Both England and France have advanced into the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup on the backs of their respective captains and aging stars. While the young stars of world soccer continue to shine at this year’s World Cup, the old guard still remind us why we love this game and their contributions to it.
In England’s round of 16 match against Ecuador, David Beckham demonstrated why his right foot is considered a national treasure in England. Beckham scored the game winner with a brilliant free kick in the second half. Even though Beckham was sick before the game, he stayed on the pitch throughout the game and struck when it counted. He became dehydrated and vomited on the field during the game. In spite of his distress, he captained England into the quarterfinals. Click here to watch the video of his sublime free kick.
Zinedine Zidane is perhaps the greatest soccer player of our time. He may also be one of the greatest of all time. He is a master on the ball and his passing and dribbling are nothing short of art. On top of all that, he is a magnificent goal scorer. Zidane has said that he will retire after this World Cup. With that in mind, I watched today’s round of 16 match between France and Spain. France prevailed 3-1 against the Spaniards. France’s second goal came off of Zidane’s free kick and Zidane put the game away with a wonderful solo effort for a third goal with time running out. YouTube does not yet have video of today’s match. So, instead, here are two videos of Zidane’s goals while playing for Real Madrid. In the first video the Irish commentator apparently has an orgasm from watching Zidane score. In the second video, the Spanish commentator wins the prize for the longest rendition of "gooaaaaal" ever captured on tape. Enjoy!
Don’t forget Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry! Those two and Zidane will carry France to the Finals.
It’s nice to see former Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord playing well, too. \:d/
Zidane’s goal against the Spanish team was absolutely brilliant. And, yes, he is an exceptionally gifted soccer player. But I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree with your assessment that he is
I’d have to reserve that special space for the likes of Garrincha, Pele, Cruyff, Maradona, and in our time, Ronaldinho.
Robbie, we’ll see what happens on Saturday when France meets Brazil!
Robbie, the French are starting to put it together after a slow start. I see flashes of 1998. They are playing as a team unlike the Brazilians. And France with Zidane in the midfield is something special to watch.
Alfredo, Brazil vs France promises to be a great game. Of the best of all time, I would certainly agree with your list (although there are a couple more I would add like Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore). I would also put Zidane in with that crowd.
In our time, I would put Zidane there with Ronaldinho for sheer football ability. But in terms of influence on his club and his country and on the game of soccer, Zidane ranks much higher than Ronaldinho in my book(but, Ronaldinho is just getting started while Zidane is at the end of his career). That is not to take anything away from Ronaldinho – he is a joy to watch but does not yet have the same command of the midfield that Zidane has.
Ok, now let me have it. Thats my story and I am sticking to it. b-)
I feel like Stephen Colbert: Is Zidane Great or is he the Greatest? :d
Mash, It occurs to me that this is the first time we haven’t agreed on a particular subject or issue. And I am glad it regards a matter of relative inconsequence.
You make a strong case for Zidane. And yes, I’d also add Beckenbauer to the elite club of footballers! I still remember his commanding performance during the 1974 World Cup in Germany.
Another world class player, in my book, is Dino Zoff, the Italian goalkeeper. In a world of competing midfielders and strikers, goalkeepers seldomly get much recognition — unfairly so, especially in the case of Zoff, who among other things was instrumental in helping the Italians win the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
Do you remember Zoff’s save against Oscar’s header in the final minutes of the quarterfinal match against Brazil? Zoff dived — agile as a cat; precise as a hawk — and caught the ball on the very goal line. In doing so, he eliminated the favored Brazilians who needed a draw but fell short 3-2.
Brazil all the way! ALthough it would really awesome to see France win because then the winner of this tournament would be France right? maybe.
However, I think it’ll be more likely that Germany will win than France. And I really don’t think France has proven to be as great as it used to be. Of course, people can argue that Brazil hasn’t been playing great either (especially against Ghana who could’ve done more damage if they had better finishing skills!).
Seriously though. The quarter final match-ups are sooo closely matched! Any one of them could win. Hard to predict. BUT, GOOOO BRRAAAAZZZZIIILL!!!!!!! It’s my team as you probably can tell. 😉
Forgot: let’s hope the Brazilian team get it together on Saturday in their match against France. I think the Brazilians can do do much, much better than what we’ve seen from them in this World Cup thus far.
Re: Argentina vs. Germany, this should be another great match, but only if the Argentines play honestly and offensively rather than theatrically and defensively (which they’ve been regrettably prone to do before). With Riquelme, Crespo, Saviola, and Messi in their lineup, it’d be a real shame if the Argentinean team stick to playing their half of the field tomorrow. I’d hate to see a repeat of the 1990 World Cup final match in which the Germans beat the Blanquiazules 1-0 in a most unexciting and outright boring game.
Bengali Fob, I’m with you. Go BRAZIL!!!!!
Alfredo, you are right about Zoff. He really was a towering figure in goal. I remember the ’82 Cup like it was yesterday (man, I feel old!).
To clarify on Ronaldinho: like most of the world, the player I was most excited to see this year on the field was Ronaldinho. I think he might become one of the best – he still hasnt peaked. (But Zidane will kick Ronaldinho’s ass over over midfield this weekend! 3:-o )
And besides, we need a good fight on this blog. A throwdown! A smackdown! I need to invite some of my English hooligan friends over and knock some heads! :d
(Note to my English readers: the above line was a joke and in no way meant to encourage soccer hooliganism. Oh, one more thing: Stay in school and say no to drugs! b-( )
Alright, Fob and Alfredo, if any of the following win the Cup I am happy: Brazil, France, England, Germany. So, my odds of being happy at the end of the Cup are pretty good. If Argentina wins I am going into mourning. (Still upset about that “hand of God” thing!)
My sentimental favorite is France (can we say Zidane! :)). Ok, I admit it, I have a man crush on Zidane! There! 😡
Mostly I want to see great soccer. I am with you Alfredo, the last thing we need is kicking the ball back and forth. In the Germany v Argentina matchup, I am looking for fireworks from Klose, Ballack, and Messi (this guy is awsome on the ball – cant wait to see him develop).
Oh, and one more thing, who else thinks Ronaldo is maybe a little too tubby for the pitch ?!? 3:-o
Vive le France! Go Zinedane, Henry, Vieira & Wiltord! :d\:d/
Can’t compare athletes between eras… Athletes today are better athletes, period. In ten years they’ll be better than the athletes today. They’re stronger, faster. bigger. quicker and train much more efficiently for thier sports and will continue to do so in the future. The game and tactics will also continue to evolve.
That doesn’t take anything away from the great athletes in the past. Has anyone had a greater impact on a team sport than Pele other than maybe Babe Ruth in baseball or Gretzky in hockey? (Can’t really speak to cricket, rugby or lacrosse.) Certainly moreso than Zidane or Ronaldino.
Go Deutschland (born and raised there for all of 2 years – but since my naturalized country blew it…)
Ok, that game between France and Brazil was incredible. It was the Zinedine Zidane show. I guess he wants to retire with a bang. He just took control of the midfield and dominated the flow of play. It was a remarkable performance. ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^
As for England, all I can say is that they had plenty of chances on goal and failed to convert (even with 10 men). They also had a chance in the PKs after Robinson put them ahead. They just failed on all accounts. It was a painful loss but England have to feel horrible that they let the game slip away due to their own errors.
Where do you get this kind of information?
i heard that David Beckham is also suffering from OCD..,;