National team all time XIs

antohan said:
Cracking sides from Denmark and Brasil so far.

Uruguay:

Mazurkiewicz
Nasazzi Santamaria
Andrade Varela Gambetta
Scarone Rocha Schiaffino
Morena Francescoli

Tells you the whole story when the only player I can realistically pick from the last couple of decades is Enzo :(
​
Click to expand...

What a player though, such a joy to watch!
 
Snow said:
Albert Guðmundsson was, I think, the first professional football player from N-Europe. He was the 2nd non-Briton to play for Arsenal. Also played for AC Milan, Rangers and Nancy. Later became a minister and once punched a reporter for asking him a question he didn't like. Great man.

Along with Eiður Guðjonsen and Ásgeir Siguvinsson they're considered the best ever players from Iceland. Ásgeir was voted the best by a host of people, mostly former footballers and pundits. He played the majority of his career with Standard and Stuttgart and a brief spell with Bayern in between.

I'm sure you recognize the back 4. All played a long time in the PL. The goalkeeper spent most of his career in Norway, mostly for Rosenborg. He played one game for City and it was quite a memorable game. Check it out on youtube.

Arnór Guðjohnsen is Eiður's dad. Way ahead of his time, for Icelanders, in technical ability. Great player who felt most at home in Belgium back when their league was good.

I put Siggy Jónsson in there to balance out the midfield. A hard tackler. Played for Arsenal a bit but not much because he was mostly injured whilst there.

Rúnar Kristinsson is our most capped player. Only player to reach 100 caps. Applied his trade in Scandinavia and Belgium like so many other Icelanders.

It's actually a very balanced team that I've picked. Iceland has never had a team balance like this one or a team as good and probably never will until very late in my lifetime. Our current national team is probably the most promising team ever but I reckon none of them would make this team.
Click to expand...

Wow. Thanks for the information mate, I wish I could comment more but my knowledge on these guys is very limited!

I do recognise that back four though.
 
Theon said:
Bit attacking.

Anyone do a good Italian, Dutch or German one?
Click to expand...

Trying one:

---------------Van Der Sar------------------------

Suurbier--- Koeman --- De Boer --- Van Bronckhorst

------------Riijkard---------Guullit-----------------

----------- Neeskens------------------Cruyff------

------------Bergkamp------------Van Basten------

Again, not the best balanced team.
 
Brwned said:
A little but that's a rock-solid defence and Di Stefano realistically would be all over the pitch bring the total footballer that he was. You could get rid of Batistuta and bring Monti in for the more balanced 4231 but who can leave out Batigol?

Italy

Zoff
Burgnich Scirea Baresi Facchetti
Tardelli Rivera
Conti Baggio Donadoni
Riva

Subs: Buffon, Maldini, Gentile, Pirlo, Mazzola, Meazza & Piola.​
Click to expand...

Strange decision to not include Pirlo and Maldini there. You think that Facchetti was better than Maldini? And an interesting decision, was Zoff really better than Buffon? From what I have seen I don't think that there is that much to choose between them.
 
Casillas
Ramos Puyol Hierro Camacho
Suarez Xavi
Gento Iniesta Villa
Raul​

Di Stefano in for Villa if you want to count him.
 
Revan said:
Trying one:

---------------Van Der Sar------------------------

Suurbier--- Koeman --- De Boer --- Van Bronckhorst

------------Riijkard---------Guullit-----------------

----------- Neeskens------------------Cruyff------

------------Bergkamp------------Van Basten------

Again, not the best balanced team.
Click to expand...

Just drop Neeskens into a three man midfield and it's sorted. Van Bronckhorst ahead of Krol is the one that jumps out at me.
 
Brwned said:
A little but that's a rock-solid defence and Di Stefano realistically would be all over the pitch bring the total footballer that he was. You could get rid of Batistuta and bring Monti in for the more balanced 4231 but who can leave out Batigol?

Italy

Zoff
Burgnich Scirea Baresi Facchetti
Tardelli Rivera
Conti Baggio Donadoni
Riva

Subs: Buffon, Maldini, Gentile, Pirlo, Mazzola, Meazza & Piola.​
Click to expand...


Rivera :drool:


Revan said:
Trying one:

---------------Van Der Sar------------------------

Suurbier--- Koeman --- De Boer --- Van Bronckhorst

------------Riijkard---------Guullit-----------------

----------- Neeskens------------------Cruyff------

------------Bergkamp------------Van Basten------

Again, not the best balanced team.
Click to expand...

Krol has to be in there for Van Bronchorst, who I may be being unfair to but shouldn't be near this team IMO.
 
Revan said:
Strange decision to not include Pirlo and Maldini there. You think that Facchetti was better than Maldini? And an interesting decision, was Zoff really better than Buffon? From what I have seen I don't think that there is that much to choose between them.
Click to expand...

Depends on what day you ask me, I don't think there's much between Maldini and Facchetti at all. Same for Buffon/Zoff. Maldini-Baresi obviously fits in perfectly but then Facchetti and Burgnich - two of the driving forces of the most revered defences in history - alongside two of the best centre backs to play the game fits nicely too. If you ask Milan fans they'll tell you Rivera's the king and Pirlo's just not on the same level. Buffon could sneak in because the 00s are poorly represented I suppose.
 
Revan said:
Strange decision to not include Pirlo and Maldini there. You think that Facchetti was better than Maldini? And an interesting decision, was Zoff really better than Buffon? From what I have seen I don't think that there is that much to choose between them.
Click to expand...

Both very tight calls, not much in it. I was more surprised about Donadoni... surely Italy must have produced a better player to put there? He was a good player but sticks out like a sore thumb in that company.

Can't think of any that I have seen though, in fairness.
 
Fergus' son said:
Rivera :drool:


Krol has to be in there for Van Bronchorst, who I may be being unfair to but shouldn't be near this team IMO.
Click to expand...

For the first part you're probably right. For the second part, I don't think so, Gio is one of the most capped players for Holland, and has played in 3 World Cups for them.

Brwned said:
Depends on what day you ask me, I don't think there's much between Maldini and Facchetti at all. Same for Buffon/Zoff. Maldini-Baresi obviously fits in perfectly but then Facchetti and Burgnich - two of the driving forces of the most revered defences in history - alongside two of the best centre backs to play the game fits nicely too. If you ask Milan fans they'll tell you Rivera's the king and Pirlo's just not on the same level. Buffon could sneak in because the 00s are poorly represented I suppose.
Click to expand...

Haven't seen that much of Facchetti. About Buffon/Zoff I really agree with you. I think that both of them comfortably are in top 5 keepers of all time and there is really hard to choose between them.

About Pirlo, I meant to replace Tardelli with him. Rivera - of course not - he's probably the best Italian player of all time. And finally, as strange as it sounds, I think that Totti could have been in first XI for Italy. Shame for him that he never played in a big team, so he won't remember as one of the all time greats.
 
Revan said:
For the first part you're probably right. For the second part, I don't think so, Gio is one of the most capped players for Holland, and has played in 3 World Cups for them.
Click to expand...

Stats can be tricky, who was their realistic choice at LB? I also find him a bit meh myself. Solid player but quite ordinary really.
 
Jayvin said:
Australia XI:

---------------------------------Mark Bosnich

---------------------Lucas Neill - Craig Moore - Tony Vidmar

------Brett Emerton----------------------------------------Scott Chipperfield

-------------------------Paul Okon-----------Ned Zelic

-----------------------------------Tim Cahill


--------------------------------------Harry Kewell
------------------------------Mark Viduka
Click to expand...

I'd add Ray Baartz to that team...
 
Fergus' son said:
Pick a country and suggest thier all time best elevens. I'll start us off with England.

Banks
Armfield Wright Moore Hughes
Robson Charlton Scholes
Matthews Greaves Finney​

I think Gazza, Keegan and Edwards are unlucky, the latter because I'v hardly seen much of him. The full backs were difficult to think of too, any alternatives?
Click to expand...

Was Bobby Moore really better than Ferdinand? As a serious question I mean, I am in no position to comment.
 
antohan said:
Stats can be tricky, who was their realistic choice at LB? I also find him a bit meh myself. Solid player but quite ordinary really.
Click to expand...

Yeah they can, but he played more than 100 games for them, played in 3 World Cups (1998, 2006, 2010) with three different managers in a space of 12 years, while he was the captain of the Dutch side - which was not as talented as Cruyff's team - a side that was more near than any other Holland team to win the World Cup. I definitely think that he was more than just ordinary.
 
Mr. MUJAC said:
I'd add Ray Baartz to that team...
Click to expand...

Yeah, Johnny Warren should be in there too, but as with Baartz, Yankos and the rest of the WC 74 generation, I've never seen them play! So I decided to opt for a more contemporary team.
 
Brwned said:
A little but that's a rock-solid defence and Di Stefano realistically would be all over the pitch bring the total footballer that he was. You could get rid of Batistuta and bring Monti in for the more balanced 4231 but who can leave out Batigol?

Italy

Zoff
Burgnich Scirea Baresi Facchetti
Tardelli Rivera
Conti Baggio Donadoni
Riva

Subs: Buffon, Maldini, Gentile, Pirlo, Mazzola, Meazza & Piola.​
Click to expand...

Seeing as it's Italy I'd go 5 at the back, drop Conti and Donadoni play narrow with FB's pushing on. Maldini next to Baresi with Scirea sweeping behind, push Baggio slightly higher behind Riva..

Who for the third midfield spot though? Could play Pirlo behind Tardelli and Rivera but that's overkill with three CB's there.
 
antohan said:
Both very tight calls, not much in it. I was more surprised about Donadoni... surely Italy must have produced a better player to put there? He was a good player but sticks out like a sore thumb in that company.

Can't think of any that I have seen though, in fairness.
Click to expand...

You can drop the idea of wingers and go with a classic Italian 4312 but you'll need a more attacking fullback than Burgnich (or Bergomi). Maldini and Facchetti were both naturally right footed, surely you could stick one of them there? Pirlo, Tardelli and Rivera in midfield, Baggio as the #10 with Riva and Meazza up top.
 
KingEric7 said:
Was Bobby Moore really better than Ferdinand? As a serious question I mean, I am in no position to comment.
Click to expand...

I think so, yes. Unbelievable leader too.

Revan said:
For the first part you're probably right. For the second part, I don't think so, Gio is one of the most capped players for Holland, and has played in 3 World Cups for them.



Haven't seen that much of Facchetti. About Buffon/Zoff I really agree with you. I think that both of them comfortably are in top 5 keepers of all time and there is really hard to choose between them.

About Pirlo, I meant to replace Tardelli with him. Rivera - of course not - he's probably the best Italian player of all time. And finally, as strange as it sounds, I think that Totti could have been in first XI for Italy. Shame for him that he never played in a big team, so he won't remember as one of the all time greats.
Click to expand...

Yet still I wouldn't have him near the team, I'd even place Stam in there ahead of him with one of the others taking up position as the wingback.
 
Germany

Kahn
Vogts Beckenbauer Kohler
F. Walter Matthäus Netzer Breitner
Seeler Müller Völler​

Some debatable decisions in here. Some suggested Ballack due to his performances in the WC 2002 and 2006. Sepp Maier instead of Kahn in goal, although Kahn was the best in the world 2001/2002 and won player of the tournament in the WC 2002.

A few other substitutes: Toni Schumacher, Andreas Brehme, Guido Buchwald, Wolfgang Overath, Jupp Heynckes, Karlheinz Rummenigge, Jürgen Klinsmann, Miroslav Klose.
 
Maier
Brehme Sammer Kholer Schenillinger
Beckenbauer Breitner
Overath Matthaus Netzer
Muller​
 
Brwned said:
You can drop the idea of wingers and go with a classic Italian 4312 but you'll need a more attacking fullback than Burgnich (or Bergomi). Maldini and Facchetti were both naturally right footed, surely you could stick one of them there? Pirlo, Tardelli and Rivera in midfield, Baggio as the #10 with Riva and Meazza up top.
Click to expand...

Reasonable option, I'm still stumped as far as Italian wingers go (considering Conti could play either side). But then the attacking RB dilemma comes up... It's good to see Italy also struggling to maintain the quality across the board, I was completely at a loss as far as Uruguayan leftbacks went, even considered throwing Montero out there or else it was Caceres/Pereira.

Then I realised I may as well play the way our great sides played and up came Gambetta: the man the dribble is named after in the Spanish speaking world :D
 
Fergus' son said:
Wow. Thanks for the information mate, I wish I could comment more but my knowledge on these guys is very limited!

I do recognise that back four though.
Click to expand...

Any chance to throw some Icelandic football in here. There's a very limited demand for it despite a lot of interesting fact.

For example, Ívar Ingimarsson just hung up his boots last summer. Moved back to his home town. It has a little over 100 people. People here didn't really know that he existed until he was about 22. That's why he never got any youth caps.

Hermann Hreiðarsson only started playing football when he was 16.

Whilst at Milan, Albert Guðmundsson broke his knee. Milan didn't want to risk an operation, despite Inter's doctor offering to do it, so he bought out his contract and had the operation, which was a success.

A player that barely missed out, Atli Eðvaldsson, played as center back and a striker. He once scored 5 goals in a single Bundesliga match and the next day he scored for the national team back in Iceland. One of few still to have scored 5 in a single match in the top leagues.

A lot of out players used to get fecked over before the Bosman ruling came into place. What a great dude that Jean-Marc Bosman was in terms of what he did for football.
 
Maier
Brehme Vogts Beckenbauer Schwarzenbeck Breitner
Overath Matthäus Netzer
Rumenigge Müller

Subs: Kahn, Kohler, Sammer, Walter, Häßler, Rahn & Klinsmann.​
 
Brwned said:
Maier
Brehme Vogts Beckenbauer Schwarzenbeck Breitner
Overath Matthäus Netzer
Rumenigge Müller

Subs: Kahn, Kohler, Sammer, Walter, Häßler, Rahn & Klinsmann.​
Click to expand...

That's beautifully constructed.
 
Arruda said:
This will be biased towards more recent times as I don't know for certain how good were some of our more "classic" players.

--------------------------Vitor Baía------------------------------

João Pinto---Ricardo Carvalho---Humberto Coelho---Augusto Inácio

-------------------------António André--------------------------
-----------------------------------------Deco-------------------
---------------------Rui Costa------------------------------------

Figo---------------------------------------------------C. Ronaldo
--------------------------Eusébio--------------------------------

Plenty of debatable things in there, but I gave it a shot. I think João Pinto, Coelho, Rui Costa and the front three are set in stone there though.
Click to expand...

No Pauleta?
 
Brwned said:
Maier
Brehme Vogts Beckenbauer Schwarzenbeck Breitner
Overath Matthäus Netzer
Rumenigge Müller

Subs: Kahn, Kohler, Sammer, Walter, Häßler, Rahn & Klinsmann.​
Click to expand...

I don't want to start an argument but I find the inclusion of half of these remarkable, as my understanding is, that you're in your early twenties.
 
Shilton
G Neville
Ferdinand
Moore
A Cole
Robson
Charlton
Edwards
Matthews
Greaves
Finney

Not sure that Scholes and Charlton can both be in as they play the same position. Edwards for Scholes to give more solidity (no need for Gerrard as he doesn't offer anything that Charlton and Robson can't do). Maybe Moore and Ferdinand are too similar, and replace one by Campbell. Greaves is iffy - he went right off the boil for England under Ramsey. Taylor, Keegan, Lineker, Shearer or Rooney instead?
 
I would put up a Norwegian team, but it would be too awsome for some of you and it would simply ruin the thread.
 
antohan said:
Cracking sides from Denmark and Brasil so far.

Uruguay:

Mazurkiewicz
Nasazzi----Santamaria
Andrade-------Varela-------Gambetta
Scarone---Rocha---Schiaffino
Morena---Francescoli

Tells you the whole story when the only player I can realistically pick from the last couple of decades is Enzo :(
​
Click to expand...

I'd personally have Paolo Montero on a possible top South American side of all time. A complete beast.
 
Brwned said:
Rivelino over Pelé is like picking Ronaldinho over Ronaldo. With Didi, Socrates and Zico there already Rivelino is just greedy.

Argentina

Fillol
Zanetti Perfumo Passarella Marzolini
Redondo Di Stefano
Messi-------Maradona
Batistuta Moreno

Subs: Carrizo, Ayala, Monti, Orsi, Sivori, Perdernera & Labruna.​
Click to expand...
very accurate, maybe I´d change Di Stefano for another, he only played 6 games for the NT.
 
Leroy The Red said:
Record scorer though, maybe he could have dropped a midfielder. Hell, he's Portuguese he knows more than me but still top scorer, surely deserves a spot.
Click to expand...

He's not in the same class as the players he is competing with, record scorer or not IMO.
 
Fergus' son said:
He's not in the same class as the players he is competing with, record scorer or not IMO.
Click to expand...

António André

Could drop him. 19 caps apparently. Surely the top scorer is worth more. Though Arruda is a Porto fan, that has clouded his judgment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.