photo credit: Abdullah AL-Naser
The Pick: Demetrio Albertini likely needs to rent storage space for all of his trophies. Over fourteen years with Serie A power AC Milan, he won five titles and hoisted a UEFA Champions League trophy. He also took the pitch for the Azzurri nearly 80 times, and he was featured on two of Italy’s World Cup rosters. He was renowned for his ability to put long free kicks past the keeper, but he made this list because he was one of the best passers the game has ever seen. Read more... (230 words, 4 images, estimated 55 secs reading time)
photo credit: Harry Brignull
The Pick: Deciding to include Jari Litmanen in my list of the Top 100 players of all-time was easy. First of all, I have no idea why, but I really felt like I needed to profile someone Finnish or I wouldn’t be able to finish this series (wow, does Guiness Book have a record for worst pun?). In addition (and in all seriousness this time), I couldn’t deny that Litmanen was (and still is, amazingly) a hell of a player. Plus, I just love his nickname: Kuningas (aka “The King”). Read more... (224 words, 4 images, estimated 54 secs reading time)
photo credit: manbeastextraordinaire
The Pick: OK, before you scoff at my inclusion of Roger Milla on this list, let me tell you a little about the man. First of all, he was one of the first (if not the first) player from Africa to become an international soccer superstar. Second, when he was 38 freaking years old, he willed Cameroon to the 1990 World Cup Quarterfinals by scoring four goals and dazzling audiences with his skills (plus he scored in ‘94 too). Third, the man is now an ambassador for his people. Read more... (226 words, 4 images, estimated 54 secs reading time)
photo credit: goatling
The Pick: Christian Vieri barely made my list. I wanted to leave him off my Top 100 completely because I don’t care for the man too much, but I do think he was a great player, so he deserves the honor. I almost used the fact that injury kept him from the 2006 World Cup to snub him, but I just couldn’t deny his spot here since he is a two-time Italian Player of the Year. He also has scored nearly 200 career goals as a pro, most of which came when he was with Inter. Read more... (246 words, 4 images, estimated 59 secs reading time)
photo credit: dphuonq
The Pick: Gianluigi Buffon probably deserves to be way higher up this list, but I think my ranking formula must have severely underweighted GK statistics. Eh, who cares? After all, GKs are sort of the “kickers” of soccer (which makes no sense unless you are an NFL fan). Regardless, Buffon belongs in any discussion of the best players ever. After all, he is only 31, yet he has already won a World Cup in heroic style and played between the posts in Serie A over 500 times. Read more... (247 words, 4 images, estimated 59 secs reading time)
photo credit: ilgigrad
The Pick: OK, please stop ridiculing my pick of Fabien Barthez as one of the Top 100 long enough for me to make my case. First of all, France’s GK won a World Cup (1998) and he led his squad to another Final (2006). Moreover, he played well in over 550 professional matches over his 17 year career for teams like AS Monaco and Manchester United. He also has won the Yashin Award and he holds the all-time record for most clean sheets in World Cup history. Read more... (245 words, 4 images, estimated 59 secs reading time)
