Football Special Report: Ten irreplaceable club legends (Part 2)
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryan-Giggs-c31985 (Manchester United)
The universally adored and respected gentleman of English football, Ryan Giggs, continues to set alight the Premier League with his wing wizardry.
Ryan Joseph Giggs made his debut in 1990 with Manchester United. Twenty years of loyal service and 599 appearances later, the legend is as good a player he ever was. Such longevity at the highest level can only be admired. Calling Giggs the best winger of
his generation would not be an overstatement, in fact, it’s a title this welsh magician has earned more than anyone.
Even though Giggs is going strong despite turning 37, the day he leaves the beautiful game, it would be an emotional day for purists. Manchester United will surely retire his number 11 jersey, it’s the least they can do.
Xavi (http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Barcelona-c39078)
Fans, adversaries and pundits alike have run out of superlatives praising the Blaugrana legend. It’s arguable whether any player, current or of eras past, can match his passing skills. Blessed with extraterrestrial vision and cushion of a right foot, Xavi
is the epitome of beautiful football.
Like many of his fellow Blaugrana prodigies, Xavi is a one club man. After making his debut as a 17 year old, Los Cules' no. 6 has grown on to become a club legend in the next 13 years. It’s really sad the coaches, prior to Josep Guardiola’s appointment,
failed to understand his genius. The diminutive playmaker was wasted by many, playing him as a holding midfielder when passing was clearly his asset.
It was only in 2008, after Guardiola took over at Barca, that Xavi was given the role he was destined to play. Pep gave him a free rein in the midfield and Xavi has etched his name in footballing folklore ever since.
Xavi will turn 31 later this month, and it’s arguable whether he will be able to sustain the rigours of crowded modern day football calendar. Barcelona must already be working on Xavi 2.0 behind closed doors. It’s a futile exercise to say the least. Surely,
even La Masia can’t produce another Xavi.
Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
Wildly regarded as the best player in a proud Giallorossi history, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603. Nicknamed Er Pupone by the fans, the talisman is now into his 19th year with the club. It’s a sad sight watching Francesco
Totti bidding his time on the bench. Lady age is cruel, very cruel indeed.
Having said that however, nothing in the whole wild world can overshadow 19 years of commitment, passion and results Totti gave to the Giallorossi colours. Er Pupone brought Scudetto back to Rome in 2001, only the third time in the club’s history.
Roma are not your usual rich club. The club will seldom splash huge amounts on players, focusing instead on youth development. Giallorossi never stood a chance when pitted against the financial might of Juventus, AC Milan and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan.
A player of Totti’s genius calibre could have walked into any team in the world, and the fact that he rejected approaches from Real Madrid; the super star magnet, adds further glitter to his legendary status among the Romanista.
Murals and paintings of Francesco Totti can be seen in the streets of Rome. They will remain there for some generations to come. Francesco Totti is simply irreplaceable; calling him the eighth emperor of Rome would be a justified title.
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