Village Idiot

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.

Incidentally one of the reasons I love Sir Bobby is because he bought him

New Racing owner Ali Syed to announce a €30m cash injection into Racing Santander, in the form of shares. He has also invited his pal Hassanal Bolkiah (aka the richest man in the world in the 90s) to El Sardinero to watch their game against Real Madrid in March. Looks like they won the lottery.

He didn't like playing DM IIRC.

Nah, you had players like Arbeloa becoming Spain regulars while playing abroad (Alonso and Torres were already established). You just have to play for a media darling. That's imho, what is making him think twice about extending with you. He knows he is good enough to play for Spain.

Does he get talked about much over there? Not at all. Our media tend to ignore any foreign based player not starting for a "top" team.

We should be looking to replace the likes of Marchena/Puyol/Capdevila, don't think they'll cut it - at least as starters - for the Euro. Del Bosque just seems to cut and paste the same squad every time he makes a call, though. Can't understand why we didn't use the friendly last week to try some new legs.

Close. Ronaldo is the better goalscorer (we have a way better team to support Messi this time around, so to me Ronaldo's 34 goals are more impressive) but Messi is a better playmaker. Probably will go with Messi given the patchy career the fat one sadly had.

I think the best thing that could happen for you lot is that he got a Spain cap ASAP. I think he knows that he's getting into his prime years and being able to be in our setup while still playing for you would assuage his anxiety imho.

Still the best striker I have seen wearing our shirt. Makes me proud to know we had him at least for *that* year. Legend.

Ugh, it would have been so monumental had he crushed the French in the final You wouldn't have signed Guivarc'h!

Marcelo is the best attacking LB in the world right now.

Adebayor making Benzema look like Ronaldo tonight.

Pepe is such a twat

Dátolo for Luís García, and you complain about your striker options

Sevilla got promoted back to La Liga in 2001, and managed their first UEFA berth in 2004, and won it in 2006. I think Del Nido's presidency in 2002 is what started their current era. 3-4 years to built the basis of their current start, taking into account that Reyes, Baptista, Ramos, Dani Alves, Poulsen... got bought/developed and sold with huge profits in the process.

Xabi Alonso looks berserk. Could have had a second yellow already.