Bettor.com's Football Team of the Decade – Right Sided Midfielder
We are getting closer to more fancy full players. In this part, we look at the best players who gave opposition left backs nightmares during the past decade.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
He is the most expensive and highest paid player in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo is truly a stunning player. He moved to Manchester United in 2003 from Portuguese league.
Ronaldo started his Manchester United career slowly but he soon became the most feared winger in the Premier League. Ronaldo won three Premier League titles with Manchester United in 2006, 2007 and 2008. He was simply in unstoppable form during the 2007/08
season, when he scored 42 goals in 49 matches in all competitions.
He won both Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the year in 2008 and was runner up to Lionel Messi the following year. Ronaldo won every individual award during the 2007/08 campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo was hailed as the most complete attacking player by coaches around the World. Famous for his unique and ferocious free kicks, Ronaldo is also a very good header of the ball and can score goals from both inside and outside of the box and
is equally good with both feet.
He moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009. After a year of speculation, Ronaldo was transferred for a world record fee. He was also made the highest paid player in the world. Ronaldo had some injuries over the season but when fit he was scoring goals
for fun.
In his first season, he scored 33 goals in only 35 games. Ronaldo is undoubtedly a special talent and at only 25, he certainly has his best of years ahead.
Kaka:
The Brazilian is the closest we have seen to Zinedine Zidane. Kaka can do literally everything. He has pace, can pick a pass and score goals. He is a versatile midfielder and can slot into a variety of positions.
Kaka, like Ronaldo, made a name for himself between 2003 and 2009 with AC Milan before joining Real Madrid for a reported 54 million pounds deal. Kaka had his best season in 2006/07 when he led Milan to their 7th Champions League triumph. He was rewarded
for his stunning displays, throughout the season, when he won both Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the year in 2007.
He won a solitary Seria A title in 2003 and Champions League title in 2007. Like Ronaldo in 2007/08 season, Kaka won almost all individual awards the year before. Kaka was in such imperious form that he would seem to glide past players at will. His final
pass was one to be scared of and his control and ability on the ball was immaculate.
Kaka was part of the Brazilian world cup winning squad in 2002 but only played 25 minutes of football in the tournament; however, since then he has been a regular in every major tournament and was named man of the match in the final of Confederations cup
in 2009 against USA, when he led Brazil to 3-2 win.
Kaka is truly a pleasure to watch when on song. He has been hampered by injuries so far in his Real Madrid career but we hope to see the old Kaka once he is back to full fitness.
Luis Figo:
Figo is the second Portuguese on our list and the man whom Cristiano replaced in the Portugal National team. Figo was one of the most skilful players of his generation. Add to that terrific crossing ability and genuine game intelligence, Figo could have
walked into any team during his prime, which was at the start of this decade.
Figo played for 20 years in top flight football. He started as a 17 year old at sporting, before moving to Barcelona in 1995. After 5 successful years at Camp Nou, Luis Figo became one of the rare players to move to Real from Barcelona.
He angered Barcelona fans but his move was the start of the Galacticos era at Real. He won two La Liga titles in 2001 and 2003 win Real Madrid and the Champions League in 2002.
Figo was named European Player of the year in 2000 and FIFA World Player of the year in 2001. He moved to Inter after his contract with Real came to an end. He spent four years at Inter and won Seria A title each year.
He decided to hang up his boots when his contract came to an end with Inter Milan in 2009. Figo was very much a complete player, his game awareness and passing along with his trickery made him one of the best Right Sided players of all times. He has won
many trophies and has played crucial part throughout the decade for both Real and Inter.
Thus, Figo just edges out Ronaldo for the right side berth in our team of the decade.
Verdict: Right Sided Midfielder of the decade = Luis Figo
The team line up so far:
Buffon
Cafu Nesta Cannavaro Maldini
Makelele
Figo ___?___
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___?___
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