All-Time Greatest Soccer Starting Team
Discussions have been ongoing in Twitter as to what players are the All-Time best. But as @brianbreslin has mentioned no love is given to Defenders and Goalkeepers. Yet they form the basis of a team. No World Cup winner has won just on offense. Defense wins World Cups.
Brian has posted an excellent list. It has some great players. Please see here.
Here is mine:
Manager: Enzo Bearzot
Goalie: Dino Zoff
Backs: Franz Beckenbauer - Center Back
Daniel Passarella - Center Back
Paolo Maldini - Right Back
Roberto Carlos - Left Back
Lothar Matthäus - Defensive Midfielder
Johan Cruyff - Left Wing
Michel Platini - Right Wing
Gerd Müller
Hugo Sanchez - Forward
Pele - Forward
Captain: Franz Beckenbauer
What is my reasoning, well I'll copy Brian's excellent methodology.
Goalkeeper:
Dino Zoff - Captain of the Azzurri for many years, winning World Cup in 1982.
Backs:
- Franz Beckenbauer - Captain of the German team that won World Cup 1974
- Daniel Passarella - Captain of the Argentinian team that won World Cup in 1978
- Paolo Maldini - 25 years with AC Milan. Most capped Italian.
- Roberto Carlos - World Cup champ in 2002, incredible free kicks.
Mid-Field:
- Lothar Matthäus - Captain of the German team that won World Cup 1990
- Johan Cruyff - European Player of the Century
- Michel Platini - One of the most decorated French players
Forwards:
- Gerd Müller - Top goal scorer in two World Cups. 486 scores in 565 appearances
- Hugo Sanchez - Top goal scorer in the Spanish Liga for many years 5 total but 4 consecutively
- Pele - Soccer Player of the Century. World Cup Champion 3 times - 1958, 1962, 1970.
