MOT forum best left winger poll round 1
One of the most popular and fondly remembered players of all time, a man who loved to party just as much (if not more) than play football. He probably could have been even better than he was had he had the elite mentality of some of his contemporaries on these lists, but he was phenomenal without it and a proper show man. He was the man who rebuilt Barcelona, when he arrived the ground was half empty and the trophy cabinet hadn't been needed for 5 years. Ronaldinho bought the trophies and crowds back. Known for his tricks, flicks, Samba skills, no look passes and free kicks Ronaldinho was a player people paid to see. He is a World Cup, Champions League, Copa America and La Liga winner. A 2 time World Player of the Year a Ballon d'Or winner and a Brazilian Hall of Fame and AC Milan Hall of Fame member. Scorer of over 280 goals with over 200 assists
David Ginola
In 1999 Legendary Dutch manager and all time great player Johan Cruyff was asked who he felt was the best player in the world right now, his answer was David Ginola. Such a big fan was Cruyff it came out after that he had tried to sign the moody French star whilst Barcelona manager. Ginola was a temperamental, awkward, beautiful genius who on his day was as good as anyone in the world. He was during the 90s one of the most admired players in the world with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United joining Barcelona in trying to sign him. He was at his peak brilliant, he was the entertainer of the Newcastle entertainers. He was a league title winner in France, an Intertoto Cup winner and a League Cup winner with Tottenham. He was known for his tricks, close control, dribbling skills and finishing. He scored over 100 goals and got over 50 assists during his playing career and was named PFA Player of the Year, Players Player of the Year and French Player of the Year.
John Barnes
In 2016 the rap star was voted the greatest ever left footed English player by readers if The Times. He was a trailblazer in terms of fighting racism and is known as one of the most skillful English players we've had. He is regularly votes by Liverpool fans as one of the best players they've ever had with a similar level of respect at Watford as well. He won 8 trophies as a player exclusively at Liverpool including 2 League titles. He is a 2 time FWA Player of the Year, a 3 time PFA Team of the Year member and a PFA Team of the century member and PFA Player player of the Year winner. An MBE and member of the English Football Hall of Fame. He is known for his exceptional dribbling skills, powerful running, and passing and vision hence his ability to drop into midfield to dictate play as he got older. He scored over 180 goals and got over 100 assists
Gheorghe Hagi
The Maradona of the Carpathian, The King, The Commander, another player with a lot of nicknames. Hagi is perhaps a slight controversial pick given his association with a Turkish club but he was a fine player. A 6 time Ballon d'Or nominee and someone Pele named as 1 of the 100 greatest living players in 2004. Hagi in a 20 year playing career won over 20 trophies and played in 4 European trophy finals. Came to prominence in the 80s as the star of the Steaua București side which lost the European Cup final. A club he scored over 80 goals for and earned a move to Real Madrid. Won a trophy at Real Madrid then moves to Brescia where he won another trophy before going to join the famous Barcelona side under Johan Cruyff. He was also the first choice of Napoli to replace Diego Maradona at this time. He then moved to Turkey where he earned legendary status. A very similar player to Maradona he was technically gifted, brilliant passer and excellent close control with an eye for goal. He got over 200 goals and 100 assists in his career and played at the highest level well into his 30s. A multiple time Romania and Turkey Player of the Year.
Hristo Stoichkov
Controversial and ferocious the Bulgaria legend had many nicknames, "the dagger" and "the gunslinger" amongst them. But he was also referred to as "The boss of the dream team" in Barcelona such was his importance to the legendary side under Johan Cruyff. Stoichkovwas a famously temperamental and ferocious figure but he was also one of the best around in the 90s. Multiple League titles, a Champions League Stoichkov won over 30 trophies at club level. He's also a World Cup semi finalist with Bulgaria in 94 and a golden Boot winner at the same World Cup. He scored over 200 goals in his career, Stoichkov was a highly effective player (and ferocious as the most sent off player in Barcelona history). He was known for his strength, pace, tenacity and ferocious shooting. He was whilst not beloved due to his combustible mature he was held in high regard by Cruyff and fellow teammates like Romario. 1994 Ballon d'Or winner, double Fifa World Player of the Year winner and runner up Stoichkov was one of the greats.
John Robertson
Legendary manager Brian Clough called him "Our Picasso" and referred to John Robertson as "The genius with the ball at his feet". Robertson has been voted on multiple occasions as the greatest player in Nottingham Forest history. He was a key member of the highly successful 1970s League title and double European Cup winning Nottingham Forest side. He scores over 70 goals and got over 30 assists for Forest. He provided the assist to win the first European Cup and scored the goal that won the 2nd. Various players have said Robertson was better than fellow legends Tom Finney, Stanley Matthews and Ruan Giggs. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 1978. He was known for surprisingly having a lack of pace but excellent movement, brilliant close control and a very intelligent football brain. A 2 footed footballer Robertson was able to cross and shoot with both feet.
Rivellino
Another member of the famous 1970 World Cup winning Brazil team Rivellino was an ahead of his time entertainer who famously perfected the "flip flap" skill and who Diego Maradona called one of his greatest inspirations. He is considered one of the most influential players in Brazilian history and the inspiration for the likes of Neymar and Ronaldinho whose skills thrilled millions decades later. Known for his close control, tricks, dribbling skills and powerful left foot Rivellino scored 3 goals at the 1970 World Cup. He was also a title winner in Brazil and Saudi Arabia. He is a member of the Brazilian Football Hall of Fame, a member of the FIFA 100 greatest living footballers of 2004, and featured in the South American Footballer of the Year top 3 in the 1970s on 3 different occasions.