In my opinion Rivaldo is the best player today. He can Everything, passing, shooting, creating plays, has good headers, speed, Ball controll...do u think the Same? Best goalkeer is Campos, defender-Thuram and striker Batistuta.

/But in Fifa2000 will be the best player M.POPE, Why?...Because he's playin' in MLS!!!/

I think the best goalkeeper of the world is van der Sar. The best defender is Jaap Stam and the best player is Edgar Davids.

O yeah and the best players ever are Johan Cruijf and Marco van Basten(He was also the starplayer of AC Milan.

[This message has been edited by Arsenal (edited 09-20-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Arsenal (edited 09-20-1999).]

By the way Milano, who the hell is M.POPE?

PS: I agree Rivaldo and Batistuta are great, but not Campos

M.Pope should be the best MLS player, he's defender, but you should better ask someone from US. I dont't give a *$#% about MLS.
And Campos Isn't the best goalkeer, but he's one of the best and my favorite one.

The reason no one's heard of M. Pope is because he doesn't exist.

The player on the cover is EDDIE Pope. His first initial, as should be evident, is E, not M.

The best player in MLS, IMHO, is either Marco Etcheverry or Roy Lassiter, or maybe Jason Kreis.

The world's best keeper is Jose Luis Chilavert, the best defender is Lilian Thuram, the best midfielder is Jari Litmanen, and the best striker is Gabriel Batistuta, in my opinion.

In my opnion the best player in the world right now still is Ronaldo....he's not as good as he used to be but just wait until he's fit again...To me the best team in the world would be:

1- Chilavert
2- Cafu
3- Maldini
4- Gamarra
6- Roberto Carlos
7- Rivaldo
8- Redondo
5- Cesar Sampaio
11- Overmars
10- Del Piero
9- Ronaldo

Elnonho, I give you props in mentioning Jason Kreis as probably the best in the MLS. He's been keeping pace with Lassiter in the points race, and yet this point is anonymous with most MLS fans. Let me throw in a couple more names into the mix there:

Carlos Hermosillo, LA Galaxy: The Galaxy was s****** wind when he returned in June. Since then, he's been sparking their offense. (I know he's in his mid-30's, too.)

Raul Diaz Arce, Tampa Bay Mutiny: He was s****** wind in San Jose until he was traded to Tampa. Well, that wasn't his fault. He didn't want to play in the Bay area.

Jaime Moreno, DC United: He's only being overshadowed by Lassiter.

As for the best in the world, my choices are:

Keeper: J.L. Chilavert (He should be playing in Europe.)
Defender: Probably Cafu, but Roberto Carlos and former teammates Paolo Maldini and Marcel Desailly deserve honorable mentions.
Midfielder: The list is too long to throw out HM's, thus making it hard for me to pick one that I think that's the best. I've never seen Rivaldo play, but from reading what everybody is posting here, I can see that he's all the rage. I'm also kind of partial to Brian Laudrup.
Forward:No decision. My two personal faves (George Weah and Dennis Bergkamp) have been silent in the first month. Never saw Batistuta play. Ronaldo is not at peak performance right now. The jury is still out on Vieri with me. So, I'm exercising my right to remain silent.
Player: To Be Determined. It blows not being able to see many games in Europe from here in the US.

You guys can say what you want but Hagi supposed to have 16 in shot power and accuracy and acceleration. These star players were all underrated in fifa99. And i'm tired of adjusting the stats myself. EA, get decent researchers!!

I think the best player in the world is Alan Shearer. He has his critics however he seems to always prove them wrong. eg. 5 goal haul v sheffield wednesday the other night. I beleive Peter Schmeichel is the best goal keeper in the world. I think Campos is pretty ordinary. I saw him at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney and he was very poor compared to Mark Bosnich.

Be real, the best keeper is Chilavert,
the best defender is Gamarra
the best midfielder is Rivaldo and the best attacker is Romario.

Perfect team:
1-Chilavert (PAR)
2-Arce (PAR)
3-Gamarra (PAR)
4-Maldini (ITA)
5-C. Sampaio (BRA)
6-R. Carlos (BRA)
7-Edmundo (BRA)
8-Overmars (HOL)
9-Verón (ARG)
10-Ortega (ARG)
11-Romario (BRA)

Zahovic is the best!

HAGI is definitely the best player in the world right now and has been for the last 5 years

I hate Barcelona but Rivaldo is the best player in the world. He destroyed Fiorentina with his passing and ability to get into space.


Ali Benarbia and Hideoshi Nakata are also great midfielders.

Hashan Kashule (I'm not sure how to spell it) from Southampton is one of the best pure goal scorers.

To The Ikster: I know what your saying about the quality of soccer coverage on American TV. IT SUCKS!!!!! But if you have ESPN2 they show the Champions League games. But only one or two a week, then they have to show billiards, bowling or some red neck chopping wood.

I wouldn't rate Rivaldo as the best in the world.


My World All-Star Team:

GK Jose Luis Chilavert (Paraguay)
D Paolo Maldini (Italy)
D Lilian Thuram (France)
D Marcel Desailly (France)
D Noureddine Naybet (Morocco)
M Jari Litmanen (Finland)
M Zinedine Zidane (France)
M Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan)
M Rivaldo (Brazil)
F Ronaldo (Brazil)
F Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina)

Reserves:
GK Kasey Keller (USA)
D Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
D Tony Adams (England)
D Fernando Hierro (Spain)
D Alessandro Costacurta (Italy)
M Marco Etcheverry (Bolivia)
M Zvominir Boban (Croatia)
M Diego Simeone (Argentina)
M Jay Jay Okocha (Nigeria)
F Christian Vieri (Italy)
F Davor Suker (Croatia)

As for other popular players... Hagi's good, can't argue about that, BUT his consistency makes even Nicolas Anelka look like soccer's version of Cal Ripken Jr, so he's not getting into my selection any time soon.

Peter Schmeichel deserves an honorable mention; however, Keller is playing a lot better at the moment and has been since the beginning of this year.

Stam's just overpaid. Overmars is overrated.

I agree that Cesar Sampaio is good, and he's incredibly close to making my list, but not quite there yet. It's hard to select the last few!

Redondo just isn't in form right now.

Jorge Campos hasn't been the same since he lost the starting job in Chicago to Zach Thornton. No way he's anywhere near the world's best.

Now, honorable mentions:

GK:
Peter Schmeichel
Gianluigi Buffon
Carlos Roa (just retired, but gets a HM anyway)
Mohamed Al-Deayea (he has one of the toughest jobs in international soccer, and fills it well)

Defender:
Cafu (playing VERY well lately)
Carlos Gamarra
Mark Fish (highly underrated)
Christian Panucci
Hussein Sulimani

Midfielders:
Claudio Reyna
Ronald de Boer
Choi Yong-Su
Ariel Ortega

Forwards:
Alan Shearer
Romario
Denilson
Luis Hernandez
George Weah

I love " BATISTUTA "

I also like
Revaldo - Brazil
Denilson - Brazil
Astarda - Argentina
Klivert - Netherland
Berkamp - Netherland
Sheriar - England


Goalkeeper

Vanda-Sar -Netherland

More honorable mentions and comments, now that I'm thinking coherently again (my last post was around midnight where I live...)

Goalkeepers:
Jacques Songo'o

Defenders:
Celso Ayala
Lothar Matthaus
Rigobert Song-Bahanag
Samuel Kuffour
Hong Myung-Bo
Eddie Pope
Marcelino Bernal
Claudio Suarez
Moreno Torricelli

Midfielders:
Cesar Sampaio (forgot to put him in last night)
Leonardo
Mustapha Hadji
Roy Keane
Didier Deschamps
Robert Prosinecki
Dino Baggio

Forwards:
Michael Owen
Dennis Bergkamp
Roberto Baggio (still good!)
Tore Andre Flo
Masashi Nakayama
Ali Daei
Alen Boksic

I think it's starting to look like I'm naming the whole footballing world, so I'll stop here.

Edwin van der Sar is NOT as good a keeper as any of those I've named either as World All-Stars, reserves, or honorable mentions. Sorry, guys, but he does NOT make the cut!

Oh, one more thing...

Does anyone have any idea who Revaldo, Astarda, Klivert, Berkamp, Sheriar, and Vanda-Sar are?

Hey fellas,
I think the best 1X would include:
G/K- Chilavert or Schemeichel but i also don't mind Bosnich probaly because im australian.
Defenders-Staam, Cafu , Carlos and Campbell
Midfield- Beckham, Hamann, Rivaldo, Kewell because he is great but can't shoot so should be in midfield.
Attack- Shearer (Greatest), Luis Enrique or Ronaldo. Also Kanu,Bergkamp could well get a start.

Rivaldo is good but Batistuta is the Greatest player. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/wink.gif

I think the best goalies are Schmeichel
Chilavert. the best defenders are Beckham
hamman and Redknapp.the best strikers are
Owen Shearer and Fowler.thats my true opinion.

The best player in the world is without a doubt Jay Jay Okacha

Striker- Kanu
Goalkeeper- Campos

I believe the best team sould be:

1- Barthez
2- Maldini
3- Blanc
4- Roberto Carlos
5- Georgatos
6- Zidane
7- Beckham
8- Rivaldo
9- Machlas
10- Batistuta
11- Vieri

Reserves:

12- Chilavert
13- Thuram
14- Veron
15- Overmars
16- Ronaldo

The best players in the world is:

Rivaldo

The players that I most like are:

Zola, Revivo, benayun ( you will all hear about him tow years from now he will be the best!!! )

The player that I love how he play is:

Leonardo

My team is:

Chilavert (Paraguay)
Maldini (Italy)
Hierro (Spain)
Desailly (France)
Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
Revivo (Israel)
Rivaldo (Brazil)
Beckham (England)
Leonardo (Brazil)
Batistuta (Argentina)
Ronaldo (Brazil)

Bye for now!!!!!

What are you all talking about????
I think so far, who was it Elninho, was somewhere close in metioning the greatest footballer ever. You want to take a guess or do i have to spell it out for you??

1 Come on man Rivaldo has one left foot..
2 Alan who?? Have you seen Newcastle of late??
3 Boksic wasn't even missed last season for Lazio..
4 Ronaldo, ha...where was he last world cup, in fact where has he been in any world cup??
5 Davids??? Man come on the guy runs around the midfield like a loose dog and just kicks people down. He doesn't have half as much creativity as the great one. He needs to play sweeper not midfield.
6 The dutch master is good but he's a bit too goofy. If you don't know who the dutch master is you shouldn't even be reading this man...
7 Zidane has scored about 3 goals in his life, luckily for him 2 of those came in the world cup...

i can't remember any more you guys had up, but if want me to tell you about them post their names and i'll get back to you...
As for your teams i'll get back to you all on that one, but for sure you guys would definitely stand to loose against a well pick side from me..
Anyways laters man..

[This message has been edited by Baggio (edited 09-26-1999).]

my best 11 all time

Goal.Kasy keller
Def.Stam
Def.Roberto carlos
Def.Eddie pope
Def.Neville
Mid.Beckunbuer
Mid.Beckam
Mid.Denilson
Fwd.Pele
Fwd.Dwight Yorke
Fwd.Ronaldo

The best player in the worl is no doubt Christian Vieri.
The guy is the best striker in the world combining force with technique and real sense for scoring and placement.
The best team would feature:
1- Barthez
2- Thuram
3- Blanc
4- Roberto Carlos
5- Zidane
6- Rivaldo
7- Leonardo
8- Raùl
9- Luis Enrique
10- Ronaldo
11- Vieri

Best team!!!
kepper: Schmeichel
defenders: Maldini
Desailly
Thuram
Stam
midfielders:Beckham
Simeone
Seedorf
Forwards: Baggio
Vieri
Zola
the team to beat man..

Elvir BALÝC of Real Madrid is the best player in the world.

So who is it, Baggio? Roberto or Dino? Dino or Roberto? http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif

Anyway, I still stand by my first- and second -team selections.

OKOCHA OKOCHA OKOCHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

perfect team:
1. Songo'o-gk
2.Maldini-ld
3.Gamara-cd
4.Hierro-cd
5.Thuram-rd
6.Revivo-lm
7.Okocha-mc (c) (best player)
8.Veron-mc
9.Nakata-rm
10.Vieri-st
11.Hernandez-st

My choice for best 11

GK - Charbonier

LB - Maldini
CD - Desailly
CD - Heirro
RB - Thuram

LM - Davids
DM - Luis Enrique (always be in the team)
AM - Rivaldo
RM - Petrescu

ST - Vieri
ST - Batistuta

Best player i think is Rivaldo but if Enrique got a regular place or Del Piero's form picked up it could be either of them.

i think van der sar is the best goalie jaap stam is the best defender rivaldo is the best midfielder and vieri and kluivert are the best strikers

My team is
GK:Van der sar
Defenders:Maldini,Stam,Roberto Carlos and Thuram.
Midfielders: Nimny,rivaldo, luis enrique and figo
Strikers:Raul and Kobika

hey guys whats wrong with you all
beckham is the best palyer in the world
thats that

No way King Blue. Klos is much better than Charbonier.

RIVALDO my friends he kicks ass.That's all!
He can score at any time and noone can stop him.

Snir Geuli, first you say that Vieri and Kluivert (whom i disagree with) and then in your team you name Raul and Kobika ?

I think the best player is Thuram or Maldini, people always tend to go for the creative or goal scoring players but being a defender myself I prefer exciting players at the back.

Charbonier has kept us in Europe this season with his performances, Klos is a good keeper but I prefer Charbonier, he should be French No 1.

Elninho, how could you ask me a question like that man, i am surely disappointed in you..

Dino is not even to be compared with Roberto, he's done nothing to merit that comparison man..

To me Roberto Baggio is the greatest..i haven't seen anyone with his creativity and vision. The only person that comes close is Roberto Mancini...

And Yo TMOD, man you need to get a clue about Rivaldo man...The guy has one good left foot and that's it man. He's selfish and has no place to grown in his game..Just another talented brazillian who lacks the understanding of team work....

Rivaldo no way man..

[This message has been edited by Baggio (edited 10-05-1999).]

I honestly don't believe there are people who think Pelé is not the best player ever!!
Is this a joke??? He was the leading scorer of 58 Cup when he was only 17 years old, scoring twice in the final match, that ended in 5X2 Brazil. The record of scoring in a World Cup Final! This is only one thing we can talk about Pelé... among millions of others. If anybody's interested, reply this damn message...

im the best player..(he he...just kidding).
now... i think that rivaldo is the best, but i also really like d beckham...also agree with fowler owen england (hey star! ***)
and really like players like owen and shearer.

cheers
Raul

You are right SoFrEdOr . Pele is the greatest without any doubt.

The only man who could ever stop Pelé was Banks: how can anyone forget that header (strong as a good kick) saved by this man??


British people: BE PROUD!!!

Why doesn't anyone mention Raul? He is not a pure striker, but he has an all-around game second to none. Shevchenko also is first-rate, and he showed it by tearing through the Champions' League.

Yo SoFrEdOr, Pele was then. Football has changed since, defenders are 5 times better now than they were then.

Pele is a great player, but he just wasn't challenged back then and so its unfair to compare him to players with more skill and greater challenges...

And Jim Jimmy, Raul is young and more of a goal rat..He plays well for Real but has never seemed to shine when it most counts, in World Cup..

I still say Baggio guys...

I agree with sofredor. Pele will always be the best player in the world, ever. That crap about now and then doesnt exist. A good player is a good player. And besides,I belive that back in Pele's time,players played even better,because back then it was all about the beautiful sport,and not about money or sponsores ect.... Like Sofredor said,Pele was,is,and always will be the best player in the world. I think you may have something against Pele,Baggio. Does World Cup 1970 ring a bell? LOL

rivaldo is definitely the best player today

Baggio: Please tell me you're joking!!! Pelé played in 89, when he was 50 years old in his birthday and he KICKED ASS!!!!! Don't you give me this defenders crap: he was fisically above any other human beign! It's a well known fact that his body could handle more than anyone else's!! In more than 20 years of career, he was not able to play a total of less than THREE MONTHS!! He was, still is and will ALWAYS be the best soccer player EVER!!! Please, fellow readers, back me up here!


"I maybe a new Di Stefano, but I can't be a new Pelé. He is the only one who breaks the logic limits".
Cruyff, Duch player of the 70's

1. van der Sar GK
2. Thuram RB
3. Stam CD
4. Frank de Boer CD(why does everyone forget him)
5. Maldini LB
6. Davids DM
7. Figo RM/RW
8. Rivaldo AM
9. Vieri ST
10. Sevsjenko ST
11. Overmars/Grønkjaer (You don't know him but you wil)LW

I'm going to start of being negative.
1.To Milano AC: ACmilan totally demolished the world most promising player when they in -96 bought Jesper Blomqvist from IFK Gothenburg. He could've been one of the greatest players in the world!
2.To karan316: Beckham is'nt the best player in the world, but he's the most overrated player in the world. Not that he's a bad player. He doesn't stand a chance on the freekick section against Mihajlovic and Roberto Carlos!
3.The best player in the world is either Luis Figo of Barca or Sinisa Mihajlovic of Lazio.
4. The coolest player in the world is Klas Ingesson of Bologna!!! They've even named Tv-show after him!!!
5.The worst coach in the world is Roy Hodgson!
How can u destroy a team like Blackburn Rovers?

F-K u Hodgie


[This message has been edited by Tony Trickyfinger (edited 10-08-1999).]

To StickyFinger:

THE MOST PROMISING PLAYER...Bla, bla, bla...

Blomqvist did nothing in AC, so now in Manchester. Why are you so atacking a team like AC? If he was good in Sweden, means not that he's good for italian legue. And in the season 96/97, there were better players for the spot of left midfielder, like Z.Boban and D.Savicevic.

Really, I don't like replys like yours "AC Milano destroyed...", be real, it should be "J.Blomqvist didn't have the skills to play in Milano".

[This message has been edited by AC Milano (edited 10-09-1999).]

My opinion:
-Best goal keeper: Baia and Eleftheropoulos
-Best defender: Georgatos and Roberto Carlos
-Best midfielder: Zahovic and Rivaldo
-Best forward:Giovani

Milano is correct. Blomqvist was a pretty good player in Swenden,but just not good enough for the Italian league. AC Milano did nothing but give the guy a chance to shine with the big boys,but he couldnt handle it. Besides, Boban and Savicevic are 10 times better than Blomqvist will ever be.

Yo SoFrEdOr and Galo come on man..
I say we think about this without all the emotions here.

Firstly, defenders back then are nowhere as good as the ones today, please don't even compare them. Defenders back then were wild and i had no idea how to tackle..

Skill levels have grown, despite what Pele and Cruyff say. Of course they would say they have fallen, they want to keep their influence on the game through the recognition they receeive from their titles, "The Greatest Players Ever".

But come on, the stuff that Pele did back then are being done everyday in the sport now. A Bicycle kick is still spectacular, but its been done over and over..

Please let us not confuse Greatness with Originality. Yes they brought ideas of new skills to the game, but they didn't necessarily perfect it, did they..

If this was logical thinking then the first person to play any sport and has a great impact on it will be greater than those who follow. And it would be just as logical for me to say that Dr. J was a better basketball player than Michael because he was the first of his kind...

As for the game losing quality, oh no, plaese don't go there.. the game is twice as good today as it was yesterday.. It has become more tactical and complexed. Have you guys seen any of the old days when as one team scored another equalized, or when one side completely dominated the game..

Football has grown since Pele and the requirements to become a great player in these times are far more demanding than those of the past.

Take Pele in his prime and Baggio at his and there is no way you could compare the two...Pele's simlpe obsticles back then made him look way too great...

Baggio would love to have some of those defenders here today i am sure...

But please continue, i would love to hear more guys..I'll give you chance to convince me..Good luck..
and i have absolutely nothing against Pele, in fact i think he's great..just not THE greatest ever........

Later yo..

The Greatest Player right now, I have to say is Rivaldo. However, the Greatest Player ever, I will have to say it is Maradona. He possessed the skills and visions to turn a game!

My World XI All-Stars are:

(1) Schmeichel (Denmark)
(2) Thuram (France)
(5) Stam (Holland)
(3) Maldini (Italy)
(6) R. Carlos (Brazil)
(7) Beckham (England)
(8) Davids (Holland)
(10)Rivaldo (Brazil)
(18)Del Piero (Italy)
(9) Ronaldo (Brazil)
(11) Batistuta (Argentina)

Sub:
(12) Van der Sar (Holland)
(16) Roy Keane (Ireland)
(18) Giggs (Wales)
(21) Zidane (France)
(23) S. Campbell (England)
(32) Vieri (Italy)

Ok Baggio, look at it this way. Did any other player in Pele's time ever even come close to matching what he did? NO! Does any other player these days stand out above the rest like Pele did? NO! You seem to think that football back then was for 2 year olds. The people at FIFA,the ones who REALLY know something about football,still to these days constantly praise Pele for his great skills and still call him the best.
Maybe the game has changed a bit since Pele's time,but its still the same thing!
Lets suppose what you are saying about players these days being better is true. Does any player at the current level of skill stand out dramaticly above the rest?
In Pele's time, he was better than anyone at his level. And since then,nobody has been able to stand out in their levels of play like he did. THAT is why he is the greatest player EVER.
Besides,I still believe that football skills back then were the same as they are today. If Pele was to come and play as a 17 year old for Santos today,like he did back then,he would still be better than any of those MERCINARIES out there who only care about money.

God, Galo!!! You've said it all!!! Today: is Baggio so better than Ronaldo or Ronaldo Gaúcho, or Rivaldo, or Del Piero?? NO! He is worse... And football today HAS changed, but for a violent fouly game... and not the skill and score of yesterday. And in my opinion, football would not the same if it wasn't for Pelé...


BTW, Galo, where are you from??

I can name a coach even worse than Roy Hodgson...

STEVE SAMPSON.

Let's review the evidence.

Played a 3-6-1 formation in the World Cup after testing it against such international heavyweights as Austria, Macedonia, Kuwait, and Scotland. Went ahead with it even though it was held scoreless by Macedonia.

Five months after beating Brazil, left quite a few of the starters vs. Brazil off the World Cup lineup, and took John Harkes and Roy Lassiter COMPLETELY off the roster.

Tried to go with two completely untested defensive midfielders, Chad Deering and Brian Maisonneuve... and Maisonneuve is more comfortable as an attacking player.

Brought in David Regis at the last minute. He's a good player, but shouldn't a player at least get to know his teammates before playing in such a major event?

Two left wingers vs. Germany, and they ran into each others' space for obvious reasons. Tried to start defensive-minded Mike Burns on the right wing.

Blamed MLS for it all. Excuses, excuses! Hey, did anyone notice the names on the most recent US selection, which is a lot more successful than Sampson's was? Even more MLS players than Sampson had...

PLACED LAST IN THE WORLD CUP WITH A TEAM THAT WAS RANKED 14TH GOING INTO THE TOURNAMENT.

Elninho... very accurate post! I agree 100%.

Besides all of that, Sampson did something else that a coach should never, ever do... he publicly blasted ex-players.

The minute I heard him open his big fat trap like that, he had zero respect from me.

In my book, he’s easily the WORST coach (and I use that term loosely I guess) to ever lead a team into a World Cup.

Firstly, Galo's line of reasoning is not logical, in fact he just proves my point. The reason why there is no one now that stands way out from everyone else is because everyone's skill levels have improved. Its harder now for a player to stand out because in today's time most players have that same level of skill...To pick the greatest player today you have to go beyond appearance and look at their depth of perception of the game..

On that note i'll argue any day that Baggio is a better player than Ronaldo or Rivaldo for that matter..They are tricky players, both of them, what do you expect they are from Brazil..But the both of them lack the intelligence and leadership skills to carry a team....Baggio did that in both 90 and 94 world cup for Italy.

I am yet to see Ronaldo do something to prove his worth...
As for Rivaldo, he has some good touches but he can't control a game..he's too selfish..

SoFrEdOr, did i read right, did you say Del Piero? Have you forgotten the last world cup already? Del Piero,the one who was suppose to replace the great Roberto Baggio.. But what happened, Baggio scraped in into the sqaud and ended up being one of best players on the team that year beside Vieri, Cannavaro, and Moriero....

Where was Del Piero?? You are going to argue injury aren't you...But Baggio was injured in 94 and still kept on playing to carry his side.
One of the biggest problems the Italian National team is having is that they have failed to replace Baggio but yet are trying to do without him...He is the best creative player Italy has and will ever see...

You ask any real football expert to compare any of the players you guys mentioned with Baggio and they will agree that Baggio has more understanding of the game and his foresight is way above theirs as well...

[This message has been edited by Baggio (edited 10-13-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Baggio (edited 10-13-1999).]

And who do you consider "football experts'? Because I watch football programs all the time,and read all the magazines,and those experts constantly say Pele is the best EVER,and still say Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos are two of the best these days. They havent said great things about Baggio since the World Cup 98 era. And I quote " Roberto Baggio is my prediction for Italy's star in this world cup. He has the heart and motivation to take Italy all the way."
There you have it. The last time Baggio was focused on and praised by true football experts. Maybe there in Italy they still talke about him,but of course,thats his country!!

BTW Sofredor: I am from Belo Horizonte,Minas Gerais. I support the great Clube Atletico Mineiro(Galo)

The Galo thing I figured out... Anyway... the last image I have in my head of Baggio is that penalty... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That was so sweet...

I just want you guys to know that i don't mean to offend, if i have...Its really fun arguing with you guys and if you guys ever want to argue a new topic i'll be honoured..
ANYWAYS...
SoFrEdOr, Galo, the last image i have of Ronaldo was him in the last wolrd cup finals..the look on that guy's face when Zidane scored those two goals to shove the player of the year trophy in his face...Man was that good!!!!

Where is Ronaldo now???

If you want to hear about Baggio just click on espn.com and you'll see an article on him..Ronaldo was the player of the year whenever, but now he is no good...

To make it worse his form before his sickness was no good either...His best days were back at Barcelona and against those spanish defenders anyone can look good, even Klivert...

As for the penalty, i have seen great players do worse...If you look back at Baggio's highlights that would probably be the only mistake he ever made on the field...I am sure i could find a few for Pele..definitely more than Baggio

Me, mi stil seh Baggio fi mi money...Sorry but that's just the Jamaican in me coming out....

I'm surprised that u forget to say a little bit about Hagi. U saw him on stadium ? He is natural. When u say Rivaldo I can imagine a Porche, but HAGI is like a RollsRoyce, is mature and has everything.

By, Hagi.

Baggio,

I would just like to inform you that Ronaldo is not the best player in the world in my opinion, so cut the crap. And ESPN?? What the hell do they know about footbal, or should I say "soccer"?? The only football they know is the one you play with the hands carrying an egg-shaped "ball". Rivaldo's the man to this year... And if anybody thinks Zidane is better, you've just lost my respect...

Hagi, definitely..He has so much understanding of the game...I love the way he plays..too bad he's getting a bit older...I wish i could see more of him, a move to Italian or Spanish league would do him some good..
He reminded me so much of Baggio the first world cup he played along side Lacatus(is that spelling correct???)..
Yeah he would get my vote as one of the greatest...but sorry still not over Baggio..
Sorry Hagi..

Yo SoFrEdOr calm down yo, i didn't say Zidane was better. I just said that Ronaldo has made some stupid plays on the feild as well, it's unfair to judge a player off of one mistake..

Baggio missed a penalty and Ronaldo was no where to be found on the feild in the 98 finals..That's all..

But Where Rivaldo is concerned, come on...I will agree with you on the this year thing, he's having a great year, but to compare him to Baggio...I think not man.

Rivaldo has one play in his book, collect the ball in midfield just above the 18, and look for the trusty old left foot...That's no talent to brag about really...

He can not play more than one role on the team, he lacks diversity..
If you feel so strongly about it give me your opinions on his good qualities as a great player...ok

Baggio

Are u crazy, u cant see the skills of Rivaldo, the man can score from anywhere in the field, inside the box, outside the box and the passes, at least once every game he leaves his team mates face to face with the goalkeeper.

And whats so wrong with having a good left foot, baggio doesnt kick well with any of his feet, Ive seen games that he lost goals under the post, then theres free-kicks what was the last time baggio scored from a freekick, if rivaldo doesnt score from a freekick he always places the ball very near the goal, I never seen him freekick a ball out of the stadium like baggio does.

Now if u think having just one good foot isnt enough then u shouldnt say PELE wouldnt be so great today, because he could score with his left foot as easily as he would score with his right one

Man am i making enimies fast..
edu,
Come off of the Rivaldo thing man, you just can't win.
Baggio from my knowledge has not skied a ball way off from a free kick execpt the penalty in 94..Big Woop. Again i say its his only mistake you can ever point out, the one time he has ever shown a sign of weakness..

Rivaldo on the other hand, i am just so tired of seeing him destroy the flow of Barcelona's game. Every match Rivaldo does the same thing, ever game. He waits in the center, collects the ball about midway half line and the 18, then pushes to the left, if covered cuts to the right(which will never fire) and then cuts back left to force off a shot..His shots are powerful but no real control(accuracy).

Baggio is more well known than Rivaldo is for his accuracy on free kicks my friend..If you have ever seen Baggio Take a free kick you would know that..His free kicks graze the head of the wall and dips suddenly below the cross bar..Come on yo, must i have to be telling you this??

As for the left footed thing with Pele, again so many players today use both feet interchangably...Which brings me back to my earlier point, that back in the old days Pele was seen as great because he could use both feet, today almost every player can do that...It just goes to show that the general skill level in the game has increased...So Its hard to compare Pele's accomplishments back then to someone more recent who has to face more difficult challenges..

Ses my point edu..??

baggio are u crazy?

Since when Rivaldo kicks are that powerful, I think u are mixing rivaldo for r.carlos, Rivaldo is very accurate and not very powerfull, did u watch barcaVSr.madri that was one of his worst matches in the spanish league but he was able to score a goal by just placing the ball away from the keeper also in the same match he gave a perfect cross to the head of luis henrique but he was able to miss a very easy header that even roaldo could score, and what about free kicks, rivaldo scores from freekicks every 4 or 5 games, he scored he last free kick 3 games ago in the spanish league and one freekick goal in national team against Argentina, one game before HolandvsBrazil. Have u been watching the whole spanish season like I have bee watching the italian season? well maybe Im better informed since I watch the Italian season on RAI instead of espn.

And about kicking with both feet, well even I can do that, but scoring a GOAL every now and then like PELE, well not a single player can do that today, they might make a goal a year but pele did much more then that.

Edu... You're obviously brazilian, so am I, and I have the same name as you too...

Pelé scored 1281 goals in 1375 official matches, which gives an average of =~0.8 goals per match... Can Baggio do this?? And if players were worse then, that's because they weren't trained well... Well, Pelé was no exception, so if he was trained like today, he would be even better, right?? Think about it.

Zahovic is the best!

I would have to say that the majority of you r comments have been fair. Rivaldo is on fire at the moment. Batistuta and Owen look like the best strikers, I personally think Lazios Argentianian Midfielder Veron looks in scintilating form right now as does Australias Harry Kewell, watching Kewell play is like watching a poetry in motion. He breezes past players with an air of arrogance almost and his shot..? incredible to say te least it reminiscent of Ronald Koeman, the ball travels quickly through the air without spinning whilst its dipping and swerving!! brilliant and he's only 20 amazing. Defenders I would say Sol Campbell who looks like going to man united. Goal keepers, well it certainly is not Massimo Taibi! I believe its between van de Sar or still schmeichel. Hey Ric would you happen to know if the ball still travels with a curl all the when you hit he lob button or the shoot button, it s so unrealistic. Why cant EA have left long passing balls and some shots to travel in a straight line ala David Beckam 50 yarders. They could have a bend key to depress when you hit the lob or shoot button instead.

Ohhh, i get this now,,,
ya all Brazillians!!!
edu, yo how did espn in get into this??
who watches espn for anything other than some champions league games???
Man relax..
Rivaldo is on a roll this year, but again you are comparing a player at his prime with a player whose skill has just started to level..
And please don't insult my intelligence man, Who on Earth doesn't know Rivaldo seperate from Roberto Carlos??

If you're to compare players i say we have to do it on a level playing field. That means we take them at the peak of their games..Rivaldo at his peak cannot be compared to Baggio at his peak man..Have you forgotten what Baggio is capable of?? In that case i say you go back to your so called higher source of information and check the tapes man...

And SoFrEdOr, fine, maybe if Pele had the training these players have today he would have been better, but it still stands that he's is and was not as good as some of the more recent players..Baggio to name one.

Any how man i refuse to debate this with two Brazillians yo,,,Is like you guys tellng me that Junior Baiano wasn't completely made a fool of by Whitmore when he had to break his nose in last year's Gold Cup match between Jamaica and Brazil..we would argue non stop on that one too...

So i appologize if i have offended your nation yo..I guess when you're from Brazil there's no one greater than a Brazillian..huh
The next time i will try arguing this with a European and see if i can get anywhere..

In conclusion, ya all are biased yo...

[This message has been edited by Baggio (edited 10-15-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Baggio (edited 10-15-1999).]

Im not a brazilian Im from Portugal, and dont say that rivaldo is in his prime because he has been playing like that since he was playing in Brazil and to me Baggio onlt had a few good seasons.

If u think PELE cant be that good today because back then all the players werent good or that well fit then the same would aply to baggio he used to be good back when the Italian season didnt have so many great international players but know his just an average player, and dont tell me how baggio was great cause since u dont buy that with PELE why should I buy that from a player that didnt even win 3 wourld cups. Come on he didnt even win a world cup how can he be such a great players, I dont even consider RIVALDO the greatest because he didnt win enough titles.

ps:If hes such a great kicker what was the last time baggio scored with his other feet and also when was his last Freekick goal.

[This message has been edited by edu (edited 10-15-1999).]

It's incredible! 77 replyes to this topic and nobody(NOBODY!)mentioned TOTTI!!! HE WAS THE BEST ITALIAN PLAYER last season!! Ok, i'm a supporter of A.S. ROME (not Lazio please..) but he was voted as i told you (in one of the best (if not the best) championship in the world.. ok i told u..
and now the best players for me:

goalkeeper: Buffon or Peruzzi (if he's not injured.. )
defender: Thuram
midfield: Veron
advanced midfielder: Totti (u didn't know that, ah?) http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif
forward: Rivaldo or Vieri

HEY, after 77 busts, here CICCO TOTTI gets 2 votes in a row. Wanna know why no one knows him?

1st: Morons always think if a guy from Brazil is medium to good he is automatically the no.1 player. Pele ain't nothing to MARADONA.

2nd: As the SERIE A is so good, people diss' it and say crap a la "FAPL is better". Knowing they are LIARS they then say that everything the Italians win is merit of the foreigners only. WAKE UP. Zola is 34 and old and half dead and still rocks the FAPL. In Italy he would be on Cagliari's bench.

3rd: Roma ain't so popular, people only know Juve, Inter and Milan abroad. It's sad, but that's it.

Honestly: HOW CAN ANYONE SAY THAT RIVALDO IS BETTER THAN PAOLO MALDINI?

Hey EDU:

BAGGIO is (was) so much better than RIVALDO is (will always be), and you know it.

SO...here is my list of offensive players (I leave out guys like Thuram and Davids, who would humiliate Rivaldo in a match) I'd rather have on my team:

Totti
Baggio
Mancini
Montella
Vieri
Pirlo
Veron
Salas
Boban
Bierhoff
Schevchenko
Rebrov
Recoba
Weah
Zidane
Ortega
Amoroso
Rui Costa
Batigol
Morientes
Luis Enrique

to name a few...

The truth is that Rivaldo is best player right now. He became the best player after the Copa America. The best goalie right now is Chilavert.

I agree 100% with Zambrotta (by the way sunday evening i'll be at the stadium for Roma-Juventus! without Totti.. http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif).
Just i forgot to say that this year everybody will know Roma.. and Totti will be again the best football player in Italy ...

Zambrotta, Lupos
Thanks for some support and wisdom
Finally...
PLaese try explaining to those two how much of a better player Baggio is than Rivaldo..

By the way Zambrotta good point about Diego yo..I forgot all about him. I do see him as a better player than Baggio..Thanks you..

And i agree that Rivaldo would not stand a chance against Maldini...
you sooooo wise yo....
how do you do it??

Sergen is the best player in world!!!!!
wonderful ball control
wonderful shooter
Are you see Germany-Turkey match?

FORZA ROMA!!!!!

Let us hope they beat Juve so Mr.Agnelli finally fires that no-good coach Ancelotti. He has the 2 best wingers in Italy (Zambrotta and Bachini) and benches both of them to play.....Pesotto...

Oh, to make some hardliners happy:
Rivaldo surely is MUCH better than....Ronaldo

Baggio, I was just watching your replys but now I've to post mine reply. Baggio, is surely the most popular man in Italy by fans of all teams, even now and I really ejoyed the time he was playin' for AC. But how can you say the things about Rivaldo, what's wrong wit you? Is he destroin' Barca's game? NO!!!
His no-look passes to Figo, Kluivert or Enrique are just wonderful, AND every 2nd Barca's goal comes from Rivaldo, If he's not the shooter he's the passer. Really I can't Imagine Barca without him. And you say that he makes the same everytime? How many barca's games have you seen? Every game he makes something unexpected. I love to watch his game again and again. Beckham mekes the same everytime but not Rivaldo. If you don't think he's the best-OK, but don't say he's destroin' Barca's game...

Btw. Baggio where you from?

SERGEN ÝS THE NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!

AC Milano, i know i was a bit harsh on Rivaldo, to tell the truth he is good..No doubt. Actually he's the best Brazilian player today.

Its just that when you compare him to Baggio you can find so many faults with his game, i just can't see how someone could say him over "The Great Roberto Baggio".

He has the great brazilian touch that makes a good midfielder, but he seems to fall short of being apart of a team.
When i see Barcelona play - quite a bit of late - the flow is just perfect, until he gets the ball...the flow dies..
In fact i see Figo as being more important to Barce than Rivaldo..
If you doubt me have a look at the games against Fiorentina and Arsenal in the Champions league...and see clearly how Figo controls the team, like a leader..Rivaldo doesn't have that...
I really don't have anything against him though...

ME, I am a Jamaican..You know that small island in the Caribbean just below Cuba..
Do you think we can make it to World cup again???

One Thing that I must agree with you is that the most important player for Barca this season Figo and...Guardiola. But Rivaldo and Enrique are just behind. And by my opinion he's still the best. I also agree that against Arsenal it wasn't his game. But he was pretty good against Fiorentina. And you can't judge this player only by champions legue matches, you should see him play in legue, too.

And the qustion if Jamaica can qualify for next WC? Well in north america is only one team strong and that's Mexico. And my informations are that 3 teams can qualify from this area. So...it's possible, but with a lot of luck.

Best player in tommorow:- Patrick Vieiraaa!!
This guy is really a talented midfielder. He is almost perfect in defence, you can see how many times he grab the ball from the opponent, nobody is better than him. On another hand, he can attack also, maybe he is not as well as rivaldo in assist, but you can see how he charge into opponent defence! We will see who is the best very soon, in champion league match--Arsenal VS Barca. Rivaldo? Not a problem at all!

Hey AC Milano,
Thanks for being positive about our hopes man, i agree with the situation totally. Mexico is the only strong team in the region, I just hope we can clinch one of the other two spots.
I know we can beat the US but we seem to get intimidated whenever we face them, i guess now after being to the World Cup we have a bit more confindence..At least we didn't come last..

About Rivaldo, i hear you on the Champions League thing, however i don't see the level of competition in the Spanish league being greater than that of the C.L.
Rivaldo has no competition or challenge in that league man..

The defenders there aren't as good as those in Italian or English...I respect the league, don't get me wrong. I just see this as their weak point when compared to English and Italian..Thats all.

Campos Sucks, there is no way in hell that campos is the best keeper, not even in the top 5. He sucked when he played in the MLS, so how can U say that he is any good?

If the MLS is so bad why did Campos lose his starting job, and give up a goal 2 Alexi Lalas, one of the most overrated defenders of all time, not even a good musician.

Chilavert is the best keeper.
Roberto Carlos is the best defender.
Rivaldo is the best midfielder
Suker is the best stiker.

The best player of the world is RIVALDO
DREAM TEAM IS:

1-CHILAVERT
2-CAFU
3-GAMARRA
4-BLANC
6-R.CARLOS
5-REDONDO
8-ZIDANE
11-RIVALDO
10-EDILSON (2nd BEST PLAYER OF THE WORLD)
7-SCHEVCHENKO
9-BATISTUTA


RESERVES
12-DIDA
13-STAM
14-ORTEGA
15-ROMARIO
16-FRANK DE BOER
17-FIGO
18-OKOCHA

First one name is being left out on the free kick part of the game. Luis Figo of Barcelona and the Portugal National team, he is having a great year. How many free kicks has he scored on this year? The one again Andorra(I know who in the hell is Andorra) where Portugal unvieled there new away jerseys, Figo scored on set play where he took the kick over a Portuguese player that was set up in the wall when he ducked and went straight to the corner of the goal, without even a step from the keeper.

As for the best player of today, I am not sure there is no guy who really stands apart from everyone.

As for all time, everyone forgets the name that Pele says was the best player of all time, Eusbio. I am not sure if I agree but the person who has been named the most as the greatest player of all times said it so I guess it has to be considered.

When theyr'e all fit and at their best, Overmars, Kanu and Brian Laudrup are the best players in the world.

Jaques Song'o hahaha, you got to be kidding, I can name at least a dozen keeperer better than him, and Van Der Sar is certainly better than him. Maybe he's conceded a bit much with the Dutch national team latley, but see him at Juve, he's awesome.
But Song'o is just a pathetic joke.

DAVID BECKHAM;
No-one can match his accuracy or his ability, OK he may have a bit of a temper, but all geniuses have that, remember Maradona or Cantona. As for the best ever, Geoff Hurst 1966. No other player in the history of football has scored a hat trick in the World Cup Final.

RONALDO IS THE BEST PLAYER!!!

but richard knopper and ruud van nistelrooy are also very good!!!!!!!!!!

You guys are so predicatble. Always picking your nationality as the greatest in the world. Let's face it: the true stars play in Italy, with Spain second best, and England a rising third. The Netherlands, Germany and France have strong leagues. But MLS is a joke, so no-one in that league should even be considered. By position:

GK: Buffon - The starting keeper for the
best GK-producing country in the world
LB: Maldini - Still the best
LCB: Mihajlovic - Can decide a game with
his free kicks and corners
RCB: Desailly - A rock; universally respected
RB: Cafu - Captain of the best international
team
LM: Ortega - Can play anywhere but I'll put
him here
LCM: Rivaldo - Dynamic and difficult, but
brilliant
RCM: Keane - The leader of the Manchester
scum
RM: Figo - Superb crosser, better than
Beckham
LCF: Vieri - Living up to his price tag
RCF: Shevchenko - Gamebreaker!

Any questions?

Yo ogalthorpe, I REALLY like your team, but I'd play Totti instead of Ortega, and Davids instead of Keane.

I'll gladly do you the favour:
Miha for me is a must, because even if his defensive game is good at best, his shot is out of this world (which defender gives you 10+ goals a season) and his passing game is brilliant. Yes Thuram is the best defender in the world, but he is much like Desailly, and I did not want to be too picky.
I forgot Veron though, he is more human than human, here goes my 11:

Peruzzi

Cafu
Thuram
Mihajlovic
Maldini

Zambrotta :-)
Veron
Davids

Totti

Vieri
Schenvchenko

Tor Andre Flo is the best player ever!!

liva FLONALDO

Tor Andre Flo is the best player ever!!

liva FLONALDO

Yes, Buffon is the greatest keeper talent on the world now, and you team is really good, only 3 changes, Ortega-Veron, Keane-Okocha and Mihajlovic-Thuram.

Sorry Zambrotta I know you love Mihajlovic, but I think that he's more popular by his free kicks than defending, the same is R.Carlos.

Btw. keep posting, only few replyes more and I will beat the rekord of: TBB the Boss - Legues in...

AC Milano forever,peace.

I think Van Basten was the greatest player in the world now its DelPiero


fifa_fan

At the moment I honestly think Angelo Peruzzi to be the best. The saves he made against Venezia were pretty stupefying.

However I have to admit that Buffon is the future, at the beginning of the season (especially in Italy's loss to Denmark) he had some problems, but he will the the most dominant goalie in the next decade.
What I like about him (and Peruzzi) is that they are strong on saving penalties.

Another goalie I have a weakness for is Pagliuca, without him Italy would have ended in the 1st round last year in France.

But the best goalie I ever had the chance to see (and I saw a lot) is undoubtly Michel Preud'homme.

And I forgot:
take out ZAMBROTTA of my ideal team and put in ALMEYDA. He is the no-doubt-about-it best defensive midfielder at this moment.

Almeyda is a great player. Did you see the goal against Parma? Incredible! And it was only his second in Serie A.

Still, I wouldn't rate him ahead of Keane or Davids.

Yeah, his goal was unique. Funny that his first goal (last season) was a heck of a shot as well.

I'd rate him over Keane, but certainly not over Davids, who according to my opinion is the best player on the world.
If I had to put together a team, he surely would be my 1st pick.

Zambrotta:

What is your opinion of Keane? I know he plays in an inferior league, but he strikes me as a born winner. Man Utd. are nothing when he's out of the lineup (excepting the Euro Cup win, which was a joke).

And what do you think of this:

Argentina is the greatest international team at the moment. With Veron, Simeone, Almeyda, Redondo, and Ortega all in midfield, and Batistuta, Crespo, and Lopez at forward, they have an unbelievable attack!

I like Keane very much, he is a true winner. But I unfortunately don't get to see much of the PL, only 15 mins a week on German TV.
He is surely among the top 3 defensive midfielders. The reason I prefer Davids is because he has tremendous skills with the ball. Almeyda-Keane is somewhat a tie, I chose Almeyda because he was the best player last year in Italy (better as Totti for that matter).

I agree with you on Argentina as wll, I rank them over Brazil. (I'll be some beating for saying this).
I may be true that Brazil could easily play 5 very good teams, but the best 11 at this moment come from Holland and Argentina.

Watch out for Italy to bounce back though! In 3 weeks Zoff will for the first time play Totti behind Vieri and the second forward, who I wish to be Del Piero or Montella (but it will most likely be Inzaghi).
Vieri-Del Piero-Totti is some serious stuff too!
However the Brazilians with Ronaldo-Amoroso-Rivaldo also have a damn good offense.

Who would your starting 11 be for Italy. Mine would be:

Buffon
Panucci - Nesta - Maldini
Fuser - Albertini - Ambrosini - Zambrotta
Totti
Del Piero - Vieri

I am a big fan of Simone Inzaghi, but he's probably around fifth in line to start at forward. What do you think?

Mine is:

Peruzzi (at the moment)
Panucci-Nesta-Cannavaro-Maldini
Tommasi-Di Biagio-Zambrotta
Totti
Vieri-Del Piero

I was a big Albertini fan, but his performance in the past 3 years have been not enough to match his skills. I'd love to finally see him return to the 1994 level.
Simone Inzaghi is a good striker, I like him much better than his brother.
Our problem is midfield, I sure hope that Zoff will introduce Fiore (Udinese) soon.
However Italy's future could be closely linked to the development of a guy with so sensational skills it's hard to believe:
Andrea Pirlo, currently Reggina

p.s. Simone scored 2 goals today

Zambrotta:

I agree that you have a quality 11. But they are all from the Italian league. I deliberately included players from England and Spain to balance my team out.

Notes:
- I did not include Thuram because of Parma's questionable early season form
- I included Ortega because he has stood out as being Parma's best player (along with Buffon)
- I thought of Veron right after I posted the message, and he is an excellent choice in midfield
- Mihajlovic is not the best defender, but--like I said--he is one of the best gamebreakers in the world
- Certainly, Rivaldo warrants inclusion!
- Davids may be a better player than Keane, but who would Juventus take if they had the choice?

That's all for now...

Striker: Shevchenko
Midfield: Rivaldo
Defence: Mihajlovic
Team: Lazio
Most Overrated: Zahovic

Sinisa is know for his nuclear left foot but he is an excellent defender as well. Not the best but when you factor in his offence then that does make him the best.

Zambrotta, Do you think that Peruzzi is the best keeper?

I don't know, there isn't a goalkeeper that will overshine all others, Smeichel is gettin' old now so...maybe Chilavert, but he isn't playin' in europe and I don't have so much info about him. My favorite one is still Campos but he's not the best this time.
Victor Baia, Van der Sar, Seaman, Peruzzi, Barthez...they all the same, so my vote goes for Buffon, but he's young and it's too early to say he's the best. Your opinion?

I think the best, current player in the world is Gabriel Batistuta, because he's a constant player, he is very good player, he scores every year more than 20 goals and he's a big fighter: He's got everything, what a great player needs.

My favourite team?

Carew (RBK) Batistuta (ACF)
Vieri (Inter)
Rivaldo Beckham Zidane Emerson
R.Carlos Kohler Thuram
Illgner (real)

1. I hate Man U.
2. This is a team I'd like to see play together, not necessarily the team with the best players.

G Chilavert
D Cafu
D Sol Campbell
D Marcel Desailly
D Eddie Pope
M David Beckham
M Edgar Davids
M Rivaldo
F Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors)
F Battistuta
F Emile Heskey (Leicester City)

A VERY physical team with speed and power up front, class and tenacity in midfield, three rocks and one flair player in the back, and a tower of strength in goal.

My Italian XI.

Buffon
Panucci-Costacurta-Maldiny
Conte-Di Biagio-Totti-Albertiny-Zambrotta
Viery-Baggio

Heil to Guiseppe "Peppe" Bergomi; he ended his Great Carreer.