Thursday, 2 June 2011

Famous Soccer Players

The game of soccer has everything that can attract a man. It has speed, obstacles and threats in the form of opponents. The soccer player takes the risk of losing the ball to the opponent while dribbling past him or her. Moreover, when it comes to scoring a goal, it is one man trying to score a goal against many. This thrilling game has its surprises and twists, which can turn a certain loss, for a team, into a victory by narrow margin within the time span of few minutes. Every year, many new soccer players set their foot on the soccer fields. However, only few of them rich the stardom level. Out of these only a handful are considered as the famous soccer players. The following is information on a few famous soccer players, which you may find interesting.

Most Famous Soccer Players

Pele: Pele is the best footballer, ever to play on the field. He grew up in Brazil and honed his skills in its slums. His real name is Edison Arantes do Nascimento. In the year 1957, at the age of 15, Pele was included in the Brazil national team for the World Cup. In his debut match, Pele scored two goals. For his skills with the ball and the goal scoring capacity he is known as the King of Soccer. In his long career, spanning 25 years, he scored 1,000 goals. In 1999, Pele was chosen as "The Athlete of The Century" by the international Olympic committee. The Time magazine, in the same year, included Pele in the list of 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century.

Diego Maradona: Maradona is the most celebrated Argentine football player. Throughout his career, Maradona enthralled his fans and the opponents with his extraordinary footwork and by scoring goals after goals. His career lasted for 26 years from 1975 to 2001. Diego Armando Maradona is an icon and hero for many footballers. Even though he was involved in many controversies, on the field and off the field, he is still regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Hristo Stoichkov: Hristo Stoichkov is thought to be the most successful Bulgarian soccer player. He started his professional career with CSKA Sofia and later moved on to the FC Barcelona soccer club. He played an influential role in club's winning the Spanish Primera Division. During his career Stoichkov earned global acclaim four times in a row. In 1992, his scintillating play was responsible for his club's Championships League victory. Stoichkov bid good-bye to the field of soccer in 2003.

David Beckham: His full name is David Robert Joseph Beckham. In 1991, Manchester United, singed this 16 year old teenager for it's youth squad. After a span of 5 years, Beckham was finally selected for the Manchester United team. After the season of 1997 - 1998 season, Beckham was selected for England's World Cup team. In 2006 FIFA World Cup, David Beckham led the English football team. He shares the honor of representing the England in 3 World Cups with the 5 others, including Sol Campbell and Micheal Owen.

Famous Soccer Players from Brazil

Ronaldo: There is no doubt that Ronaldo is one of the most celebrated players from Brazil, after Pele. He is also known as the Phenomenon, because of his speed, dribbling and passion for scoring again and again. His full name is Luís Nazario de Lima Ronaldo. Born in the poor suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was influenced by another legend of the football Zico. Ronaldo played for Brazil in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, in which Brazil lost to the French side in the final match. However, in the year 2002, as a member of Brazil squad for the FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo scored eight goals in only seven games. Top scorer of the tournament, Ronaldo helped the Brazilian team to win their fifth FIFA World Cup title.

Ronaldinho: Ronaldinho is another jewel from Brazil. He is famous for his natural play and terrific control over the ball. He was a part of the Brazilian team, for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was jointly hosted by Korea and Japan. The highlight of this prestigious tournament was the goal, a 35 meter free kick, scored by the Ronaldinho against England. Brazil went on to win the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In June 2005, Ronaldinho captained the Brazilian side to their second FIFA Confederations Cup title by beating Argentina in final match 4 - 1. In the past, he has played for the Gremio, Paris SG, FC Barcelona soccer clubs. This skillful footballer has won many awards and acclaims. He was chosen twice, as the FIFA World Player of the Year Award. Read more on Ronaldhino named world player of the decade.

Garrincha: A team mate of the legendary Pele, Garrincha was part of the Brazilian team that won the 1958 and 1962 World Cups. Although his full name is Manoel Francisco dos Santos, he earned the nickname of Garrincha, a term meaning "little bird", for his playful behavior on the field. His skills included decisive and accurate passes and he was well known for his powerful free kicks. Garrincha ranks second, after Pele, in the list of best Brazilian soccer players.

Leonidas da Silva: He is the man who shouldered the responsibility of giving the Brazilian football the solidity, it deserved. This pre-Pele era player was known as the Rubberman, because of his elastic body. Through Leonidas da Silva, in 1938 World Cup, soccer world came to know about the natural talent, techniques and the spirit of Brazilian football. The most famous socceror of his time, Leonidas da Silva is also believed to the father of the Bicycle kick. He was the first player to score 4 goals in World Cup soccer bout.

Famous Italian Soccer Players

Roberto Baggio: This most beloved Italian footballer was included, in the greatest living footballers list, which was prepared by none other than the famous Pele. He represented Italy in the World Cup 1994 and scored 5 goals for his team. Italy lost to Brazil in the final match in penalty shoot out. Most unfortunately, Baggio missed his penalty kick. Baggio scored 27 goals, in all, for his national team. 9 of these goals were scored in three World Cups. He retired from football in 2004.

Francesco Totti: In 2000 - 01, Totti, another celebrated Italian football player, scored 13 goals and helped his favorite club, A.S. Roma, to win first league title, since 1983. Francesco Totti is also known as the Prince and Er Pupone. Totti was twice named as the Italy's Player of the Year in 2000 and in 2003. He was part of the Italian National squad in the Euro 2000 qualifiers. Totti scored against Romania and Belgium and got the team in the Finals. Although, France had beat Italy in the final match, they couldn't stop Totti, from lifting the Man of the Match title.

Fabio Christian Vieri: Fabio Christian Vieri is well known for defense. Considered as one of the best defenders on the field, he rarely failed at, being in the right place to make the interception and steal the ball away from the opponent. Vieri was part of the Italian National squad for the World Cup 1998, where he scored 5 goals. He also represented Italy in the 2002 World Cup and scored 4 goals for his team.

Famous Female Soccer Players

Michelle Akers: One of the famous female soccer players, Michelle was known for her goal scoring and assists skills. During the period, when she was the part of the USA national team, she scored 105 goals in the official matches. Her passing skills enabled others to score not less than 37 goals, for the USA team. Michelle Akers was a legendary striker of the USA women's national soccer team. She is one of the only two women, included in the FIFA list.

Mia Hamm: The most successful soccer player when one takes into account the scoring ability. Mia is a living legend and record holder for netting the most goals, in the international matches by any male or female soccer player. Mia has won the women's FIFA World Player of the Year award twice in, 2001 and 2002. Along with the Michelle Akers, Mia has the honor of being in the list of "125 Greatest Living Soccer Players", which was prepared by Pele. Mia has also made a space for herself in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in the USA. Along with the Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones and Michelle Akers, Mia is one of the famous American soccer players. Read more on history of soccer and history and timeline of soccer.

The famous soccer players, such as Pele and Maradona are not only worshiped in their native place, but they are also idolized throughout the world. Their skills, timing and desire to shoot the ball in the net are admired all over the world, even if they are not on the field. I hope the above information about the famous soccer players is satisfactory.

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