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Depression? What depression?
This morning I had McD breakfast and all was right in the world again, for now. This is just the intermission.
So I changed my header picture and my blog title. Wanted to go for the emo-pic but Zhou said it was a poser pic =( This picture was taken inside the Louvre in Paris. I found them rather cute.
My sister has given up reading my blog. She complains that some of the posts are too long and that she doesn't have the time to read it. There goes one of my very very few female readers. I might as well talk about football today.
Goal.com released a couple of Teams of the Decade(2000-2010) articles. There is World Team of the Decade, EPL Team of the Decade, La Liga Team of the Decade etc. The list focuses more on consistency and how their footballing abilities were converted into achievements over the years rather than on one-season wonder magic. Here is the list:
World Team of the Decade(2000-current):
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
My Opinion: World Cup winner and the only keeper to have won the Champions League's MVP award. Sure he had much better cover infront of him compared to say the likes of Oliver Kahn or Iker Casillas, but he makes incredible saves all the time, very often featuring as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament/Year. Can't disagree.
Right Back - Lilian Thuram
My Opinion: No real argument here. Perhaps the only two players that come close are Cafu and Javier Zanetti although both play slightly more forward I guess and achieved less in club football.
Centre Back - Fabio Cannavaro
My Opinion: Anyone who watched him in action at the FIFA World Cup 2006 will know this to be true. He has always been very solid at the back and despite his height, he is extremely strong in the air. He is fading with age, so do not judge him based on his recent performances at Real Madrid. Only defender to ever win the FIFA World Player of the Year. The fact that Maldini has never won one is such a crime though.
Centre Back- Alessandro Nesta
My Opinion: Had it not been for his injuries, he would be the undisputed best centre-back of the decade. He was very unfortunate to miss out on his nation's World Cup success. But then again had he played instead of Marco Materazzi, Italy may not have won. Nevertheless, he still features in this list and that shows great testimony as to how much respect he has garnered over the years.
Left Back - Paolo Maldini
My Opinion: Had this been the Best Team of the Past 20 Years or the Best Team of All-time, Maldini's place as left back would never been in doubt. However in the past decade he has featured more as centre-back and Roberto Carlos makes a very strong case here (even though the Brazilian can't defend for nuts). Its rather debatable but seriously how could you leave out such a legend as Maldini? From his debut at 16 years old till his retirement at 41 years old, thats 25 years playing at the top!
Defensive Midfielder - Claude Makelele
My Opinion: The defensive midfielder position is very often dubbed the Makelele position. Zinedine Zidane and Fernando Hierro both claimed that Makelele was Real Madrid's most important player during the early(successful) Galactico era. That says it all.
Right Midfielder - Luis Figo
My Opinion: 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year and 2000 European Player of the Year. Had it not been for a certain French baldie, he probably would have won more and maybe even the Euro 2000 title. Tricky dribbling skills and great crossing abilities made him a very dangerous winger indeed.
Left Midfielder - Ronaldinho
My Opinion: As Zidane faded with age, Ronaldinho took over his mantle. Ronaldinho was undoubtedly the world's best in 2004 and 2005. While he played an important role in Brazil's 2002 World Cup sucess, he was largely overshadowed by Rivaldo and Ronaldo. By the time World Cup 2006, all the weight of expectations were on his shoulders, but he left all his skills back home in Barcelona. Now he is a mere shadow of his former self in the Unofficial Retirement Home of Ex-World/European Player of the Years - AC Milan.
Attacking Midfielder - Zinedine Zidane
My Opinion: Best player of his generation. I could end there but that just doesn't do enough justice really. He has won everything there is to win: World Cup 1998, European Championship 2000, Champion's League 2002, but more importantly he was named Best Player in all 3 tournaments. Add to the fact that he scored 3 goals in World Cup Finals and of course that screamer in a Champions League Final, he always seems to perform when it matters most. Without him France flopped in World Cup 2002, and despite featuring 2001-2002's EPL top scorer (Henry) and Serie A's top scorer (Trezeguet), France failed to score a single goal. Even in the twilight of his career, he tore apart favourites Brazil in World Cup 2006, outshining the likes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Kaka on route to the Final where he owned Materazzi. I guess every genius has his dark side.
Striker - Thierry Henry
My Opinion - Sorry Cristiano Ronaldo fans, Henry is the most devastating offensive EPL player that I have ever seen. Alot has been said on how he has failed to reproduce the same amazing form in the Champions League and for his national team. Trivia: Despite playing together for more than 8 years(enjoying tremendous success along the way), Zidane has only assisted Henry once: that goal against Brazil in World Cup 2006. Their contrasting style of play is perhaps the main reason (Henry=counterattack, Zidane=slow down/play with the ball first) Its a shame that he has never won any World/European Player of the Year awards. There are several strikers who could challenge his position here, but it is a fair choice.
Striker - Ronaldo
My Opinion - Had it not been for his injuries, he may well of gone on to be the best player of all time. In 1997, at the age of 20 he scored 47 goals in 49 games for Barcelona. From 1998 onwards he was plagued by injuries and had to undergo multiple surgeries. Yet he bounced back to terrorise (the remaining lousy) defenses at World Cup 2002. Despite the fact that in the past decade he has not been anywhere near the peak of 1997, he was still recognized as the best striker in the world. Only major title to have eluded him is the UEFA Champions League.
Some of you may be wondering: Where's Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Kaka? Well its safe to say that while all 3 have achieved much success at their respective clubs, none have really shone for their national teams yet. Man I can't wait for the next season to start. Football does take your mind off (depressing) things.
Oh wow look at the time, I better go sleep.
Good night people.
This morning I had McD breakfast and all was right in the world again, for now. This is just the intermission.
So I changed my header picture and my blog title. Wanted to go for the emo-pic but Zhou said it was a poser pic =( This picture was taken inside the Louvre in Paris. I found them rather cute.
My sister has given up reading my blog. She complains that some of the posts are too long and that she doesn't have the time to read it. There goes one of my very very few female readers. I might as well talk about football today.
Goal.com released a couple of Teams of the Decade(2000-2010) articles. There is World Team of the Decade, EPL Team of the Decade, La Liga Team of the Decade etc. The list focuses more on consistency and how their footballing abilities were converted into achievements over the years rather than on one-season wonder magic. Here is the list:
World Team of the Decade(2000-current):
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
My Opinion: World Cup winner and the only keeper to have won the Champions League's MVP award. Sure he had much better cover infront of him compared to say the likes of Oliver Kahn or Iker Casillas, but he makes incredible saves all the time, very often featuring as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament/Year. Can't disagree.
Right Back - Lilian Thuram
My Opinion: No real argument here. Perhaps the only two players that come close are Cafu and Javier Zanetti although both play slightly more forward I guess and achieved less in club football.
Centre Back - Fabio Cannavaro
My Opinion: Anyone who watched him in action at the FIFA World Cup 2006 will know this to be true. He has always been very solid at the back and despite his height, he is extremely strong in the air. He is fading with age, so do not judge him based on his recent performances at Real Madrid. Only defender to ever win the FIFA World Player of the Year. The fact that Maldini has never won one is such a crime though.
Centre Back- Alessandro Nesta
My Opinion: Had it not been for his injuries, he would be the undisputed best centre-back of the decade. He was very unfortunate to miss out on his nation's World Cup success. But then again had he played instead of Marco Materazzi, Italy may not have won. Nevertheless, he still features in this list and that shows great testimony as to how much respect he has garnered over the years.
Left Back - Paolo MaldiniMy Opinion: Had this been the Best Team of the Past 20 Years or the Best Team of All-time, Maldini's place as left back would never been in doubt. However in the past decade he has featured more as centre-back and Roberto Carlos makes a very strong case here (even though the Brazilian can't defend for nuts). Its rather debatable but seriously how could you leave out such a legend as Maldini? From his debut at 16 years old till his retirement at 41 years old, thats 25 years playing at the top!
Defensive Midfielder - Claude Makelele
My Opinion: The defensive midfielder position is very often dubbed the Makelele position. Zinedine Zidane and Fernando Hierro both claimed that Makelele was Real Madrid's most important player during the early(successful) Galactico era. That says it all.
Right Midfielder - Luis Figo
My Opinion: 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year and 2000 European Player of the Year. Had it not been for a certain French baldie, he probably would have won more and maybe even the Euro 2000 title. Tricky dribbling skills and great crossing abilities made him a very dangerous winger indeed.
Left Midfielder - Ronaldinho
My Opinion: As Zidane faded with age, Ronaldinho took over his mantle. Ronaldinho was undoubtedly the world's best in 2004 and 2005. While he played an important role in Brazil's 2002 World Cup sucess, he was largely overshadowed by Rivaldo and Ronaldo. By the time World Cup 2006, all the weight of expectations were on his shoulders, but he left all his skills back home in Barcelona. Now he is a mere shadow of his former self in the Unofficial Retirement Home of Ex-World/European Player of the Years - AC Milan.
Attacking Midfielder - Zinedine ZidaneMy Opinion: Best player of his generation. I could end there but that just doesn't do enough justice really. He has won everything there is to win: World Cup 1998, European Championship 2000, Champion's League 2002, but more importantly he was named Best Player in all 3 tournaments. Add to the fact that he scored 3 goals in World Cup Finals and of course that screamer in a Champions League Final, he always seems to perform when it matters most. Without him France flopped in World Cup 2002, and despite featuring 2001-2002's EPL top scorer (Henry) and Serie A's top scorer (Trezeguet), France failed to score a single goal. Even in the twilight of his career, he tore apart favourites Brazil in World Cup 2006, outshining the likes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Kaka on route to the Final where he owned Materazzi. I guess every genius has his dark side.
Striker - Thierry Henry
My Opinion - Sorry Cristiano Ronaldo fans, Henry is the most devastating offensive EPL player that I have ever seen. Alot has been said on how he has failed to reproduce the same amazing form in the Champions League and for his national team. Trivia: Despite playing together for more than 8 years(enjoying tremendous success along the way), Zidane has only assisted Henry once: that goal against Brazil in World Cup 2006. Their contrasting style of play is perhaps the main reason (Henry=counterattack, Zidane=slow down/play with the ball first) Its a shame that he has never won any World/European Player of the Year awards. There are several strikers who could challenge his position here, but it is a fair choice.
Striker - Ronaldo
My Opinion - Had it not been for his injuries, he may well of gone on to be the best player of all time. In 1997, at the age of 20 he scored 47 goals in 49 games for Barcelona. From 1998 onwards he was plagued by injuries and had to undergo multiple surgeries. Yet he bounced back to terrorise (the remaining lousy) defenses at World Cup 2002. Despite the fact that in the past decade he has not been anywhere near the peak of 1997, he was still recognized as the best striker in the world. Only major title to have eluded him is the UEFA Champions League.
Some of you may be wondering: Where's Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Kaka? Well its safe to say that while all 3 have achieved much success at their respective clubs, none have really shone for their national teams yet. Man I can't wait for the next season to start. Football does take your mind off (depressing) things.
Oh wow look at the time, I better go sleep.
Good night people.
