benjii Posted June 7 Posted June 7 (edited) Not Saints related. No trying to be clever by putting Di Stefano or Puskas in. Best XI from players you watched when they were playing. Has to be a proper team. No eight forwards. This ain't Champ Manager 98/99. Assume everyone at peak fitness and form. -----------P Schmeichel----------- Cafu------Ramos---Terry------Bale --------Matthaus---Xavi--------- Messi--------Zidane-------Iniesta -----------Ronaldo (Brazil)------ Subs: Preudhomme, Alves, Maldini, Makalele, Busquets, Gazza, Henry, Weah, Lee Todd Maradonna was past his best when I started watching footy so I can't put him in. I remember Matthaus and Preudhomme from early world cups, so going with them! Cafu, Xavi and Messi are no brainers, IMO. Ronaldo at peak form is simply the greatest ever footballer, in my opinion. Power, pace, finesse, vision, close finishes, long finishes... if you're young and you've never really seen him, or if you just disagree, do yourself a favour and watch a YouTube video - not just his goals but his all round play. Peerless. I expect Maldini is a more sensible choice than Terry and Bale, but i saw them play more and had a patriotic urge to get an English player and a Saints youth player into the team. Iniesta can drift inside and let Bale power on. For number 10, it was Zidane or Djamel Belmadi, but Zizou snuck it. I guess Del Piero also an option. Gazza on the bench for the bantzz. What is interesting is: only 3 of the XI played Prem League. Edited June 7 by benjii
Lighthouse Posted June 7 Posted June 7 Going by players I've watched (France 98 was the first tournament I really remember following) Buffon Alves Cannavaro Maldini Cole Pirlo Xavi CR7 Iniesta Messi R9 Subs: Cech, Ramos, Cafu, Makalele, Modric, Kaka, Zidane, Del Pierro, Shevchenko 1 1
The Kraken Posted June 7 Posted June 7 Manuel Neuer Lilian Thuram - Alesandro Nesta - Alessandro Costacurta - Paolo Maldini Xavi - Claude Makelele Cristiano Ronaldo - Diego Maradona - Lionel Messi Ronaldo 2
redkeith Posted June 7 Posted June 7 Best I have seen , not on TV but at actual games Buffon Golac Bonnuci VVD Maldini Rodri Kante Yamal Battistuta Maradona MBappe There are probably a lot more renowned right backs that I have seen than Golac, but I cant remember one that was as much fun to watch. 2
Behind Enemy Lines Posted June 7 Posted June 7 (edited) This team and management is made up with those I have actually spoken to properly. Manager: Alex Ferguson Shilton G Neville S Bruce Koeman Bale Le Tissier Scholes Beckham Keegan C Ronaldo Rooney Assistant manager Pep Guardiola Subs: Peter Cech J. Terry N. Butt E. Haarland S. Gerrard I. Wright F. Lampard Edited June 7 by Behind Enemy Lines 1
Cabrone Posted June 7 Posted June 7 Gianluigi Buffon Andreas Brehme - Franco Baresi - Des Walker - Paolo Maldini Gareth Bale - Diego Maradonna - MIchel Platini - Ronaldinho Messi - Marco Van Basten Subs: Lothar Matthaus Zinedine Zidane Christiano Ronaldo Alan Shearer Paul Gasgoigne 1
AlexLaw76 Posted June 7 Posted June 7 (edited) Buffon Cafu Cannavaro Matthaus Maldini Xavi Ronaldinho Maradona Zidane Messi Ronaldo (CR9) subs - Scmeichal, Baresi, Lahm, Pirlo, Rodri, Bale, Del Piero, Van Basten, Ronaldo Edited June 7 by AlexLaw76 2
JonnyOB Posted June 7 Posted June 7 C Ronaldo is a diving , cheating Tw@t , how can he be in a "greatest 11" ? Utter embarrassment to football imo ... 😇
Turkish Posted June 7 Posted June 7 (edited) I’ve tried about 20 times with this and come up with a different team every time. The constant features are Buffon Maldini Iniesta Messi depending on the formation it was R9 + Van Basten up front If it was my personal favourite players ie maybe not the best players but ones I’ve liked over time Franceso Totti would be in there too, Pirlo, Ibrahimovic. Berkamp probably, Modric, Bale So hard to pick one team Edited June 7 by Turkish 2
skintsaint Posted June 7 Posted June 7 21 minutes ago, Turkish said: I’ve tried about 20 times with this and come up with a different team every time. Reminds me of this sketch: 1
benjii Posted June 8 Author Posted June 8 13 hours ago, Cabrone said: Gianluigi Buffon Andreas Brehme - Franco Baresi - Des Walker - Paolo Maldini Gareth Bale - Diego Maradonna - MIchel Platini - Ronaldinho Messi - Marco Van Basten Subs: Lothar Matthaus Zinedine Zidane Christiano Ronaldo Alan Shearer Paul Gasgoigne Taking some liberties with that midfield, pal! 1
benjii Posted June 8 Author Posted June 8 10 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said: Buffon Cafu Cannavaro Matthaus Maldini Xavi Ronaldinho Maradona Zidane Messi Ronaldo (CR9) subs - Scmeichal, Baresi, Lahm, Pirlo, Rodri, Bale, Del Piero, Van Basten, Ronaldo You having both Ronaldos in a super-borg?
Hawkswood Posted June 8 Posted June 8 If it were a team with balance I'd have Roy Keane at the base of the midfield. Other certs for me Schmeichel Messi Zidane Maldini CR9 Maradona. The others could be a turkey shoot and how you put them all together is beyond me. 1
Convict Colony Posted June 8 Posted June 8 (edited) On 07/06/2025 at 11:36, benjii said: Not Saints related. No trying to be clever by putting Di Stefano or Puskas in. Best XI from players you watched when they were playing. Has to be a proper team. No eight forwards. This ain't Champ Manager 98/99. Assume everyone at peak fitness and form. -----------P Schmeichel----------- Cafu------Ramos---Terry------Bale --------Matthaus---Xavi--------- Messi--------Zidane-------Iniesta -----------Ronaldo (Brazil)------ Subs: Preudhomme, Alves, Maldini, Makalele, Busquets, Gazza, Henry, Weah, Lee Todd Maradonna was past his best when I started watching footy so I can't put him in. I remember Matthaus and Preudhomme from early world cups, so going with them! Cafu, Xavi and Messi are no brainers, IMO. Ronaldo at peak form is simply the greatest ever footballer, in my opinion. Power, pace, finesse, vision, close finishes, long finishes... if you're young and you've never really seen him, or if you just disagree, do yourself a favour and watch a YouTube video - not just his goals but his all round play. Peerless. I expect Maldini is a more sensible choice than Terry and Bale, but i saw them play more and had a patriotic urge to get an English player and a Saints youth player into the team. Iniesta can drift inside and let Bale power on. For number 10, it was Zidane or Djamel Belmadi, but Zizou snuck it. I guess Del Piero also an option. Gazza on the bench for the bantzz. What is interesting is: only 3 of the XI played Prem League. Bro no Ronaldinho anywhere !!!!!!! Not read replies so apologies if someone else has mentioned it. If you don't love him you don't love football, prime Ronaldinho at Barca was sick. Also I'm not having ramos, overrated defender but he got goals. Give me any of the juve defenders like bonnuci, chilleni etc Edited June 8 by Convict Colony 1
Convict Colony Posted June 8 Posted June 8 (edited) Ok my attempt at a team rather than names, feel these complement each other and would be killers. Schemicial Brehme bonnucci. Van Diljk. Carlos Keane. Kroos Messi. Ronaldinho. Henry Ronaldo (Brazil) This isn't recency bias but I really rate Kroos and van Dijk Edited June 8 by Convict Colony 1
danjosaint Posted June 8 Posted June 8 Neuer Cafu VVD Maldini Cole Makalele R"dinho Matthaus ZZ Messi R9 Subs, Cech, Van Baston, Henry, Baresi, Zico 2
Cabrone Posted June 9 Posted June 9 On 08/06/2025 at 07:17, benjii said: Taking some liberties with that midfield, pal! Too defensive? 4
Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan Posted June 9 Posted June 9 Started watching football properly in 2002 so there is some definite nostalgia picks here, and a real flair of Joga Bonito going forward... Playing a 4 2 3 1 Neuer Lahm Puyol Carvalho Carlos Gerrard Makelele Messi Kaka Ronaldinho R9 Subs: Niemi, Cafu, Svensson, Schneiderlin, Totti, Henry, Beattie 1
benjii Posted June 9 Author Posted June 9 21 hours ago, Convict Colony said: Bro no Ronaldinho anywhere !!!!!!! Not read replies so apologies if someone else has mentioned it. If you don't love him you don't love football, prime Ronaldinho at Barca was sick. Also I'm not having ramos, overrated defender but he got goals. Give me any of the juve defenders like bonnuci, chilleni etc He is magic, for sure! Absolute entertainer. 1
Hawkswood Posted June 9 Posted June 9 23 hours ago, Convict Colony said: Bro no Ronaldinho anywhere !!!!!!! Not read replies so apologies if someone else has mentioned it. If you don't love him you don't love football, prime Ronaldinho at Barca was sick. Also I'm not having ramos, overrated defender but he got goals. Give me any of the juve defenders like bonnuci, chilleni etc Ahh but this is the thing isn't it. At this time Zidane and Ronnie were at the height of their powers. You remember the YouTube vid Zidane vs Ronaldinho? It was a beautiful watch, but at that time Zidane just does it more for me. Ronnie was a great entertainer and had some outrageous moments but Zidane for me was pure grace and elegance on a pitch and also that ridiculously strong French team that won everything always seemed to struggle when he wasn't playing. Anyway, horses for courses but that's why zizou gets the nod over Ronnie for me.
Hawkswood Posted Monday at 19:25 Posted Monday at 19:25 Think I've got this. I know R Carlos is the sexy choice at left back but as an all round left back I actually think Ashley Cole might be the best left back I've seen. No one kept Ronaldo at the height of his powers in his pocket like Cole did and also a shout out to Andreas Brehme. Schmeichel Cafu Maldini Chiellini Cole Keane Xavi Messi Maradona Zidane RONALDO ( Brazil)
Lighthouse Posted Monday at 20:08 Posted Monday at 20:08 41 minutes ago, Hawkswood said: I know R Carlos is the sexy choice at left back but as an all round left back I actually think Ashley Cole might be the best left back I've seen. No one kept Ronaldo at the height of his powers in his pocket like Cole did Totally agree. As good as RC was, he does get hyped up to god-like status by virtue of the the fact that he was Brazilian, played for Madrid and scored that free kick against France.
Convict Colony Posted Tuesday at 09:36 Posted Tuesday at 09:36 (edited) 14 hours ago, Hawkswood said: Ahh but this is the thing isn't it. At this time Zidane and Ronnie were at the height of their powers. You remember the YouTube vid Zidane vs Ronaldinho? It was a beautiful watch, but at that time Zidane just does it more for me. Ronnie was a great entertainer and had some outrageous moments but Zidane for me was pure grace and elegance on a pitch and also that ridiculously strong French team that won everything always seemed to struggle when he wasn't playing. Anyway, horses for courses but that's why zizou gets the nod over Ronnie for me. Zidane was decent dont get me wrong but I like my footballers to play like they are at a strip joint, elegance isnt needed 😁 Edited Tuesday at 09:41 by Convict Colony 2
Convict Colony Posted Tuesday at 09:39 Posted Tuesday at 09:39 13 hours ago, Lighthouse said: Totally agree. As good as RC was, he does get hyped up to god-like status by virtue of the the fact that he was Brazilian, played for Madrid and scored that free kick against France. I usually hold that against players to be fair, same for Barca players.
Miltonaggro Posted Tuesday at 09:55 Posted Tuesday at 09:55 (edited) Shilton Cafu Koeman Baresi Maldini Matthaus Zidane Maradona Zico Messi Ronaldo (Brazil) Subs Schmeichel Brehme R. Carlos Cannavaro Xavi Riijkard Keegan Le Tissier (just to be able to bring him on in that company at 60 mins) Batistuta Edited Tuesday at 10:07 by Miltonaggro 2
woodsaint1 Posted Wednesday at 00:07 Posted Wednesday at 00:07 Buffon Cafu Baresi Matthaus Maldini Zidane Xavi Riquelme Ronaldinho Messi Ronaldo (R9) Wouldnt be much defending out of the front 6 but with a defence like that who needs it 1
Saint_clark Posted Wednesday at 02:37 Posted Wednesday at 02:37 Buffon Lahm Ferdinand Maldini Cole Pirlo Keane Messi Ronaldinho Henry Rooney I know a lot of people will scoff at my up front pick but under Fergie Rooney was an unreal talent. Definitely faded off in a big way at the end.
Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan Posted Thursday at 09:02 Posted Thursday at 09:02 On 11/06/2025 at 03:37, Saint_clark said: Buffon Lahm Ferdinand Maldini Cole Pirlo Keane Messi Ronaldinho Henry Rooney I know a lot of people will scoff at my up front pick but under Fergie Rooney was an unreal talent. Definitely faded off in a big way at the end. You need an angry Rooney ideally, get him a bit wound up and nothing stopped him
skintsaint Posted Thursday at 10:11 Posted Thursday at 10:11 1 hour ago, Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan said: You need an angry Rooney ideally, get him a bit wound up and nothing stopped him Remember that goal I think against Newcastle when he was having a pop at the ref, jogged up the pitch 10 yards or so and just volleyed the ball top corner from 30 yards out or so 😅
Spoonman Posted Friday at 12:15 Posted Friday at 12:15 Buffon Cafu_McGrath_ Baresi_Maldini Keane _Zidane Maradona _Le Tis_ Messi Bergkamp
Tommy Mulgrew Posted Friday at 17:11 Posted Friday at 17:11 Nice to see MLT makes someone’s first 11. BTW, I hope that, by McGrath, you mean Big John: https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/john-mcgrath/ who was the reason for Shankly’s “alehouse” description of our beloved, (at that time, not now), team.
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