Do you agree with our list of the definitive top 10 midfielders EVER…
CaughtOffside counts down the ten greatest midfielders in history, with two former Manchester United stars lagging behind Real Madrid’s cult hero, who has been dubbed by many as the greatest ever. Tell us your top 10 in the comments!
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Every day this week will be uploading our definitive top ten lists. Make sure to come back at 11pm tomorrow evening, when we’ll bring you the definitive top 10 forwards EVER – including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
10) Luis Figo
Played for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan in a glittering career that saw him win eight league titles and the Champions League. Renowned for his creativity and an unwavering ability to get past defenders at ease.
9) Bobby Charlton
Bobby Charlton is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest players ever. As one of the few survivors of the Munich air tragedy Charlton went on to help Manchester United win the European Cup ten years later in 1968. He won the World Cup with England in 1966 and the golden ball for best player of the tournament.
8) Francisco Gento
Gento was one of the players of the Real Madrid side that dominated the 1950s and 60s. He is the only player that won the European Cup six times and one of the two players that played eight European Cup finals (Paolo Maldini is the other).
7) Zico
Zico played in three World Cups with Brazil (1978, 1982, 1986), but never won the tournament. He did however score 66 goals in 88 matches for his country, causing him to often be referred to as “The white Pelé”. He was a great free kick taker and a great dribbler.
6) George Best
United legend George Best was one of the greatest wingers of all time. Best was a brilliant dribbler, and had great acceleration which helped him get past defenders with ease. He scored 138 goals in 361 appearances for the Manchester club, helping them win the European Cup in 1968.
5) Michel Platini
Platini helped France win the 1984 European Championship. He was a brilliant playmaker with an amazing free kick. He is one of the midfielders in the World Team of the 20th Century as well as the current president of UEFA.
4) Garrincha
Garrincha is widely seen as one of the greatest dribblers of all time. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958 and 1962. His left leg was six centimeters shorter than his right. But despite the issue he was still renowned for being incredibly fast.
3) Zinedine Zidane
Zidane was a real playmaker. His vision allowed him to set up goals as well as score them, and it was his inspirational performance that inspired France to victory in the 1998 World Cup. He also enjoyed plenty of success with Real Madrid, before his career came to an unfortunately sour end in 2006.
2) Johan Cruyff
Cruyff was a total footballer, he could play anywhere on the pitch but was mainly used as an attacking midfielder. He organized the attack, had great vision and amazing dribbling skills. He lost the final of the 1974 World Cup with Holland, who became known as one of the best teams never to win the tournament.
1) Alfredo Di Stéfano
One of the greatest players of all time, capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, but used predominately as a winger and an attacking midfielder by the Real Madrid side he helped inspire to five European Cup victories.
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