Following on from the Maradonna thread. Re the arguments on greatest ever player. Here is my reason. Greatest footballer ever is a matter of opinion. I watched George Best week in week out. On TV. Never failed to entertain. Sublime all round skills could even head the ball. Tackle. People paid money just to see the man ( I don’t think in my lifetime. anyone pulled in crowds like he did) and invariably got value. On the rarer occasions I saw others. Yes they are/were great footballers. Pele Cruyff Messi Ronaldo Etc. But I tuned in to watch the great man every week. On MOTD knowing full well he would produce magic every time he got the ball. There were other great entertaining players around at the time. But they were never consistent like him. For me the greatest footballing entertainer ever in my lifetime on the planet. That’s IMHO for what it’s worth. No doubt others think differently. King Ronnie. When on form . ( which was far more often than not) gave me the greatest pleasure to watch live. We were blessed to have him play fot tarn. Those that never saw him cannot really appreciate how good he was.
In my opinion, the best players I have ever seen are:- 1. Pele 2. Cruyff 3. Best. The best Barnsley players I've ever seen are:- 1. Ronnie Glavin 2. Ronnie Glavin 3. Ronnie Glavin.
Gascoigne Maradona Matthäus If I had to pick three from my lifetime. For the Reds it would be: Hignett Barnard Redfearn PS - I would genuinely pick Barnard in my all-time XI at left wing-back.
Apart from world cups I never saw much of Pele lil, but a great player. Cruyff through European competition. Saw him a lot much more. Another great. Of the modern era. Cantona. Would be another favourite and Ronaldo. Based on the fact we saw a lot more of them.
Pele is the best football player that ever has been. Ronnie Glavin is the best ever Barnsley player, by a country mile
The best player I have seen live was George Best , I saw him at Oakwell & at Bramhall lane , what a player . Pele , Cruyff , Maradona & Messi are all legends who have given me great pleasure over the years but alas I never watched them live .
But could he still perform after screwing all night afore a game. Turn up ten minutes afore kick off. Bleary eyed and p1ssed. On a serious note lil I thought Besty had no weaknesses either. Only later in his career when he did the extremes as mentioned. I’d have been happy to be blessed with his looks. Which was another great attribute he had.
Saw him once mate live. Brother took me to old Trafford. To see him. Although a massive Barnsley fan. My bro would occasionally watch Man Utd if Tarn weren’t playing. Half of the street came round to our house to watch the European cup final. When “GEORGE BEST MUST SCORE. GEORGE BEST MUST SCORE. HEEEEEE’S SCORED” That’s One for the older end. Got to admit I was absolutely over the moon. I had a soft spot for Man Utd and still do to a degree. That Man Utd side. Was full of great players and could name em all even now. All British/Irish btw.
In the flesh for us Glavin Ward Hignett McCarthy Opposition Robert Prosinecki Dennis Bergkamp Gianluca Vialli Matt Le Tissier