With the exception of Ronaldo circa 1993-98, I can't think of any footballer that was as lethal as a dribbler asMarc Overmars was. Jay-Jay Okocha is one of the most stylish footballers in recent memory. Legit.ng earlier reported that French champions Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly concluded to snub going for the signing of Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo and concentrate on Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. 16 - It's time and he is doing everything to help his country win the most coveted trophy in the world. Not only did he play eight seasons forNagoya Grampus, but he's now managing them. Suresh Gaur dribbled a basketball using his feet alternately 196 times in one minute. Dribbles are one of the more seductive elements of football, but which players have made the most this season? He has a high kicking power and also has a high shot accuracy. In total, Messi has made 1535 successful dribbles since the 2010s. Most dribbles completed in a single UCL match: # 2003: Zanetti vs. Dynamo Kiev (16) # 2008: Messi vs. Man United (16) # 2020: Neymar vs. Atalanta (16) # Alphonso Davies, the only defender on this list, has had a mind-blowing two-and-a-half seasons at Bayern Munich. This season, the prolific winger has the highest number of successful dribbles (145) in world football. The most goals scord by an individual player in a World Cup finals tournament is 13 by Just Fontaine (France) in 1958 in Sweden. Although football is a team sport, there are certain players that create moments of magic and prove to be the difference makers. Abramovich attempted to buyZola back fromCagliari. But it must also be noted that he is yet to contribute to a single goal this term, despite making 21 appearances across all competitions. , firm ball possession, and control. West Ham United's Vic Watson smashed 50 in the prior campaign, but the all-time record belongs to Dixie Dean, who scored a remarkable 63 times for Everton He often drifts out into wide areas and isolates himself with a defender. Thats an exaggeration, of course, but the truth is Cristiano no longer dribbles past opponents like he used to - which is hardly surprising considering he turns 35 in February. Hatem ben Arfa 770. Messi has completed most dribbles in a ucl game (16). This record was broken by neymar vs Atlanta Some sources say he equalled the record some say he broke it But When at Manchester Utd, Ronaldo completed 20 dribbles in a match vs Benfica. completed 20 dribbles in a match vs Benfica. It's sad someone ofRoberto Baggio's stature still has that missed FIFA World Cup penalty hanging over his head. His quick feet help him dance around his opponents, while he moves on to lay a cross for his teammates to score. News ), Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. So far, you'll agree that these dribblers are enough for fans to place bets on the best betting sites because they have confidence in their favorite players. Lionel Messi 1880 dribbles. Let's see what position he takes in the top 5. This is somebody who commands the respect of football. completed 20dribblesin a matchvs Benfica. Famed for his dribbling prowess, no player has beaten an opponent more times in a single World Cup than Maradona did in 1986. Argentina won its first World Cup trophy in 1978. It wasn't as if he was just clinging on because he won the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year at 48. The fact that Germany lost to Mexico and South Korea to take last place in their group is not only interesting but also dramatic. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. First La Liga player to score 25+ goals in 11 consecutive seasons across all competitions. In the same match, he also issued what was called "the hand of God". Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. Even thoughDragan Stojkovi never transitioned into an all-time great, he's considered one of the greatest Serbian footballers, as well as a pioneer of J-League football. With seven matches still remaining, Erling Haaland of Manchester City has now set the record for most goals in a 38-game season, grabbing his 33rd goal of the campaign against Arsenal on April 26. In addition, his dribbling runs enable him to generate more chances. Lus Figo was a member of the Portuguese Golden Generation, one that ultimately failed to deliver a major title, but he was the pick of the bunch. There are many questions regarding why he is ranked first on the list. This season, the prolific winger has the highest number of. When at Manchester Utd, Ronaldo completed 20 dribbles in a match vs Benfica. completed 20 dribbles in a match vs Benfica. The Portuguese superstar is known for scoring goals and setting goal scoring records. When at Manchester Utd,Ronaldo completed 20 dribbles in a match vs Benfica. Georgi Kinkladze is one of the greatest dribblers in recent memory. Robert Prosineki was part of that Croatian golden generation that includedDavor uker, Zvonimir Boban, Igor timac, Robert Jarni and Mario Stani. Learn more about Dakkada, including its history and world rankings, here! He shares the pitch with Kylian Mbappe but unlike his team-mate, Neymar has his own way of beating opponents. The Rennes forward completed 110 successful dribbles in 30 league appearances during the season, more than any other Ligue 1 player. . Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. Suresh Gaur dribbled a table tennis ball for five minutes, 26.36 seconds while holding an easy pose. TheBara player that made the mistake wasMiguel ngel Nadal, the uncle of tennis great ofRafael Nadal. His dribbling skills, including the use of body feints, footwork, successive runs, and take-ons, have helped him contribute a total of 15 assists and an average of, He is one of the most creative wingers currently; his average number of chances created shows that. in history there is no player who have been able to complete 20 dribbles in a single match in the Champions League other than CR7, In theItalian seria a for 2020/2021, Cristiano Ronaldo has played 31 matches (plus 2 as a sub). Allan Saint-Maximin has quickly become one of the most feared frontmen in the Premier League. READ ALSO: Dakkada F.C's: players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings. Suresh Gaur dribbled a basketball and a tennis ball simultaneously for 34.25 seconds while sitting on a rola bola. So if you ever had any concerns about why he should rank highest, we believe his dribbling stats, as shown in this article, have met that. This article will list the 50 greatest dribblers ever. While he only scored two Premier League goals in 2020-21, Hatem Ben Arfa scored two goals of a lifetime in three months at Newcastle, With one pass, Messi proved hes the best No.8, No.9 & No.10 in the world, been averaging these kind of numbers for quite some time. There are many questions regarding why he is ranked first on the list. Manchester United faced Benfica 13 years ago in the Champions League Group Stage and a 22-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo exploded onto the scene with 20 completed dribbles in the game. The player then. Though his career wasn't as successful asMichael. The 21-year-old often hugs the touchline and quickly shimmies away from the opponent. African teams have not done well, but Iranian fans have won many hearts in Russia. That stamp onFuad Anwar during the 1998 World Cupforeshadowedwhat was to come eight years later. Joaquin 798. During the 1986 World Cup, Maradona set a record for most fouls suffered in a single mens World Cup. 2023. Often he would wriggle through, past man after man, with defenders reluctant to tackle in case they gave away a penalty kickAlan Morton, Rangers legend. EURO 2018 will be very important for this team. Watch this space. On the season, in 28.8 minutes per game, Vezenkov is averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, shooting a hefty .665 true shooting Between 1970-1973, Skoblar dominated the goalscoring chart every single season, ending up as the top scorer. FC Kosice Aalborg BK AC Milan AEK Athens AFC Ajax AIK Solna AJ Auxerre Anorthosis Famagusta APOEL Nicosia Arsenal Artmedia Bratislava AS Monaco AS Roma Atalanta Athletic Bilbao Atletico Madrid AZ Since joining in 2019, the French international has become an integral part of Newcastle United. He was involved in three deep runs by the Germans in the FIFA World Cup. While Schalke endured a disastrous Bundesliga season in 2020-21, they still have some really talented players on their books. 12 - Since 1980, the record for most dribbles completed by a player in a single match at the Euros is 12, by Eden Hazard against Hungary in 2016. Because of his constant dribble and penetrating passes, along with high finishing accuracy, Neymar has become PSG's main man. With an average of 4.7 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in 2020-21, alongside 30 goals in La Liga, statistics show that even an unsettled Messi is still among the very best footballers in the world. At 5'2", hewreakedhavoc against bigger, taller and stronger players due to his incisive dribbling. With 190 goals in 400 games, he's currently Serie A's seventh higher goal scorer of all-time. 15 - Since 1966, the most dribbles completed in a World Cup match is 15, by Jay Jay Okocha for Nigeria against Italy in July 1994. Web633 likes, 3 comments - M E S S I A N (@sanoop_leo) on Instagram: "SPANISH LEAGUE 19/20 Champions : Real Madrid Most Goals : Lionel Messi ( 25 ) Most Assi" (2021-22). Please read Top 11 Weirdest Premier League Transfers. In a way, Brian andMichael are like Peyton and Eli Manning. Unpopular player, but I will prove to you why he deserves to be added to this list of top dribblers in soccer. Prosineki was in the business ofhumiliatinganyone who attempted to tackle him. In 1970, Brazil not only had Pel on its team, but another star named Jairzinho was launched. Watchhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_DbDiuG-BIandhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_DbDiuG-BI. That's tied for the most in UCL history, along with Lionel Messi in 2008 vs. Man United and.. Javier Zanetti vs. Dynamo Kyiv in 2003. During the 1986 World Cup, Maradona set a record for most fouls suffered in a single mens World Cup. He also recorded 40 dribbles, which are now the fourth highest scores in World Cup history. Paulo Futre was animmenselygifted footballer who has since entered English footballing folklore. There are loads of best dribblers in the world of football today, but there are always those with exceptional skills, which they use to wreak havoc in opposition defences, create chances and score goals. Although Paris Saint-Germain enjoy the lion's share of possession in Ligue 1, they face difficulties dominating matches in the Champions League. Zinedine Zidane's footballing C.V. seems fictional because he won everything there is worth winning. With a success rate of 74%, he deservedly ranked the best dribbler in 2021. His end product could certainly use some improvement, but it is incredible how he has managed to pull off 4.2 successful dribbles per match this season. Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. His dribbling statistics show why he was recently, , providing seven assists that season. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have often dominated such lists previously, but this quintet has performed beyond the expectations of most this season. So you know, let him do whatever he wants. RecordSetter. This season has been a little low-key, however, as he has only played 14 games across all competitions. With a success rate of 74%, he deservedly ranked the best dribbler in 2021. In a way, it's likeBill Buckner's 2,715 hits and .289 batting average overlooked because of his error during the World Series. Last season, he was the only player to record the, If Adama runs with the ball, it is hard catching up with him especially if you allow him to be ahead of you. One of those Premier League players the streets will never forget, Ben Arfa is evidence that class remains permanent. He is a quick and creative attacking midfielder who can open up spaces to penetrate with his quickness, making him a key player for Real Betis in the attack. He is arguably the world's best dribbler in the history of football. Moreover, his pace ensures that they do not catch up once the full-back gets away. Dennis Bergkamp arrived at Arsenal after atumultuoustenure at Inter Milan, where he was hated. He contributed to several chances that led to goals last season, making 219 dribbles with a 62% success ratemaking him one of the best dribbling players in the world league competitions. There aren't any archival footage ofPatsy Gallacher, so I'll have to rely on quotes: To play alongside Patsy Gallacher in national cup final was a dream. In 2003, he was selected as Greece's Golden Playerofthe past 50 years. Sassuolos star man has established himself as quite the player since escaping Chelseas loan army in 2018. Jairzinho completed 47 dribbles in this tournament alone. He couldnt prevent their relegation to Serie B, but parent club Napoli will have undoubtedly been impressed by his performances. Gakpo has seemingly established himself as Klopps first choice No 9, with the Dutchmans link-up play, dribbling and industry beginning to shine. Fontaine did not hold down a regular French international spot before the tournament and only got his chance due to injury to his Rheims teammate Rene Bliard (France). READ: With one pass, Messi proved hes the best No.8, No.9 & No.10 in the world 3. With an average of 4.7 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in 2020-21, alongside 30 goals in La Liga, statistics show that even an unsettled Messi is still among the very best footballers in the world. The top 7 best players who left Chelsea for free including Frank Lampard. 16 - Neymar completed 16 dribbles against Atalanta tonight, the most by a player in a single Champions League match since Lionel Messi v Manchester United in April 2008. With moves straight out of a Nike ad, many of the worlds finest players welcome the opportunity to showcase their ability. Fontaine did not hold down a regular French international spot before the tournament and only got his chance due to injury to his Rheims teammate Rene Bliard (France). If there is anyconsolation, that 1982 team managed by Tel Santana, is considered one of the most aestheticallypleasing teams ever. Jimmy Johnstone proved size didn't matter. Cristiano Ronaldo averages 30 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 82%, and has 3 assists. Note: where players are tied on the same average, they have been ranked by who has completed the most dribble across the entirety of the campaign. News ), Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. Currently earning headlines for the number of assists he continues to accumulate each season, Manchester United's newest winger, who is only 20 years old, has long been known as a world-class talent. earning second place behind first placed Adama. He was linked with a move to Villarreal in January, and we doubt hell be playing in Bundesliga 2 next season. Saint-Maximin often seems like a law unto himself and his high placing here would seem to confirm this perception. Steve McManaman was a defender's nightmare because he could tear them apart with his close dribbling, and then split the defence open with a great pass. When at Manchester Utd, Ronaldocompleted 20dribblesin a match vs Benfica. With seven matches still remaining, Erling Haaland of Manchester City has now set the record for most goals in a 38-game season, grabbing his 33rd goal of the campaign against Arsenal on April 26. With 34 dribbles to his name in just six league games, Ngamaleu takes fourth spot on the list of players with the most dribbles in the UEFA Champions League this season. It'sdeplorablethatEl Hadji Diouf is onPel's best 125 living players, yet someone as impeccable as Jairzinho isn't. In PSG's win against Atalanta, Neymar completed the most dribbles in a single Champions League match since Lionel Messi against Manchester United in 2008. Players with low physique find it tough to tackle him. Rob is editor of GiveMeSport, with over 15 years experience covering sport in various capacities since graduating from university with a degree in journalism. . Where are they now? Argentina won the last World Cup in 1986. The former Croatian forward set the record for most goals scored in a Ligue 1 season in 1970-71, when he found the net 44 times in just 36 games. How would you rate Raphinha's spell at Barcelona from 1 to 10? Dakkada F.C's: players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings. The only prerequisite for the list is the player in question has to be retired, so dont expect to see the likes ofLionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Ricardo Quaresma, Ryan Giggs, Franck Ribry or Ronaldinho. Impress your friends by breaking or inventing your own ping pong world records on Recordsetter.com. The current version ofRomrio isSergio Agero, who unlikeRomrio, is proving his worth in Europe. Most dribbles in a single match CR7 Record - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC Neymar was instrumental as French club Paris Saint-German made a sensational last gasp comeback to eventually defeat a very formidable Atalanta to reach the Champions League semifinal. Content created and supplied by: SportsGlobal (via Opera Your login session has expired. If one player understands how to delight spectators with his spectacular display of abilities, it is none other than PSG playmaker Neymar. Menwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo however emerged as the third most clinical finisher in the year 2020 despite notching up 21 goals for Juventus. Please logout and login again. The 26-year-old now becomes a joint-record holder for the most dribbles (16) in a single Champions League match with only Lionel Messi and Javier Zanetti also Note: Only Europe's Top 5 leagues have been considered. Most of the goals scored by Barcelona players were assisted mainly by him. Neymar has become a famous figure in Ligue 1 and the world. Last season's new signing of Newcastle FC has been very impressive since joining his new club. How we mistakenly celebrated Yakubus miss at 2010 World Cup Brown Ideye | Legit TV, Jose Mourinho makes stunning statement about Lampard after win against Wolves, Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Unpopular player, but I will prove to you why he deserves to be added to this list of top dribblers in soccer. Quite arguably the best player of the current generation, Kylian Mbappe has played some of his best football this season. If Francescoli had stayed atMarseille for two more seasons, he would have won the UEFA Champions League. It's so disrespectful ofPel to say he won three FIFA World Cups when he sat on the sidelines and watched his teammateGarrincha single handily win the 1962 World Cup. The former Barcelona man has developed into quite the dribbling behemoth over the years, with his size and stature enough to startle an opponent. WebWho has the most dribbles in a single match in UCL? If you didn't watch the video, it was SirAlex Ferguson recounting how a then-21-year-oldPaul Gascoigne spurned theopportunityto sign for Manchester United. READ:Hatem Ben Arfa scored two goals of a lifetime in three months at Newcastle. He was a two-timeFootball Writers' Association Footballer of the Year and was included in three FIFA World Cup campaigns. While Davies has only managed to provide six assists across 23 games in all competitions, his contribution in the build-up play has been sound. They have 69 shots on target from a total of 118 shots and have scored 29 goals (28.18 xG). Suresh Gaur dribbled two basketballs 412 times with one hand while sitting on his toes. Based on the most recent statistics and records, we have compiled a comprehensive post listing the best dribblers in the history of football. Franck Ribery 939. The Barcelona star has been named a tournament player, but as we all know, this is entertainment for the losers. He was a full-backs worst nightmare and terrorised many top-level defenders with his skill. Either way, he was a marvelous dribbler, who played 92 games for Brazil. He would haveaccumulated100 games for Greece, if not, forrepresentingtheSoviet Union. Now there is no way you can deny thatRonaldo is the greatest dribbler ever. WebThe most goals scord by an individual player in a World Cup finals tournament is 13 by Just Fontaine (France) in 1958 in Sweden. His lifestyle caught up, and he left Manchester United at just 27. He took more risks and was more flamboyant than Michael. People rave about how greatNeymar will be, but he is displaying the same tendencies asDjalminha. Crystal Palace is lucky to have such talent in their squad. De Bruyne's 20 in 2019/20 is his best single season return at City, after making 18 assists in 2016/17, and 16 in 2017/18. LikePel,Nicolae Dobrin was so important to his country, that the higher powers intervened whenDobrin was set to sign for Real Madrid. 90+6 mins: The whistle goes to end the game and Manchester City have won the initiative in the Premier League title race. The 26-year-old now becomes a joint-record holder for the most dribbles (16) in a single Champions League match with only Lionel Messi and Javier Zanetti also achieving such a feat. Unlike his old manager David Moyes, former Manchester United academy graduate Januzaj looks well at home in San Sebastian, routinely impressing for Real Sociedad. He could have turned into an alcoholic and retired from football after reaching the crushing realisation that he would never be the Ronaldo of old. Johan Cruyff was a genius and he's the only player on this list that has a move named after himtheCruyff turn. Kempes completed 38 dribbles in front of the home supporters. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address operanews-external(at)opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform Not only did he possess every trick in the book but he was also absolutely rapid and powerful, too. Usually operating from the left flank, the outstanding winger can slash between opponents, create chances, and even score. With a total of, Though relegated, the former Norwich City offensive midfielder was vital in their survival. In the background of ecstatic German celebrations, Lothar Matthus chose to console Waddleafter he just missed the crucial penalty sending Germany into the World Cup final. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. WebMaradona remains the only player since 1966 to have to have scored and assisted as many as five goals in a single World Cup, a record that looks particularly tough to beat. When at Manchester Utd,Ronaldo completed 20 dribbles in a match vs Benfica. in history there is no player who have been able to complete 20 dribbles in a single match in the Champions League other than CR7 With the modern game getting faster and more intense, getting past an opponent has become quite a daunting task. Suresh Gaur dribbled a table tennis ball 156 times in 30 seconds. A true showman, Neymar has managed a commendable 3.7 successful dribbles per match this season. Get to know about the top 15 best point guards in the NBA in 2022. Filtering out any players that played fewer than 900 minutes, weve collated the top 10 players from Europes big five leagues to make the most successful dribbles per 90 minutes in 2020-21. According to performances, the top ten list of best dribblers changes from time to time. In the playoffs for third place on July 14, they beat England 2-0 and won a bronze medal. It seems Chelsea have unofficially retired No. He could win a game when the rest of us were just thinking about itJimmy McGrory, Celtic legend, Within 20 yards of goal Patsy Gallacher was the most dangerous forward I have ever seen. WebMost games scored in a season: 38 (scoring in every game in a single La Liga season), Barcelona (201213), Real Madrid (201617) [74] Fewest league goals scored in a season: 15, Logros (199495) [citation needed] Fewest home league goals scored in a season: 8, Granada (196970) [citation needed] As we all know, it was not enough to save his country in the last 16 from the departure of the eventual winner of France. Chris Waddle produced magic week in and week out with his loping, meanderingruns through opposing defences. This season, the prolific winger has the highest number of successful dribbles (145) in world football. Gianfranco Zola ignited my love of football and is the sole reason why I support Chelsea. They are fast, agile and strong. Learn, CAF Confederations Cup: Marumo Gallants Defy Odds, Reach Semifinals, Mourinho: The Only Day The Special One Has Ever Cried in His Career After Defeat, Jurgen Klopp Adds Himself to Injury List After Pulling Hamstring While Celebrating Late Winner, Hakimi Sees Red, Mbappes Freak Goal and the Five Talking Points From PSGs Embarrassing Defeat, Video: Emotional Scene as MLS Star Latif Blessing is Reunited With Family in USA, Klopp risks sanction for referee 'against us' rant, Rodrigo de Paul Compares Antoine Griezmanns Style of Play to Lionel Messi, Video of Oshoala's Amazing Dancing Skills After Helping Barcelona Win League Title Emerges, Casemiro and Bruno in Heated Full-Time Argument After Aston Villa Win, Keep Working: Bayern Boss Thomas Tuchel Tells Struggling Sadio Mane to Step Up. The hero is the legendary striker Mario Kempes this time. It puts into perspective how important Alphonso Davies has been to his side this term and his immense potential to do better. The pair share the record for most goals scored in an English 38-game season. Giuseppe Meazza was so great that he had a stadium name after him. FC Kaiserslautern 1. Suresh Gaur dribbled a basketball using his hand and foot alternately 144 times in one minute. However, Wayne Rooney scored the best goal he's ever seen live: *that* overhead kick against Manchester City at Old Trafford. 25, but they must officially retire it in tribute to Zola's greatness. a total number of dribbles made by players of Europe's top 5 leagues in the 2010s and Messi is at the top of his game. Known as the Welsh Wizard, Ryan Giggs has to be one of the finest dribblers of the lot. WebOnly Eden Hazard (against Huddersfield in February) has had more successful dribbles in a single match than Adama Traore did against Villa, since the start of last seaosn. He lulled defenders into a false sense of security, and would then pull something out of the hat and score. He is one of the most creative wingers currently; his average number of chances created shows that. The problem withDjalminha was his temperament. https://t.co/vB9QxfuI54" We've detected that JavaScript is disabled in your browser. He was the benefactor of one of the greatest gestures of sportsmanship during the 1990 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. This record was broken by Diego Maradona in 1986, but still has a special place in the history of football. Neymar went close twice, but the Brazilian star squandered both chances as Atalanta kept PSG at bay. This is the reason why Diego Maradona is always ahead of him in terms of overall appreciation. Forget about the red cards, but headbutting your manager gives you some insight on how mentally unstable the Brazilian was. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address operanews-external(at)opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform. He is quick, slippery, and pacey. Such a high football IQ, great vision, efficient shooter and a mazy dribbler. Web180 views, 2 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 22 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Digital Druglord: Most dribbles completed in a single match 20 . Pierre Littbarski was aKlnstalwart and he frustrated opposing defences to no end with his tight dribbling. By the way, Squawka have recently counted a total number of dribbles made by players of Europe's top 5 leagues in the 2010s and Messi is at the top of his game. He moved at great speed and he could stop immediately sending opponents in all directions. A childhood obsession for all things football developed into a career writing about the beautiful game.