlatan. Incredible forward. |  |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:07 - Nov 26 with 1169 views | OhDavidMcgoldrick |
Michael Owen - won a Ballon D'or in his prime and was both unplayable/uncatchable at times |  |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:07 - Nov 26 with 1165 views | hype313 |
Read that as Philip Ham for a moment. |  |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:08 - Nov 26 with 1160 views | tractorboy1978 |
Kimmich. | | | |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:08 - Nov 26 with 1158 views | hype313 |
Bale and Virgil Van Dyke | |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:09 - Nov 26 with 1158 views | RobTheMonk |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:07 - Nov 26 by Weekender |
Zlatan. Incredible forward. |
Ridiculous player. He's a black belt in Taekwondo too. | | | |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:09 - Nov 26 with 1153 views | Weekender |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:07 - Nov 26 by Weekender |
Zlatan. Incredible forward. |
Buffon.
When did Zidane retire? | |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:10 - Nov 26 with 1149 views | clive_baker |
Since 2000 I'm not sure if Zidane counts, he was still playing in 2000.
Rui Costa
Figo
Magilton |  |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:11 - Nov 26 with 1137 views | RobTheMonk |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:08 - Nov 26 by hype313 |
Bale and Virgil Van Dyke |
Bale in that Inter game was something else. | | | |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:11 - Nov 26 with 1133 views | BlueBadger |
Zidane.
Total class. Could pretty much do everything. |  |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:14 - Nov 26 with 1118 views | Giant_Midget |
Raul
Figo
Henry |  | | |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:14 - Nov 26 with 1118 views | Enigma_Blue |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:02 - Nov 26 by homer_123 |
Judge |
Nah he is not fit to face Douglas' boots. | | | |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:20 - Nov 26 with 1104 views | Ace_High1 |
Another interesting debate is that in the 90's/early 00's there seemed to be more "world class" players - Zidane, Ronaldo, Del Piero etc etc (how good was Serie A then!?), but the overall standard was not as good so a big gap between the top players and then the rest of the players in the league.
Now the overall standard is better, but there are such few truly world class players outside of Messi/Ronaldo. |  | | |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:24 - Nov 26 with 1080 views | RobTheMonk |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:20 - Nov 26 by Ace_High1 |
Another interesting debate is that in the 90's/early 00's there seemed to be more "world class" players - Zidane, Ronaldo, Del Piero etc etc (how good was Serie A then!?), but the overall standard was not as good so a big gap between the top players and then the rest of the players in the league.
Now the overall standard is better, but there are such few truly world class players outside of Messi/Ronaldo. |
Agreed. I think the culture has changed in the game - less boozing for instance. The top leagues are all full of athletes now so it takes someone especially special to stand out. [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 17:24]
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:29 - Nov 26 with 1065 views | Enigma_Blue |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:20 - Nov 26 by Ace_High1 |
Another interesting debate is that in the 90's/early 00's there seemed to be more "world class" players - Zidane, Ronaldo, Del Piero etc etc (how good was Serie A then!?), but the overall standard was not as good so a big gap between the top players and then the rest of the players in the league.
Now the overall standard is better, but there are such few truly world class players outside of Messi/Ronaldo. |
I don't know about that I would class the following players all as world class.
Aguero
Dr Bruyne
Hazard
Mbappee
Griezman
Eriksson
Bale
Van Dyke
Saurez
Modric
Kane
Aubamayang
Lewandovski
Muller
Silva
Neymar [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 17:30]
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:37 - Nov 26 with 1028 views | Ace_High1 |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:29 - Nov 26 by Enigma_Blue |
I don't know about that I would class the following players all as world class.
Aguero
Dr Bruyne
Hazard
Mbappee
Griezman
Eriksson
Bale
Van Dyke
Saurez
Modric
Kane
Aubamayang
Lewandovski
Muller
Silva
Neymar [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 17:30]
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Not saying only Messi/Ronaldo but the point was in the 90;s there were so many more.
Look at that list there, likes or Eriksen, Modric, Muller not fit to lace the boots of Zidane, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Figo etc.
Think of the PL - Kane and Aguero are quality, but after that?
Start of the 200's we had the likes of peak Owen, then Van Nistelrooy and Henry - 2 of the best goalscorer ever seen. Even at PL level Fowler, Shearer, Sheringham, Cole, Yorke - who have we got now likes of Martial, Lacazette!?
I am not saying there are not world class players now, but there were so many more back then. [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 17:39]
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:40 - Nov 26 with 1015 views | Swansea_Blue |
Yes, ticks against all of them.
And then following on with another midfielder. Little fella. Made his name at Spurs, Harry liked him. Modric. |  |
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| World class players since 2000 on 17:43 - Nov 26 with 1004 views | Herbivore |
| World class players since 2000 on 17:37 - Nov 26 by Ace_High1 |
Not saying only Messi/Ronaldo but the point was in the 90;s there were so many more.
Look at that list there, likes or Eriksen, Modric, Muller not fit to lace the boots of Zidane, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Figo etc.
Think of the PL - Kane and Aguero are quality, but after that?
Start of the 200's we had the likes of peak Owen, then Van Nistelrooy and Henry - 2 of the best goalscorer ever seen. Even at PL level Fowler, Shearer, Sheringham, Cole, Yorke - who have we got now likes of Martial, Lacazette!?
I am not saying there are not world class players now, but there were so many more back then. [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 17:39]
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Some of this is down to rose-tinted glasses as well though. | |
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| World class players since 2000 on 18:02 - Nov 26 with 974 views | Ftnfwest |
It always leaves me thinking ‘what actually is world class defined as?’ To me it’s any player who could reasonably get a game for the majority of say the top 16 teams in the world as well as his own. Would leave England currently with a few border line candidates, maybe Kane as the only likely one. |  | | |
| World class players since 2000 on 18:09 - Nov 26 with 971 views | Ace_High1 |
| World class players since 2000 on 18:02 - Nov 26 by Ftnfwest |
It always leaves me thinking ‘what actually is world class defined as?’ To me it’s any player who could reasonably get a game for the majority of say the top 16 teams in the world as well as his own. Would leave England currently with a few border line candidates, maybe Kane as the only likely one. |
Not saying they are all world class, but as per your definition of getting into the top teams:
Trent Alexander Arnold
Sterling
Sancho
Kane [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 18:10]
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| World class players since 2000 on 18:13 - Nov 26 with 957 views | Ftnfwest |
| World class players since 2000 on 18:09 - Nov 26 by Ace_High1 |
Not saying they are all world class, but as per your definition of getting into the top teams:
Trent Alexander Arnold
Sterling
Sancho
Kane [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 18:10]
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Well I’d say the other 3 are borderline but yes. To me ‘world class’ means you wouldn’t look out of place in 95-99% of any national team in the world. | | | |
| World class players since 2000 on 18:15 - Nov 26 with 956 views | WD19 |
| World class players since 2000 on 18:09 - Nov 26 by Ace_High1 |
Not saying they are all world class, but as per your definition of getting into the top teams:
Trent Alexander Arnold
Sterling
Sancho
Kane [Post edited 26 Nov 2020 18:10]
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Can’t believe TAA gets a shout and Ashley Cole doesn’t get a mention. |  | | |
| World class players since 2000 on 18:22 - Nov 26 with 933 views | gtsb1966 |
Paul Scholes |  | | |
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