Most overrated 'world class' player?

Ramos

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When i saw the list, i thought it was going to be about Terry.
 

Andersons Dietician

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Ramos. Says a lot about the state of defenders in the 2010s.
John Terry was very good but not 5 times good.
Pique should not feature more than Puyol, who himself was a bit overrated.

Let's face it half the names on that list wouldn't be there if they weren't playing alongside Messi or Ronaldo at the time.
Ramos for sure. I feel like his personality and Mentality are probably his best attributes but actually as a defender he’s quite poor. Fantastic leader but yeah, always thought he was vastly overated and I agree with the op on Marcelo. Was a good winger but as the overall fullback package he was very lacking.
 

Sandikan

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It's always surprised me how much Terry is rated over Ferdinand by people. Not much between them. Casillas probably lucky to be on that as much as he is too.
I don't think I've ever met a non Chelsea fan who rates Terry above Ferdinand. And many Chelsea fans don't either.
 

Classical Mechanic

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Ramos for sure. I feel like his personality and Mentality are probably his best attributes but actually as a defender he’s quite poor. Fantastic leader but yeah, always thought he was vastly overated and I agree with the op on Marcelo. Was a good winger but as the overall fullback package he was very lacking.
The players vote for the FiFpro awards and I think they value on the pitch leadership higher than fans seem too. I think this is why Terry and Gerrard got in so often and Ramos is so highly rated despite all the bloopers he makes, that and he scores a ridiculous amount for a defender.
 

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To be fair, Casillas put in some ridiculous performances around that time. That late 2000s Madrid side was an absolute clown show defensively, only saved by occasional brilliance from Cannavaro and much more often by the kind of heroics from Casillas that I've only otherwise seen from De Gea in the post-Ferguson years.
This. He merits a place but I think there’s some delayed recognition as Casillas hit his peak around 2006-2009. Despite some heroics and clean sheets in the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 tournaments, l think he became too error prone by that stage and Neuer should have assumed his spot sooner than he did.
 

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Iniesta and Dani Alves do not deserve that many nominations in a row I think.

I guess Xavi and Iniesta 2008-2012 deserved to be nominated under Spain dominance, but I feel Iniesta got the last picks on reputation when both Spain and Barca failed to win the big things.
Alves is arguably the greatest right back of all time. Baffling if you're calling him overrated with that statement. Iniesta passes the eye test since his goal stats don't really reflect his influence on Barcelona or Spain.
 

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Fair enough. I will confess I haven't watched that much of him outside of the Champions League and some La Liga games now and then. As a fan, you'd know more. But he just never seemed that good. Not bad, of course, but I wouldn't personally put him in the world-class territory.

Again, this probably goes back to me not watchng him week in, week out, but when i did tune in he always seemed to have a clanger in him, and was often caught out. Perhaps that's just recency bias, though. Becuase i think even his most ardent fans would admit he's fallen off quite dramatically.
I appreciate your honesty and keep in mind being a Barca fan may make me more biased. But honestly, he was really really good in his day. He was probably overshadowed by Puyol but in recent years his age has really shown. He’s on the verge of retiring too, but his prime was brilliant.
 

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Alves is arguably the greatest right back of all time. Baffling if you're calling him overrated with that statement. Iniesta passes the eye test since his goal stats don't really reflect his influence on Barcelona or Spain.
No he's not, are you high? Cafu, Carlos Alberto, Thuram or Bergomi to name a few were better. And Alves' last years with Juventus and PSG do not justify inclusion in that list (but arguably his years with Sevilla do).
 

SirReginald

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Yeah to all those calling Terry overrated either you didn’t watch much or didn’t like him as a person.. or both. It’s like me saying Vidic wasn’t good because he had trouble matching up to prime Torres. (Which is nonsense). Carragher has sung his praises in the past as well, one of the best readers of the game in the last 20? Years. Slow as feck but you never saw anyone get behind him through a long ball or pass.

For me the most over rated World class player is Bale. It’s sad that commentators still hope peak Bale is in there somewhere. 3? Years at the top isn’t World Class.
 

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He was absolutely world class from 2011-2018. He’s fallen off recently with age, but during his prime the guy was definitely a beast.
It's easy to look amazing for Barcelona when they keep 70% possession game in, game out and when the team presses like crazy and recoups the ball in the opponents half, but to me Pique was never world class. Great in possession and very composed, but no pace, no physicality for a big lad and just an incessant whiner. With Spain he had the benefit of the double pivot of Alonso / Busquets. When he was exposed (like WC 2014), he looked bad. Netherlands put 5 past him, Ramos and Casillas
 

Paul_Scholes18

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Alves is arguably the greatest right back of all time. Baffling if you're calling him overrated with that statement. Iniesta passes the eye test since his goal stats don't really reflect his influence on Barcelona or Spain.
I do not agree he is the best right back of all time, but I was just talking about the nominations showed. He got a lot of them for a player that did not win anything with Brazil.

I think when it comes to Iniesta and Xavi they are rated pretty much equally by most.
 

Suedesi

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Yeah to all those calling Terry overrated either you didn’t watch much or didn’t like him as a person.. or both. It’s like me saying Vidic wasn’t good because he had trouble matching up to prime Torres. (Which is nonsense). Carragher has sung his praises in the past as well, one of the best readers of the game in the last 20? Years. Slow as feck but you never saw anyone get behind him through a long ball or pass.

For me the most over rated World class player is Bale. It’s sad that commentators still hope peak Bale is in there somewhere. 3? Years at the top isn’t World Class.
Terry was world class, I agree with you on that.
 

Daysleeper

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It's easy to look amazing for Barcelona when they keep 70% possession game in, game out and when the team presses like crazy and recoups the ball in the opponents half, but to me Pique was never world class. Great in possession and very composed, but no pace, no physicality for a big lad and just an incessant whiner. With Spain he had the benefit of the double pivot of Alonso / Busquets. When he was exposed (like WC 2014), he looked bad. Netherlands put 5 past him, Ramos and Casillas
and 2010 and 2012 euro teams were very dominant. Bit odd to nitpick over a bad WC showing when they were part of some of the most dominant NT teams ever.
 

Suedesi

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and 2010 and 2012 euro teams were very dominant. Bit odd to nitpick over a bad WC showing when they were part of some of the most dominant NT teams ever.
You said he was world class from 2011-2018, so I brought an example that directly contradicts that. And I'm not sure he pulled any great trees in 2016 or 2018. Or has done anything special while Barca kept getting spanked in Europe over and over again. 4-0 and 3-0 by Bayern, 4-0 by PSG, 3-0 by Roma, 3-0 by Juve, 4-0 by Liverpool where was WC Pique in all of that?
 
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hasanejaz88

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I was browsing the FIFPro team of the year appearances by player:



I was shocked to see Marcelo has had 6 appearances. Six. It was only established in 2005. Marcelo has been judged as one of the best 11 players in the world six times.

I just found that astonishing, good player but never had him rated that highly.

Who else is a world class or top tier player that you find overrated? Either currently or in the annals of history.
Looking at that list and the two names that pop up are Casillas and Dani Alves.

For Casillas, to see him have more nominations than Neuer and Buffon doesn't seem right. Though, for Buffon, you can argue that he would have had more nominations before 2005. I always thought he was overrated during the late 00's because he put up some great one off performances but he would also make errors in other matches. He reminds me of Lloris in a way that Lloris also has the ability to make amazing saves but also occasionally made errors.

For Alves, I'm not going to say he is overrated as a world class player because he is definitely world class and one of the greatest right backs of all time. I don't think he should have as many nominations as he does though, considering his career coincided with Philip Lahm, who isn't even on the list. Alves was definitely preferred over Lahm due to a general La Liga bias during the early 2010s, as other people have pointed out.

I mean to have him over Lahm in 2013, when Lahm won the UCL, shows this clearly. Lahm was also great in 2012 when he reached the final.
 

JPRouve

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No he's not, are you high? Cafu, Carlos Alberto, Thuram or Bergomi to name a few were better. And Alves' last years with Juventus and PSG do not justify inclusion in that list (but arguably his years with Sevilla do).
Thuram wasn't really a right back though? He was a centerback that could do a job at right back, despite his role in 98 I don't think that any french would have him as the best french rightback, Amoros would be the likely pick.
 

Suedesi

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Looking at that list and the two names that pop up are Casillas and Dani Alves.

For Casillas, to see him have more nominations than Neuer and Buffon doesn't seem right. Though, for Buffon, you can argue that he would have had more nominations before 2005. I always thought he was overrated during the late 00's because he put up some great one off performances but he would also make errors in other matches. He reminds me of Lloris in a way that Lloris also has the ability to make amazing saves but also occasionally made errors.

For Alves, I'm not going to say he is overrated as a world class player because he is definitely world class and one of the greatest right backs of all time. I don't think he should have as many nominations as he does though, considering his career coincided with Philip Lahm, who isn't even on the list. Alves was definitely preferred over Lahm due to a general La Liga bias during the early 2010s, as other people have pointed out.

I mean to have him over Lahm in 2013, when Lahm won the UCL, shows this clearly. Lahm was also great in 2012 when he reached the final.
I love Philip Lahm and in 2013 he should have gotten the nod, but didn't Pep play him in midfield and tuck Rafinha on the right?

Casillas is overrated compared to Neuer, Buffon and even Navas.

And strictly speaking Ronaldo shouldn't have made the 2020 team after he managed to get knocked out in the round of 16 by Lyon, some other player was more deserving.
 

Suedesi

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Thuram wasn't really a right back though? He was a centerback that could do a job at right back, despite his role in 98 I don't think that any french would have him as the best french rightback, Amoros would be the likely pick.
I think he was in the good old days of Parma and Juve (for sure under Lippi). I think Capello moved in the center. Not sure where he mostly played for France
 

Daysleeper

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You said he was world class from 2011-2018, so I brought an example that directly contradicts that. And I'm not sure he pulled any great trees in 2016 or 2018. Or has done anything special while Barca kept getting spanked in Europe over and over again. 4-0 and 3-0 by Bayern, 4-0 by PSG, 3-0 by Roma, 3-0 by Juve, 4-0 by Liverpool where was WC Pique in all of that?
Where was world class VVD in 3-0 loss to Barca? Where were the world class CB’s from United in a 3-1 loss to Barca? Or when they got murdered 6-1 by City? Where were evra and vidic? What about all the times Ramos got hammered by Barca multiple times? You need to look at the whole season. Barca only conceded more than two goals within a match just once all season of 2018...that was against Roma.
Have you seen the goals Juventus scored in 2017 against us? 2 of the 3 were wonder goals.

We were missing 6 players against Bayern in 2013 including Messi, Puyol, Alba, and Mascherano. Bit Moronic to pin all that on Pique. He’s been world class for many years in his career, hell I’d even say from 2009 onward. How many CB’s have 4 CL’s? You can count them on a few fingers at the most. Pique is one of them.
 
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Lennon7

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How have Gerrard and Terry got more than Rooney?
 

JPRouve

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How have Gerrard and Terry got more than Rooney?
Competition. It's a best 11, Rooney had little chance to have a significant amount of nominations among strikers.
 

Suedesi

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Where was world class VVD in 3-0 loss to Barca? Where were the world class CB’s from United in a 3-1 loss to Barca? Or when they got murdered 6-1 by City? Where were evra and vidic? What about all the times Ramos got hammered by Barca multiple times? You need to look at the whole season. Barca only conceded more than two goals within a match just once all season of 2018...that was against Roma.
Have you seen the goals Juventus scored in 2017 against us? 2 of the 3 were wonder goals.

We were missing 6 players against Bayern in 2013 including Messi, Puyol, Alba, and Mascherano. Bit Moronic to pin all that on Pique. He’s been world class for many years in his career, hell I’d even say from 2009 onward.
Yeah ok, for a world class player surrounded by world class colleagues, Pique certainly loves a good spanking in Europe year in year out. 7-0 by Bayern, 4-0 by PSG, 3-0 by Juve, 3-0 by Roma, 4-0 by Liverpool, I mean... WTF, how many excuses does he need? I forgot about the 8-2, or the latest PSG debacle but I'm sure there are valid excuses on ALL of those matches and he was otherwise flawless.
 

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No he's not, are you high? Cafu, Carlos Alberto, Thuram or Bergomi to name a few were better. And Alves' last years with Juventus and PSG do not justify inclusion in that list (but arguably his years with Sevilla do).
I never watched Alberto live, but I do think Alves was phenomenal. He had a unique role in that Barcelona side and had to contribute a lot more than a traditional fullback would have. That side is arguably the greatest club side ever and he certainly had a large role in that, even alongside the other big names. I don’t really think there’s a right back out there who could do what he did, and alongside Busquets was probably the most underrated in terms of their contribution to the side.

I think comparing players in different eras is tricky as roles and such change so much, but alongside Lahm I think he’s been the best right back in contemporary football.
 

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Yeah ok, for a world class player surrounded by world class colleagues, Pique certainly loves a good spanking in Europe year in year out. 7-0 by Bayern, 4-0 by PSG, 3-0 by Juve, 3-0 by Roma, 4-0 by Liverpool, I mean... WTF, how many excuses does he need? I forgot about the 8-2, or the latest PSG debacle but I'm sure there are valid excuses on ALL of those matches and he was otherwise flawless.
Pique was coming off a 3 month injury against psg. Completely moronic takes singling out single games in CL. United’s world class cb’s had their share of getting smashed too. So has Ramos. It happens to everyone. Pique’s accolades speak for them selves. Been world class for nearly a decade.
 

Daysleeper

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No he's not, are you high? Cafu, Carlos Alberto, Thuram or Bergomi to name a few were better. And Alves' last years with Juventus and PSG do not justify inclusion in that list (but arguably his years with Sevilla do).
:lol: :lol: :lol: Dani alves is worst case top 3 RB all time, has more trophies than any other player too. My god just come off it now
 

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Also if we actually are naming world class players we think are overrated I nominate Puyol. Great player? Yes. One of the best of all time? Not in my eyes.
Arguably the best CB of his generation, he or Rio.
 

Hammondo

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Modric for me.

I don't see to get the worldclass vibe around him. Surely he is a good midfielder, I still believe the balon d'or awarded to him is ta tas. Not to talk of the incessant mentions in the same breath as Xavi and Iniesta as tier one level midfielders by some Madrid fans.

I still have this conflict in my mind why Sneijder never won the balon d'or in 2010 or Iniester in 2012. These guys where clearly levels above Modric talent wise, but where all denied.

Modric doesn't give me the vibe that he is about to produce a moment of magic each time I see him play so what's the fuze?
I would say the opposite that he was levels above Sneijder.
 

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Kante and Firmino. I've never heard so much praise for such a limited player as I have for Kante. The hype has died somewhat (although it is beginning to build again) but he was generally viewed as the best midfielder in the world because he ran a lot and made tackles. You'd think he was the reincarnation of Roy Keane!

Firmino, similarly was glorified beyond belief. The glue which allowed Mane and Salah to play apparently. Didn't matter how ineffective he was in front of goal, just so long as he pressed well enough and could lay it off to his more talented teammates.
If you can't see the quality they've got, you're the problem.

They are both very good fotballers and rated spot on by most fans
 

Ibi Dreams

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Terry was an excellent defender, it's just stupid that he's in there 5 times when Rio and Vidic kept a record number of clean sheets in a season and also won more than Terry, including a Champions League.

Unless we're pretending that Carvalho was shite and Terry did everything for Chelsea, but obviously we aren't because Carvalho was excellent as well
 

Suedesi

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I never watched Alberto live, but I do think Alves was phenomenal. He had a unique role in that Barcelona side and had to contribute a lot more than a traditional fullback would have. That side is arguably the greatest club side ever and he certainly had a large role in that, even alongside the other big names. I don’t really think there’s a right back out there who could do what he did, and alongside Busquets was probably the most underrated in terms of their contribution to the side.

I think comparing players in different eras is tricky as roles and such change so much, but alongside Lahm I think he’s been the best right back in contemporary football.
When I think of outstanding right backs of the last 20-years I think of Cafu and Zanetti.

Cafu was an incredible player who just played for Roma so he didn't get the exposure and recognition of CL players, but he was an incredible talent and leader. Don't forget he captained his nation to a World Cup win.

Zanetti was just a freak of nature - he played for 20 seasons at Inter and close to 150 times for the national team. Incredible stamina and consistency. Rolls Royce of a player.

I would add Philip Lahm into the mix, I think he was outstanding and extremely versatile considering he played also as a LB and midfielder under Pep, but strictly speaking as RB the two above are a level apart.
 

Suedesi

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:lol: :lol: :lol: Dani alves is worst case top 3 RB all time, has more trophies than any other player too. My god just come off it now
Kinglsey Coman might end up with most trophies ever, doesn't mean he's the best winger of all time. Football is a collective sport, the number of trophies you win is a function of the teams you play for. Going from Barca to Juve to PSG to collect a few Euros might have won him more trophies than Messi, is he better than Leo? Come on.


Pique was coming off a 3 month injury against psg. Completely moronic takes singling out single games in CL. United’s world class cb’s had their share of getting smashed too. So has Ramos. It happens to everyone. Pique’s accolades speak for them selves. Been world class for nearly a decade.
Ok, sorry Shakira - Pique is the best.
 

Daysleeper

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Kinglsey Coman might end up with most trophies ever, doesn't mean he's the best winger of all time. Football is a collective sport, the number of trophies you win is a function of the teams you play for. Going from Barca to Juve to PSG to collect a few Euros might have won him more trophies than Messi, is he better than Leo? Come on.




Ok, sorry Shakira - Pique is the best.
Alves is universally seen as one of the best RB’s in history, period. Watch more football outside of the EPL.

don’t be so daft
 

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Alves and Marcelo are probably a level of full back I've never seen. Where they are basically playmakers and would often be the catalyst for most goals the teams scored.