1FF's Favourite South American Footballers - Top 50

[Libertadores FC]

9. Hector Chumpitaz - 10 points (1 list)

Nationality: Peruvian

Most successful club: Universitario

Starting club: Deportivo Municipal

Hector Chumpitaz who is regarded as one of the best South American defenders of all time, spent most of his career playing in Peru. Playing for Universitario, Sporting Cristal, and Deportivo Municipal although also went abroad once to play for Atlas in Mexico. His honours include a Copa America with Peru in 1975, 8 Peruvian titles (4 with Universitario, 3 with Sporting Cristal) and even reached the Copa Libertadores final with Universitario, one of 2 Peruvian clubs to have achieved that.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

8. Edmundo - 12 points (2 lists)


Nationality: Brazilian


Most successful club: Palmeiras


Starting club: Vasco da Gama


Edmundo was a Brazilian footballer who spent most of his playing career in Brazil. He got his chance for the Brazil national team and won the Copa America in 1997 with Brazil in Bolivia. His biggest honour at club level was winning 2 Brazil Serie A with Palmeiras in the early 90's.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

7. Ronaldo - 12 points (2 lists)

Nationality: Brazilian

Most successful club: Inter Milan

Starting club: Cruzeiro

Ronaldo is regarded as one of the best footballers to ever play the game. Having played for multiple big clubs in Europe and winning several trophies at each club, he was an unstoppable forward for the most part and was arguably the best player in the world at that time. Won 2 World Cups with Brazil (1994 and 2002) and reached the final in 1998. He also won the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan although never got to winning a Champions League. He may have been fat but calling him the fat ronaldo would be a true disrespect to the talent he possesed in his 20's.​

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

Surely you'd class his spell at Real Madrid as his most successful as his spell at Inter (whilst class) was blighted by injury?

 

[Libertadores FC]

Surely you'd class his spell at Real Madrid as his most successful as his spell at Inter (whilst class) was blighted by injury?

Was a hard pick to be honest. Both spells he spent 5 years but he did won a continental competition at Inter Milan. Wasn't sure so I just went for his younger spell which was at Inter.

 

[lordofthepies]

7. Ronaldo - 12 points (2 lists)

Nationality: Brazilian

Most successful club: Inter Milan

Starting club: Cruzeiro

Ronaldo is regarded as one of the best footballers to ever play the game. Having played for multiple big clubs in Europe and winning several trophies at each club, he was an unstoppable forward for the most part and was arguably the best player in the world at that time. Won 2 World Cups with Brazil (1994 and 2002) and reached the final in 1998. He also won the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan although never got to winning a Champions League. He may have been fat but calling him the fat ronaldo would be a true disrespect to the talent he possesed in his 20's.​

7. Ronaldo - 12 points (2 lists)

Nationality: Brazilian

Most successful club: Inter Milan

Starting club: Cruzeiro

Ronaldo is regarded as one of the best footballers to ever play the game. Having played for multiple big clubs in Europe and winning several trophies at each club, he was an unstoppable forward for the most part and was arguably the best player in the world at that time. Won 2 World Cups with Brazil (1994 and 2002) and reached the final in 1998. He also won the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan although never got to winning a Champions League. He may have been fat but calling him the fat ronaldo would be a true disrespect to the talent he possesed in his 20's.​

Mine. Not only was he a ridiculously good player but because of the injuries that nearly finished his career he was essentially two different really good players. To start with, he was a quick, strong and very skillful player who would go past defenders as if they weren't there and then have the composure to finish. He was the best player in the world and essentially unstoppable, as this goal demonstrates: (skip to 3:54. Or watch the other 9 goals first)

The injuries he suffered robbed him of his mobility but he transformed himself very successfully in to a penalty box striker at Real Madrid, despite being mostly useless in the air. He never lost his intelligent movement and finishing ability even if he wasn't quite the joy to watch that he had been in the earlier part of his career.

I'm not going to call him Il Fenômeno in case Martino Knockavelli reads this but what a bloody player.

 

[Craig]

Steroid Ronaldo would have fallen over for at least 50% of those goals.

 

[Libertadores FC]

6. Marcelo Salas - 14 points (2 lists)

Nationality: Chilean

Most successful club: Lazio

Starting club: Universidad de Chile

Marcelo Salas alongside Bam Bam Zamorano is considered one of the Chilean greats. Played his career in Argentina, Italy and of course his home nation of Chile. Most of the titles he's won were domestic titles. However he's won a league title at every club he's played for. Won in his first spell with U de Chile, won at River Plate, once with Lazio and with Juve.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

5. Lionel Messi - 16 points (2 lists)

Nationality: Argentinian

Most successful club: Barcelona

Starting club: Newells Old Boys

Lionel Messi considered the best player to ever play for Barcelona as well as arguably the best player of all time. While he played for Newells Old Boys' youth side, he didn't make a professional debut until Barcelona. Legend was made since then, having won countless titles in Spain and 4 Champions League titles with his club. He's also dominated the individual honours, having won 5 ballon d'ors throughout his career against his main competitior, Cristiano Ronaldo. He's not won any international titles but has reached the Copa America final in 2007, 2015 and 2016 and the World Cup final in 2014.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

4. Pele - 20 points (2 lists)

Nationality: Brazilian

Most successful club: Santos

Starting club: Santos

Yet another player who is considered one of the best of all time. Won 3 World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970 alongside many other Brazilian geniuses. There has always been a debate between who was better between Pele and Garrincha, but there is still no denying that Pele was one of the best players to ever play the game. He was a bit of a nutter as most world class footballers and he scored 1000 goals in his career, although 300 of those came from his own saying as he counted goals he scored in street scrimmage football. Nevertheless, a top player and a legend who revolutionized the game.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

3 more and its your turn to play along. Who are these players? Each get 1 guess for the 3.

Hint: They're all from the big 3 nations. Argentina, Uruguay or Brazil. Who are they?

I will do my best to get them up all and finish this tomorrow but I've been completely busy so no promises.

 

[epic73]

Garrincha, Zanetti, that other Italian/Argentinian striker?

 

[Libertadores FC]

If I'm correct, every South American nation has had at least 1 player except Bolivia.

Shame, Bolivia had a very good team in the 90's.

 

[lordofthepies]

Seeing as I've got 3 players who haven't been revealed yet, unless Lib has cocked it right up, I think I know who they are. There must be at least one player left from Argentina...

 

[Craig]

El Diego...

 

[Libertadores FC]

3. Gabriel Batistuta - 22 points (3 lists)

Nationality: Argentinian

Most successful club: Fiorentina

Starting club: Newells Old Boys

Gabriel Batistuta was Argentina's main striker from the 90's, and a legend in Argentinian football. Referred to as Batigol as any match that came up he would score... and again.... and again. Mistreated at River Plate, sold to Boca Juniors and it backfired against them as he made his name there. He then went over to Serie A and wrecked it up with Fiorentina. Eventually ended up at Roma and won a title with them. With Argentina, he won 2 Copa America's in 1991 and 1993 but unfortunately Argentina never impacted World Cup races at around that time.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

2. Juan Roman Riquelme - 31 points (4 lists)

Nationality: Argentinian

Most successful club: Boca Juniors

Starting club: Argentinos Junior

Riquelme is regarded as the second most important player to Boca's history. Having played in front of many at La Bombonera most weeks in his career, he was regarded as an Enganche. He did have a stint in Europe though, having played for Barcelona and Villareal in the mid 2000's. Didn't get along great at Barcelona but formed a wonderful partnership with Diego Forlan at Villareal, a team which reached the Champions League semi finals. Also played for Argentina in the 2006 World Cup. One of the most successul players in South American club football as he has won 3 Copa Libertadores titles. 200, 2001 and 2007. The 2000 title included a win over Real Madrid in the intercontinental cup.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

Time to reveal your lists lads. I think everyone knows who is last and he will be revealed sometime today or tomorrow.

Mine

5. Neymar
4. Christian Cueva
3. Miler Bolaños
2. Juan Roman Riquelme
1. Hector Chumpitaz

 

[epic73]

I have no idea who is last.

 

[lordofthepies]

5. Ronaldo
4. Carlos Valderrama
3. Gabriel Batistuta
2. Juan Roman Riquelme
1. Diego Maradona

 

[Libertadores FC]

1. Diego Maradona - 36 points (4 lists)

Nationality: Argentinian

Most successful club: Napoli

Starting club: Argentinos Junior

Diego Maradona is the winner of this countdown. Regarded by many as the best player to ever play the game. Diego Maradona has a ton of honours and many consider him to have won them himself. The 1986 World Cup the top example. Also won Serie A with Napoli twice, in an era where Italian football was a European juggernaught. He's not won the Champions League or the Copa Libertadores but he has won the UEFA Cup with Napoli in 1989. Lastly, the impact he had at Boca Juniors in his first spell is not forgettable. Known as the greatest player to ever play for Boca. He was a complete nutter and a drug addict, also a terrible manager but as a player he revolutionized the game. He has most recently won an honour on March 20th, 2017 where he won 1FF's favourite South American footballer.​

 

[Libertadores FC]

Thank you to everyone that voted, I apologize this took so long though. I got incredibly busy in recent weeks but I got around to finishing it as I promised. I was going to start another top 50 list on music but I'm going to pass for now because of my schedule. Happy there was a ton of variety on what was fewer lists than most people receive. Cheers all.

 

[lordofthepies]

Thanks for running this, Lib. Excellent feature.

 

[epic73]

1. Diego Maradona - 36 points (4 lists)

Nationality: Argentinian

Most successful club: Napoli

Starting club: Argentinos Junior

Diego Maradona is the winner of this countdown. Regarded by many as the best player to ever play the game. Diego Maradona has a ton of honours and many consider him to have won them himself. The 1986 World Cup the top example. Also won Serie A with Napoli twice, in an era where Italian football was a European juggernaught. He's not won the Champions League or the Copa Libertadores but he has won the UEFA Cup with Napoli in 1989. Lastly, the impact he had at Boca Juniors in his first spell is not forgettable. Known as the greatest player to ever play for Boca. He was a complete nutter and a drug addict, also a terrible manager but as a player he revolutionized the game. He has most recently won an honour on March 20th, 2017 where he won 1FF's favourite South American footballer.​

Didn't he take performance-enhancing drugs?

Thanks for running this Lib, it was fun. I want to run another football related list like this so if anyone has an idea suggest it.

 

[mistermagic]

Good feature, Lib. Enjoyed it.

The winner's a bit overrated but hey ho.

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

Great work Lib, I've really enjoyed reading this over what seems like the last 6 months. I'm still in shock that Mauro Formica wasn't at the top of the list but you can't win them all. Top stuff.

 

[Lionel Messi]

Riquelme and Batistuta higher than Lionel Messi is BLASPHEMOUS

Send me a top 5.

1. 10 points
2. 8 points
3. 6 points
4. 4 points
5. 2 points

1. Lionel Messi
2. Diego Maradona
3. Zico
4. Ronaldo
5. Ronaldinho


What does that do to the Top 50, Libertadores FC ?