1FF's Favourite South American Footballers - Top 50

[Libertadores FC]

25. Alvaro Recoba - 6 points (1 list)

Nationality: Uruguayan

Most successful club: Inter Milan

Starting club: Danubio

Alvaro Recoba was a Uruguayan footballer, considered the best footballer from the nation along with Forlan in the decade between 2000 to 2010. The only continental honour he has was winning the UEFA Cup in his first season as an Inter player. As for domestic titles, he won Serie A in 2006, 2007 and won the Uruguayan Primera Division in 2012 and 2015.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

Lib, great job so far. As we get on to the bigger hitters are you going to expand their profiles a bit? Maybe a bit more than just the basic facts?

Definitely for the top 10 yes mate.

 

[epic73]

Still none of mine except Lib.

 

[lordofthepies]

None of mine yet, either. However, a couple of the names to come come out do feature on my Italian strikers of the 90s list (http://www.onefootballforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/greatest-serie-a-strikers-of-the-1990s.14053/ - send a list and send it now)

 

[Libertadores FC]

Still none of mine except Lib.

Suarez was yours.

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

So when's Mauro Formica being announced as number one?

 

[mistermagic]

Did like Sampaio at the 98 World Cup. Much maligned DM who had an eye for a goal or two. Scored the opening goal of the tournament with his shoulder against Scotland (back then, the holders kicked off the competition, not the hosts) and got a brace in the 1st KO game against Chile. A good player in a great Brazilian side. The current one pales in comparison.

Taffarel - Cafu, Aldair, Junior Baiano, Roberto Carlos - Dunga, Sampaio - Rivaldo, Leonardo - Ronaldo, Bebeto.

I mean that team was something else. What do we have now except Neymar? Fred? Fucking FRED?

 

[lordofthepies]

Did like Sampaio at the 98 World Cup. Much maligned DM who had an eye for a goal or two. Scored the opening goal of the tournament with his shoulder against Scotland (back then, the holders kicked off the competition, not the hosts) and got a brace in the 1st KO game against Chile. A good player in a great Brazilian side. The current one pales in comparison.

Taffarel - Cafu, Aldair, Junior Baiano, Roberto Carlos - Dunga, Sampaio - Rivaldo, Leonardo - Ronaldo, Bebeto.

I mean that team was something else. What do we have now except Neymar? Fred? Fucking FRED?

Assuming you mean the striker from the last world cup, last time Fred played for Brazil was more than 2 and a half years ago. They've got the same central midfield problems they've had for 20+ years but they've got some very exciting forwards now.

I also think the 98 team was a bit overrated; apart from the full-backs, Rivaldo and Ronaldo, there wasn't much to get excited by and the football they played was never that great.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Did like Sampaio at the 98 World Cup. Much maligned DM who had an eye for a goal or two. Scored the opening goal of the tournament with his shoulder against Scotland (back then, the holders kicked off the competition, not the hosts) and got a brace in the 1st KO game against Chile. A good player in a great Brazilian side. The current one pales in comparison.

Taffarel - Cafu, Aldair, Junior Baiano, Roberto Carlos - Dunga, Sampaio - Rivaldo, Leonardo - Ronaldo, Bebeto.

I mean that team was something else. What do we have now except Neymar? Fred? Fucking FRED?

The current Brazil side under Tite is the best team in the world, easily.

On paper though I agree that 1998 pisses all over this side.

 

[mistermagic]

Assuming you mean the striker from the last world cup, last time Fred played for Brazil was more than 2 and a half years ago. They've got the same central midfield problems they've had for 20+ years but they've got some very exciting forwards now.

I also think the 98 team was a bit overrated; apart from the full-backs, Rivaldo and Ronaldo, there wasn't much to get excited by and the football they played was never that great.

Do they? Who?

 

[Stevencc]

Gabriel Jesus.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Do they? Who?

Gabriel Jesus, as Ste mentioned. Not on the NT I can see Gabriel Barbosa and Gabriel Boschilia making it big.

 

[mistermagic]

Cool. Good thing that some promising kids are coming out of the academy.

 

[Libertadores FC]

24. Ivan Zamorano - 6 points (1 list)

Nationality: Chilean

Most successful club: Real Madrid

Starting club: Cobresal

Ivan Zamorano, often considered the greatest Chilean player of all time is a striker who's career highlights included winning the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan in 1998, winning La Liga in 1995 with Real Madrid and finishing 3rd in the olympics in 2000. He's only played in 1 World Cup with Chile which was in 1998. His last 2 clubs were Club America in Mexico and Colo Colo in his native Chile.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

Ivan Zamorano was a great but to me the greatest Chilean player to ever play the game is Alexis Sanchez. Also a product of Cobresal.

 

[Libertadores FC]

23. Hernan Crespo - 6 points (1 list)

Nationality: Argentinian

Most successful club: Parma

Starting club: River Plate

Hernan Crespo was an Argentinian forward that spent most of his career in Serie A. He has 35 goals with his national team. His biggest honours were winning the Copa Libertadores with River Plate in 1996 and being a Serie A tri champion with Inter Milan between 2006 to 2009. Also a Premier League winner, and another player who has 1 more than Steven Gerrard.​

 

[lordofthepies]

Ivan Zamorano was a great but to me the greatest Chilean player to ever play the game is Alexis Sanchez. Also a product of Cobresal.

Elías Figueroa, mate

 

[Craig]

George Robledo you bloody heathens.

 

[mistermagic]

Zamorano was one of mine I think. Absolutely wonderful player. Sanchez ain't got shit on him.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Saying Zamorano being better is debatable. Saying Sanchez isn't near his level is a bold, bold statement though.

5th best player in the world at the moment, as well as played in 2 world cups compared to Bam Bam's 1 and won 2 Copa's including the 2016 copa which he won single handedly.

Elías Figueroa, mate

Here in Peru, we all say that Chumpitaz was better than Figueroa. I can't compare but I can at least say Chumpitaz has more honours to his name compared to Elias

 

[Craig]

You put way too much emphasis on honours and international tournament appearances, Lib. By your logic Sylvain Wiltord was a better striker than Alan Shearer.

 

[Libertadores FC]

You put way too much emphasis on honours and international tournament appearances, Lib. By your logic Sylvain Wiltord was a better striker than Alan Shearer.

Yes I know.

I never said Chumpitaz was better than Figueroa. I said most people here think so and as far as I can say, he had a more decorated career than the Chilean.

I said it was a bold statement to say Zamorano was far ahead of Sanchez. Sanchez has the honours yes, but some of them he won single handedly. Like the 2016 Copa. Zamorano never did that. Also the 5th best player in the world. You can say Zamorano is better if you want, its a debatable topic. I think Sanchez is better but there's nothing wrong in saying Zamorano was better, I just think its wrong to say its not even debatable..

 

[Son of Cod]

Crespo was one of mine, I think. Superb player. Wish he'd have had longer in the Premier League. Really clever forward with a load of strings to his bow; fast, strong, good in the air, could score from anywhere with either feet, great technique. That little dink over Dudek in the CL final in 2005 was perfection.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Will post some shortly but I'm away for the weekend so no players until monday.

 

[mistermagic]

You put way too much emphasis on honours and international tournament appearances, Lib. By your logic Sylvain Wiltord was a better striker than Alan Shearer.

Well, he is. Isn't he?

Will post some shortly but I'm away for the weekend so no players until monday.

First the parents visiting and now this!!?!!

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

You tease Libertadores! I've been sat here all week salivating at the thought of this list only to have to wait longer. When does Denis Stracqualursi get unveiled at his rightful place at the top?

 

[mistermagic]

Not to mention Roque Junior!

 

[Libertadores FC]

You'll all be disappointed to find out Henry Gimenez tops the list

 

[Libertadores FC]

22. Fernando Redondo - 6 points (1 list)

Nationality: Argentinian

Most successful club: Real Madrid

Starting club: Argentinos Juniors

Fernando Redondo was a defensive midfielder who spent most of his career in Spain. A couple years in Tenerife and later on, Real Madrid. Spent the last few years of his career at AC Milan. His best honours include having won the Champions League twice with Real Madrid in 1998 and 2000. Also won it once with AC Milan in 2003. With country, he won the Copa America in 1993.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

21. Rene Higuita - 6 points (1 list)

Nationality: Colombian

Most successful club: Atletico Nacional

Starting club: Millonarios

Rene Higuita was a domestic journeyman keeper. While he was Colombia's keeper for a long time, he spent most of his career in his country. Appearing most for Atletico Nacional de Medellin. While he's a well known keeper for having talent, what made him most famous was his eccentricity. Successfully attempting a scorpion save in a friendly against England went viral. His best honour was winning the Copa Libertadores in 1989 with Atletico Nacional. As for country, he finished 3rd with Colombia in the 1993 Copa America and played in 3 world cups.​