Mostly interested in the greatest ever players. The ones who will never be forgotten internationally. I don't know who is the biggest superstar because I don't collect. I was able to snag Ronaldo auto for $45. Beckham is going for like $245 but will his popularity last? Looking for more names to hunt down. Pele didn't autograph anything. Been looking for a while. Who would you collect? Thanks. Oh yeah, Focusing on cards. Not jerseys and stuff like that. Just certified cards.
Beckham's popularity will last... I don't think there's ever been a soccer player with as much notoriety, ever.
Johann Cruyff George Best Maradona Eusebio Ferenc Puskas Old school, but some of the greatest players ever... Amongst current players, Zinedine Zidane is undoubtedly the best in the world (and has been for around the last 4-5 years)
I have Pele's autograph But I'm not selling. Got it back in the New York Cosmo's days. You'd be surprised how many of the all time greats played in the old NASL.
Right now, Beckham is the most famous athlete in Europe. I think his autograph is worth getting. But the price may be artificially high right now due to his much-anticipated move to Madrid. Plus, he's a total hottie!
Franz Beckenbauer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Fritz Walter Paolo Rossi Gianni Riva Alfredo di Stefano Marco van Basten Gerd Müller Roger Milla Gary Lineker Ruud Gullit Rudi Völler Lothar Matthäus Hugo Sanchez Giovane Elber Mehmet Scholl Eusebio Dino Zoff Sepp Maier Oliver Kahn Zico Paolo Maldini (for Mrs. JB) Franco Baresi Socrates Falcao Michael Laudrup Michel Platini I can give you thousands more if you want .
Lots of Germans there, SJC (although I noticed you edited the list, and made it more multi-national) Hugo Sanchez? I name Puskas, and you say Hugo Sanchez?
He is probably the most famous athlete in the world. Though he's not big in America, we only encompass 5% of the world's population. By default, Beckham's popularity in just Asia and Europe is probably enough to make him the most famous athlete in the world. One could say Beckham is the most famous/popular person in the world. He's approaching Michael Jackson status from 20 years ago. Beckham mania will last until he retires from soccer.
Hey, I always liked his saltos (flip-flops?) after goals. Plus, I thought I'd do something nice for the large Tex-Mex group on the board. Plus, if you name Puskas, you HAVE to name the guy that defeated him in the finals 1954...Fritz Walter (RIP ). Okay, I give you some Brits (although you know you only won your ONLY world cup title in 1966 with the help of the referee (Geoff Hurst's shot was NOT in . Bobby Charlton Sir Stanley Matthews George Best Bobby Moore Paul Gascoigne (crazy, but good) hmm...how about...Gareth Southgate...still remember 1990...penalty shootout... I love that song Football's Coming Home. I play it every time I think about Germany's 3 world cup titles and 7 finals appearances...compared to England's....umm...cough cough...and when I think about the last match EVER played in Wembley that England unfortunately lost to...I think I forgot who the opponent was . Only pulling your leg a bit . Well, one who is more or less half German, half English...Bernd ("Bert") Trautmann...amazing guy, was shot down during the second world war, was a POW in England, stayed there and started playing football professionally, broke his NECK during a game and stayed in the game to win it for his team (Manchester City)...Stan Matthews called him the greatest goalie to ever play the game... Here is his story: Bert Trautmann If I were to tell you the story of the prisoner of war who played football amongst the enemy, you could be forgiven for thinking I was talking about 'Escape To Victory.' Although, this is a story of fact not fiction - it is the story of Bert Trautmann. German soldier Trautmann, who was captured by the British in 1945, was sent to a POW camp in Ashton, Makerfield. The 22 year olds future looked extremely bleak in a place where his fellow countrymen were not exactly flavour of the month. Football was one of his welcome distractions, and eventually would see him become a very unexpected member of the top flight in England. Trautmann's impressive displays saw him join St Helens Town at the end of the war, and from there he earned himself a big move to Manchester City in 1949. Unsurprisingly, the talented young keeper was not an instant crowd favourite at Maine Road. There was outrage from City fans and people throughout the country concerning the signing of a German player. There were threats of boycotts and letters of disapproval all arising from Trautmann's arrival at City. The long term future of the goalkeeper in Manchester did not appear to be encouraging - that was until he pulled on a City shirt. Few would of believed that Trautmann would go on to make 545 appearances for the Blues over a 15 year period. This City legend overcame all of the odds to become respected throughout the football community. His reputation was further enhanced by an amazing incident in the 1956 FA Cup Final. During the course of the game, which City overcame Birmingham 3-1, Trautmann had put on a brave display. It was only three days after the final that x-rays revealed that Trautmann had obtained a broken neck during the game. The giant German's heroics saw him win Footballer of the Year, and ensured he would go done in FA Cup Final history. Trautmann was rewarded for his long and dedicated service to City with a testimonial, which saw 60,000 people attend, not bad for the evil German who no one had originally wanted! More here: http://www.uit.no/mancity/reviews/trautmann.html
You are getting a bit carried away, dumbass. Zidane...Ronaldo...Andre Agassi...Michael Schumacher...Michael Jordan...Beckham is just getting a bit more publicity because of his Spice Girl girlfriend...in Europe, yes, he gets some press, but it's not that extreme. Perhaps in Britain, but not in the rest of Europe. He is a good player, though, his crosses are probably the best right now. Does not fit the Madrid style of play, though. Bayern Munich will win the Champions League next year. Madrid would have been better off improving their defense a bit. Of course, on paper, their team looks unbelievable. We'll see.
Det, As much as you try to tease me, the truth is much worse... I'm actually a Wales fan. We have had one really world-class player: John Charles BTW, the Trautmann story is pretty well known over here. Playing with a broken neck? Oh, and George Best was from Northern Ireland.
You sure are in love with the word, "dumbass". Try being original when you insult try to insult me. "Assclown" would be a nice change from your trite "dumbass" insults. I'm sorry you seem to have some personal vendetta against me over an internet BBS. Beckham is getting a lot more publicity than Schumacher or Zidane. And I never said he was the greatest player of all-time. I am just claiming that his popularity is higher than any current athlete in the world.
Well, if you count players of Mark Hughes' standard, then I can also say Ian Rush and Ryan Giggs. Hardly greats though...
Actually, I was just trying to provoke you into telling the story about why you have that signature .
