True world class players

[dholliday]

Very true, any live games on the box I saw of him was more as a defender and I always thought of him as a Beckenbauer type sweeper. If I saw him from 86 on then I guess he would've been sweeper around then?

Check out some youtube images of Beckenbaur at the 1966 World Cup. Surprised me when I saw that.

Der Kaiser was something else. Never seen anyone play like him.

Did yous see Italia 90? That's the best advert for how Matthäus played in his prime.

I was in Berlin for the Germany v Argentina game that year. Wasn't at the game but watched the game in the fanpark with an Argentina jersey. Went out in the town after the defeat and every single German fan I spoke to just said to me "Where was Messi?". This was only in 2006 and they were terrified of the kid. I fully believed Messi could've won that tournament for them only for Pekerman to play it cautious when 1-0 up.

You're right, Pekermann had the game under control until his cautious subs.

I didn't move to Berlin until shortly after the World Cup, but did a mini-tour of south-west Germany during the games. The whole country was delirious with good vibes! Epic. Was in South Africa for 2010 and the World Cup seemed to have the same effect there. Reckon Brazil will be much the same, tho' this time can't afford to go.

Be serious.

Rooney has carried United to the title practically by himself more than once, he's always managed to be carrying injuries when the international tournaments have come round ever since he left Everton

It also takes a great deal more ability to excel in Rooney's position than Jags'.

I don't agree, kidda. Rooney has been excellent for United, but he's not been World-Class in the strict sense I'm defining it.

I do agree with the next bit that his position requires more ability to excel. That doesn't change how I rank them both. Let's see how Rooney would do as a centrehalf?

very big possibility for me, though I would prefer Brazil get to the final ahead of Germany, as I live in Germany and won't be able to stand their crowing if they get that far.

The jubilation would be justified, to be fair. As since the last international trophy, we've:

2002: finished 2nd
2006: 3rd
2008: 2nd
2010: 3rd
2012: reached semi-final


Finally finishing 1st after coming so close would be considered only right