Channel 4: most iconic player of 16 years

Piola · Post by **Piola** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:22 pm

If you have been watching Football Italia or reading Calcio Italia since September 1992 you will know that there have been some world-class players on show in Serie A during that time.

To pick the best one of all is surely an impossible task? Well, that is exactly what we have done in the latest edition of Calcio Italia â€“ our 150th issue â€“ which will hit news stands this Friday. We werenâ€™t just looking for the best players though, they had to be Icons â€“ players who really made a difference and enticed viewers to watch the Italian game. So who is top of the pile? You will have to buy the magazine to find out our top 15, but there is sure to be some controversial choices.

For starters, there are nine Ballon dâ€™Or winners to consider â€“ Kaka, Fabio Cannavaro, Andriy Shevchenko, Pavel Nedved, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, George Weah, Roberto Baggio and Marco Van Basten, all of whom must surely be in contention?

Van Basten retired at the end of the debut 1992-93 season, so did he do enough in that one year to earn inclusion? A strike rate of 13 goals in 15 games, a Scudetto medal and Champions League Final appearance says he has to be in contention.

Which other greats from the 1980s encroached into the 1990s enough to earn a mention? The legendary defensive masters Franco Baresi and Giuseppe Bergomi, perhaps? How about some of the Italians who graced the Premier League? Fabrizio Ravanelli, Gianfranco Zola, Paolo Di Canio and Gianluca Vialli were all big names before they took their talents to Britain.

There are also those who went the other way to consider. Without Paul Gascoigneâ€™s move to Lazio there wouldnâ€™t even have been a Channel 4 show to begin with. Did Paul Ince make a big impact at Inter? Or was David Platt the most successful British export?

There have been plenty of goal-getters who have lit up our screens, such as Giuseppe Signori, Roberto Mancini, Gabriel Batistuta, Christian Vieri and David Trezeguet. Or is it the classy defenders and goalkeepers like Ciro Ferrara, Alessandro Nesta, Walter Zenga and Gianluca Pagliuca who get your vote?

More recently you have to look at the World Cup winners of 2006. If we are talking about Icons then look no further than Marco Materazzi. What about club flag bearers like Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti? And, in a team full of heroes, how can we overlook Gennaro Gattuso, Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo?

So many great names have given us pleasure since 1992, as you can see from the selection included above â€“ and we havenâ€™t even mentioned Paolo Maldini and Roberto Baggio. To find out who our team of experts chose you will have to pick up the February issue of Calcio Italia, but before you do, take a moment to let us know who you would have picked as your No 1 Calcio Icon.
Have your say on this issue. Email us at: fieditorial@channel4.com
Paolo Maldini â€¦ No explanation needed!
Alan Dillane

Without a doubt it must be Paolo Maldini at no 1.
Franco Bina

Marco van basten is different gravy.
Alessandro Constantin

My personal choices...Italian players - Maldini and Roberto Baggio. Foreign players - Zinedine Zidane, Andriy Shevchenko and Kaka.
Fabio Di Mario

PAOLO MALDINI, PAOLO MALDINI & PAOLO MALDINI! That is your top 3. If every League did a similar vote then no League would have the abundance of talent that is found in Italy - not even Spain or England.
Zambrotta 0

It would be Paolo Maldini.
Mark Zamparo

There are obviously plenty of names out there, but I think it needs to be a player so iconic that their name was/is effectively synonymous with their club. For me these players are: Paolo Maldini, Francesco Totti, Gabriel Batistuta and Alessandro Del Piero. Gabriel Batistuta in particular WAS Fiorentina for about as long as he played there, in addition to being a consistently prolific goalscorer: In this respect, he was probably THE most iconic player.
Federico Moscogiuri

I think on the basis of his raw ability,along with his strength in the face of adversity, both after the World Cup Final penatly miss and two terrible knee injuries, not forgetting his form at two lesser clubs in Bologna and Brescia, Roberto Baggio has got to be the greatest player of the last 16 years.
If we look back over the seasons he played at some of the extraordinary goals he scored, Italia 90 against Czechoslovakia, numerous free-kicks including against Borussia Dortmund in the European Cup and one of my favourites for Brescia against Juventus where his first touch was out of this world.
Marcello Anderson

The name that came to mind for me was Paolo Maldini. He has to be the face of Serie A for the last 15 years for sure. But being an Interista I was a little disheartened to see that there was no mention of Francesco Toldo, or more importantly Javier Zanetti.
Though I probably don't consider Zanetti the Icon of Serie A, I would expect him to get a mention in at least the Top 5. After all, he's never played for any other Italian clubs, he was Morrati's first purchase so there is a presence of symbolism attached to him, he has played too many games to count in Serie A already nearing 600, he has won every trophy there is to win in Italy, and he helped Inter overcome Lazio in their memorable UEFA Cup victory. Zanetti is Inter's Maldini.
I know that this is a bold statement, but Zanetti has been part of the triumphs and sufferings that Inter have had to endure, and similar to Maldini has remained faithful to the Nerazzurri by never parting from the club. Zanetti has not only won over the heart's of Interistas, but he has also gained the respect of fans world wide, he has earned the reputation as arguably one of the best wide defenders ever to play the game. For these reasons I feel it necessary that Zanetti be considered one of the Top 15 Icons. Other mentions that I would consider that I didn't read in the article online would be possibly Ivan Zamorano, or Christian Panucci.
Had Luca Toni not left Serie A at the climax of his career he too could be a contender. But he simply left for Bayern too soon to be considered an Icon, he just didn't accomplish enough in Italy. I know he was leading scorer, and almost set a record, but he never won Serie A, he was never in Champions League, nor has he ever made a Coppa Italia Final. I look very forward to reading the Icon article and hope dearly that I am proved wrong and Javier 'Capitano' Zanetti is mentioned.
Joseph Frasca

I suppose it wouldn't even be in question if we all just agreed it was Paolo Maldini... but it is. Hands down.
R Flosi

Baggio.
G Solinas

I personally think that Ronaldo is the greatest player since 1992. His performance with Inter in 1997-98 is the best in Serie A since 1992, but since Ronaldo left Serie A while Paolo Maldini has been there all his life, I give my vote to Maldini.
Anon

Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Zinedine Zidane and we can complete the Top 10 with Del Piero, Totti, Kaka, Nedved, Cannavaro, Buffon and Batistuta.
Michael Angelo

It's got to be Baggio.
Matteo Sedazzari

There were plenty of Icons possessing sheer brilliance that graced Serie A over the years, but none had the added gift of true sportsmanship than Roberto Baggio.
Tony De Angelis

Alessandro Del Piero. He is certainly my favourite.
James Perkins

So many choices. Here goes....
Gigi Buffon and the legendary Gianluca Pagliuca in goal. Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro, Franco Baresi in defence for sure! Lilian Thuram was fantastic at right back too plus Marcos Cafu.
Zinedine Zidane was at his best at Juve and is right up there. Pavel Nedved, a young Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti have been incredible over the years too. Didier Deschamps provided great balance. Juan Sebastian Veron offered something unique too and Kaka ain't bad.
Gabriel Batistuta was extraordinary, and Robero Baggio at USA '94, what a player! For the memories Andriy Shevchenko deserves a shout too, but overall give it to The Divine Ponytail.
Neil Robertson

It has to be Paolo Maldini. Milan have been the most successful team since 1992 and Maldini the most successful player.
Frederick Finiguerra

The Divine Ponytail - Roberto Baggio.
Anon

Without a doubt - Paolo Maldini.
Tarick Halil

Francesco Totti is without doubt the best Italian player of the last 6 years by far, he is also one of the world's best players and one of the rarest talents you can find. Maldini was born and established into a rich side run by Italy's ex-Prime Minister and had the greatest squad at the time, but Totti was born into a cheap Roma team, who only spent money in 2001 and after spending that cash got bankrupt, he left fame, glory and most importantly money to one side and his love for Roma on the other, and we all know how that ended up...
Mr q8i

Piola · Post by **Piola** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:23 pm

for me the most iconic would have to be Baggio, Maldini and Totti.

Vaguely · Post by **Vaguely** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:30 pm

The best player of the Serie A would have to be Maradona. The wonders he worked with that Napoli team was incredible. Baggio is also one of the all time greats. I mean 291 goals in 644 games is a remarkable statistic.

Piola · Post by **Piola** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:32 pm

Vaguely wrote:The best player of the Serie A would have to be Maradona. The wonders he worked with that Napoli team was incredible. Baggio is also one of the all time greats. I mean 291 goals in 644 games is a remarkable statistic.

last 16 years?

Maradona left Napoli in 1991, but of course he is the most iconic of all time

vigilante · Post by **vigilante** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:53 pm

dario hubner. champion of the little clubs!

agree though amongst the bully boys it would have to be Maldini

LFTWNG11 · Post by **LFTWNG11** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:41 pm

agree with vigilante on that one... how many small clubs that bloke play for? and certainly could play.

Baggio for me, just cos Maldini was a defender... and attackers deserve preference. Totti is a fag... i could never see him as an 'icon', unless it a gay one.

1. Baggio 2. Maldini 3. Batistuta

Piola · Post by **Piola** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:47 pm

LFTWNG11 wrote:agree with vigilante on that one... how many small clubs that bloke play for? and certainly could play.

Baggio for me, just cos Maldini was a defender... and attackers deserve preference. Totti is a fag... i could never see him as an 'icon', unless it a gay one.

1. Baggio 2. Maldini 3. Batistuta

even fuckheads like Totti can be icons, like it or not

Hubner should've had more seasons in A

ForzaChievo · Post by **ForzaChievo** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:50 pm

Biggest icon, Eugenio Corini

Hawkesy · Post by **Hawkesy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:58 pm

England would have a far superior list than seria A. I mean players like henry, ronaldo, beckham, owen, dalglish, lineker, batty...

Only an idiot would even debate it.

Piola · Post by **Piola** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:15 pm

Hawkesy wrote:England would have a far superior list than seria A. I mean players like henry, ronaldo, beckham, owen, dalglish, lineker, batty...

Only an idiot would even debate it.

obviously you're just trying to stir shit

but I'll argue the point anyway
how are they any more iconic than Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Zinedine Zidane, Del Piero, Totti, Kaka, Nedved, Cannavaro, Buffon and Batistuta.

go back further and you have Maradona (the greatest player in the history of football), Zico, Paolo Rossi just to name three of many 80s football stars in a time when Serie A was considered what the EPL is today only with a better technical and tactical standard.

The 80's and 90's Serie A was truly the greatest Campionato football has ever seen

CAMPIONATO PIU' BELLO NEL MONDO
CAMPIONATO IO TI AMO

italians don't give a shit about English football and that is reflected in their coverage of it, whereas this article was taken from an English based website for Italian football fans.

Juventino · Post by **Juventino** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:25 pm

Baggio or Baresi.

Hawkesy · Post by **Hawkesy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:33 pm

Laziale wrote:
Hawkesy wrote:England would have a far superior list than seria A. I mean players like henry, ronaldo, beckham, owen, dalglish, lineker, batty...

Only an idiot would even debate it.
obviously you're just trying to stir cabernet

but I'll argue the point anyway

If you bite, you bite. Doesn't matter that you new I was stirring shit. Some lovely grilled Italian snapper for dinner tonight.

Piola · Post by **Piola** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:46 pm

Hawkesy wrote:
Laziale wrote:
Hawkesy wrote:England would have a far superior list than seria A. I mean players like henry, ronaldo, beckham, owen, dalglish, lineker, batty...

Only an idiot would even debate it.
obviously you're just trying to stir cabernet

but I'll argue the point anyway
If you bite, you bite. Doesn't matter that you new I was stirring cabernet. Some lovely grilled Italian snapper for dinner tonight.

Italian food tastes better than the shit the English serve up anyway

Hawkesy · Post by **Hawkesy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:02 pm

Laziale wrote:Italian food tastes better than the cabernet the English serve up anyway

steak and kidney pudding v penne arrabiata.

I hate kidney.

Fred Goldstone · Post by **Fred Goldstone** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:51 pm

Italian player - Robbie Baggio

Impoted player - who else but Maradonna? - next best? - Battistuta!!!!!!!!!!!!!

delfino_1936 · Post by **delfino_1936** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:57 pm

vigilante wrote:dario hubner. champion of the little clubs!

agree though amongst the bully boys it would have to be Maldini

i remember one year where he just carved up for Piacenza. Was always one the scoresheet

Juventino · Post by **Juventino** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:38 pm

Rigoni 10 wrote:
vigilante wrote:dario hubner. champion of the little clubs!

agree though amongst the bully boys it would have to be Maldini
i remember one year where he just carved up for Piacenza. Was always one the scoresheet

2001/02 season - he was leading top scorer on 24 goals with Trezeguet.

Juventus FC · Post by **Juventus FC** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:49 pm

vigilante wrote:dario hubner. champion of the little clubs!

agree though amongst the bully boys it would have to be Maldini

Beat me to it.

delfino_1936 · Post by **delfino_1936** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:49 pm

Juventino wrote:
Rigoni 10 wrote:
vigilante wrote:dario hubner. champion of the little clubs!

agree though amongst the bully boys it would have to be Maldini
i remember one year where he just carved up for Piacenza. Was always one the scoresheet
2001/02 season - he was leading top scorer on 24 goals with Trezeguet.

that's the one

Giallorossi · Post by **Giallorossi** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:05 pm

LFTWNG11 Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

agree with vigilante on that one... how many small clubs that bloke play for? and certainly could play.

Baggio for me, just cos Maldini was a defender... and attackers deserve preference. Totti is a fag... i could never see him as an 'icon', unless it a gay one.

1. Baggio 2. Maldini 3. Batistuta

You really are a lazio di merda! Totti is an icon for Italian football whether u like it or not! I don't see too many people mentioning lazio player names - your iconic player left you for a bigger club!

I would say top 3 would be Baggio, Totti & Maldini!

Piola · Post by **Piola** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:14 pm

on the ball wrote:
LFTWNG11 Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

agree with vigilante on that one... how many small clubs that bloke play for? and certainly could play.

Baggio for me, just cos Maldini was a defender... and attackers deserve preference. Totti is a fag... i could never see him as an 'icon', unless it a gay one.

1. Baggio 2. Maldini 3. Batistuta
You really are a lazio di merda! Totti is an icon for Italian football whether u like it or not! I don't see too many people mentioning lazio player names - your iconic player left you for a bigger club!

I would say top 3 would be Baggio, Totti & Maldini!

unfortunately i agree, even a fuckwit like Totti can still be an icon, but if Di Canio spent more time in Serie A he'd be mentioned as an icon too.

Giallorossi · Post by **Giallorossi** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:35 pm

Laziale Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

on the ball wrote:
Quote:
LFTWNG11 Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

agree with vigilante on that one... how many small clubs that bloke play for? and certainly could play.

Baggio for me, just cos Maldini was a defender... and attackers deserve preference. Totti is a fag... i could never see him as an 'icon', unless it a gay one.

1. Baggio 2. Maldini 3. Batistuta

You really are a lazio di merda! Totti is an icon for Italian football whether u like it or not! I don't see too many people mentioning lazio player names - your iconic player left you for a bigger club!

I would say top 3 would be Baggio, Totti & Maldini!

unfortunately i agree, even a bottle of shiraz like Totti can still be an icon, but if Di Canio spent more time in Serie A he'd be mentioned as an icon too.

di canio only an icon to lazio supporters. To me the biggest lazio icon in recent times is bebe signori he was a classy striker who knew how to finish and carried lazio for a while. How about Giuseppe Giannini i know he was a roma icon and loved across italy

SILENT P · Post by **SILENT P** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:37 pm

MALDINI

Lets not even debate this

Hawkesy · Post by **Hawkesy** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:48 pm

What about Luther Blissett or Daniele Dichio?

How the hell did those 2 ever sign for clubs in Seria A.

The legend of Luther Blissett is apparantly the scouts turned up to sign John Barnes but they signed the wrong black bloke in error.

diegom · Post by **diegom** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:48 pm

SILENT P wrote:MALDINI

Lets not even debate this

Ok!

vigilante · Post by **vigilante** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:06 pm

Some more info on Hubner for those who are interested

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dario_H%C3%BCbner

FerrariTifosi27 · Post by **FerrariTifosi27** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:13 pm

Maldini, Totti, Baresi, Maradona, Baggio, Batistuta

these are definite top 6.

Baptista · Post by **Baptista** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:14 pm

MARADONA,BAGGIO AND ZIDANE
without any doubt top 3 players

Owusu_1 · Post by **Owusu_1** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:02 am

Clearly TOTTI!!!

Hawkesy · Post by **Hawkesy** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:14 am

no mention of bergkamp, gullit or van basten. :?