In thinking of all the changes to the game in the last twenty years, I’m finding it hard to imagine any future player ever being able to dominate and revolutionize the game in the way Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento), Diego Maradona, and Franz Beckenbauer have.
These three had the proper combination of fitness, field vision and foot skill to elevate them above all other players on the pitch. Fitness will never be a differentiating factor in sports anymore as our knowledge of fitness training has peaked the human physical conditioning to the point where the only advantages are genetic (Lance Armstrong’s genetic physical advantages in cycling for instance). Field vision is that magic combination of mental prowess and knowledge of the way the game works. Knowledge of the game at a young age here is what matters, as it must coincide with the physical fitness of youth. Skill much like knowledge requires youth as a prerequisite to define greatness, both of which though, must get better over time, peaking at 17 does not make one great, being the best at 17 and maintaining that standing by improving over your career does.
Pele and Maradona played with a knowledge of the game of their elders in their late teens. Beckenbauer has proven his knowledge of the game increases and gains definition even into his career as a coach. All three showed advanced foot skill that allowed them to take advantage of their fitness and field knowledge.
I just don’t see any modern player falling into this category, and perhaps I’m just jaded by the current crop of players, but none of the youthful wiz-kids are showing these skills combined. Not to say that modern players are not elevating the game, there just are no standout stars, and sadly, I don’t think there ever will be.
Thoughts?
4 comments on “Will there ever be another Pele/Maradona/Beckenbauer?”
Steve A, I think the time for personality driven sports is over. Look at the teams with all the touted stars like Shevchenko, Henry, Stankovic. They haven’t been able to deliver. The teams that are doing well are the teams that are combining well.
Beckenbauer, Pele, and Maradona were stars but they also played on very good teams. Pele played with Garrincha, Vava, Jairzinho- all great soccer players too. Beckenbauer with Gerd Muller, Uwe Seeler, Sepp Maier and Maradona had Osvaldo Ardiles,Jorge Burrachaga, and Oscar Ruggeri.
More importantly, these teams won the World Cup. That win elevates these stars even more. But amongst these stars we can count Platini and Cruyff, who never won the World Cup.
SR’s points are well taken and I would add another: there is increasing parity in world soccer.
The difference between teams is not as great as before. The globalization of the Eurpoean premier leagues has allowed, say, the African players to play on top teams during the season. This, in turn, has helped the African teams during the World Cup. We are seeing the same thing happening in Asia and the US.
No one expects the Iranians to knock off Brazil, but it is more likely today then it was 40 years ago.
Tilam, look at the teams that are not doing well. Steve A points out that the play in the EPL is good because of the foreign players. Not so much the English themselves. And the French have not played together ever since they started exporting their talent overseas. Two different phenomena, very similar results.
I’m not commenting that it doesn’t take a team to win, but that great players are great outside of their team, they are the highlight of their team.
I think what Tilam said summarizes part of what I’m thinking, in that the increasing parity is making it harder for individuals to stand out. There are many great players now, Henry and Ronaldinho, etc, but the increasing parity means that there are so many players at or near this level that it raises the bar for the next great player.