Heroes and Villains.

[youngblue66]

Which footballers have been ridiculed for their World Cup antics and also lauded for their performance?

I'll start with England and David Beckham who in France 98 was sent off for kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone and suffered dog's abuse for a long time after. Then he curled that free kick in against Greece in the last minute in 2001 to see us through to the 2002 Finals.

 

[fatshark]

Schumacher in 82, though not sure he was lauded much after the Battiston incident even after saving 2 penalties.

Oh and the most obvious of all time - Maradona.

 

[youngblue66]

Frank Rijkaard, one of the best midfielders of his generation played for the Netherlands in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. However the incident when he spit twice at Voller in 1990 and was sent off would also denote him as a villain.

 

[andym78]

Toto Schillaci finished Italia 90 as top scorer for the hosts with 6 goals. He only scored 1 other international goal so his heroism was quite short lived.

In the same tournament 38 year old Roger Milla scored 4 goals for Cameroon then 4 years later became the oldest WC finals goalscorer. Ace celebration too.

 

[youngblue66]

What about Rattin in 1966, when he refused to leave the field after being sent off against England. He was one of Boca Juniors greatest players.

 

[Eusebio]

Ronaldo in 2006 which got Rooney sent off

 

[youngblue66]

Ronaldo in 2006 which got Rooney sent off

The old 'lazy' eye. Nice one.

 

[Eusebio]

For heroes could you say Beckham for his free kick against Greece in the 2002 qualifier?

 

[wm02]

Zidane in 2006. Magnificent in the semifinal v. Brazil and then the Materazzi incident in the final

 

[youngblue66]

For heroes could you say Beckham for his free kick against Greece in the 2002 qualifier?

That's the one I started with, thanks. There is Zidane's headbutt against Materazzi though. Surely a hero and a villain.

 

[BMFin]

That's the one I started with, thanks. There is Zidane's headbutt against Materazzi though. Surely a hero and a villain.

I remember watching this in total shock and disbelief.

 

[youngblue66]

I remember watching this in total shock and disbelief.

I couldn't believe this, either, when Aldo 'lost it' on the touchline for the Republic of Ireland in USA 1994.

 

[Eusebio]

Beckham kick on Diego Simeone, how has this been bypassed? Beckham got stick at every premiership ground for the whole season after

 

[youngblue66]

Beckham kick on Diego Simeone, how has this been bypassed? Beckham got stick at every premiership ground for the whole season after

Have you not read the first post I did?

 

[Eusebio]

Have you not read the first post I did?

Sorry mate, I read it earlier and noticed about the Diego Simeone incident and that's why I mentioned the Greece game, then realised you had mentioned that so for some reason I forgot about the simeone incident and posted it. Sorry mate, one of those days!