Maestros of Football 1: A Look at the Greatest Goalkeepers and Midfielders in History

MAESTROS OF FOOTBALL

When one thinks of a football stadium, images of excitement, adrenaline, crowds, and well-manicured turf spring to mind. The modern-day football governing body modeled football to its present form around 1863. During that time, we’ve observed some outstanding players across all the different positions of the game. One might even call such players the maestros of the game. Goalkeepers step into the game; dynamic midfielders dominate games on the grandest stage, and defenders crash into last-ditch pushes to prevent rivals from striking.

GOAL-KEEPING MAESTROS

Goalkeepers are frequently the players whose focus gets snatched away from them. They can win a game with a single save or lose a game with a single mistake, making them the team’s backbone. When talking about the masters of such positions, some names are essential.

One brilliant goalkeeper is the Brazilian player, Ederson Santana de Moraes, who’s capable of doing anything. He’s highly dominating in the box, has a significant presence, terrific passing ability, and is very good with his feet. He’s a fantastic shot-blocker, and his distribution is unrivaled. He was the ideal goalkeeper for Pep Guardiola’s system, with 36 games, 19 clean sheets, a 75% save percentage, 28 goals against, and 29.2 anticipated goals against, all in 2020/21.

Besides Ederson, Alisson Ramses Becker has contributed to the transition in goalkeepers’ roles as sweeper keepers. He has quick reflexes and makes good saves, and he’s a decent sweeper. His coach, Jürgen Klopp, never misses a moment to praise Alisson and how his abilities make complex tasks appear simple. Speaking by one of the world’s finest managers also means a great deal. In 2020/21, he made 33 appearances, had ten clean sheets, a save percentage of 74.8 %, 32 goals against, and 37.9 anticipated goals against the opposition.

Jan Oblak is yet another legend in the game. His placement is ideal, as he’s not easily distracted and has strong hands. In 2020/21, the Slovenian goalkeeper guided Atletico Madrid to a La Liga-low 25 goals conceded. In 2020/21, he had 38 appearances, 18 clean sheets, and an 80% save percentage, with 31.8 anticipated goals against the opposition.

MIDFIELD MAESTROS

Another football position that handles the flow of the game is midfielders. They control how the game is played and are frequently crucial in shifting from defense to offense or blocking opposing attackers. In Spain, Andres Iniesta was one of the best and most consistent midfielders following his World Cup performance. He had exceptional vision, passing abilities, and an uncanny knack for peaking when it counted the most. Iniesta will go down in Spanish history for his remarkable performance and match-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final.

Additionally, Michel Platini, one of the most graceful midfielders in history, was exceptional in passing, goal scoring, and free-kicks. He possessed a winner’s attitude. When he led France to a Euro 84 victory on home soil, he accomplished what was possibly the most outstanding individual performance ever at an international tournament, scoring nine goals in five games. “The way Platini shone with France and Juventus, and his capacity for taking free-kicks, made him the European footballer of the 1980s,” Pele mentioned.

Further, an unforgettable talent, Diego Armando Maradona, is undoubtedly one of the greatest football players the world has ever known. “Undoubtedly, the best of the bunch,” Brazilian legend Zico stated. He seemed to have complete command of the game. Argentina won the World Cup thanks to Maradona. Diego also won two Seria A championships with Napoli. He’s like a God to Argentina, and no one can fill his shoes in the middle of the field.

Diego was an unstoppable midfielder who posed a threat to every opposition squad during his career. Maradona’s ability to gain scoring chances for himself or his teammates is next to none. Maradona was responsible for the unquestionable greatest goal and assisted in World Cup history. He rarely missed a chance and often finished in glorious fashion, such as plunging heading, forceful and perfect vaulting, and savvy chipping. Maradona was also one of the greatest free-kick takers in history.

DEFENSE MAESTROS

While forwards and midfielders get frequently lauded for their performances, no one can dispute that defenders are equally impressive. Only one-person springs to mind when considering all of the world’s grandeur, grace, and composure. Paolo Maldini is an AC Milan great who can play both left and right back and is a skilled center-back. He is primarily a right-back, but he excelled when asked to play left-back. He is incredibly swift, and his biggest weapon or gift is his anticipation, which allows him to detect danger three times faster than most defenders.

On to another exceptional defender, a player named Sergio Ramos, He’s well-known for his strong defense and tenacity, and he has done well to be known as one of the best center backs. After scoring from the penalty spot vs. Real Sociedad last year, the 35-year-old became the top-scoring defender in La Liga history, surpassing Xavi, Iniesta, and Paul Pogba. Many France Football readers believe Ramos is the most excellent defender following the El-Clasico victory. In addition to his striking prowess, Ramos was a core member of Spain’s most resilient defense.

Throughout his 32-year career as a player and coach, Franz Beckenbauer has been dubbed “The Great Der Kaiser.” He was a footballer who developed the German style of play and led his country to the supreme footballing triumph. The tremendous German rules all center-backs who came pre or post him; his grit, guile, and grace were unlike anything seen earlier from athletes who were usually considered lumbering, clumsy buffoons.

Apart from being the greatest center-back, Franz Beckenbauer, also known as Der Kaiser, is one of the best footballers to put on a football boot. Der Kaiser was selected European Footballer of the Year twice and represented West Germany in three FIFA World Cups and two European Championships.

The discussion concerning football players and masters may go on forever. Ever since the game’s beginning, fans, analysts, and players have heatedly discussed the subject, rearranging and reorganizing the hierarchies with each era of depleted talent. Yet, aside from the question’s insurmountable bias, no one can refute the spectacular achievements of every football legend who displays his skill on the football pitch. Pele, Alfredo Di Stefano, Garrincha, or Puskas in the 1950s, Maradona in the 1980s, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Messi, and Ronaldo in the last 20 years, football has been shaped by legends the fields won’t forget.