# Your favourite soccer player(s) of all-time **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 3, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055 "2011-02-03T18:57:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/1 "2011-02-03T18:57:05Z")
Who is your favourite soccer player or players and why? They don’t have to be the best players just you favourites. My two favourites are Matt Le Tisier: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSsdfe4Z69g) And Zinedane Zidane: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikjynTWQj4) Matt Le Tisier because he was one of the most talented and entertainign players to watch and Zidane because I rate him as the bets player of all-time ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/2 "2011-02-03T20:37:40Z")
[Marco Etcheverry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Etcheverry). Because he played a long time in DC and he’s the only one I can think of at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/3 "2011-02-04T00:05:10Z")
Various favorites over the years: Pele David Beckham Roberto Carlos Zinedine Zidane ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/4 "2011-02-04T00:55:49Z")
I think Ronaldo circa the late 90s was the best player of all time. Absolutely fantastic. I never had a rooting interest in him though. Brian McBride probably is my favorite then. I like Michael Bradley quite a bit, although some of that is backlash to the crazy amount of flak he gets from US fans. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/5 "2011-02-04T02:49:21Z")
Johan Cruyff ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/6 "2011-02-04T03:13:29Z")
Zidane (as previously mentioned), and Mia Hamm. Both artists with the ball. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/7 "2011-02-04T03:18:08Z")
Rudi Völler. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7PZxnMczxQ) Only One Rudi Völler! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/footballisplayedwithyourfeet)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/8 "2011-02-04T11:00:20Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Rudi Völler. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7PZxnMczxQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7PZxnMczxQ) > > Only One Rudi Völler! > > Quasi This must be a joke (and I don’t mean the video), if you wanted to go German you’d be better of with Klinsman, Gerd Muller or Netzer. For me personally - without a doubt - van Basten and Bergkamp. Eventhough I’ll admit someone like Zidane was better, no player has made me love football as much as these two guys. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/9 "2011-02-04T11:34:24Z")
Yeah, dude. It’s a _joke_. That’s why I went to all the trouble to write the post. So I could make you laugh. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/10 "2011-02-04T12:04:56Z")
> [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](#): > > This must be a joke (and I don’t mean the video), if you wanted to go German you’d be better of with Klinsman, Gerd Muller or Netzer. You do realize the topic is “favorite player” not “best player”? Different players appeal to different people for different reasons. I always had a soft spot for Pierre Littbarski and Karl-Heinz Rumminegge, because I remember them from the very first World Cup I recall watching in 1982. Völler came along just after then and maybe holds a special place for Quasi for some similar reason. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/11 "2011-02-04T13:40:52Z")
Sorry. The OP also asks _why_. It’s all right here: [Rudi Völler - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudi_V%C3%B6ller) But in my own words: A successful FIFA player, coach and above all else (or inclusive): a gentleman. thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/footballisplayedwithyourfeet)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/12 "2011-02-04T14:27:35Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Yeah, dude. It’s a _joke_. That’s why I went to all the trouble to write the post. So I could make you laugh. > [@ShibbOleth](#): > > You do realize the topic is “favorite player” not “best player”? Different players appeal to different people for different reasons. I always had a soft spot for Pierre Littbarski and Karl-Heinz Rumminegge, because I remember them from the very first World Cup I recall watching in 1982. Völler came along just after then and maybe holds a special place for Quasi for some similar reason. I guess you guys are right, my first reaction was just a kind of disbelief because I would see Völler as one of the least likeable footballers ever. But that might be because I’m dutch 😃 I’m sure a there are reasons (as mentioned) to like Völler, It’s just difficult to imagine them for me. No harm intended. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/13 "2011-02-04T14:54:48Z")
I have to go with Eric Cantona. Immensely talented on the pitch, (sometimes rather impenatrably) intelligent off it, prone to “moments of madness” (Selhurst Park 1995), always went his own way. I don’t remember many specific moments from football matches, but I will always remember his volleyed goal in the 86th minute of the 1996 FA Cup Final which beat Liverpool 1-0, and a sublime chipped goal where he simply stood still with his arms out in celebration. “Genius” is overused in football, but he was if anyone was. ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/14 "2011-02-04T15:23:48Z")
I never saw Cantona play, yet he’s one of my favorites. Ryan Giggs, with Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Cristiano Ronaldo close behind. My red-tinted glasses make it difficult for me to pick a favorite who hasn’t worn the United shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/15 "2011-02-04T15:31:55Z")
Another vote for Bergkamp. Close second for me is Henrik Larsson - although if anything I rooted for Rangers, I couldn’t help to admire Larsson. And that hair (back when he had it)! ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/16 "2011-02-04T16:08:17Z")
Tough question. For just gut feeling it would be David Platt (forgetting all the fantastic performances at Villa Park, **that** goal against Belgium in 1990 will be one of the greatest moments of my life for ever), or Paul McGrath, who gave 100% every single time he pulled a shirt on. ---
**Author:** ![MHaye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@MHaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MHaye)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/17 "2011-02-04T18:55:37Z")
Jurgen Klinsmann. Why? He signed for Spurs with a reputation as a player who would dive at the slightest provocation. Then, he reacted like [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Bx8Jc2HrQ) after scoring his first goal for Spurs. > [@villa](#): > > Tough question. For just gut feeling it would be David Platt (forgetting all the fantastic performances at Villa Park, **that** goal against Belgium in 1990 will be one of the greatest moments of my life for ever), or Paul McGrath, who gave 100% every single time he pulled a shirt on. [That goal](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSe6TQfD0bE) was just great. I have fond memories of George Best. Best by name and best by talent. Honourable mention; Osvaldo Ardiles. He and Ricardo Villa were the first non-UK born players signed to English clubs after the rules changed in 1978. They’d just won the World Cup with Argentina, so it made headlines. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/18 "2011-02-04T19:15:24Z")
> [@MHaye](#): > > I have fond memories of George Best. Best by name and best by talent. I thought about listing him. But I only saw him in highlights, as I was only 5 when he left United (1974 IIRC). ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/19 "2011-02-04T19:21:38Z")
Rene Higuita, because, let’s face it, any keeper who would do [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reFGJ1enZDs&feature=fvst) is crazy, egotistical, massively talented…or all of the above. ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055/20 "2011-02-04T20:14:17Z")
I grew up watching the Minnesota Kicks of the old NASL. There was one player in particular with the coolest name and the ability to match - [Ace Ntsoelengoe](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8697346.stm). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-soccer-player-s-of-all-time/570055.md?page=2)