In an all-time greatest XI discussion, is Paolo Maldini the least controvesial player?

Tommy

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We've threads discussing the merits of Ronaldo versus every other forward in the history of the world. We have Pele & Maradona saying they're both better than Messi, and the odd debate surrounding players like Kaka, Ronaldinho & Zidane pop up every now and then.

But, if Redcafe was forced to pick its most unbiased all-time greatest XI to beat the aliens in a one-off football match, would I be right in thinking that, of all the XI positions on the pitch, Maldini's spot would not only be assured by popular decision, but it'd be the least controversial of any player on the field?

If not, I'd like to hear some other names - Ideally ones that aren't Messi/Ronaldo :D
 
Only controversy with Maldini is do you play him at centre back or left back?

Surely Cryuff has to be in there somewhere too?
 
RedTiger said:
I'd probably add Cafu and Carlos as uncontroversial picks as well.
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I was going to say Cafu too. Carlos on the other hand... that spot goes to Maldini.

The CB positions are much more difficult to decide.
 
I'd say Frank Rijkaard. Miles better than everyone else in defensive midfield.
 
It is difficult to overlook team dynamics, but let's assume you only pick the 2 best CBs, the best LB, the 2 best midfielders etc.

The two best center backs ever are Baresi and Beckenbauer and they are not complimentary, but if you choose the Xi by merit alone, it has to be those two.

Goalkeeper probably Yashin.

In midfield one spot goes to Matthaus, because he's the best CM ever and can play every role (DM/CM/AM).

I won't entertain the discussion about attackers, there are too many choices. RB another one which is highly contested, I guess Cafu is the favourite there, but it's not clear cut.
 
One of those rare ones Maldini...a right footed absolutely world class left back. Yes he could use both feet competently but he is a natural right footer. Not sure he'll be the least controversial in an all time 11. Surely he'll have lots of competition at both LB and CB.
 
It really depends on the aliens and the quality of their side, their physicality, their tactics, their system, their philosophy. We need more details. One scenario might mean I want to play George Elokobi instead of Maldini.
 
@Tommy as a young Englishman (c. 8-13) living in Holland in the late 80s and early 90s I can 100% guarantee Maldini is the first name on my list - an absolute idol of mine growing up. After that it's a toss between Van Basten and Brazilian Ronaldo as to who's next on the list
 
Lionel Messi, Pele and Maradona will have to be the least controversial picks for me. No matter the arguments, formations or shenanigans, no all time greatest 11 could be worth it's name without those 3. Probably the 3 greatest players to have graced the sport.
 
RedTiger said:
I'd probably add Cafu and Carlos as uncontroversial picks as well.
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If Roberto Carlos is an uncontroversial pick, then Maldini immediately becomes one. He'd have plenty of competition at CB.
 
Cal? said:
I was going to say Cafu too. Carlos on the other hand... that spot goes to Maldini.

The CB positions are much more difficult to decide.
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Siorac said:
If Roberto Carlos is an uncontroversial pick, then Maldini immediately becomes one. He'd have plenty of competition at CB.
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You're both right! I would play Maldini at LB and Cafu at RB. No place for tree trunk legs.
 
BobbyManc said:
It really depends on the aliens and the quality of their side, their physicality, their tactics, their system, their philosophy. We need more details. One scenario might mean I want to play George Elokobi instead of Maldini.
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There are zero scenarios where you pick George Elokobi ahead of Paulo Maldini :lol:
 
None of the spots in an All-Time Greatest XI are assured, IMO — aside from perhaps Pelé (who just has too much going in his favor from an individual as well as collective standpoint). Facchetti could definitely start at leftback in lieu of Maldini, especially if the attack is narrower (like Pelé through the left) and calls for a more vertically capable fullback (without compromising too heavily on the defensive aspect). His resume is no less impressive than Paolo's considering the period he played in, you could argue that he left a greater impact on the game at large as a pioneer of the position with Nílton Santos, and he had the physical/technical/mental skill set to keep up with players from different time-frames (including the post-modern era).
 
I'd just like to say that the way that so many people have definitive opinions about how good players were that played football before the person holding that opinion was even born is the weirdest thing on redcafe. To which someone always responds that they've gone back and watched a shit load of football matches from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Which is the second weirdest thing on redcafe.
 
This BBC article from a few years ago is good fun.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-27699398

My choice is probably this:

GK: Buffon
RB: Cafu
CB: Moore
CB: Beckenbauer
LB: Maldini
MF: Matthaus
MF: Xavi
MF: Zidane
FW: Maradonna
FW: Pele
FW: Cryuff

Subs: Yashin, Alberto, Baresi, Passarella, Carlos, Pirlo, Iniesta, Charlton, Ronaldo, Messi, C. Ronaldo
 
Pogue Mahone said:
I'd just like to say that the way that so many people have definitive opinions about how good players were that played football before the person holding that opinion was even born is the weirdest thing on redcafe. To which someone always responds that they've gone back and watched a shit load of football matches from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Which is the second weirdest thing on redcafe.
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While that is true, surely that's not applicable to Maldini? He had a 20+ year career that ended ten years ago, he is not some legend from the distant past. Anyone over 30 could have seen him a LOT.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
I'd just like to say that the way that so many people have definitive opinions about how good players were that played football before the person holding that opinion was even born is the weirdest thing on redcafe. To which someone always responds that they've gone back and watched a shit load of football matches from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Which is the second weirdest thing on redcafe.
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Agreed! I find it mental when we see people roll out these best of all time 11s.

Especially United. They always seem to have Charlton, Edwards & Best in them, most of whom posters on here won't have ever seen kick a ball.
 
WolfInSharp'sClothing said:
This BBC article from a few years ago is good fun.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-27699398

My choice is probably this:

GK: Buffon
RB: Cafu
CB: Moore
CB: Beckenbauer
LB: Maldini
MF: Matthaus
MF: Xavi
MF: Zidane
FW: Maradonna
FW: Pele
FW: Cryuff

Subs: Yashin, Alberto, Baresi, Passarella, Carlos, Pirlo, Iniesta, Charlton, Ronaldo, Messi, C. Ronaldo
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An all time XI without both Ronaldo & Messi? :eek:
 
Okey said:
One of those rare ones Maldini...a right footed absolutely world class left back. Yes he could use both feet competently but he is a natural right footer. Not sure he'll be the least controversial in an all time 11. Surely he'll have lots of competition at both LB and CB.
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Maldini was left footed any takers?
 
Ronaldo vs Maldini thread imminent
 
Maradona and Pele are the only absolute certainties i think. Maldini is probably next with fat Ronaldo and Messi.

With little regard for tactics or formation i'd go with:

Schmeichel
Cafu - Baresi - Beckenbauer - Maldini
Messi - Matthaus - Xavi - Maradona
Pele - Ronaldo

Based on players I've seen or those who i heard enough about. No point picking players even my parents didn't see.
 
Siorac said:
While that is true, surely that's not applicable to Maldini? He had a 20+ year career that ended ten years ago, he is not some legend from the distant past. Anyone over 30 could have seen him a LOT.
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Anyone who is 30 now would have literally been a child during Maldini’s prime. And I’m willing to bet a lot of people naming him in world XIs are under 30.
 
Invictus said:
None of the spots in an All-Time Greatest XI are assured, IMO — aside from perhaps Pelé (who just has too much going in his favor from an individual as well as collective standpoint). Facchetti could definitely start at leftback in lieu of Maldini, especially if the attack is narrower (like Pelé through the left) and calls for a more vertically capable fullback (without compromising too heavily on the defensive aspect). His resume is no less impressive than Paolo's considering the period he played in, you could argue that he left a greater impact on the game at large as a pioneer of the position with Nílton Santos, and he had the physical/technical/mental skill set to keep up with players from different time-frames (including the post-modern era).
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I think Baresi is more assured of a spot than anyone personally. Regardless of set up, you always need one pure defender and he’s the purest of them all.
 
Out of all the players I have actually seen, I'd rank him as the best defender and one of the best all round footballers. Think he was equally good at CB but he was so good going forward that his team missed out by playing him there.
I'd probably agree with the OP.
 
Arbitrium said:
I think Baresi is more assured of a spot than anyone personally. Regardless of set up, you always need one pure defender and he’s the purest of them all.
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Depends on whether [or not] you include Der Kaiser in defense, to be fair. If he starts, Kohler or maybe Rijkaard (if he doesn't feature in midfield for some reason) would be better partners for him than Baresi, IMO. Mind, this is considering we want to compile a somewhat coherent XI, and not just a mishmash of preeminent names (which is what usually happens when even respectable football magazines publish their All-Time XIs):

123.png

:nervous:
 
Invictus said:
Depends on whether [or not] you include Der Kaiser in defense, to be fair. If he starts, Kohler or maybe Rijkaard (if he doesn't feature in midfield for some reason) would be better partners for him than Baresi, IMO. Mind, this is considering we want to compile a somewhat coherent XI, and not just a mishmash of preeminent names (which is what usually happens when even respectable football magazines publish their All-Time XIs):

123.png

:nervous:
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:lol: That makes yaya toures XI look like a Mourinho side.
 
Beckenbauer would be the least controversial imo. Best defender of all time, with one of the best playmaking abilities of all time, could play every defensive position and would be a true leader. No way there would be no spot for him in any eleven period.
 
Arbitrium said:
Maldini was left footed any takers?
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Ah...not the first time I've heard that said. Do the research. You'll be pleasantly surprised. It's a testament to how good he was. He's actually naturally right footed.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
I'd just like to say that the way that so many people have definitive opinions about how good players were that played football before the person holding that opinion was even born is the weirdest thing on redcafe. To which someone always responds that they've gone back and watched a shit load of football matches from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Which is the second weirdest thing on redcafe.
Click to expand...

:lol:

Good point though.
 
Only based on players I've seen, and GOAT that I recognised and highly rated:

Schmeichel
Cafu Nesta Beckenbauer Maldini
Cruyff Zidane Maradona
Messi Pele Ronaldo
​

No defensive midfielder, shite midfield I know, but we have Beckenbauer as libero, that will be fine. Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, Beckenbauer has to be there, I like reading stories and watching footages about them, although I can't tell exactly how good they actually were in 90 mins over a season etc.

Ronaldo and Messi has to be there, by far best 2 players I've ever seen (guarantee 100+ goals a season between these 2). Nesta is the most reliable CB I've ever seen too. Maldini has to be there if you have watched football in 80s and 90s and 2000's, although I like Carlos too. Cafu is probably the best right back by miles, although I am tempted to give Lahm a chance.

Oh and I like Zidane more, sorry Xavi.
 
Okey said:
Ah...not the first time I've heard that said. Do the research. You'll be pleasantly surprised. It's a testament to how good he was. He's actually naturally right footed.
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So was Gael Clichy. I guess the elite players don't abide by the laws that most others have to adhere to. Left footed or right footed, to them it is arbitrary. Also please pay more attention to white text in the future
 
Okey said:
Ah...not the first time I've heard that said. Do the research. You'll be pleasantly surprised. It's a testament to how good he was. He's actually naturally right footed.
Click to expand...

Got you ;)
 
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