Your favourite non-Boro player of all-time, with one caveat

[Sheriff_John_Bunnell_ret]

I like this video of old and fat maradona. Just living to nutmeg people.

 

[atypical_boro]

Other than Steer's contribution, this appears to have turned into a "who do you think is the best non-Boro player" thread, whereas the question was "who is your favourite non-Boro player" so I'll go with what was requested and say Robin Friday, with an honorable mention for Charlie Wright (the mad Charlton keeper) and Steve Bull

I think for some people the answer will be the same. But I like your contribution

 

[Frozen Horse]

I really feel this has to be from my childhood; at that age, players are gods, rather than men/kids/brats (depending on your level of bitterness). Bergkamp and Henry are good shouts, but they were in the era when I knew players were just men.

So, first international tournament I recall in any detail was Euro 88, and I could not imagine a better player than Marco van Basten: he seemed absolutely unstoppable during the tournament, including giving England a righteous thumping, before capping it off with one of the best goals of all time in the final. The perfect centre forward.

I saddens me that he now says the pain in which he lives means the glory wasn't worth it.

 

[Rofesleg]

I would agree, sometimes you walk away from a game and its a little passage of play or the cheek to do something that made it worth going.

Not for me. We can play silky one touch football for 90 minutes with skills galore on display. But if we then lose to a 91st minute stinker it was all for nothing. I can't relax until we are well ahead. A two goal lead in particular terrifies me. It can disappear in the blink of an eye.
If a keeper pulls off a wonder save but they score from the resulting corner. The save meant nothing.
I think fundamentally I don't like football.

 

[Glover_elbow]

Batistuta was an iconic force of nature back in the days of Gazetta football.
He wasn’t the best player, but he was my favourite. The hair, the power, the purple Nintendo shirt, the absolute belters

Great shout for batigoal

 

[Norman_Conquest]

I think favourite players change over the years and who we liked yesterday could be different tomorrow.

Since following football from the late 60's I have managed to see some great players at Ayersome Park and on the international stage. There was a time I would go and watch Spurs if they played in the North East to see Glen Hoddle but also loved watching Bobby Moore, Rodney Marsh, Kevin Keegan, Steve Highway and Ray Kennedy from the 70's. Arsenal had some cracking players in the Invincibles team with Viera a stand-out player. I think we are spoilt with so many good players in the modern era and many domestic and international players have already been covered on here.

There are two players I am going for who share the same surname and both are for different reasons. The first I want to mention is the West Ham player Clyde Best. I loved watching him because he was black and looked like members of my family. At the time, there weren't many black players and I am sure he gave hope to other players coming through.

My favourite though is George Best. I had the pleasure of watching him on several occasions and the skill he displayed was mesmerising. I also met him in London and bought him a pint.

I would like to add a mention for Viv Anderson, Cyril Regis and Laurie Cunningham. All very good players and trail blazers.

 

[Blf]

George Best without any doubt. He had the lot. The only time I ever went to a football match that didn't involve the Boro was
Leeds v Man Utd. The only reason I went was to see George play. He was outstanding.

 

[Borotommo]

Andres Iniesta

 

[festa5]

Other than Steer's contribution, this appears to have turned into a "who do you think is the best non-Boro player" thread, whereas the question was "who is your favourite non-Boro player" so I'll go with what was requested and say Robin Friday, with an honorable mention for Charlie Wright (the mad Charlton keeper) and Steve Bull

I don't think it has.

"Best" for most people I imagine would be (if not Messi) Ronaldo, the real Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona or maybe George Best or Zidane at a push.

Loads of other names mentioned who I'd be surprised if people thought were the best (although most are still exceptional). So can only be picking them because they're their favourite surely?

 

[Winston Smith]

Cantona for me! Not only was he a fantastic footballer but also a headcase, so always exciting to watch.

 

[RedAsABeetroot]

A tricky one to pick one. A definite toss up for me between Bergkamp and Scholes. Both superb and a different class when they were on form. With a gun to my head I'd probably just pick Bergkamp.

 

[RedAsABeetroot]

I don't think it has.

"Best" for most people I imagine would be (if not Messi) Ronaldo, the real Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona or maybe George Best or Zidane at a push.

Loads of other names mentioned who I'd be surprised if people thought were the best (although most are still exceptional). So can only be picking them because they're their favourite surely?

My only memory of Ronaldo as an opposition player is him cheating us and "winning" a penalty. Hated him ever since and no matter what he's achieved since, I'd never rank him in a top 10 of anything other than cheating barstewards.

 

[bostonboro]

The good Doctor Socrates. captain of Brazil 82, the best football team I have ever seen

 

[Malaguena]

I don't think it has.

"Best" for most people I imagine would be (if not Messi) Ronaldo, the real Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona or maybe George Best or Zidane at a push.

Loads of other names mentioned who I'd be surprised if people thought were the best (although most are still exceptional). So can only be picking them because they're their favourite surely?

Fair point