Your favourite non-Utd player to watch

Cina · 3rd February 2012, 10:43

Who, over the course of your footballing life, would you consider to be the pinnacle of "I love watching him play despite the fact that he doesn't play for my club"? The player you just wanted to watch every week because you thought something special could happen when he played.

It would be nice to get some non-obvious ones, i.e. Messi, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Maradona, Iniesta etc etc. I also say non-Utd because otherwise it'd be a big biased list.

For me, it has to be Riquelme (ok, maybe a little obvious), what a player he was. Some of what he did was just pure "WOW!", a joy to watch the guy play. I loved watching Zola play too, he was brilliant. As a winger myself, despite being cunts, Robben and Pires were great to watch too.

My "knowledge" isn't as vast as others on here, so maybe I can be enlightened!

marjen · 3rd February 2012, 10:45

As a kid, I always loved watching Bergkamp. The grace, the invention, it was just poetry at times.

Zola has been mentioned, he was a little genius.

I have to say I secretly have always loved to watch the axis of Cannavaro/Nesta at the heart of the Italy-defence. Two such outstanding defenders.

I also quite like to watch Schweinsteiger now a days. A very, very intelligent midfielder.

SharkyMcShark · 3rd February 2012, 10:48

I enjoy watching David Silva and Yaya Toure

From a purely aesthetic point of view of course.

Ray Peterson · 3rd February 2012, 10:50

I didn't mind watching Bolton for a while when Okocha played for them, Boro with Juninho. Le Tissier was well worth watching on his day too.

Cina · 3rd February 2012, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjen

I have to say I secretly have always loved to watch the axis of Cannavaro/Nesta at the heart of the Italy-defence. Two such outstanding defenders.

I also quite like to watch Schweinsteiger now a days. A very, very intelligent midfielder.

2 very good shouts. Nesta epitomises everything a center back should be.

I'd also mention Busquets, obviously a complete cunt, but in terms of what he does, he's amazing if you play close attention to him. The best in the world at it.

Also, George Weah, the man had quite the shot on him.

And in local terms, Joey N'do

He's made Sligo Rovers popular, and a far better team.

marjen · 3rd February 2012, 10:52

Yeah, Silva is a guilty pleasure. He's the only City-player I enjoy watching, if you could call it enjoying when I constantly pray he loses the ball.

I quite like Wilshere as well.

Levo91 · 3rd February 2012, 10:56

The obvious one is Ronaldinho.

Like someone else mentioned, Okocha was entertaining.

Sunny Jim · 3rd February 2012, 10:59

Materazzi - well at least in the past, great defender loved his dirty, hard tackles.

Xavi - this guy oozes quality, class and calmness. he makes playing football look easy.

Silva and Mata - both similar imo, just run, dribble, create for fun.

Makalele - again, a player of the past but who cares. His postioong and anticipation were second to none. Great little player.

Nakata- don't know why but i do have a soft spot for this guy and always wanted him at United.

Modrić - a very intelligent player and you can see that.

The Law of Denis · 3rd February 2012, 11:01

I love watching Scholes play more than any other player, so naturally outside United I love watching Xavi play.

It is amazing how much control and intelligence he has.

CnutOfAllCnuts · 3rd February 2012, 11:01

Xavi

towcester_red · 3rd February 2012, 11:03

Henry at his peak. Best player to play in the Premier League

Cutch · 3rd February 2012, 11:04

Was also going to say Riquelme. I'm fond of the argie playmakers, D'Alessandro and Aimar were another two i loved to watch play. Also Okocha.

sajeev · 3rd February 2012, 11:06

I will get the obvious ones out of the way - Ronaldinho, Le Tissier, Bergkamp

I loved watching Valeron and liked the Deportivo team which had Makaay, Tristan, Luque
Rosicky at Dortmund and Czech Rep
Sonny Anderson at Villareal and Lyon always used to be upto something (i hope i have got his clubs right) - i think it was probably just his name
Denilson for a short while was fun to watch
Aimar at Valencia was another
Ze Roberto and that Leverkusen team with Berbatov, Ballack - liked watching them even though they knocked us out

Ramshock · 3rd February 2012, 11:08

used to be zidane, now probably messi

RedMist99 · 3rd February 2012, 11:08

Riquelme
David Silva
Gareth Bale
Luka Modric
Andres Iniesta
Rivaldo

Just to name a few past and present

cw1984 · 3rd February 2012, 11:08

Right now it would be Silva and Messi.

Back in the day then Zidane and fat Ronaldo.

Andersonsonson · 3rd February 2012, 11:13

Bergkamp, Del Piero, Di Canio, Zidane

RedMist99 · 3rd February 2012, 11:16

Ahhh Del Piero, how did I forget to mention him. A true great and pleasure to watch

GaryLifo · 3rd February 2012, 11:20

Alan Shearer was a beast of a centre forward. Used to like watching him.

Ginola was pretty great in spells too.

I remember going to see Portsmouth a fair bit in the early 90's and Paul Walsh was a cracking player who had magic in his boots.

Zen · 3rd February 2012, 11:21

Balotelli

Cina · 3rd February 2012, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunny Jim

Makalele - again, a player of the past but who cares. His postioong and anticipation were second to none. Great little player.

Well this is kinda what I had hoped for as opposed to the obvious ones that are currently playing right now.

kouroux · 3rd February 2012, 11:23

Luiz Ronaldo.My dream footballer

Waitey · 3rd February 2012, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajeev

I will get the obvious ones out of the way - Ronaldinho, Le Tissier, Bergkamp

I loved watching Valeron and liked the Deportivo team which had Makaay, Tristan, Luque
Rosicky at Dortmund and Czech Rep
Sonny Anderson at Villareal and Lyon always used to be upto something (i hope i have got his clubs right) - i think it was probably just his name
Denilson for a short while was fun to watch
Aimar at Valencia was another
Ze Roberto and that Leverkusen team with Berbatov, Ballack - liked watching them even though they knocked us out

Djalminha was also a very good player in that Deportivo team, always had a trick up his sleeve. Was quite erratic though if i remeber correctly

RedMist99 · 3rd February 2012, 11:25

Valeron was class back in that Depor team as well. We had some great encounters against them

Ray Peterson · 3rd February 2012, 11:34

Waddle for Wednesday, he was like their Giggs, ageing but still doing the business.
Speaking of Waddle, his Marseille teammate Abidi Pele was good to watch too.
Staying with France, I remember enjoying the volleying prowess of Jean Pierre-Papin.

sajeev · 3rd February 2012, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waitey

Djalminha was also a very good player in that Deportivo team, always had a trick up his sleeve. Was quite erratic though if i remeber correctly

yeah thats right. he could be quite brilliant. had some pace and a good strike on him too if i remember correctly

botond · 3rd February 2012, 11:40

batistuta
luc ? nilis

Scholesgoals · 3rd February 2012, 11:42

I love a good midfielder me,

Used to like watching Nedved, Modric is another... I like scholes type play, excellent control, good awareness, inspired passing and vision and a fucking toe.

ArmchairCritic · 3rd February 2012, 11:45

Iniesta
Zidane
Ronaldinho
Silva
Henry
Xavi
Schweinsteiger
Nesta
Cannavaro

marjen · 3rd February 2012, 11:46

I love to watch a classic, perfect, full-back. Offensive, but with no-nonsense defending to booth.

Not many of those around, but I loved Cafu. And Philipp Lahm is usually good for this. Anyone remember Lizarazu?

anver · 3rd February 2012, 11:47

Scholes, Modric and Vidic. The last one because of his dogged defence.

Ray Peterson · 3rd February 2012, 11:47

Romario, I fell in love with him at World Cup 94.
Rivaldo was fantastic to watch too, although he ruined it a bit in World Cup 2002 with his dive.

marjen · 3rd February 2012, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by anver

Scholes, Modric and Vidic. The last one because of his dogged defence.

I'd say you've really nailed the answer to the OP there.

Cina · 3rd February 2012, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjen

I'd say you've really nailed the answer to the OP there.

Some people need to read titles.

Brwned · 3rd February 2012, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjen

I love to watch a classic, perfect, full-back. Offensive, but with no-nonsense defending to booth.

Not many of those around, but I loved Cafu. And Philipp Lahm is usually good for this. Anyone remember Lizarazu?

Loved Cafu too, tremendous to see him outpacing and outrunning everyone else on his wing over and over again even in the twilight of his career. Surprised no-one said Figo yet; pure class.

Annihilate Now! · 3rd February 2012, 12:00

Sorry to pick from the obvious ones, but I loved watching Zidane... and would do so at any possibile opportunity. The man was a magician... who could control games and do pretty much anything he wanted to with a football. I must have watched the 2st Century Portrait film at least half a dozen times.

Non obvious ones, Pavel Nedved is probably one of the greatest players to come out of Europe in the last 20 years, and he was a superb footballer to watch.

Treble · 3rd February 2012, 12:00

Ronaldinho by some distance

Brwned · 3rd February 2012, 12:02

Giresse
Tostao
Gento
Coluna
Overath
Breitner
Blokin
Falcao
Gerson
Passarella
Ardiles
Elkjaer

Some of the somewhat lesser known older ones I've enjoyed watching.

Collina · 3rd February 2012, 13:02

Surprised no one has mentioned Tony Hibbert yet.

Okay, not really. I'd have to say Modric and Del Piero. I also enjoyed David Silva until he went to City. He's still brilliant to watch of course, but I'm not enjoying it because I don't want him to be brilliant. The same with Barcelona players really, even though that's mostly me being bitter about the two finals.

marjen · 3rd February 2012, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

Giresse
Tostao
Gento
Coluna
Overath
Breitner
Blokin
Falcao
Gerson
Passarella
Ardiles
Elkjaer

Some of the somewhat lesser known older ones I've enjoyed watching.

Show-off.

I enjoy watching Fellaini, because I can chuckle at the way his hair bounces up and down as he carries the ball before inevitably he's dispossessed.

3rd February 2012, 10:43	#1 (permalink)
Cina I hate everything Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: :noitacoL Posts: 13,959	Your favourite non-Utd player to watch Who, over the course of your footballing life, would you consider to be the pinnacle of "I love watching him play despite the fact that he doesn't play for my club"? The player you just wanted to watch every week because you thought something special could happen when he played. It would be nice to get some non-obvious ones, i.e. Messi, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Maradona, Iniesta etc etc. I also say non-Utd because otherwise it'd be a big biased list. For me, it has to be Riquelme (ok, maybe a little obvious), what a player he was. Some of what he did was just pure "WOW!", a joy to watch the guy play. I loved watching Zola play too, he was brilliant. As a winger myself, despite being cunts, Robben and Pires were great to watch too. My "knowledge" isn't as vast as others on here, so maybe I can be enlightened!

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3rd February 2012, 10:45	#2 (permalink)
marjen Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: at the back post, lurking around, waiting for an easy tap-in. Posts: 3,629	As a kid, I always loved watching Bergkamp. The grace, the invention, it was just poetry at times. Zola has been mentioned, he was a little genius. I have to say I secretly have always loved to watch the axis of Cannavaro/Nesta at the heart of the Italy-defence. Two such outstanding defenders. I also quite like to watch Schweinsteiger now a days. A very, very intelligent midfielder.

3rd February 2012, 10:48	#3 (permalink)
SharkyMcShark First Team Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Using location as a tagline: because I'm just not cool enough to have my own. Posts: 18,589	I enjoy watching David Silva and Yaya Toure From a purely aesthetic point of view of course.

3rd February 2012, 10:50	#4 (permalink)
Ray Peterson Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: meh Posts: 2,488	I didn't mind watching Bolton for a while when Okocha played for them, Boro with Juninho. Le Tissier was well worth watching on his day too.

3rd February 2012, 10:52	#6 (permalink)
marjen Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: at the back post, lurking around, waiting for an easy tap-in. Posts: 3,629	Yeah, Silva is a guilty pleasure. He's the only City-player I enjoy watching, if you could call it enjoying when I constantly pray he loses the ball. I quite like Wilshere as well.

3rd February 2012, 10:56	#7 (permalink)
Levo91 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tottenham Hotspur Posts: 7,975	The obvious one is Ronaldinho. Like someone else mentioned, Okocha was entertaining.

3rd February 2012, 10:59	#8 (permalink)
Sunny Jim First Team Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warsaw...that's too far away from Edinburgh... Posts: 14,700	Materazzi - well at least in the past, great defender loved his dirty, hard tackles. Xavi - this guy oozes quality, class and calmness. he makes playing football look easy. Silva and Mata - both similar imo, just run, dribble, create for fun. Makalele - again, a player of the past but who cares. His postioong and anticipation were second to none. Great little player. Nakata- don't know why but i do have a soft spot for this guy and always wanted him at United. Modrić - a very intelligent player and you can see that.

3rd February 2012, 11:01	#9 (permalink)
The Law of Denis Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Europa. Posts: 3,944	I love watching Scholes play more than any other player, so naturally outside United I love watching Xavi play. It is amazing how much control and intelligence he has.

3rd February 2012, 11:01	#10 (permalink)
CnutOfAllCnuts Bald Boring Cnut Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 29,184	Xavi

3rd February 2012, 11:03	#11 (permalink)
towcester_red Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: wayne rooney wonderland Posts: 3,951	Henry at his peak. Best player to play in the Premier League

3rd February 2012, 11:04	#12 (permalink)
Cutch Shit stirrer (Literally) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Ireland. W3101, Row 29, Seat 174 Posts: 5,498	Was also going to say Riquelme. I'm fond of the argie playmakers, D'Alessandro and Aimar were another two i loved to watch play. Also Okocha.

3rd February 2012, 11:06	#13 (permalink)
sajeev Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,396	I will get the obvious ones out of the way - Ronaldinho, Le Tissier, Bergkamp I loved watching Valeron and liked the Deportivo team which had Makaay, Tristan, Luque Rosicky at Dortmund and Czech Rep Sonny Anderson at Villareal and Lyon always used to be upto something (i hope i have got his clubs right) - i think it was probably just his name Denilson for a short while was fun to watch Aimar at Valencia was another Ze Roberto and that Leverkusen team with Berbatov, Ballack - liked watching them even though they knocked us out

3rd February 2012, 11:08	#14 (permalink)
Ramshock poster of nonsense Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Four Green Fields Posts: 10,350	used to be zidane, now probably messi

3rd February 2012, 11:08	#15 (permalink)
RedMist99 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Manchester Posts: 3,350	Riquelme David Silva Gareth Bale Luka Modric Andres Iniesta Rivaldo Just to name a few past and present

3rd February 2012, 11:08	#16 (permalink)
cw1984 Compulsive wanker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Guiding Cardiff to the promised land just so I can wipe that smug fucking grin of Cider's face. Posts: 24,021	Right now it would be Silva and Messi. Back in the day then Zidane and fat Ronaldo.

3rd February 2012, 11:13	#17 (permalink)
Andersonsonson Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teabagger with 3 sons Posts: 2,759	Bergkamp, Del Piero, Di Canio, Zidane

3rd February 2012, 11:16	#18 (permalink)
RedMist99 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Manchester Posts: 3,350	Ahhh Del Piero, how did I forget to mention him. A true great and pleasure to watch

3rd February 2012, 11:20	#19 (permalink)
GaryLifo Nice Bloke Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Davo thinks I'm weird Posts: 4,122	Alan Shearer was a beast of a centre forward. Used to like watching him. Ginola was pretty great in spells too. I remember going to see Portsmouth a fair bit in the early 90's and Paul Walsh was a cracking player who had magic in his boots.

3rd February 2012, 11:21	#20 (permalink)
Zen First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Prophetville! Posts: 6,384	Balotelli

3rd February 2012, 11:23	#22 (permalink)
kouroux First Team Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Djibouti (La terre des braves) Posts: 25,566	Luiz Ronaldo.My dream footballer

3rd February 2012, 11:25	#24 (permalink)
RedMist99 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Manchester Posts: 3,350	Valeron was class back in that Depor team as well. We had some great encounters against them

3rd February 2012, 11:34	#25 (permalink)
Ray Peterson Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: meh Posts: 2,488	Waddle for Wednesday, he was like their Giggs, ageing but still doing the business. Speaking of Waddle, his Marseille teammate Abidi Pele was good to watch too. Staying with France, I remember enjoying the volleying prowess of Jean Pierre-Papin.

3rd February 2012, 11:40	#27 (permalink)
botond Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,646	batistuta luc ? nilis

3rd February 2012, 11:42	#28 (permalink)
Scholesgoals First Team Sub Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ogmalocopia Posts: 7,208	I love a good midfielder me, Used to like watching Nedved, Modric is another... I like scholes type play, excellent control, good awareness, inspired passing and vision and a fucking toe.

3rd February 2012, 11:45	#29 (permalink)
ArmchairCritic First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves. Posts: 6,390	Iniesta Zidane Ronaldinho Silva Henry Xavi Schweinsteiger Nesta Cannavaro

3rd February 2012, 11:46	#30 (permalink)
marjen Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: at the back post, lurking around, waiting for an easy tap-in. Posts: 3,629	I love to watch a classic, perfect, full-back. Offensive, but with no-nonsense defending to booth. Not many of those around, but I loved Cafu. And Philipp Lahm is usually good for this. Anyone remember Lizarazu?

3rd February 2012, 11:47	#31 (permalink)
anver Shart stop Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colombo. Sri-Lanka Posts: 4,321	Scholes, Modric and Vidic. The last one because of his dogged defence.

3rd February 2012, 11:47	#32 (permalink)
Ray Peterson Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: meh Posts: 2,488	Romario, I fell in love with him at World Cup 94. Rivaldo was fantastic to watch too, although he ruined it a bit in World Cup 2002 with his dive.

3rd February 2012, 12:00	#36 (permalink)
Annihilate Now! First Team Sub Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Argh Posts: 7,366	Sorry to pick from the obvious ones, but I loved watching Zidane... and would do so at any possibile opportunity. The man was a magician... who could control games and do pretty much anything he wanted to with a football. I must have watched the 2st Century Portrait film at least half a dozen times. Non obvious ones, Pavel Nedved is probably one of the greatest players to come out of Europe in the last 20 years, and he was a superb footballer to watch.

3rd February 2012, 12:00	#37 (permalink)
Treble Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,153	Ronaldinho by some distance

3rd February 2012, 12:02	#38 (permalink)
Brwned Poster of the year: 2010 Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 33,938	Giresse Tostao Gento Coluna Overath Breitner Blokin Falcao Gerson Passarella Ardiles Elkjaer Some of the somewhat lesser known older ones I've enjoyed watching.