World Cup 2010 Blog: Whose Reputation Might Be Made In South Africa |  |
| Whose Reputation Might Be Made In South Africa Posted: 20 Feb 2010 11:45 AM PST
Obviously there are no bigger matches than the World Cup, and so when you do it on that stage, the argument is null and void. Chris’ post about exactly what is World Class got me thinking – which players aren’t quite the créme de la creme now, but may well be in a few short months? And which World Class players might take a hit to their reputation? Because a World Cup can do that to do you. Johan Cruyff was a talented sod who had already won European Footballer of the Year twice by 1974. But when you talk about his position among the greats, where do you point? The 1974 World Cup, of course. Quite simply, to go down as a true legend you have to do it at a World Cup. (Or play for a country that don’t play at the World Cup, so people can’t say you bottled it on the big stage) Its perfectly possibly that despite the struggle that their countries had to get to the World Cup itself, this might be the tournament where Messi and Ronaldo take the step up and become true giants. Because they might be the best in the world at the moment, but they aren’t quite on that level of alltime greatness just yet. And don’t be fooled by their qualification – Holland barely qualified for the 1974 finals afterall. Another way your reputation could change, could be your talented players make the step up to the level of World Class. Take Riquelme at the last World Cup. Alright his reputation has taken a bit of a hit since (Is there any club side that he can fit into?) but think just how good he looked in Germany. Argentina (all to briefly as it turned out) looked like they were going to waltz to a World Cup led by the best passer of the ball we’d seen in years. Fabio Canavarro too, had a wonderful World Cup, and really took it up to the next level. He might have had a bit of an indifferent time since, but he’s always going to be remembered as a great player because he did it on that stage. I don’t know who might make that kind of step up at this World Cup, thats the exciting bit. My hope is that it’ll be the tournament where Wayne Rooney steps up. He’s having an amazing season, but his World Cup record, well, its chequered what with the whole being-sent-off-last-time thing. But I know you guys might have some other ideas, you always do. So who do you think its going to be, that makes a name for themselves in South Africa?
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World Cups – they can make you, or they can break you. Particuarly in these over analytical times, arguments abound about just who the best players on the planet abound, and the biggest riposte to certain players is “well he never does it in the big matches”.| You are subscribed to email updates from World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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