The Most Unique Player of All-Time

Tragically Hip

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Firmino’s no look goals are pretty unique. As a player, he’s very silky but also hard working. Very hard to find.
I find it so infuriating that people fall for the 'no look' BS. He is clearly looking at the net when he shoots and then looks away. So goddamn dumb. If you are looking for something unique about Firmino, it is his freakishly white teeth.
 

B20

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I find it so infuriating that people fall for the 'no look' BS. He is clearly looking at the net when he shoots and then looks away. So goddamn dumb. If you are looking for something unique about Firmino, it is his freakishly white teeth.
Clearly.

 

Abe144

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Cristiano Ronaldo - unique for multiple reasons. First of all, it's his skillset. When he entered the scene, he was a fancy and spectacular but ineffcient dribbler/trickster without much end product. The sort of player who'd secretly roll his eyes in training when his coach adviced him to become better at something "down to earth" like heading. Yet he became arguably the best ever at it. There's probably no player of his quality that get's the basic as right as Cristiano. And that's the foundation for his second unique characteristic, the position. There are quite a few players who score many goals from playing out wide. Salah, Mbappe, Neymar, Robben, Sterling, Messi and so forth. But that's not really comparable to what Ronaldo does, who often effectively plays like a striker, demanding crosses and muscling off centerbacks. And last but not least, there's no other player I can think of who transformed himself that immensely over the years. I mean, the player that won his first CL with United is so incredibly different from the one that won his fifth with Madrid, and he was one of the two best players throughout all those years regardless.

Quaresma - in the beginning, Quaresma and Cristiano were quite similar in style, IMO. Many of Cristiano's skill moves were reminiscent of Quaresma's and vice versa, but Quaresma - while being a far inferior footballer - retained this playing style. And on top of that, he's got probably the best outside of the boot in football history. He's probably the only right footed attacker that plays as an inverted winger on the right wing. If you wanted to play with crosses, you'd position him on the left, which is crazy if you think about it considering he's right footed - solely because he's better with the outside than with the inside of his boot.

Ronaldinho - has been explained here numerous times. Nobody was able to do what he did, especially on that level. Probably the most talented footballer in terms of ball control ever - and my favourite footballer of all time.

Ronaldo - probably doesn't need explanations. Incredible player

Thomas Müller - again someone who's named quite often in here. I'd never have thought that somebody with such a fluky technique could become so good. Sure, there was Inzaghi who scored many goals as a poacher but Müller isn't/wasn't that sort of player. He was no fox in the box who managed to escape his markers but someone whose runs all over the pitch were immensely important for the build up of attacks, too. Really shows how good you can become by getting the basics right.

Marcelo - full backs have become incredibly important in the last 10 years and their role has changed immensely. Nowadays they are often the only wide players. Dani Alves is the role model, a good technician, passer, crosser and tackler/defender but his standout characteristic was his athleticism. You'll finde many similar players among world class full backs in that time frame: Maicon, Alaba, Lahm, Alba, Walker, Robertston, Cole and so forth. But not Marcelo. He's nothing special from an athletic point of view, but his technique and passing is incredible. There are very view attackers or midfielders who can claim they have a better technique than him - if any. But there's not a single defender that technically even came close to him, let alone a left back.

Lucio - I've never seen a centerback like him when he was at Leverkusen and in his early Bayern days, honestly. He was notorious for constantly picking the ball up in his own half and just sprint forward with it, at times unstoppable like a train. Scored many goals that way (21 in 122 games for us), even many long shots, at times from free kicks. Van Gaal and Mourinho later forced him to abandon this playstyle for obvious reasons, but he definitely was unique. Here's a video if you are interested, really interesting if you haven't seen him:

Aguero - sure, you don't need to be big anymore to be a great striker and score many goals but honestly, most of his peers play either as false nines or as second strikers, like Griezmann or Dybala. But Aguero is different. I can't remember any other player that was able to play as a lone striker with his height and weight. If you take a look at the world class strikers played as single no. 9, then Aguero stands out because he's probably 15 cm smaller than their average. Whenever people debate about a striker transfer target being to small, someone will eventually drop Aguero's name.

Alexander-Arnold - Beckham is named often in here for being probably the best crosser the world has ever seen and that's fair, but I think Alexander Arnold is an even better shout because his crosses are most likely the best since Beckham has retired and he's played as a full back. Like Marcelo, he's completely different to his world class peers in that position. Although he's also very athletic, his crossing is probably one or two levels above the second best (Kimmich or Marcelo, I'd say).

Cannavaro - like Aguero, but as a CB. He's so unique that likewise to Aguero and strikers, whenever people debate about a CB being to small, someone will eventually drop Cannavaro's name.


If it's really solely about uniqueness and not about being extremely good at certain things, I'd probably go with this eleven:


Aguero
Ronaldinho Müller Quaresma
? ?
Marcelo Cannavaro Lucio Alexander-Arnold
Chilavert

Can't really think of unique midfielders, honestly. It seems like everyone I that comes to mind has someone with identical style.
Regarding Agüero, he plays with a style very similar to Romario. Although the Brazilian did it better and at a higher level. His peak was shorter but he dominated at international level for years and with different strike partners. Something Agüero has never been able to do
 

B20

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But not more than a video.
Are you going to present something substantial or just vague "well, pictures don't show everything and it for sure ain't video" aspersions in response to a pretty clear picture?
 

kouroux

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Are you going to present something substantial or just vague "well, pictures don't show everything and it for sure ain't video" aspersions in response to a pretty clear picture?
I am too lazy to to search for a link. I watched it live and that poster wasn't that wrong.
 

harms

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I'm not participating in your argument but Jesus, it's so stupid :lol:

The whole purpose of looking in another direction (Ronaldinho, Henry etc.) is to make your opponent think that you're going to pass the ball in that direction... does anyone think that he's going to shoot towards his own goal?
 

B20

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I'm not participating in your argument but Jesus, it's so stupid :lol:

The whole purpose of looking in another direction (Ronaldinho, Henry etc.) is to make your opponent think that you're going to pass the ball in that direction... does anyone think that he's going to shoot towards his own goal?
It's just a fun gimmick really. He did a no look signature when he signed the last contract extension.
 

Buster15

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The way Ronaldo dominates both in the air and in terms of dribbling has been amazing to watch. You feel he can score and create in so many different ways.

Har to see anyone close to him right now. Messi is amazing, but his type is more common even if is way better than everyone else.
Yes.
Has to be Ronaldo for me.
Constantly improving.
Never hides in even the biggest games.
Brilliant in the air.
And very good looking as well which always helps.
 

Dutchjerry

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Francesco Totti, not only unique in his love and loyalty for one club, but also a great player.
 

Gehrman

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Lionel Messi - arguably the best goal scorer of all time, arguably best dribbler of all time and one the past passers of all time. Amazing vision. He's perfect in everything, he can do. He is a midget and not a atheltic specimen so he's only limited in those areas.

Personally I find Messi's goal scoring the most impressive since he's not a number 9. Scoring all those goals while being the midfield maestro as well.
 

Gehrman

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Ronaldinho. Never seen a similar player before and I don't think we'll see one for a long long time. A guy that was so complete technically that he literally made the ball do anything he wanted in any situation and position on the pitch. A seemignly endless repertoire of individual skills, and yet a very willing and effective team player with out of this world vision, movement and passing ability.
The great thing about Ronaldinho was just how obvious it was that he loved playing football and loved life. And all football fans just loved watching him play. So flamboyant and effective at the same time.
 

_00_deathscar

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Cavani?
Best movement I’ve ever seen in any striker ever.
Scores an absolute shit ton of goals but is actually not a great finisher. Technically quite good on the ball until sometimes the final touch/finish lets him down.
Hides in big games and/or doesn’t do anything of note
 

NoPace

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I am too lazy to to search for a link. I watched it live and that poster wasn't that wrong.
You're right. It's nonsense.

Some good back heels and one nice play where he pretends to be looking for a cross and surprises the keeper with a shot from a bad angle (a fairly common play but still) and the rest is just pretending to do a no look by doing it after connecting with the ball. A basketball player used to do the same with no-look passes where the no-look was after releasing it, but I can't remember who at the minute.

Great player though, and genuinely important I think in that playing a 10 who can finish and press as a 9 seems like it could really become commonplace.

Not to go on a tangent, but I think underdog teams will end up realizing they should often use like 8 or 9 midfielders in game they are likely to lose. Should give you better players on the ball who are more versatile and fit and can handle tactical changes in game.

As much as worse teams like to bunker and play on the break, I think really high pressing to compensate for skill might make more sense. Easier to get fitter players than talented ones too.

Having two tactical styles will probably become more common. If you're going to lose anyways, it might make more sense to press for 20 minutes, time waste and bunker until half with 3 midfielders and forwards still running at full pelt, then use all 3 subs at half.

TLDR: Firmino's no look stuff is nonsense but he might be an early example of teams using central midfielders at forward and in defence more, much like how many basketball teams play 3-4 wings (the most scalable all-around types). Simeone playing 4 central mids across the midfield too, maybe.
 

kouroux

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You're right. It's nonsense.

Some good back heels and one nice play where he pretends to be looking for a cross and surprises the keeper with a shot from a bad angle (a fairly common play but still) and the rest is just pretending to do a no look by doing it after connecting with the ball. A basketball player used to do the same with no-look passes where the no-look was after releasing it, but I can't remember who at the minute.

Great player though, and genuinely important I think in that playing a 10 who can finish and press as a 9 seems like it could really become commonplace.

Not to go on a tangent, but I think underdog teams will end up realizing they should often use like 8 or 9 midfielders in game they are likely to lose. Should give you better players on the ball who are more versatile and fit and can handle tactical changes in game.

As much as worse teams like to bunker and play on the break, I think really high pressing to compensate for skill might make more sense. Easier to get fitter players than talented ones too.

Having two tactical styles will probably become more common. If you're going to lose anyways, it might make more sense to press for 20 minutes, time waste and bunker until half with 3 midfielders and forwards still running at full pelt, then use all 3 subs at half.

TLDR: Firmino's no look stuff is nonsense but he might be an early example of teams using central midfielders at forward and in defence more, much like how many basketball teams play 3-4 wings (the most scalable all-around types). Simeone playing 4 central mids across the midfield too, maybe.
The very first one is the perfect example of how cringy it all is. I only remember a handful of players pulling a perfect no look pass for instance but it's more of a gimmick than anything else.

Yes.
Has to be Ronaldo for me.
Constantly improving.
Never hides in even the biggest games.
Brilliant in the air.
And very good looking as well which always helps.
Constantly improving ? I don't see it, he's reached a crazy high level and he's maintained it, I don't see any aspect of his game that has improved for a while now.
 

Foxbatt

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Dimitar Berbatov. Pretends to be a footballer but in reality is an artist.
 

SadlerMUFC

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This Firmino "no look" crap is just that. Crap. It's not like he's fooling anyone. He's just showboating when he has an empty goal. It's the equivilant to an MMA fighter doing a little dance before he gets knocked out. One of these days he's going to do his little "no look" on an empty goal and he's going to miss, and personally, I can't wait for that meme...
 

Kanu

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This Firmino "no look" crap is just that. Crap. It's not like he's fooling anyone. He's just showboating when he has an empty goal. It's the equivilant to an MMA fighter doing a little dance before he gets knocked out. One of these days he's going to do his little "no look" on an empty goal and he's going to miss, and personally, I can't wait for that meme...
Lal, so salty, love it.
 

KM

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Not sure if unique or not, but Dani Alves at Sevilla was the only player i've ever seen who was running matches from the right back position.
 

SilentStrike

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Not sure if unique or not, but Dani Alves at Sevilla was the only player i've ever seen who was running matches from the right back position.
Philipp Lahm did it pretty much all his career. Never seen such influence from a full back position.

But because his appearance, name and personality are so casual we don't think of him being as unique as he is.
 

thisISben

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Anyone remember Kerlon from a while back?

Perfected the ‘seal dribble’ which involves bouncing the ball on your head whilst moving to stop defenders cleanly tackling you.

Usually involves getting hacked down mind you, and has faded into obscurity since.
 

KirkDuyt

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Anyone remember Kerlon from a while back?

Perfected the ‘seal dribble’ which involves bouncing the ball on your head whilst moving to stop defenders cleanly tackling you.

Usually involves getting hacked down mind you, and has faded into obscurity since.
He actually played for Ajax. Well, I say played, but I don't think he ever made the first team.
 

thisISben

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He actually played for Ajax. Well, I say played, but I don't think he ever made the first team.
I think every club he moved to was due to his dribble alone, as his stats are woeful.

According to Wiki he played 41 club games in 9 years after leaving Cruzeiro. You won’t be shocked to learn he retired aged 31 after being club-less for 4 months.
 

Zehner

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I think every club he moved to was due to his dribble alone, as his stats are woeful.

According to Wiki he played 41 club games in 9 years after leaving Cruzeiro. You won’t be shocked to learn he retired aged 31 after being club-less for 4 months.
To be fair, he was badly injured during his first year in Europe IIRC. He was more than just this seal dribble, he had great ball control and could dribble quite well.
 

MisterLupus

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René Higuita. There will never be another goalie like him - ever. Never a boring second - and I doubt anyone could play such a high-risk game and yet still come out on top as often as he did by pulling off some spectacular stroke of genius. Great agility, great reflexes, awesome coordination and not mention unparalleled cojones.

...but then again I guess you'd need those - if your best buddy happens to be Pablo Escobar (during the most intense time of his somewhat turbulent life even) and your personal life consists of cocaine dealings plus the occasional gig as a ransom-courier for kidnappers.

I swear - you can't make that stuff up. If you want uniqueness then dive into Colombian football during the eighties and nineties - the freedom of play combined with the general passion shared for the game often made for quite a spectacle (I believe if they'd won a World Cup the evolution of football might have looked a tag different as they definitely brought some freshness and innovations with them same as Brazil during the sixties and seventies) - and if you want a player who perhaps embodies that particular stage the most (second to Carlos Valderama perhaps) - and who's immense talent was more than matched by both his eccentricity and resolve - then watch some old recordings and allow yourself to be entertained by Higuita during his prime.
 

SiRed

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Eric Cantona and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Very similar players both in mentality and playing style. Always looking to entertain and both relying on their incredible skills. Both not always on the right side of the law either.
So not unique then?
 

Revaulx

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United played 433 long before Morgan was signed.
Yeah but I don’t remember Best dropping so deep pre-Morgan. I was only 12 at the time, but remember fans being split on whether it was a good idea or not; some thought it was a waste of his attacking talent.