I think it was Le Tournoi (97) that he grabbed the worlds attention. World record fee for his ability to do stepovers, seemed to get found out when he went to Spain, couldnt handle the pressure of the big money fee and think he was a bit of a party animal from memory.
70s Retro Football Fantasy Championship - DRAFT THREAD
- Thread starter Cal?
- Start date
I think it was Le Tournoi (97) that he grabbed the worlds attention. World record fee for his ability to do stepovers, seemed to get found out when he went to Spain, couldnt handle the pressure of the big money fee and think he was a bit of a party animal from memory.
Embarrassed himself in the final though -_-
Riquelme was my second choice in this whole process. I gave Ortega a real thought at that time, when choosing my attacking midfielder. Staggered it took this long.
Oh right, he was replacing Petrescu and Ferrer at right back yes. When Vialli got sacked and Ranieri came in he fell out of favour.
By no means, he was the closest to being the actual new Maradona up until Messi showed up. I remember him being linked to United once and ***ping myself silly with the notion.
It all started going wrong for him very early though. He was the scapegoat for Argentina crashing out of WC98 (he got a red card for headbutting VDS with the game level). Similar scenario as Becks, the difference being Beckham had a good manager, club and supporters -and the mindset- to become stronger.
In Ortega's case, that World Cup was supposed to be the one that would finally confirm him as Maradona's heir and it did the complete opposite. To add insult to injury, he kept being signed as Veron's replacement (bizarre concept) and not living up to it. So in the space of ~two years he had gone from next Maradona to poor man's Veron... he spiralled rather quickly after that.
He spent his thrities switching teams constantly, always with alcohol treatment clauses and always being kicked out for failing to show up for training or treatment. He was a really sad sight, sometimes you watched River and he was visibly drunk or nursing a massive hangover.
If you want to put any player off alcohol they should watch Ortega in his "prime" (23-24 years old, which hints his peak could have been much higher) and after.
1 Antohan: 1. ZIDANE 2. LUIS ENRIQUE 3. ZANETTI 4. SIMEONE 5. VIERI 6. FORLAN 7. MONTERO
2 DanNistelrooy: 1. RONALDO 2. LUCIO 3. CAFU 4. GILBERTO SILVA 5. PERNAMBUCANO 6. JUAN 7. JULIO CESAR 8. DENILSON
3 Rood: 1. RIVALDO 2. GUARDIOLA 3. R. CARLOS 4. GALLAS 5. OWEN 6. SCHNEIDER 7. DINO BAGGIO 8. MILITO
4 TheReligion: 1. NESTA 2. PUYOL 3. RUI COSTA 4. VAN BOMMEL 5. TREZEGUET 6. PERUZZI 7. AMBROSINI 8.ORTEGA
5 Cal? 1. KEANE 2. BECKHAM 3. PIRES 4. CRESPO 5. SOLSKJAER 6. G. NEVILLE 7. GROSSO 8. PANUCCI
6 Gio 1. DAVIDS 2. MENDIETA 3. VERON 4. AIMAR 5. CLAUDIO LOPEZ 6. MAKAAY 7. GAMARRA 8. BABBEL
7 Cling Bak 1. HENRY 2. RIQUELME 3. OVERMARS 4. CARVALHO 5. VDS 6. ZE ROBERTO 7. EDMILSON 8. MCMANAMAN
8 Jayvin 1. VIEIRA 2. AYALA 3. F. DE BOER 4. SCHOLL 5. JEREMIES 6. TOLDO 7. KLOSE 8. GIULY
9 kps88 1. SCHOLES 2. GATTUSO 3. CAMPBELL 4. LJUNGBERG 5. ANDY COLE 6. YORKE 7. CORDOBA 8. FERRER
10 Ralaks 1. NEDVED, 2. CANNAVARO 3. COCU 4. BARAJA 5. INZAGHI 6. MARCHENA 7. VAN BRONCKHORST 8. SALIHAMIDZIC
11 Cold Boy 1. STAM, 2. BALLACK 3. SHEVCHENKO 4. LITMANEN 5. HAMANN 6. ABIDAL 7. WILTORD 8. LAUREN
12 Zen 1. TOTTI, 2. THURAM 3. DECO 4. BUFFON 5. RAFAEL MARQUEZ 6. SENNA 7. SALGADO 8. HARRY KEWELL
13 Crustanoid 1. RAÚL, 2. DEL PIERO, 3. VAN NISTELROOY 4. ALBERTINI 5. CAMORANESI 6. EMERSON 7. SIMIC 8. IULIANO
14 Brwned 1. PIRLO, 2. R.FERDINAND, 3. ZAMBROTTA 4. SHEARER 5. HYYPIA 6. VALERON 7. SAGNOL 8. LARRSSON
15 Team Brian 1. MAKELELE, 2. SEEDORF, 3. DROGBA 4. STANKOVIC 5. W.SAMUEL 6. HELGUERA 7. HASSELBAINK 8. REIZIGER
16 Snow 1. GIGGS, 2. FIGO, 3. LAMPARD, 4. PETIT, 5. KUFFOUR, 6. KLUIVERT, 7. HEINZE, 8. FRINGS
2 DanNistelrooy: 1. RONALDO 2. LUCIO 3. CAFU 4. GILBERTO SILVA 5. PERNAMBUCANO 6. JUAN 7. JULIO CESAR 8. DENILSON
3 Rood: 1. RIVALDO 2. GUARDIOLA 3. R. CARLOS 4. GALLAS 5. OWEN 6. SCHNEIDER 7. DINO BAGGIO 8. MILITO
4 TheReligion: 1. NESTA 2. PUYOL 3. RUI COSTA 4. VAN BOMMEL 5. TREZEGUET 6. PERUZZI 7. AMBROSINI 8.ORTEGA
5 Cal? 1. KEANE 2. BECKHAM 3. PIRES 4. CRESPO 5. SOLSKJAER 6. G. NEVILLE 7. GROSSO 8. PANUCCI
6 Gio 1. DAVIDS 2. MENDIETA 3. VERON 4. AIMAR 5. CLAUDIO LOPEZ 6. MAKAAY 7. GAMARRA 8. BABBEL
7 Cling Bak 1. HENRY 2. RIQUELME 3. OVERMARS 4. CARVALHO 5. VDS 6. ZE ROBERTO 7. EDMILSON 8. MCMANAMAN
8 Jayvin 1. VIEIRA 2. AYALA 3. F. DE BOER 4. SCHOLL 5. JEREMIES 6. TOLDO 7. KLOSE 8. GIULY
9 kps88 1. SCHOLES 2. GATTUSO 3. CAMPBELL 4. LJUNGBERG 5. ANDY COLE 6. YORKE 7. CORDOBA 8. FERRER
10 Ralaks 1. NEDVED, 2. CANNAVARO 3. COCU 4. BARAJA 5. INZAGHI 6. MARCHENA 7. VAN BRONCKHORST 8. SALIHAMIDZIC
11 Cold Boy 1. STAM, 2. BALLACK 3. SHEVCHENKO 4. LITMANEN 5. HAMANN 6. ABIDAL 7. WILTORD 8. LAUREN
12 Zen 1. TOTTI, 2. THURAM 3. DECO 4. BUFFON 5. RAFAEL MARQUEZ 6. SENNA 7. SALGADO 8. HARRY KEWELL
13 Crustanoid 1. RAÚL, 2. DEL PIERO, 3. VAN NISTELROOY 4. ALBERTINI 5. CAMORANESI 6. EMERSON 7. SIMIC 8. IULIANO
14 Brwned 1. PIRLO, 2. R.FERDINAND, 3. ZAMBROTTA 4. SHEARER 5. HYYPIA 6. VALERON 7. SAGNOL 8. LARRSSON
15 Team Brian 1. MAKELELE, 2. SEEDORF, 3. DROGBA 4. STANKOVIC 5. W.SAMUEL 6. HELGUERA 7. HASSELBAINK 8. REIZIGER
16 Snow 1. GIGGS, 2. FIGO, 3. LAMPARD, 4. PETIT, 5. KUFFOUR, 6. KLUIVERT, 7. HEINZE, 8. FRINGS
Then a year later he also set a new record for most step overs in a World Cup final, or any other match for that matter. Football or otherwise.
Probably.
Need some width on my left hand side - World cup winner...
Denilson
One of the best dribblers I've ever seen, but a luxury player in my book, if useful at all.
His problem was he was in love with dribbling but completely missed the point of it all. Even Brazilians found him frustratingly pointless.
He must be the only player I've ever seen who has dribbled his way past 5-6 players from the edge of the opposition's box to his (the last couple I think actually came up to him to keep him runnig in the wrong direction rather than to disposses him). Really bizarre, and this was a World Cup game, not a bloody friendly.
I remember the Brazilian doing the commentary screaming his head off that the goal was the other way
antohan - make your fecking pick already !!
He's busy telling others where they went wrong.
I wouldnt be that bothered but Im just waiting around for my next pick at the moment!
No, I'm busy at work and need to find an alternative to Panucci.
Ivan Cordoba?
Yeah, that was my first choice before Panucci
That looks more like Lucio
Lucio
Now you're just messing with me
OK, sorry to take so long but I also had to decide on my other choice which was originally a LB.
As the draft stands there's only 2-3 teams which could possibly do with this guy but I'm not going to risk him as he is the most important one to ensure I get at this point.
He is the one I expected no one to pick as he is the classic quiet but very effective German operator. Will do a job in centre mid if needed but his primary role throughout has been precisely what I need him to do for my team.
There are only 2-3 other players drafted so far who have actually done that job successfully and only one I would rate higher.
CARSTEN RAMELOW
The point is I want my CBs to be proficient fullbacks as well so that they can cover or double up (with Ramelow filling in for them as CB).
Thus I'm not taking some top CBs that are left (but not RB, nor blessed with pace).
I've decided to ignore other options on ideological (rivalry) grounds.
And I need a RED in my team!
BUT HE IS ORANGE!
As the draft stands there's only 2-3 teams which could possibly do with this guy but I'm not going to risk him as he is the most important one to ensure I get at this point.
He is the one I expected no one to pick as he is the classic quiet but very effective German operator. Will do a job in centre mid if needed but his primary role throughout has been precisely what I need him to do for my team.
There are only 2-3 other players drafted so far who have actually done that job successfully and only one I would rate higher.
CARSTEN RAMELOW
The point is I want my CBs to be proficient fullbacks as well so that they can cover or double up (with Ramelow filling in for them as CB).
Thus I'm not taking some top CBs that are left (but not RB, nor blessed with pace).
I've decided to ignore other options on ideological (rivalry) grounds.
And I need a RED in my team!
BUT HE IS ORANGE!
Sorry to keep you waiting guys
1 Antohan: 1. ZIDANE 2. LUIS ENRIQUE 3. ZANETTI 4. SIMEONE 5. VIERI 6. FORLAN 7. MONTERO 8. RAMELOW 9. BROWN
2 DanNistelrooy: 1. RONALDO 2. LUCIO 3. CAFU 4. GILBERTO SILVA 5. PERNAMBUCANO 6. JUAN 7. JULIO CESAR 8. DENILSON
3 Rood: 1. RIVALDO 2. GUARDIOLA 3. R. CARLOS 4. GALLAS 5. OWEN 6. SCHNEIDER 7. DINO BAGGIO 8. MILITO
4 TheReligion: 1. NESTA 2. PUYOL 3. RUI COSTA 4. VAN BOMMEL 5. TREZEGUET 6. PERUZZI 7. AMBROSINI 8.ORTEGA
5 Cal? 1. KEANE 2. BECKHAM 3. PIRES 4. CRESPO 5. SOLSKJAER 6. G. NEVILLE 7. GROSSO 8. PANUCCI
6 Gio 1. DAVIDS 2. MENDIETA 3. VERON 4. AIMAR 5. CLAUDIO LOPEZ 6. MAKAAY 7. GAMARRA 8. BABBEL
7 Cling Bak 1. HENRY 2. RIQUELME 3. OVERMARS 4. CARVALHO 5. VDS 6. ZE ROBERTO 7. EDMILSON 8. MCMANAMAN
8 Jayvin 1. VIEIRA 2. AYALA 3. F. DE BOER 4. SCHOLL 5. JEREMIES 6. TOLDO 7. KLOSE 8. GIULY
9 kps88 1. SCHOLES 2. GATTUSO 3. CAMPBELL 4. LJUNGBERG 5. ANDY COLE 6. YORKE 7. CORDOBA 8. FERRER
10 Ralaks 1. NEDVED, 2. CANNAVARO 3. COCU 4. BARAJA 5. INZAGHI 6. MARCHENA 7. VAN BRONCKHORST 8. SALIHAMIDZIC
11 Cold Boy 1. STAM, 2. BALLACK 3. SHEVCHENKO 4. LITMANEN 5. HAMANN 6. ABIDAL 7. WILTORD 8. LAUREN
12 Zen 1. TOTTI, 2. THURAM 3. DECO 4. BUFFON 5. RAFAEL MARQUEZ 6. SENNA 7. SALGADO 8. HARRY KEWELL
13 Crustanoid 1. RAÚL, 2. DEL PIERO, 3. VAN NISTELROOY 4. ALBERTINI 5. CAMORANESI 6. EMERSON 7. SIMIC 8. IULIANO
14 Brwned 1. PIRLO, 2. R.FERDINAND, 3. ZAMBROTTA 4. SHEARER 5. HYYPIA 6. VALERON 7. SAGNOL 8. LARSSON
15 Team Brian 1. MAKELELE, 2. SEEDORF, 3. DROGBA 4. STANKOVIC 5. W.SAMUEL 6. HELGUERA 7. HASSELBAINK 8. REIZIGER
16 Snow 1. GIGGS, 2. FIGO, 3. LAMPARD, 4. PETIT, 5. KUFFOUR, 6. KLUIVERT, 7. HEINZE, 8. FRINGS
1 Antohan: 1. ZIDANE 2. LUIS ENRIQUE 3. ZANETTI 4. SIMEONE 5. VIERI 6. FORLAN 7. MONTERO 8. RAMELOW 9. BROWN
2 DanNistelrooy: 1. RONALDO 2. LUCIO 3. CAFU 4. GILBERTO SILVA 5. PERNAMBUCANO 6. JUAN 7. JULIO CESAR 8. DENILSON
3 Rood: 1. RIVALDO 2. GUARDIOLA 3. R. CARLOS 4. GALLAS 5. OWEN 6. SCHNEIDER 7. DINO BAGGIO 8. MILITO
4 TheReligion: 1. NESTA 2. PUYOL 3. RUI COSTA 4. VAN BOMMEL 5. TREZEGUET 6. PERUZZI 7. AMBROSINI 8.ORTEGA
5 Cal? 1. KEANE 2. BECKHAM 3. PIRES 4. CRESPO 5. SOLSKJAER 6. G. NEVILLE 7. GROSSO 8. PANUCCI
6 Gio 1. DAVIDS 2. MENDIETA 3. VERON 4. AIMAR 5. CLAUDIO LOPEZ 6. MAKAAY 7. GAMARRA 8. BABBEL
7 Cling Bak 1. HENRY 2. RIQUELME 3. OVERMARS 4. CARVALHO 5. VDS 6. ZE ROBERTO 7. EDMILSON 8. MCMANAMAN
8 Jayvin 1. VIEIRA 2. AYALA 3. F. DE BOER 4. SCHOLL 5. JEREMIES 6. TOLDO 7. KLOSE 8. GIULY
9 kps88 1. SCHOLES 2. GATTUSO 3. CAMPBELL 4. LJUNGBERG 5. ANDY COLE 6. YORKE 7. CORDOBA 8. FERRER
10 Ralaks 1. NEDVED, 2. CANNAVARO 3. COCU 4. BARAJA 5. INZAGHI 6. MARCHENA 7. VAN BRONCKHORST 8. SALIHAMIDZIC
11 Cold Boy 1. STAM, 2. BALLACK 3. SHEVCHENKO 4. LITMANEN 5. HAMANN 6. ABIDAL 7. WILTORD 8. LAUREN
12 Zen 1. TOTTI, 2. THURAM 3. DECO 4. BUFFON 5. RAFAEL MARQUEZ 6. SENNA 7. SALGADO 8. HARRY KEWELL
13 Crustanoid 1. RAÚL, 2. DEL PIERO, 3. VAN NISTELROOY 4. ALBERTINI 5. CAMORANESI 6. EMERSON 7. SIMIC 8. IULIANO
14 Brwned 1. PIRLO, 2. R.FERDINAND, 3. ZAMBROTTA 4. SHEARER 5. HYYPIA 6. VALERON 7. SAGNOL 8. LARSSON
15 Team Brian 1. MAKELELE, 2. SEEDORF, 3. DROGBA 4. STANKOVIC 5. W.SAMUEL 6. HELGUERA 7. HASSELBAINK 8. REIZIGER
16 Snow 1. GIGGS, 2. FIGO, 3. LAMPARD, 4. PETIT, 5. KUFFOUR, 6. KLUIVERT, 7. HEINZE, 8. FRINGS
Edu
you bastard - not only do you make me wait way too long for your pick but then you go and steal my 1st choice for next pick !!
Feel a bit dirty picking him but ...
jaime carragher
jaime carragher
Can see the rationale for that. Having two wide players (Del Piero and McManaman) whose tendency is to drift inside would leave a lack of natural width. In saying that McManaman is one of the very best wide players in the draft and shown at Madrid that was he perfectly capable operating out of the centre, so I'm surprised he didn't go sooner.
As promising as Ortega was circa 97/98, I think Riquelme is held in higher regard.
He definitely is. Riquelme proved his worth for Argentina, and in Europe far more than Ortega did. But I guess people are going to try and overly hype their picks to try and get votes....no one picked now is really going to be a brilliant player.
You should feel dirty Rood. Too many bad things about him.
Carragher was one option as well as Ramelow. Didn't think Ramelow was ideal next to Kuffour, Carragher might would have.
Carragher was one option as well as Ramelow. Didn't think Ramelow was ideal next to Kuffour, Carragher might would have.
Considering there is still quite a host of strong players left as opposed to the sixties draft, should we not go to 13 or 14 players in order to increase versatility of squads? It was always quite easy preparing for the sixties iteration because there was invariably only one or two ways your team could come together and the same for the opposition, whereas by having more players more options will be open to you to throw a curveball here and there.
So I have decided to get another striker to pair with Owen, suprisingly there are still quite a few decent ones available and I have decided to go with ...
Diego Milito
Good call. Now Schneider can contribute more "in the kitchen" and you've got Pep right in his element.
Hehe, I was actually going to suggest Dan could go ahead as I was choosing between two natural but slowish CBs, Brown and Carragher, but none of them were Brazilian.
Need some wingers there?
Who says I want wingers?
No one actually sees Riquelme as a new Maradona though, you are comparing very different players there. In our terms, it would be like comparing Veron to Cantona.
Surprising as it may be, there are still some very good players out there, the depth of the talent pool in some positions is quite staggering.
I like the sound of that.
I think it's a bit late to introduce such a change, a lot of choices would have been influenced by the squad being an eleven. I gave up on natural wingers early on, Rood just made a call between width and a partner for Owen, etc.
As you approach the end of the draft and other teams start shaping up it also influences which positions you prioritise for picking (you can see roughly what people are needing thus what they are likely to pick, thus which of your remaining picks you'd rather get earlier, adding extra rounds throws that out of the window).
While there is depth in the pool it is only in certain positions and changing the rules is only going to help those who could add a curveball through those positions, the rest will accumulate rubbish players.
After the group stages people will get the chance to start building the squad and surprise the other team.
Nah, not for me.
Aye, his best international performances came in 1997 when he shone along with all of Brazil's attackers (22 goals in six games) at the Copa America. Pity he never really caught fire at Betis - it would be one hell of a winger partnership with him on the left and Joaquin on the right.
Serginho
fecker!
Anyone on overnight for me to PM my pick?