Surely R9 embodies these traits and I would have him a level above all those mentioned.
I’d have him as the most all-rounded attacker ever, but I don’t think that I’ve ever seen him contribute too much defensively (albeit not being a passenger).
No, because Ronaldo did nothing off the ball and you’d have a bad time if you’d place him as a center back. I’m lying, you’ll have a great time watching him running from the back, bursting through players and scoring, but you’ll probably concede a bunch too.
Not a bad shout I guess.
Also as a winger earlier on.
Him or Gullit.
feck yeah good shout, that.
agreed! He’s not wven a complete midfielder.
How the feck are people calling Pogba complete? He's been at United for 5 years, and all we've ever heard about him is excuses for why he's incomplete.
Supposedly, he needs to be surrounded by runners or positioned in front of a Kante-like DM or played in a midfield 3 or played as a DLP or played off the left or played at #10 or played in a free role or played a disciplined role, etc.
Nobody knows how to get the best out of him. If he were truly complete, none of the above would be an issue.
Gullit, Seedorf, Zidane etc. type are way more complete though - you could probably put them in any position on the pitch and they'd be better than most players.
Jürgen Kohler
Rooney is a good shout in this. I think that among some fans there is some negativity but he really was a huge all round talent
Came into say John Charles. I’ve seen plenty of footage, but it still doesn’t give you the same sense of the player as having lived through their time as a footballer. I have spoken to Graham Williams of West Brom about him though and he paints a wonderfully insightful profile of him though. His ability to do everything, at both ends of the pitch certainly stands out. He rates him very highly, one of the best British players ever. Graham is someone who played at the very highest level also, captaining his team to an FA cup victory (and I think also losing one final to a Manchester United team with Best at his best). John Charles being world class at two positions is definitely an oddity
Gerd Muller?
Okay.
Yeah definitely in with a shout for me. Clearly had all the attacking qualities to put him in that elite tier, but having the defensive nous and team ethic to completely mark someone like Beckenbauer out of the game is quite special, even compared to folks like Pélé and Cruyff. Didn't know di Stéfano exhibited that too but I wouldn't have put it past him!
Who?!
Yeah ok sorry so I think I’ve misunderstood the requirements here.
I remember Bobby Charlton being asked on A Question of Sport who he thought was the best player of all time was and he said Di Stefano.
Couldn't agree more, mate! I was unaware of that side to di Stéfano as well.
When I think of a "complete footballer", I need them to be able to play in multiple positions. How would Ronaldo do at centre back?
Yeah I replied to another poster on this, I wasn’t really thinking along those lines of playing in multiple positions.
Not a bad shout either. OrJavier Zanetti
On the wing, sure. I'd genuinely be comfortable with him in any position on the pitch at a very high level.
I asked my dad this questions a few minutes ago after reading this thread. He said Edwards after less than 3 seconds of thinking.
Gullit played on the wing plenty for Milan and the Netherlands. Really, really well. Not the most elegant but a very powerful dribbler, great cross, very dangerous at the back post, and generally just very intelligent movement.
OK if we are looking at it from this perspective, Gullit is right up there.
For a centre forward? Ronaldo of course. if you needed any other position then Gullit.
Ronaldo's heading was not great, which pretty much rules him out immediately in such esteemed company. What makes you think he was more complete than, say, Van Basten, for example?
Yeah I get that. Just think it needs context because to me, versatility to play in multiple positions doesn't necessarily make you a better player (just like it doesn't in this exact comparison between these two players.)
