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The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football - Sports - Nairaland

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The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 9:39am On May 31, 2020
1. BELGIUM | EDEN HAZARD
Despite not winning any international trophies, this Belgium side is probably the best in the nation’s history. Their best player? Eden Hazard.

The Real Madrid star has been capped 104 times, scoring 30 goals and will surely go on to become the most capped Belgian player ever - an honour currently held by Jan Vertonghen.

2. FRANCE | ZINEDINE ZIDANE
In his first World Cup, Zidane was the hero for the host nation, scoring two goals in the final against Brazil in 1998. Two years later, he helped France win Euro 2000.

Six years after that, he played his final match as a professional in the 2006 World Cup final. He scored an outrageous dinked penalty against Italy before being sent-off for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi in extra-time.


3. BRAZIL | PELE
Three World Cups and more than 1000 career goals.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. In 1999, he was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), and was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award. That same year, Pelé was elected Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee.

FIFA World Cup Best Young Player: 1958
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball: 1958
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (Best Player): 1970
South American Championship Best Player: 1959
South American Championship Top Scorer: 1959
Most assists provided in FIFA World Cup history: 10, (1958–1970)
Most assists provided in a single FIFA World Cup tournament: 7, (1970)
Most assists provided in a FIFA World Cup Final: 3, (1958 and 1970)
Top scorer in a FIFA World Cup Final (joint with Vavá, Geoff Hurst and Zinedine Zidane): 3 goals
Record Top scorer in a calendar year: in 1959 – 127 goals

He may not have had the most glorified club career, representing Santos and, in his final few years, New York Cosmos, but his 77 goals in 92 caps for Brazil is extraordinary.


4. ENGLAND | SIR BOBBY CHARLTON
A Manchester United legend, having played more than 750 times for the club. He also helped England win the 1966 World Cup, winning the Ballon d'Or in the same year.

For his country, Charlton racked up 106 caps and scored 49 goals - a record that has now been beaten by Wayne Rooney.

5. URUGUAY | ENZO FRANCESCOLI
Zidane’s idol, Francescoli played for Montevideo Wanderers, River Plate, RC Paris, Marseille, Cagliari and Torino during his club career. The midfielder played 73 times for Uruguay, helping them win three different Copa Americas.

6. PORTUGAL | CRISTIANO RONALDO
Ronaldo just edges out Eusebio.

Just the 95 goals in 162 appearances for his country helping them win Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League.

He was amongst the team that finished second in the European championship in 2004 finishing as Portugal highest goal scorer at just 19 years and was named in team of the tournament.

Eusebio not Figo never won trophy with Portugal


7. SPAIN | ANDRES INIESTA
Iniesta just pips the likes of Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Xavi to this honour.

Was part of the conquering Spanish squad who won Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and then Euro 2012.


8. ARGENTINA | DIEGO MARADONA
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.

Winner and best player of the u20 world cup in 1979.
Winner and best player of the FIFA world cup in 1986.

His goal of 60 m (66 yd) dribble past five England players, was voted "Goal of the Century" by FIFA.com voters in 2002.

He edges out Lionel Messi who would have been had he won a trophy for Argentina.


9. MEXICO | HUGO SANCHEZ
208 goals in 283 appearances for Real Madrid and is the fourth highest scorer in the history of La Liga. He played in three World Cups and was part of the Mexican side that reached the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup.

10. NETHERLANDS | JOHAN CRYUFF
You’ve got to be good to have a skill named after you.

There have been some incredible Dutch players down the years but former Ajax and Barca hero Cryuff edges out the likes of Marco van Basten and Ronald Koeman.

190 goals in 240 matches for Ajax earned him a world-record move to Barcelona, where he continued to show he was one of the greatest ever.

He won three Ballon d'Ors during his career.


11. URUGUAY | ENZO FRANCESCOLI
Zidane’s idol, Francescoli played for Montevideo Wanderers, River Plate, RC Paris, Marseille, Cagliari and Torino during his club career. The midfielder played 73 times for Uruguay, helping them win three different Copa Americas.

12. GERMANY | FRANZ BECKENBAUER
Der Kaiser.

Beckenbauer is credited for inventing the sweeper role. He played largely for Bayern Munich during his club career, winning five league titles and three European Cups.

He represented West German 103 at three different World Cups - winning it in 1990 - and claimed two Ballon d’Ors.

13. CAMEROUN | SAMUEL ETO'O FILS
He is regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time,[6] winning the African Player of the Year a record four times: in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010.

Won the Olympics games with cameroun in 2000
Won African cup of nation's with cameroun in 2000 and 2002.

Eto'o has participated in four World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations. He is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, with 18 goals, and is Cameroon's all-time leading scorer and third most capped player, with 56 goals in 118 caps.

14. NIGERIA | NWANKWO KANU
Kanu won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal.

Kanu won the Olympic gold medal in 1996 and the u17 world cup in 1993 for Nigeria.

He won that African footballer of the year in 1996 and 1999.

He's also listed as an IFFHIS Legend

15. ITALY | FABIO CANNAVARO
Cannavaro achieved success with the Italy national team.

He was part of the Italy team which won consecutive UEFA European Under-21 Championships in 1994 and 1996.

After earning his first senior cap in 1997, he helped his national team to the final of UEFA Euro 2000, being named in the team of the tournament, and became captain in 2002.

Cannavaro led Italy to victory in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and was given the nickname "Il Muro di Berlino" ("The Berlin Wall"wink by the Italian supporters due to his defensive performances, which saw Italy keep five clean sheets and concede only two goals, neither of which were in open play. He was awarded the Silver Ball after being named the tournament's second-best player.

Cannavaro was named the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year, making him the only defender in history to have won the award.

He also won the Ballon d'Or award in 2006 which made him the only defender to win the award in a decade and only the third of all time after Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer.

In 2006 and 2007 Cannavaro was named in the FIFA World XI. In 2007, he was in the six man shortlist for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.

Cannavaro edges out Maldini.
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Badmanlalajoshi(m): 9:44am On May 31, 2020
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Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by DICKstractor: 9:46am On May 31, 2020
They are many players out there; playing and retired, that are exceptionally good but stats doesn't speak for them.
.
All we have to do is enjoy this beautiful game of football. Life without football have been proven to be boring during this pandemic
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Nobody: 10:48am On May 31, 2020
So Nigeria and Cameroon are Top 15 Football Nations in the World??

Funny list!!!!

Kanu Nwakwo that didn't score a single goal in 4 Nation's cup is even called , Nigerian best ever!! .
Is this selection about the National team performance or overall career??

If it about overall career,

Maradona: 10/10 for Country, 6/10 for club

Messi: 7/10 for Country, 10/10 for Club

So, Messi edge him out on overall career.

I really don't understand how a player who won the World cup by an intentional handball goal is this overpampered!!!

Overall, Messi is still better tho!!


What makes Enzo better than Forlan or Suarez for Uruguay??

This list is made hastily!!

Eusebio in real Tournaments was better than Cristiano for Portugal.
Eusebio in 1966 World cup only :9 goals
Cristiano in 4 different World cups: 7 goals

Unless we want to hide Cristiano under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass again!!

The maker of this list should make up his mind... We need to know whether it is about the National team alone or overall career!!

Overall career, Platini>>Zizou!!!
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by obembet(f): 11:09am On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
Obembet
Eni4real
Ddippset grin
NumeroUno
M140
Semid4lyfe
Lalasticlala
Firstbornwlds
Source
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 11:16am On May 31, 2020
obembet:
Source
Mine. Credit to givemesport.com though grin
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by obembet(f): 11:26am On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
Mine. Credit to givemesport.com though grin
Add the link
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by ddippset(m): 11:28am On May 31, 2020
If Maradona was Portuguese he'd also be Number 1 too.

So the point you wanted to prove to me is Dead On Arrival.

grin
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Fladm(m): 11:31am On May 31, 2020
ddippset:
If Maradona was from Portugal he'd be Number 1 too.

So the point you wanted to prove to me is Dead On Arrival

grin
Truely Dead on arrival
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 11:42am On May 31, 2020
Lol grin grin grin grin
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 11:44am On May 31, 2020
eni4real:
So Nigeria and Cameroon are Top 15 Football Nations in the World??

Funny list!!!!

Kanu Nwakwo that didn't score a single goal in 4 Nation's cup is even called , Nigerian best ever!! .
Is this selection about the National team performance or overall career??

If it about overall career,

Maradona: 10/10 for Country, 6/10 for club

Messi: 7/10 for Country, 10/10 for Club

So, Messi edge him out on overall career.

I really don't understand how a player who won the World cup by an intentional handball goal is this overpampered!!!

Overall, Messi is still better tho!!


What makes Enzo better than Forlan or Suarez for Uruguay??

This list is made hastily!!

Eusebio in real Tournaments was better than Cristiano for Portugal.
Eusebio in 1966 World cup only :9 goals
Cristiano in 4 different World cups: 7 goals

Unless we want to hide Cristiano under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass again!!

The maker of this list should make up his mind... We need to know whether it is about the National team alone or overall career!!

Overall career, Platini>>Zizou!!!
Lol...goalpost shifter as usual grin..

We are talking of only national team grin

Lol... Messi 7/10 for Argentina..lol grin
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by m140(m): 12:33pm On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
Obembet
Eni4real
Ddippset grin
NumeroUno
M140
Semid4lyfe
Lalasticlala
Firstbornwlds
Wetin happen
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by m140(m): 12:33pm On May 31, 2020
obembet:
Source
For?
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Nobody: 1:34pm On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
Lol...goalpost shifter as usual grin..

We are talking of only national team grin

Lol... Messi 7/10 for Argentina..lol grin
So why is Kanu there??
Why is Enzo Francescoli there

Why is Cristiano there ??

You are hiding him under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass!!!
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Numerouno94(m): 2:42pm On May 31, 2020
obembet:
Source
Dnt mind d dude. His a known troll. He created dat list to spite Messi as usual.
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 2:46pm On May 31, 2020
Numerouno94:
Dnt mind d dude. His a known troll. He created dat list to spite Messi as usual.
Lol... But it's the truth bro grin...

Look at those names there and prove me wrong grin
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 2:48pm On May 31, 2020
eni4real:
So why is Kanu there??
Why is Enzo Francescoli there

Why is Cristiano there ??

You are hiding him under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass!!!
Who is the best ever Nigerian player that played for Nigeria and won things individual and collectively??

What did Suarez and forlan win for Uruguay that Enzo didn't win??

Who is Eder or Silva compared to Ronaldo for the Portugal side??
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Nobody: 3:07pm On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
Who is the best ever Nigerian player that played for Nigeria and won things individual and collectively??

What did Suarez and forlan win for Uruguay that Enzo didn't win??

Who is Eder or Silva compared to Ronaldo for the Portugal side??
For National team or for Club??
Be specific!!
Kanu never won anything individual or group wise with the National team.. He had no goals in 4 different Nation's cup. shocked

Forlan won the 2010 world cup Golden ball and Copa America trophy

Suarez won the 2007 Copa America Golden ball and Copa America Trophy!!

What did Enzo win??


Once again stop hiding Cristiano under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass!!!
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 3:13pm On May 31, 2020
eni4real:
For National team or for Club??
Be specific!!
Kanu never won anything individual or group wise with the National team.. He had no goals in 4 different Nation's cup. shocked

Forlan won the 2010 world cup Golden ball and Copa America trophy

Suarez won the 2007 Copa America Golden ball and Copa America Trophy!!

What did Enzo win??


Once again stop hiding Cristiano under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass!!!
Enzo francescoli

Won 3 Copa Americas
Copa América player of the tournament (2): 1983, 1995
South American Footballer of the Year (2): 1984, 1995

Stop blabbering about Kanu... Tell us your own Nigeria goat grin

No problem about Cristiano... Eder and Silva are already bigger than Eusebio and Figo for Portugal... Happy now grin?
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Nobody: 3:18pm On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
Enzo francescoli

Won 3 Copa Americas
Copa América player of the tournament (2): 1983, 1995
South American Footballer of the Year (2): 1984, 1995

Stop blabbering about Kanu... Tell us your own Nigeria goat grin

No problem about Cristiano... Eder and Silva are already bigger than Eusebio and Figo for Portugal... Happy now grin?
Kanu has no National team legacy!! It is not blabbing!! I was dispelling misconceptions from that hasty article!!!

Okocha is Nigeria National team best ever!!!

94 Nation's cup trophy
2004 Nation's cup Golden boot
The only Nigerian player selected among 100 best players of the 20th century!!! Aka FIFA 100!!!


Where is Enzo's World cup Golden ball??
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by paulolee(m): 3:28pm On May 31, 2020
hmm
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 3:28pm On May 31, 2020
eni4real:
Kanu has no National team legacy!! It is not blabbing!! I was dispelling misconceptions from that hasty article!!!

Okocha is Nigeria National team best ever!!!

94 Nation's cup trophy
2004 Nation's cup Golden boot
The only Nigerian player selected among 100 best players of the 20th century!!! Aka FIFA 100!!!


Where is Enzo's World cup Golden ball??
Kanu African player of the year makes him edge Okocha....

Enzo 3 Copa America is bigger than golden ball..
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by ominilongest(m): 3:47pm On May 31, 2020
eni4real:
For National team or for Club??
Be specific!!
Kanu never won anything individual or group wise with the National team.. He had no goals in 4 different Nation's cup. shocked

Forlan won the 2010 world cup Golden ball and Copa America trophy

Suarez won the 2007 Copa America Golden ball and Copa America Trophy!!
Lol go and check how many times Ronaldo Dave Portugal ass, Bernardo and Eder still dey drink water bottle grin
It's not even a debate bros
RONALDO hands down
Y do U think IBRAHIMOVIC hate cr7 so much?
Highest tournament goals and baba no win anything for Portugal
U b clown grin

What did Enzo win??


Once again stop hiding Cristiano under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass!!!
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by ominilongest(m): 3:49pm On May 31, 2020
eni4real:
For National team or for Club??
Be specific!!
Kanu never won anything individual or group wise with the National team.. He had no goals in 4 different Nation's cup. shocked

Forlan won the 2010 world cup Golden ball and Copa America trophy

Suarez won the 2007 Copa America Golden ball and Copa America Trophy!!

What did Enzo win??


Once again stop hiding Cristiano under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass!!!
Lol go and check how many times Ronaldo save Portugals ass,when There's no good CMF,or AMF, Ronaldo is still chipping in goals, Bernardo and Eder still dey drink water bottle
It's not even a debate bros
RONALDO hands down
Y do U think IBRAHIMOVIC hate cr7 so much?
No go talk am for Portugal,na one leg U co carry comot grin
U b clown grin
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Nobody: 4:32pm On May 31, 2020
ominilongest:
Lol go and check how many times Ronaldo save Portugals ass,when There's no good CMF,or AMF, Ronaldo is still chipping in goals, Bernardo and Eder still dey drink water bottle
It's not even a debate bros
RONALDO hands down
Y do U think IBRAHIMOVIC hate cr7 so much?
No go talk am for Portugal,na one leg U co carry comot grin
U b clown grin
Cristiano is a Qualifier Legend in Euro history!!

But Portugal is not a Malta that need a player to score a hatrick' in a play-off!!!

How come Cristiano has 7 goals in all 4 World cups that he has played but Eusebio had 9 goals in just 1 World cup??

Stop hiding Cristiano under Eder's and Bernaldo's masterclass!!!
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Nobody: 4:34pm On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
Kanu African player of the year makes him edge Okocha....

Enzo 3 Copa America is bigger than golden ball..
African player of the year that he won through his club Performance!!

Okocha is far far better than Kanu for Nigerian National team!!

No goal in 4 different in Nation's cup shocked shocked shocked

That is very very poor!!!
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Nobody: 4:37pm On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
Kanu African player of the year makes him edge Okocha....

Enzo 3 Copa America is bigger than golden ball..
World cup Golden ball is better than some South American Trophy!!
Especially when it doesn't established him as among the top 5 best player in the WORLD!!!

Do you know that World cup Golden ball is the reason why Forlan was better than Cristiano in 2010 Ballon d'or ranking??

Show me where Enzo was ranked 4th best player in the world at any time in his career!!!
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 4:42pm On May 31, 2020
eni4real:
African player of the year that he won through his club Performance!!

Okocha is far far better than Kanu for Nigerian National team!!

No goal in 4 different in Nation's cup shocked shocked shocked

That is very very poor!!!
1996 African best player was won for his performance for Arsenal abi??

What Kanu did at Olympics 96 for Nigeria, was bigger than anything Okocha did for Nigeria.
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Jokerman(op): 4:43pm On May 31, 2020
eni4real:
World cup Golden ball is better than some South American Trophy!!
Especially when it doesn't established him as among the top 5 best player in the WORLD!!!

Do you know that World cup Golden ball is the reason why Forlan was better than Cristiano in 2010 Ballon d'or ranking??

Show me where Enzo was ranked 4th best player in the world at any time in his career!!!
Good point here though....
Re: The Greatest Player Ever From The Top 15 Nations In World Football by Nobody: 4:46pm On May 31, 2020
Jokerman:
1996 African best player was won for his performance for Arsenal abi??

What Kanu did at Olympics 96 for Nigeria, was bigger than anything Okocha did for Nigeria.
Olympic?? What is that??
Messi has made that tournament irrelevant since he destoyed it!!
Winning Olympic is not counted as a National team performance again since Messi era began!!!

Football standard is higher now cool

Kanu never scored a single goal for the National team in the Nation's cup between 2000 and 2008!!

That is too bad!!!

Sunday Mba is shocked shocked
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