Encore for three of Europe’s greatest
Every football club have their idols – someone who encapsulates an era in the club’s history that will be remembered by not just the club’s fans but of fans all over the world. It’s rare though that these players are still active whilst reaching idol status; Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United however, all have the prestige of currently having them at the club in the form of Alessandro Del Piero, Raul Gonzalez and Ryan Giggs.
So why highlight these three now? People have been talking about these three for well over a decade now. Well, they all have something in common – they are all going through a revival.
Alessandro Del Piero
Del Piero moved to Juventus at the age of 19 and became student to the great master Roberto Baggio. It didn’t take Alex long to make an impact; scoring a hat trick on his full debut for the Old Lady – 15 years later and it’s no surprise he’s Juve’s all time goal scorer. Del Piero isn’t just a goal scorer though. He has great vision and has remarkable creativity – something that David Trezuquet will vouch for as their partnership and Trezequet’s goal scoring record is the most prolific in Serie A.
A knee injury ended his 1998/1999 season early and in the following years struggled to make the same impact. It’s no coincidence again though that as Del Piero gained in form, Juventus captured two more Serie A titles in 2002 and 2003. Zidane came and went, Nedved stole the limelight temporarily, but through all this Del Piero remained the constant. He’s a true symbol of Juventus and Italian football and his resurgence mirrored that of Juventus’ after the Calciopoli scandal.
Many thought Del Piero’s time in Serie B would be his final contribution to the Bianconari; those doubters felt that Del Piero had lost a lot of his pace and struggled against stronger opposition – but following Juve’s promotion the cynics have been proved wrong. He helped Juventus clinch a Champions League spot with 21 goals in Serie A and his Champions League form has been exceptional; recently earning a standing ovation in the Bernabeu after scoring a goal and providing an assist. The standing ovation follow the match were not just for that goal and assist however, Alessandro Del Piero has worked his adult life to receive those exclusive plaudits.
Raul Gonzalez
Raul’s effort to the Real Madrid cause has been second to none. Although people negatively talk of his influence in the politics of the club there is no doubt he still weighs in with a fair haul of goals and assist over the season.
He recently beat Di Stefano’s great record. His secret? Apparently a low oxygen tank which allows his body to recover faster each game, however one senses there’s more to it than meets the eye. Raul has always had an incredible amount of guile and instinct and has never had to rely on his pace to produce the goods. This has given him the ability to still pull through fast games where other 30 plus year olds would fall behind. The crowd appreciation is there for all to see. The crowd boo when he is substituted, cheer when he scores – it’s a manager’s responsibility to put him first on the team sheet.
Raul also holds the distinction of never receiving a red card. He does this though through passion and not anger, through competitiveness and not being hot headed. Players today could really look to Raul as a role model as Real Madrid’s club captain hasn’t found himself where he is today by accident.
Ryan Giggs
Manchester United’s youth team of the nineties will always be remembered for the class of 1995 – the kids; consisting of Beckham, Scholes, Butt and the Nevilles. However maybe the greatest find came five years earlier when a young skinny boy signed for the Red Devils. He quickly became a regular in the starting line up and when Alex Ferguson ousted Lee Sharpe it was clear where his preferences lied down the left flank.
He will always be remembered for his goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi final in 1999. A quick, tricky and direct run resulting in a goal says it all about Ryan Giggs. However in years to follow Giggs’s performances fell away as age took a toll on his pace through numerous hamstring injuries. Many thought it was time for him to move on to keep playing first team football, but Alex Ferguson thought different and it’s to his testament we have the Ryan Giggs of today.
The reinvention of the Welsh winger has earned plaudits from many corners of England, his recent shortlist on the PFA player of the year award has resulted in negative murmurs from some quarters but the masses cannot be wrong. Some feel that Giggs deserves some kind of trophy – one that represents the most decorated player in Premiership history. Alex Ferguson has called for his knighthood but Giggs doesn’t need an accolade as such as he’s already the knight in shining armour at Manchester United. He plays fewer games now but has been highly effective on each outing this season for Manchester United. So often has Giggs offered a plan B to Manchester United which may see them edge over the finish line where Liverpool and Chelsea may have faltered – experience is key, but the flexibility, work ethic and pure class of Giggs as well as Raul and Del Piero will ensure they are never forgotten.
Good column, they are 3 top players, who have become global superstars as well. Interesting that both Giggs and Raul were originally youth team players at cross city rivals City and Atletico respectively.
Was trying to think of other players synonymous with their clubs. Totti certainly springs to mind. Xavi and Puyol are on their way there. That loyalty of such a calibre exists now, when even fans switch allegiance in times of trouble, is to me an inspiring and beautiful notion.
Excellent read Steven, as usual. When you stop and have a very hard think about it you do manage to pick out a few players that have this career-long loyalty to their teams, especially in the lower echelons of the game. Much more so than you might imagine in this time of perceived mercenaries. They are always legends to their respective fans and easily survive the cyclical dips in form that most players go through without so much as a pursed lip from the fans.
Hey Steven I enjoyed your article (even though I’ve never heard of Del Piero referred to as ‘Alex’ before) 3 absolute legends of the game no doubt!
There are of course other players that fit into this category, Tony Adams – Arsenal, Alan Shearer – Newcastle, the great Paulo Maldini at AC Milan instantly came to mind! there are probably loads more but I see you are concentrating on players playing currently and enjoying something of an indian summer.
Partly in reply to your article and in reply to Steven Atkinsons comments I wondered why you haven’t talked about such obvious players as Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and John Terry, are these players not fashionable enough for you because they are english? or as a Man Utd fan could you not bear to praise them in the same article?
John,
I grew up with James Richardson on Channel 4′s football Italia and my best friend’s a Juve fan – it tends to be Alex this and Alex that! I think Alex “The Kid” is one of his nicknames.
There are definately more names that I could include on here. Steven Gerrard for me is the best midfielder in Europe at the moment – a real impact player who’d get in any team in Europe, including Manchester United.
The theme of the article is however players who could have dropped of the pace but are rejuventated and are again performing at the highest level. The ‘Encore’ in the title is to indicate they’re having one last crack at it before they retire – something which does not quite go with Maldini as his contract is up this summer, Gerrard who’s not really had much of a dip recently, Adams and Shearer are already retired.
I always strive to be objective in writing as it’s a rare quality but I do enjoy it when people point it out and put me on the right track – maybe my next three of four articles can stay completely away from Manchester United..
John, you’re quite right, the 3 players you mention are all future legends of the game and should be considered with all others mentioned. I can think of dozens of players who have shown a love for their club, that loyalty is still rare however in the current money driven climate.
Would be good to hear of players that have demonstrated that kind of loyalty from any league. Any suggestions?
Oh and James Richardson is sorely missed from my television screen. The image of him with a gigantic sundae lounging in a cafe as people bustle through the piazza behind him is deeply rooted. Great banter and an insightful commentator. Who wouldn’t have loved that job?
Although not a sundae in sight James still does a podcast for the Guardian that’s worth listening to…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/series/footballweekly
If you’re willing to fork-out for Setanta you can once again see James Richardson in glorious technicolor……it is afterall the only place us Latin America junkies can see live coverage of the crazy Copa Libertadores. Talking of idols – Martin Palermo of Boca Juniors, their all-time record goalscorer. Mid thirties and still going strong – his hatrick of penalty misses for Argentina would have finished the careers of lesser men. Far from a one club player but blue and gold at heart.
Hi Chris,
Glad to have your South American input (although I’d like to have it on a more permanent basis
)
Why don’t you think Palermo worked out in Europe? His goal record is breathtaking for Boca but for Villareal and Betis he didn’t do the business. When you consider the Spanish League is setup culturally for an Argentinian player what were he major problems he had in La Liga?
Also what does James do on Setenta?
Hi Steven
I think the main issues were the injuries he suffered both before and during his time in Spain. Unlucky does not even come close to describing the one he suffered at Villareal (along the lines of Stephen Morrow at Arsenal…..remember that?!). For a player who relies on strength and speed, prior to the injuries he may have had what it took to succeed in the Old World. However I think these took the edge off him whilst still giving him an advantage back in Argentina. Incidentally he’s just returned again from another long lay-off and scored against River last Sunday. Rumours abound that he’ll be staying at Boca for another couple of years too.
James Richardson does the ‘Friday Football Show’ on Setanta – pretty mundane stuff tbh although it’s always worth tuning in for his rapier wit. He also does something on a Monday with fans which again isn’t great.
Keep posting and I’ll be in touch.
http://www.realfootballargentina.blogspot.com/
Little bit more follow up to Martin Palermo and a forgotten Montano…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tim_vickery/04/28/martin.palermo/index.html
Nice list!
Del Piero was absolutely brilliant against Real Madrid in both encounters. I can’t even count the number of times he has been written off only to prove his critics how very wrong they were.