I know that the badge of captain in football was never given anywhere near the same level of responsibility, weight, prestige and care as it is in many other sports, as it should. But fantastic leaders, regardless if they wear the captain badge or not, still exist the same in football. So, who are the greatest captains/leaders in history of football? I'm not uruguayan, but what I have heard about Obdulio Varela as Uruguay's leader and captain, specially in the Maracanazo, is truly great. Varela personified the traditional uruguayan determination as few players ever did and he could really inspire his teammates like no other, most famously in the Maracanazo. The famous brazilian writer/football chronist once wrote that Varela didn't tie his shoelaces with laces, but with his veins. He gave his blood on the pitch.
Who are the greatest captains/leaders in the history of football?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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Puyol had everything you want from a captain.
My man.Scott Brown - Captain Leader Legend!
Varela was brilliant. You haven't expanded on it, but probably the most significant part of his contribution to the 1950 final was him taking the ball after Brazil scored and keeping it in his hands until Maracana had stopped cheering. If he didn't do that, it's possible that Brazil would've pushed forward and sealed the game, but they didn't and Uruguay had sealed their, seemingly unimaginable, comeback.
From what I've seen, Robson and Keane were incredible. Figueroa as well, had somehow led an average side to impressive results. Baresi & Rivera at AC Milan (close to 3 decades of captainship between the two of them), Zanetti at Inter, Totti at Roma etc.
From what I've seen, Robson and Keane were incredible. Figueroa as well, had somehow led an average side to impressive results. Baresi & Rivera at AC Milan (close to 3 decades of captainship between the two of them), Zanetti at Inter, Totti at Roma etc.
matbezlima
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Varela, if I'm not mistaken, also made Brazil nervous after the first goal claiming that it was offside, he knew that it was not, but he wanted to shake Brazil's confidence and strike fear in them.Varela was brilliant. You haven't expanded on it, but probably the most significant part of his contribution to the 1950 final was him taking the ball after Brazil scored and keeping it in his hands until Maracana had stopped cheering. If he didn't do that, it's possible that Brazil would've pushed forward and sealed the game, but they didn't and Uruguay had sealed their, seemingly unimaginable, comeback.
From what I've seen, Robson and Keane were incredible. Figueroa as well, had somehow led an average side to impressive results. Baresi & Rivera at AC Milan (close to 3 decades of captainship between the two of them), Zanetti at Inter, Totti at Roma etc.
quackattack
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Lothar Matthäus is a good one. Personal fav. is Roy Keane though.
SilentStrike
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Beckenbauer
Socrates
Matthäus
Deschamps
Baresi
Maldini
Puyol
If you want the ultimate alpha male type of leaders that are ready to fight pretty much anyone then there's:
Roy Keane
Stefan Effenberg
Oliver Kahn
Also I think modern day captains like Casillas and Lahm might quickly be overlooked because they don't have the physical presense of the earlier names I mentioned. But both have led their teams to all kinds of successes, and did so in teams filled with other 'natural' leaders. Casillas was captain ahead of players like Ramos and Ronaldo. Lahm was chosen captain of both Bayern and Germany for almost a decade ahead of natural leaders like Neuer, Muller, Schweinsteger.
I think the alpha male leader type wouldn't be a sort of captain I'd like to play with so imo we can scrap the Roy Kean Stefan Effenberg category.
Socrates
Matthäus
Deschamps
Baresi
Maldini
Puyol
If you want the ultimate alpha male type of leaders that are ready to fight pretty much anyone then there's:
Roy Keane
Stefan Effenberg
Oliver Kahn
Also I think modern day captains like Casillas and Lahm might quickly be overlooked because they don't have the physical presense of the earlier names I mentioned. But both have led their teams to all kinds of successes, and did so in teams filled with other 'natural' leaders. Casillas was captain ahead of players like Ramos and Ronaldo. Lahm was chosen captain of both Bayern and Germany for almost a decade ahead of natural leaders like Neuer, Muller, Schweinsteger.
I think the alpha male leader type wouldn't be a sort of captain I'd like to play with so imo we can scrap the Roy Kean Stefan Effenberg category.
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If we’re talking about purely footballing leadership then John Terry has to be counted amongst this. 22 years at the same club, similar number of trophies. Would take a bullet for the badge and one of the worlds best ever centre halves. Always in and around the youth set up and played a huge role at the club in general
His off the field antics however don’t stand up to the same scrutiny
His off the field antics however don’t stand up to the same scrutiny
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Cruyff, Maradona, Zico, Platini, Baresi
SilentStrike
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Beckenbauer
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Tony Adams.
Roy Keane
Steven Gerrard
Roy Keane
Steven Gerrard
Balljy
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The longest serving captain in our history and certainly one of the best to captain us - Bryan Robson.
Inigo Montoya
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You mean he was a prize racist cnut? Say it like it isIf we’re talking about purely footballing leadership then John Terry has to be counted amongst this. 22 years at the same club, similar number of trophies. Would take a bullet for the badge and one of the worlds best ever centre halves. Always in and around the youth set up and played a huge role at the club in general
His off the field antics however don’t stand up to the same scrutiny
SportingCP96
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SEBASTIAN COATES!!!
The way he led us last season is the stuff of legends!!!
I would let the man raw dog my girlfriend that’s for sure! He’s earned that right
All the last minute goals and all the broken keyboards confirm it
* As he scored a 95 min winner vs Santa Clara , 2 goals vs Gil one in the 90th, MONSTER performance vs Braga etc
“ AHEBEVDHSA A MAKAKVA AKSKSIYS. SAKSIAUSS”
The way he led us last season is the stuff of legends!!!
I would let the man raw dog my girlfriend that’s for sure! He’s earned that right
All the last minute goals and all the broken keyboards confirm it
* As he scored a 95 min winner vs Santa Clara , 2 goals vs Gil one in the 90th, MONSTER performance vs Braga etc
“ AHEBEVDHSA A MAKAKVA AKSKSIYS. SAKSIAUSS”
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I really think a lot of people on this forum don't realize how good a player and captain Roy Keane was.
Red the Bear
Something less generic
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Gaetano scirea is definitely up there . one of the best defenders in history if not the best who was monumental in success of the great juventus and Italy side of 80s
Watching his former team mates talk about him (who are all in pantheon of footballing greats themselves) shows you how influential he was and out of all the juves players he's still the most beloved of them all (ultras stand is named after him)
I find him fascinating as he was a rather introverted person not unlike myself and seeing how much of respected leader he was among some of footballs biggest egos shows you how you don't always need to be the rough and though Roy Keane type of leader (whom I love)
He was unfortunately taken too soon from the world
Watching his former team mates talk about him (who are all in pantheon of footballing greats themselves) shows you how influential he was and out of all the juves players he's still the most beloved of them all (ultras stand is named after him)
I find him fascinating as he was a rather introverted person not unlike myself and seeing how much of respected leader he was among some of footballs biggest egos shows you how you don't always need to be the rough and though Roy Keane type of leader (whom I love)
He was unfortunately taken too soon from the world
Zen
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Out of curiosity, other than cricket... what sports we talking here?I know that the badge of captain in football was never given anywhere near the same level of responsibility, weight, prestige and care as it is in many other sports, as it should.