In 1999 the class of ’92 truly came of age: it would be the greatest year in Manchester United’s history. ibid.
Skill, imagination, leadership, courage, Luis Figo had it all. A hero in his own country and to millions across Europe. Football’s Greatest: Luis Figo
He signed for Barcelona’s greatest rivals … A fee of sixty-one million Euros. ibid.
Andes Iniesta reached the very pinnacle of the footballing world. As a player he has won everything. Football’s Greatest: Andres Iniesta
Iniesta was the architect through which this style was channelled. ibid.
He is one of the most gifted, most decorated, players in the modern game. Blessed with the technique and intelligence to adapt to any situation. In Europe’s biggest club competition one of the world’s greatest players. Football’s Greatest: Clarence Seedorf
Real Madrid needed reviving … Seedorf as his [Capello] midfield hub. ibid.
That project brought Seedorf to Inter Milan in 1999. ibid.
He left Inter for rivals AC Milan. ibid.
For nearly twenty years this rugged, inspirational striker was at the very heart of English football. Football’s Greatest: Alan Shearer
Shearer finished Euro ’96 as the tournament’s top scorer. ibid.
In 2009 Real Madrid entered into the transfer market and broke the world record again … Fifa’s world player of the year. Football’s Greatest: Cristiano Ronaldo
A world football phenomenon. ibid.
For three years in England Thierry Henry reigned supreme. One of the most gifted players of his generation. Football’s Greatest: Thierry Henry
In 2004 Arsenal made history when they completed a premier league season unbeaten; central to their invincibility was Thierry Henry. ibid.
At just 20 he was a World Cup winner. ibid.
‘The greatest dream of any player to win the World Cup.’ Football’s Greatest, Del Piero
The famous [No.10] jersey was handed to Del Piero. ibid.
Juventus reached a second successive Champions League final … The following year reached the final once again. ibid.
A transfer to Inter Milan came in 1998 with Pirlo still in his teens but life at the San Siro did not run smoothly. Football’s Greatest: Andrea Pirlo
He helped the club [AC Milan] to secure a champion league place in his first season. ibid.
Had won the game’s biggest trophies and was widely lauded as one of football’s most gifted playmakers. ibd.
‘I was born in the ghetto. Lived in the ghetto.’ Football’s Greatest: George Weah
It was 1988 when Arsene Wenger brought George Weah home to Monaco. ibid.
‘He became an unbelievable player.’ ibid. Arsene Wenger
In his first season with PSG Weah inspired his new side to become a force on the European stage. ibid.
Weah himself had eyes for only one [club]: A C Milan. ibid.
Inevitably, Romania’s biggest club CSA Steaua [Bucharest] were keen to keep him at Bucharest. Football’s Greatest: Gheorghe Hagi
One of the game’s most gifted exponents. ibid.
Casillas would embark on a career that would see him become one of the stars of world football … ‘I started playing for Real in their youth teams.’ Football’s Greatest: Iker Casillas
It was the start of the El Galactico era at the Bernabeu. ibid.
Spain: Three major championships in a row. ibid.
Kaka was called up for the 2002 World Cup. Football’s Greatest: Kaka
Kaka also took centre stage for [AC] Milan. ibid.
Rivaldo was born in 1972 … He moved to Sao Paulo ... ‘Rivaldo signed for Corinthians’ … Rivaldo signed for Corinthians’ arch-rivals Palmeiras … He scored on his debut for Brazil against Mexico back in 1993. Football’s Greatest: Rivaldo
‘To be a world cup winner is an awesome feeling.’ ibid. Rivaldo
His time at the San Siro was an unhappy one. ibid.
In May 2015 Xavi Hernandez finally called time on his career at FC Barcelona. After nearly a quarter of a century spent at the Catalan giants Xavi said goodbye to the club with whom he had conquered the footballing world. Football’s Greatest: Xavi
A new golden era in the history of the club. ibid.
‘I am a winner; that’s my character.’ Football’s Greatest: Stoitchkov
Stoitchkov would win two further league titles with CKSA and the Bulgarian cup three times in a row. In 1989 he was crowned Bulgaria’s player of the year, and the following season he scored 38 league goals from just 30 appearances. ibid.
‘He arrived in an era when the Camp Nou was now ready to change.’ ibid.
Barcelona continued to dominate Spanish football. ibid.
In the city of Milan the name Baresi carries enormous weight: Giuseppe played almost 400 times for Inter Milan across three decades but it was his younger brother Franco who was destined for true greatness. Football’s Greatest: Franco Baresi
Baresa lifted the European Cup once again. ibid.
‘One of the first defenders to play like a forward.’ Football’s Greatest: Roberto Carlos, player
‘So much talent for one person.’ ibid. Ronaldinho
‘One of the best left backs in the history of Brazilian football.’ ibid. player
His performances grabbed the attention of the giants of European football. ibid.
It wasn’t long before the biggest club in the region Vincenza took an interest in the talented young forward. Football’s Greatest: Roberto Baggio
Baggio had established himself as the fans’ favourite. ibid.
Italian rivals Juventus broke the world transfer record to take the forward to Turin for £8 million. ibid.
Baggio would spend only two years with the Rossoneri. ibid.
‘Managing to win the World Cup was just bigger than football.’ Football’s Greatest: Vieira
It was in the suburbs of Paris where the teenager’s love affair with football began. ibid.
A surprise move to one of the game’s greatest clubs: A C Milan … He decided to swap Milan for London: he joined Arsenal. ibid.
Helped France conquer the world. ibid.
‘I was on top of the roof of the football world.’ Football’s Greatest: Desailly
He was attracting interest from two of the biggest teams in France. ibid.
Italian giants A C Milan signed the Frenchman. ibid.
Chelsea: before joining up with his new teammates in West London though Desailly had the small matter of representing France on home soil at the 1998 World Cup. ibid.
Lothar Matthaus turned professional in 1979 with Borussia Monchengladbach. Football’s Greatest: Matthaus
Aged just 19 he made his debut for West Germany. ibid.
The first of five World Cups in Spain 82. ibid.
Bayern Munich came in with a record bid of just over £1 million for the 23-year-old. ibid.
Matthaus would leave Bavaria for Inter Milan in 1988. ibid.
A record 150 appearances. ibid.