Village Idiot

Love Xavi, but I have more of a soft spot for Iniesta, ever since 2005 I have always been a fan of Iniesta. He gets less recognition than Xavi but is just an exceptional player. Also in top strikers you could mention the mexican striker Hugo Sanchez if you want beautiful goals and a lot of goals Andrés still has more years at the top than Xavi, the way his game has been progressing this season he will still have a lot to say. Fingers crossed. Regarding Hugo Sánchez, Butragueño and Míchel made that Real Madrid team tick (two great players that don't get talked about given the relatively barren era Madrid went through in Europe). Ridiculously effective striker though. Tormented my youth

It's fun to talk about though, love these kind of discussions myself and remembering some of the players people bring in.

Distinct lack of Spanish players in those lists, I guess our lack of international success until recently hurts us but Luís Suárez should get a shout (and hopefully Xavi when the dust settles).

Still fail to see who's going to put those crosses for him at Liverpool. Guess it will be winger shopping time in the summer.

Not with mine. Benched for versatility and Cafu's superior attacking nous to cover Messi drifting in. Gone for the team rather than the 11 best players though. Yeah same reason I had Cafú in front of him. Cafú was just better going forward and had scary pace. Probably should have had Nesta/Passarella in the back and put Maldini to the LB instead of Roberto Carlos for some balance. I also tried to make a team, hence dropping Zidane since I already had Maradona and wanted Xavi/Redondo to dictate the game. Didn't want too many "final ball" attacking midfielders. Also I see a lot of people dropping Maradona. I guess they really didn't see him play? Believe the hype, he was *that* good and more.

I read the Argentine Barca Academy is closing? Yes. To be honest we don't get much from these schools and they're expensive. Scouting networks are just more efficient. We are expanding our facilities in Barcelona and will focus training kids here.

Team Captain.

Only going with players I have seen play in my lifetime. Schmeichel Cafú - Baresi - Maldini - R. Carlos Xavi - Redondo - Maradona Messi - Ronaldo - Van Basten Sod it, I'm playing Van Basten on the wing. Otherwise Gullit goes there. Selected bench: Passarella Gentile Matthäeus Desailly Zidane (can't get ahead of Maradona, soz) Michael Laudrup Cronaldo Platini Zico Romario Van Basten

Hehe, I admit that I don't really keep track of our U12s, far too early to judge who's going to be hot and might as well play pregnant mothers. I mostly watch Cadetes (15 years) onwards. We have a bunch of Africans entering our system due to a partnership with Eto'o's foundation.

Ah shit, the guy in front of me in my FF league has Cech in goal.

I despise Cronaldo, but to deny he is in the running for the footballing altars would be stupid. Carried ManU and carries Real Madrid. If he wasn't so stupidly selfish he would be immense (or worse, who knows).

What's Chelsea's run-in compared to Spurs? I'm starting to fear they really might not make 4th at this rate.

Enzo Francescoli, El Príncipe. One of my favorite midfielders growing up. Pretty much carried Uruguay on the 80s to a few Copa America. Sócrates from Brazil, also one of my favorite midfielders of all time.

Camacho sacked two weeks after beating Real Madrid. Mendilibar the new coach (so pretty much business as usual for Osasuna)

Didn't know that. We even get ours on the telly...

Just went and watched my old VHS tape with all the goals he scored for us. Seeing a prime Guardiola assisting him over and over And yes, he scored his fair share of goals from outside the box. He scored all kind of goals, that's what was silly about him. Maybe not headers, though.

Pele was more than a goal scorer though. Also the Brazilian league was way stronger, since they got to keep the majority of their biggest talents.

I suspect Torres might be burning out prematurely, he was a starter for Atlético since he was 17. I think a summer without international competitions will help him.

Batistuta doesn't have a patch on Ronaldo, I don't think he even has a patch on Shearer. Great "fox in the box" and striker of the ball, but not amongst the greatest imho.

Also, since he's been brought up... Van Basten's bicycle kicks :fwap:

Jorge Valdano once said after hugging him "It's like he wears a suit of armor". His strength and power at his peak were scary.

Still remember how overhyped Maturana's Bolivia was in 1994 (at least over here). Couldn't do it outside La Paz. True. They did have a couple household names like (Etcheverry & E.Sanchez) but Bolivia are always going to suffer from that problem. (aside from the general lack of infrastructure in the country) I can't believe away teams don't get humped more often in La Paz, I couldn't imagine running around there, I was knackered just from walking around. Didn't the FIFA intend to veto stadia at high altitudes? How did that end?

Still remember how overhyped him and Azkargorta's Bolivia was in 1994 (at least over here). He was comically sent off after barely touching a ball IIRC.

Pretty sure he's Rufete, I actually remember seeing him with that devil shirt. Top right is indeed Laurie Cunningham, first black player to play for Real Madrid. Not too sure about the B/W being Puskas, up to his death bed he always combed his hair towards the back.