Tag: Ranked

10 Most Intimidating Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]

Home advantage is one of the most important factors in football. Playing at home gives you an edge over your opponent, as the players enjoy familiar surroundings and have the fans acting as the 12th man.

When things aren’t going well, playing at home can put more pressure on the players, with the home fans being much more vocal.

But regardless of recent form, many visiting teams fear traveling to certain grounds due to their atmospheres, history and reputations. Stadiums such as Anfield and Celtic Park are known to be incredibly intimidating, with many sides over the years sinking without a trace at these iconic stadiums.

The fans play a large part in creating an atmosphere, and larger stadiums such as the Bernabeu can therefore be extremely difficult to play in for opposition teams. Despite this, smaller grounds where fans are closer to the pitch can be equally challenging.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most intimidating stadiums in football history.

10 Cairo International Stadium

Team: Egypt

Over the years, Cairo International Stadium has been used to host multiple big events, such as the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations final. During this match, 120,0000 fans were crammed in, which set an African football attendance record.

The noise generated from within the stadium is incredible, making it one of the most intimidating stadiums in history. In 2006, Egypt again hosted the tournament even though the stadium’s capacity was reduced to 75,000.

Despite this, the hostile atmosphere was unaffected, and Egypt clinched the trophy yet again. They beat Ivory Coast on penalties with their opposition players clearly affected by the noise during the penalty shootout.

9 Camp Nou

Team: Barcelona

The largest stadium in Europe (and the fifth-largest sports stadium in the world) is clearly going to intimidate visiting teams. The home fans tower above and surround the pitch, creating a vibrant atmosphere that Barcelona players thrive in.

The Camp Nou has hosted some of the most iconic matches in history, such as El Clasicos with arch-rivals Real Madrid. The stadium is at its electric best during big European nights in the Champions League.

Their remarkable 6-1 win over Paris Saint Germain in 2017 is a prime example of an opposition team falling to pieces due to the intense atmosphere. The design and architecture of the stadium heightens the fear that opposition teams already have, knowing that they will face up against world-class stars.

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8 Celtic Park

Team: Celtic

Celtic Park is known to be a difficult away ground regardless of the stature of the opposition. Celtic are typically underdogs in European encounters, yet their fans play a crucial role on these nights.

Their supporters are a prime example of being the 12th man with all 60,000 fans piling on to every opposition mistake. The home team typically respond to their fans by making crunching challenges and covering every blade of grass.

Celtic are very dominant in the Scottish league, with only Rangers posing a threat to their continued success. As well as being a fortress in Europe, Celtic Park has witnessed some of the best Old Firm games of all time.

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7 Ibrox

Team: Rangers

Just ahead of Celtic Park is Ibrox stadium, home to arch-rivals Rangers. The Scottish giants have played at the ground for over 100 years and the atmosphere has become even better over time.

Smaller than their rivals’ stadium but even louder with a seating capacity of 51,000, the fans are extremely close to the pitch – meaning the opposition players can hear every taunt from the home crowd.

The animosity created inside the stadium can be unbearable for opposition players, who dread stepping onto the pitch at this historic stadium. Renovations to Ibrox could see the stadium increase in size, meaning the famous atmosphere could get even more intimidating.

6 Santiago Bernabeu

Team: Real Madrid

Home to Spanish giants Real Madrid, the Bernabeu is difficult to win at, not only because of the atmosphere, but also the strength of Los Blanco teams over the years. When Real Madrid struggle to win silverware, however, the home fans can also relentlessly get onto the backs of their own players – so the intimidation factor for this stadium goes both ways.

Nevertheless, the club’s European success has often been down to some huge victories at home. The atmosphere during these encounters can often be unbearable for visiting teams and has also been known to affect the performances of the referee, in favor of the home side.

Almost every Real Madrid victory is met by a chorus of whistles in the final minutes as supporters urge the referee to call for full-time.

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5 Anfield

Team: Liverpool

Anfield is without a doubt one of the scariest grounds for opponents to play in. It is arguably the most intimidating stadium in England, which is some accomplishment in itself considering the amount of competition in the area.

The famous Kop end is the most intimidating section of the ground and although it’s lost some of its magic in recent years, it is still very loud during big matches and on European nights. Evidently, the Manchester United players were affected by the hostile atmosphere when Liverpool thrashed them 7-0 last year in the Premier League.

Anfield can hold just over 45,000 and even though it is smaller than some of the newer arenas, it can be very difficult for the opposition.

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4 Signal Iduna Park

Team: Borussia Dortmund

Signal Iduna Park is home to Borussia Dortmund and the famous ‘Yellow Wall’, which is the largest single-tier stand in Europe, with a capacity of 25,000. The noise evoked from this section of the stadium is incredible and the fans have played a catalytic role in some famous victories.

In 2013, their marvelous 4-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League was credited not only to the players and coaching staff, but also the incredible supporters who clearly affected the visiting team players.

Covered in the yellow and black colors of Dortmund, Signal Iduna Park is by far the most intimidating stadium in Germany.

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3 Raiko Mitic Stadium

Team: Red Star Belgrade

The Raiko Mitic Stadium is one of the most daunting venues in football. The relentless fans can be heard in the cramped tunnels that opposition players dread to get out of.

The fans create this sense of fear with red bombs, tifos and flares, which add to the already intense and frightening atmosphere. As Red Star Belgrade are typically underdogs in Europe, the fans again have to act as the 12th man to get the team over the line.

In recent times, they beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League and that wouldn’t have been possible without their intense support.

2 Rams Park

Team: Galatasaray

Just like the Raiko Mitic Stadium, Rams Park has become even more intimidating over time. The stadium evokes a deafening atmosphere, which has seen European giants such as Juventus and Real Madrid collapse and fall to a surprise defeat.

Their infamous ‘Welcome to Hell’, which originated in the old Galatasaray stadium, was carried over to the Turk Telekom Arena. The slogan alone gives a sneak preview of the frightening ambiance.

The fans often use red and yellow flares that are used to reflect the slogan and also represent the Galatasaray colors. Last year, Manchester United fell victim to the intense pressure created within the walls of the stadium, giving up a two-goal lead and almost losing the match in the dying stages of a thrilling 3-3 encounter.

1 La Bombonera

Team: Boca Juniors

Taking top spot is La Bombonera. The stadium has a reputation for its overwhelming atmosphere, which has been an obstacle visiting teams have been unable to overcome over the years.

Its unique yet distinctive design makes the players feel as if the fans are towering above them and suffocating them. It has three steep stands, with one practically vertical, and this helps the home support create waves of relentless pressure.

Intentionally, the stadium was designed to unsettle opponents and therefore give Boca Juniors an edge over visiting teams. La Bombonera translates to ‘The Chocolate Box’ and it is given this title due to the structure being similar to that of a box of chocolates. But there is nothing sweet about this ground and it is the most intimidating stadium in the history of the sport.

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All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 31/10/2024

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November 10, 2024

9 Greatest Strike Partnerships in Football History (Ranked)

Key Takeaways

Though rarer in modern football, strike partnerships were a key part of the game for many years.
Multiple duos on this list helped their teams win honours both domestically and in Europe.
One partnership on this list lasted for only 18 months, but still displayed a high level of quality.

The concept of strike partnerships is fairly uncommon in modern football. Many managers in the current era of the game prefer to play with a lone striker. Sometimes flanked by wingers, sometimes not, the use of a sole striker offers teams more bodies in either midfield or defence, allowing teams to have better control of possession, which is a particularly desired aspect of football in the 2020s.

That, however, is not to say that strike partnerships are not still used by some clubs, nor does it take away from the influence of the tactical idea in the past. Strike pairings were predominant in most teams for many years, with the strongest duos able to cause nightmares for any given defences in most matches and helping clubs win the highest honours available to them. With that being said, which strike partnerships have been the best in football history?

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Ranking Factors

Lists, as a concept, are subjective, with it being more than plausible that two lists on the same topic have different entrants depending on the writer’s opinion. With that being considered, this list has been ranked based on:

Longevity – How long did each strike partnership play with each other?
Quality – A simple question, how good was each player and how good was their partnership?
Honours won – To what heights did each partnership take their team?
Fan reception – How fondly remembered are these duos by the supporters of the team they played for?

9 Greatest Strike Partnerships in Football History
Rank	Names	Club	Years Active	Goals	Assists	Honours Won
1.	Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit	AC Milan	1987-1993	van Basten: 125 Gullit: 56	van Basten: 49 Gullit: 40	3x Serie A 2x European Cup 4x Ballon d’Or between them
2.	Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush	Liverpool	1980-1987, 1988-1990	Dalglish: 107 Rush: 234	Dalglish: 152 Rush: 77	5x First Division 2x FA Cup 2x European Cup
3.	Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke	Manchester United	1998-2001	Cole: 64 Yorke: 63	Cole: 19 Yorke: 30	3x Premier League 1x FA Cup 1x Champions League
4.	Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp	Arsenal	1999-2006	Henry: 216 Bergkamp: 49	Henry: 90 Bergkamp: 66	2x Premier League 2x FA Cup
5.	Hugo Sanchez and Emilio Butragueno	Real Madrid	1985-1992	Sanchez: 189 Butragueno: 107	Sanchez: 40 Butragueno: 82	5x La Liga 1x Copa del Rey
6.	Kevin Keegan and John Toshack	Liverpool	1971-1977	Keegan: 100 Toshack: 89	Keegan: 88 Toshack: 50	3x First Division 1x FA Cup 2x UEFA Cup 1x European Cup
7.	Ronaldo and Raul	Real Madrid	2002-2007	Ronaldo: 102 Raul: 76	Ronaldo: 34 Raul: 41	1x La Liga
8.	Hristo Stoichkov and Romario	Barcelona	1993-1995	Stoichkov: 35 Romario: 34	Stoichkov: 17 Romario: 14	1x La Liga
9.	Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi	Juventus	1997-2001	Del Piero: 55 Inzaghi: 86	Del Piero: 53 Inzaghi: 21	1x Serie A

9 Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi

1997-2001

Alessandro del Piero spent almost 20 years at Juventus, though it took just a handful of seasons for him to emerge as one of their best players. In the 1997 Ballon d’Or, he ranked sixth despite being in his early 20s and it was in that year that Filippo Inzaghi joined the club from Atalanta.

In their first season together, with Zinedine Zidane playing behind them, del Piero and Inzaghi fired Juventus to a Serie A title, with del Piero also finishing as that campaign’s top scorer in the Champions League. Despite such a promising start, however, del Piero and Inzaghi’s relationship soon grew strained, on and off the pitch, which contributed to their strike partnership losing the effectiveness they had at the start of their time together.

They won no further Serie A’s together and ultimately played together for just four years, until Inzaghi departed for AC Milan in 2001. Regardless of how it ended, however, the pair were one of the continent’s strongest attacking duos upon their formation.

8 Hristo Stoichkov and Romario

1993-1995

Hristo Stoichkov, arguably the best Bulgarian footballer of all time, joined Barcelona in 1990 after six years at CSKA Sofia. He was part of the Johan Cruyff-led Dream Team that won four-straight league titles for the Catalonian giants, going on to win the 1994 Ballon d’Or after a strong domestic campaign and helping Bulgaria reach the semi-finals in that year’s World Cup.

In 1993, Stoichkov was joined at Barcelona by Romario, the Brazilian having signed from PSV. Romario settled in well, scoring 30 goals in his debut season and reaching the 1994 Champions League final, which Barcelona would ultimately lose 4-0 to AC Milan.

Romario and Stoichkov each had an abundance of ability, but in the former’s case, controversy was never too far away. He was suspended for five games in 1994 after punching Diego Simeone and after an argument with Cruyff, he unexpectedly left the club in January 1995.

Though the pair were only together for around 18 months, they established themselves as one of Europe’s strongest-ever attacking partnerships.

7 Ronaldo and Raul

2002-2007

Raul rose through the ranks at Real Madrid, making his debut in 1994 and ultimately playing for the club until 2010. In 2002, Raul was joined by Brazilian superstar Ronaldo, who moved to the Spanish capital from Inter Milan having played for Barcelona earlier in his career, in the same year that he won the Ballon d’Or.

Unsurprisingly, it did not take long for Ronaldo and Raul to click as part of a Madrid team that boasted several superstars such as David Beckham and Luis Figo. Madrid were unfortunate in that Ronaldo struggled with several injuries across his time at the Bernabeu, which no doubt hampered what the duo could have potentially achieved.

Remarkably, in the five years that they played together, Ronaldo and Raul fired Real Madrid to only one La Liga title. They were not able to win any other major honour, despite their evident quality, prior to Ronaldo’s departure in 2007, but that does not remove anything from the fact that they are one of Europe’s most terrifying partnerships in football history.

6 Kevin Keegan and John Toshack

1971-1977

John Toshack made the move to Merseyside in 1970 after five years with Cardiff City in his native Wales. The following year, Kevin Keegan joined him at the club from Scunthorpe United and went on to form a brilliant duo with his Welsh counterpart, in what was a typical little and large style of partnership.

Working under the legendary Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, Toshack and Keegan helped Liverpool win a UEFA Cup, two FA Cups and three First Division titles. Most impressively though, the attacking pair helped the Reds win their first-ever European Cup in 1977, overcoming Borussia Monchengladbach in the final.

Keegan would depart following the European Cup victory, moving to Hamburg where he would pick up two Ballon d’Or honours. Toshack, meanwhile, spent a further year at Liverpool, ultimately leaving in 1978 for Swansea City after finding his playing opportunities at Anfield limited.

5 Hugo Sanchez and Emilio Butragueno

1985-1992

Emilio Butragueno rose through the youth ranks at Real Madrid, ultimately making his senior debut for the club in 1984. The following season, he was joined by Hugo Sanchez, the Mexican striker having made a name for himself in Europe with city rivals Atletico Madrid during four years with the club.

Over the course of the following seven years, Sanchez and Butragueno fired Madrid to numerous honours, including five-straight La Liga titles between 1985 and 1990 and a UEFA Cup victory in 1986. Sanchez was a lethal finisher in front of goal and while this was a quality that Butragueno possessed also, it was for his trickery and playmaking, particularly as a forward, that he was known for.

In 1992, after seven years with Real Madrid, Sanchez departed to return to his home country of Mexico. Butragueno would be at the club for just three further years until moving to the top flight in Mexico himself after the emergence of 17-year-old starlet Raul limited his game time at the Bernabeu.

4 Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp

1999-2006

Thierry Henry moved to Juventus in 1999 after five years with Monaco in his native France. After disputes with the management and being deployed in multiple positions that weren’t his own, he left Turin after just six months to move to North London, joining Arsenal and eventual strike partner Dennis Bergkamp.

Bergkamp had been at Arsenal since 1995 after two years with Inter Milan, though it was only with the appointment of Arsene Wenger as manager that he saw his form and importance in the team improve.

Bergkamp had established himself as a crucial cog in Wenger’s system prior to Henry’s arrival.

Despite Bergkamp’s increasing age over the seven years he had with Henry, the two formed a formidable attacking partnership, with Henry taking over the mantle of Arsenal’s leading striker and Bergkamp’s natural flair and creativity being of huge assistance to the team.

The pair are fondly remembered by Arsenal fans for the 2003/04 season, during which the Gunners infamously went unbeaten on their way to a Premier League title. Bergkamp and Henry were often deployed in a 4-4-2 formation, with Bergkamp playing as more of a second striker compared to Henry, an out-and-out forward. They had won a league title in the 2001/02 campaign also, as well as three FA Cups before Bergkamp’s retirement in 2006.

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3 Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke

1998-2001

The electric form that Andy Cole displayed across his two seasons with Newcastle United was of such a level that it led to Manchester United paying a British record transfer fee for the striker’s services in 1995. Cole helped the Red Devils to two Premier League titles and an FA Cup in the three years before the club signed Dwight Yorke from Aston Villa, who would join Cole in one of the best strike duos that English football has ever seen.

Man United deployed Cole and Yorke up front in the 1998/99 season, during which their combined 35 goals in the Premier League helped them to another top flight triumph, the first of their partnership. The pair also helped the club to an FA Cup and Champions League as the Red Devils completed a continental treble, a first for an English club.

Cole and Yorke only spent three years together before Cole departed Old Trafford in December 2001. Prior to that moment, the pair scored just under 130 goals together across three years and after their treble-winning campaign, helped the club win two further Premier League’s back-to-back before Cole moved to Blackburn Rovers.

2 Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush

1980-1987, 1988-1990

After the departures of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack, Liverpool were in dire need of new talents to lead their attacking line. Kenny Dalglish joined from Celtic in 1977, an experienced player that had won all there was to win in Scotland, while Ian Rush moved to Merseyside from Chester City in 1980, breaking into the first team the following year.

Dalglish and Rush played together for the bulk of the 1980s, helping Liverpool win five league titles and two European Cups within that decade. Rush actually joined Juventus in 1986, but would only spend two years with the Turin side, one of which on loan at Liverpool, before returning to Anfield permanently in 1988.

Even as Dalglish’s age advanced, he remained a pivotal cog in Liverpool’s attack, often occupying the space just behind Rush to create a chance for his strike partner to profit from. Dalglish retired in 1990, bringing an end to a brilliant duo, while Rush departed Liverpool for the second and final time in 1996, having become Liverpool’s all-time top scorer.

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1 Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit

1987-1993

Towards the end of the 1980s, it had been almost two whole decades since AC Milan had enjoyed a period of glory in the 60s. Since then, fortunes at the club had stagnated somewhat, which was something club president Silvio Berlusconi hoped to change. In 1987, on the same day, the signings of Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit were announced.

Both had played in their native Netherlands until moving to Italy, van Basten having spent six years at Ajax and Gullit having spent time at HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord and PSV across eight seasons. The former had, in that period, established himself as one of the game’s deadliest marksmen, whereas Gullit had displayed a high level of ability in numerous positions.

van Basten struggled with injury in his first season with Gullit, making just 11 appearances as Milan won the league for the first time in eight years. 1988 saw the striker win the Ballon d’Or, with Gullit ranking second and Frank Rijkaard, who joined Milan that year, placing third, such was the calibre of this Milan side. Gullit also won the award the year prior.

Gullit’s versatility meant that he was often deployed as a second striker alongside, but just behind, van Basten. Under the management of Arrigo Sacchi, the duo’s form up front helped Milan win two successive European Cups after their Serie A triumph.

Despite Sacchi’s sacking in 1991, van Basten and Gullit would win two further league titles before van Basten’s 1993 injury that forced him to retire two years later without playing another game. Gullit, meanwhile, joined Sampdoria in 1993 on loan before making the move permanent the following term.

(All stats are from Transfermarkt and are correct as of 04/11/2024)

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November 9, 2024

10 Least Intimidating Stadiums in British Football History [Ranked]

Key Takeaways

The atmosphere at a football ground can significantly impact the fan experience on match days.
Going away to intimidating grounds can be a real give supporters a real buzz of adrenaline, especially when they come away with all three points
Some stadiums, such as the venues for Premier League clubs Fulham and Southampton, do not feel very intimidating.

An away day is always something to be cherished for a football fan. Visiting a new stadium can be a great experience, although this usually depends on a few things.

Most important, of course, is the result. So long as your team wins, little else matters. But other factors also impact the experience. Things such as the atmosphere in the stadium and animosity around it can play a key role in any trip.

And while intimidating stadiums are often taken about, what about those at the other end of the spectrum? With that in mind, here are the 10 least Intimidating stadiums in British football.

Ranking Factors

Atmosphere in the stadium
Feeling of safety around the venue
Difficulty to win at

Least Intimidating Stadiums in British Football History
Rank	Stadium	Club
1.	Craven Cottage	Fulham
2.	Stadium MK	MK Dons
3.	Carrow Road	Norwich
4.	St. Mary’s Stadium	Southampton
5.	Pirelli Stadium	Burton Albion
6.	Vicarage Road	Watford
7.	The Madejski Stadium	Reading
8.	Vitality Stadium	Bournemouth
9.	Gtech Community Stadium	Brentford
10.	Emirates Stadium	Arsenal

10 Emirates Stadium

Arsenal

Ever since Arsenal left Highbury and moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, there have been doubts about the atmosphere at the new ground. As such, there are those who even refer to the north London ground as ‘the library’. Even if the noise levels have improved a little in the Mikel Arteta era, historically this has been a fairly quiet place to visit on match days. Even Arsene Wenger spoke of it’s shortcomings, saying:

“We built a new stadium but we never found our soul, we left our soul at Highbury.

“We could never recreate it for security reasons. The distance from the pitch to the stand had to be bigger as we needed ambulances to come in.

“The inclination of the stands had to be smaller all those things together that we didn’t find to recreate the atmosphere.”

As an elite club, there a plenty of nice amenities – such as their famously spacious seats – not to mention police on hand to ward off any potential trouble. That said, as an away fan, it’s not the easiest ground to win at, with the Gunners one of the best clubs in the Premier League. For that reason, the Emirates only just makes the cut on this list.

Brentford

While the old Griffin Park had a pub on every corner of the ground to help with the atmosphere, the same cannot be said of the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford have only been in the venue since 2020 and it’s still yet to truly find its feet. In fact, it’s best night was probably it’s opening fixture, as the Bees beat Arsenal in their first-ever Premier League match – since then, it’s all been downhill.

Having maintained Premier League status since the creation of their home ground – not far from affluent areas Richmond and Twickenham – those who follow the Bees tend to be of a pretty cheery disposition. Indeed, they are a likeable club but that doesn’t help when it comes to boosting decibel levels on match days. Consequently, it’s not the most intimidating place to visit for travelling fans.

8 Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth

With a capacity of 11,000, away teams are only allowed to bring around 1,500 supporters with them on Premier League match days. However, with its cheery sea-side vibes, travelling fans should not be too worried about being outnumbered.

It would rank higher but these days Bournemouth aren’t the easiest team to play away at – just ask Arsenal and Manchester City fans. What’s more, the surrounding area of Boscombe can be a little rough around the edges – even so, a trip to the south coast always feels like a little mid-season getaway, more like a holiday than anything more sinister.

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7 The Madejski Stadium

Reading

The Madejski Stadium - 9/4/16 General view outside the stadium

Reading have had so many problems of late, their home support is more likely to take aim at owner Dai Yongge – with financial issues seeing the club deducted 18 points under his ownership – as opposed to turning their anger towards travelling supporters. The troubles have led to a lack of numbers on match days.

As such, the Madejski Stadium, currently known as the Select Car Leasing Stadium, is

hardly the most menacing place to visit. It’s also one of the ugliest grounds around, making it not a particularly appealing visit all around. In terms of atmosphere, very few fans are left shaking in their boots after a visit.

6 Vicarage Road

Watford

As one of the perennial yoyo clubs of Premier League and Championship football, there are more difficult things in the football pyramid than going away to Watford and picking up all three points. When the club insists on changing managers every few months, it’s easy to see why home fans may struggle to build up any momentum in terms of maintaining a consistent atmosphere.

Anybody who has been to Vicarage Road can speak of the pleasant walk through the Hertfordshire town’s high street, past the local cafes, as home and away fans congregate before the game. It’s all nice and friendly but that doesn’t make for an intimidating atmosphere come kick-off – hardly a place for adrenaline junkies.

5 Pirelli Stadium

Burton Albion

Burton fans celebrate promotion outside the Pirelli Stadium

In terms of arrests, the Pirelli Stadium was actually the safest in Britain during the 2022/23 season – with zero arrests recorded. Therefore there is little reason to be concerned by angry home fans if results don’t go their way, you’re not exactly going to be chased out of town.

Couple this with the fact that Burton Albion have been a mid-table League One team for a number of years now, and a trip to face the Brewers is hardly a fixture to fear for travelling fans. Indeed, this ground in Staffordshire is very much a PG-rated, fun-for-the-whole-family sort of football venue.

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4 St. Mary’s Stadium

Southampton

Another south-coast venue, St. Mary’s Stadium has been the home stadium of Southampton since 2001. As such, it will forever exist in the shadow of the far more iconic Premier League ground, The Dell.

Although the new stadium capacity is around twice as big (32,000 compared to 15,000) that doesn’t mean it feels twice as loud inside. On match days – with views of the River Itchen, leading to the Solent – everything is all just a little too nice. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it does mean most teams come and visit without thinking twice about what may lie in store for them.

3 Carrow Road

Norwich City

Norwich City, Carrow Road. There aren’t exactly words that strike fear into the heart of any fans when they get the annual fixture list ahead of each new season. Another yoyo club, the Canaries are about as intimidating as their nickname.

Be it in the Championship or the Premier League, Carrow Road rarely ever produces the sort of rocking atmosphere to really change the course of a match. Some teams can win a match in the tunnel before a game even begins, in part that may be thanks to their home support. This has never been the case for Norwich.

2 Stadium MK

MK Dons

Stadium MK - 10/11 - 21/3/11 General view outside Stadium MK

MK Dons are essentially the most hated team in the United Kingdom due to their controversial origins, which came following Wimbledon F.C.’s controversial relocation to Milton Keynes from south London. As a result of their birth as a ‘franchise’, Stadium MK (which opened in 2007) is a pretty soulless venue.

While it would be the 15th biggest stadium in the 2024/25 Premier League today, home supporters barely fill 20 per cent of it on a matchday. All this means it’s hardly a daunting away trip for those journeying to Milton Keynes. The home chant: “No one likes us, no one likes us, we don’t care,” is the most aggro you’re likely to suffer.

1 Craven Cottage

Fulham

When you think of intimidating stadiums, veritable cauldrons of confrontation in British football, the mind turns towards Anfield, Ibrox and other iconic venues. Craven Cottage, on the other hand, pictures up far more timid images of charcuterie boards and clappers. The club even have plans to add a new rooftop swimming pool to the venue, which just about sums it up.

Situated on the River Thames, it’s a lovely stadium to visit – no doubt – but that doesn’t make it an intimidating trip for away fans. In 2024, Fulham home crowds ranked as the least supportive in the Premier League due to diminishing numbers in recent years as well as other similar factors. All in all, this pleasant ground is the tamest British football has to offer.

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November 6, 2024

10 Greatest Irish Managers in Football History [Ranked]

Key Takeaways

Ireland has produced excellent football managers like Mick McCarthy and Chris Hughton who have had success domestically and internationally.
Notable Irish managers, such as Dermot Keely and Stephen Kenny have achieved trophies and success in various leagues.
Iconic managers like Jack Kirwan and Patrick O’Connell have left a lasting impact on European clubs such as Ajax and Barcelona.

A nation whose international success has been rather limited, Ireland has been able to produce some excellent managers who have performed great jobs across the world.

Some of the nation’s best managers have had domestic success in the League of Ireland, as well as in the Premier League, EFL and abroad. A small nation which has been able to make a big impact on the world’s favourite game, Ireland have provided the sport with some fantastic managers. Below, we will be taking a look at their best, using the below ranking factors.

Ranking Factors

Success
Impact on the Sport
Reputation

10 Greatest Irish Managers in Football History [Ranked]
Rank	Manager
1	Mick McCarthy
2	Chris Hughton
3	David O’Leary
4	Joe Kinnear
5	Patrick O’Connell
6	Stephen Kenny
7	Pat Fenlon
8	Dermot Keely
9	Jack Kirwan
10	Brian Kerr

10 Brian Kerr

Notable Teams Managed: Republic of Ireland, Faroe Islands

The man with the best win percentage as manager of the Republic of Ireland, Brian Kerr, had a successful managerial career.

After realising from a young age he wasn’t going to become a player, Kerr opted to focus on coaching and got his first job in management in 1986 with St Patrick’s Athletic. He spent 10 years there, even putting in his own money to help the club avoid liquidation, and is still idolised at the club for this gesture, and his success at the club.

He left St Patrick’s Athletic to begin a role in the Ireland set-up, first working with several youth teams, including the under 16s, 18s, and 20s, before adopting the senior post in 2003. Despite having the best win ratio of any Irish manager in history, Kerr was never able to steer the boys in green to a major tournament during his two-year tenure.

Brian Kerr Ireland Managerial Statistics
Matches	33
Wins	18
Draws	11
Losses	4
Win Percentage	55%

9 Jack Kirwan

Notable Teams Managed: Ajax, Bohemians

An incredibly iconic manager, Jack Kirwan, was the first-ever professional manager of Ajax. A former Gaelic football player turned footballer, Kirwan was multi-talented and very successful. Winning the FA Cup with Tottenham during his playing days, the Irishman was triumphant everywhere he went.

As a manager, Kirwan laid the foundations for the club Ajax now are, as he guided them into the top flight for the first time. He went on to manage Bohemians, in his native Ireland, twice, as well as a short spell in Italy with US Livorno, but it was his Ajax spell which was the most impressive.

Jack Kirwan Managerial Statistics
Years Active	1910-1925
Promotions	1 (Ajax, 1911)

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8 Dermot Keely

Notable Teams Managed: Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, Derry City

Winning four League of Ireland titles with three different clubs, Dermot Keely is one of the league’s most successful managers. Managing a total of 13 clubs in his managerial career, Keely enjoyed plenty of excellent days, with numerous promotions, league titles, and cup triumphs along the way. Even enjoying success in Champions League qualifiers with Shelbourne, Keely was able to deliver in almost all his managerial posts.

League titles with Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, and Shelbourne are perhaps his greatest achievements, but the fact that Keely did all of this whilst also being a Math and English teacher makes his success even more impressive.

Dermot Keely Managerial Statistics
Years Active	1983-2010
Trophies	6

7 Pat Fenlon

Notable Teams Managed: Shelbourne, Hibernian, Shamrock Rovers

A true winner, Pat Fenlon enjoyed a lot of success as a manager, particularly in his homeland. Winning five league titles in Ireland, three with Shelbourne and two with Bohemians, Fenlon is recognised as a legend of the League of Ireland. With an Irish Cup and Irish League Cup to go along with the league titles, the Irishman was a fantastic manager.

During his two-year spell with Hibernian in Scotland, Fenlon led his side to two Scottish Cup finals, although he was defeated in both. He is still one of the most successful managers in the Edinburgh-based club’s recent history.

Pat Fenlon Managerial Statistics
Years Active	2002-Present
Trophies	7

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6 Stephen Kenny

Notable Teams Managed: Derry City, Dundalk, Republic of Ireland

A manager who enjoyed endless success in his native Ireland, before a disappointing spell as his country’s boss, Stephen Kenny has had a fantastic managerial career.

His best days came whilst in charge of Dundalk, where he won four league titles, but he has also won silverware with Bohemians, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic. A manager who has been incredible in Ireland, Kenny was rewarded with the national team job, but he was unable to mirror his domestic success.

With a win percentage of just 27.5% during his time in charge of Ireland, his contract wasn’t renewed in 2023. Despite an underwhelming spell in charge of his country, Kenny’s success in the League of Ireland earns him a spot on this list.

Stephen Kenny Ireland Managerial Statistics
Matches	40
Wins	11
Draws	12
Losses	17
Win Percentage	27.5%

5 Patrick O’Connell

Notable Teams Managed: Real Betis, Barcelona, Sevilla

An incredible story, Patrick O’Connell is recognised as being the man who saved Barcelona. After a successful playing career, O’Connell took over as manager at Racing Santander, where he won five league titles before La Liga was formed. A spell at Real Betis followed before he was appointed as manager of Barcelona in 1935.

After club president Josep Sunyol was assassinated in 1936, O’Connell took Barcelona on tours of Mexico, Cuba, and the United States to raise funds to keep the club afloat. Due to the success of these tours, Barcelona cleared their debts and were saved, thanks to O’Connell.

A manager who enjoyed success in Spain, including a second-place finish with Sevilla after his time with Barcelona. O’Connell is truly iconic. In saving one of the biggest clubs in the world, his legacy will live on forever, and Spanish football will always remember him.

Patrick O’Connell Managerial Statistics
Years Active	1921-1949
Trophies	11

4 Joe Kinnear

Notable Teams Managed: Wimbledon, Luton, Newcastle

Perhaps best known for his spell with Wimbledon, Joe Kinnear enjoyed a fantastic career in management. Starting in Asia, first as assistant manager at Al-Shabab, then as manager of India and Nepal, Kinnear came to England for a very brief spell with Doncaster. He left after the club was taken over and was appointed as manager of Wimbledon, where his managerial career took off.

Consistently performing the unlikely and finishing in the top half of the Premier League, despite being on a small budget, Kinnear worked wonders at Wimbledon. Playing a style of football which is rarely seen in the modern game, with a lot of long balls and scrapping for possession, Kinnear masterminded some fantastic league finishes for the club.

Following a heart attack, he left Wimbledon, before returning to management with eventful spells at Luton and Newcastle, in an impressive and unique managerial career.

Joe Kinnear Managerial Statistics
Years Active	1983-2014
Matches	583
Wins	216
Draws	166
Losses	201
Win Percentage	37%

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3 David O’Leary

Notable Teams Managed: Leeds, Aston Villa, Al-Ahli

Best known for the wonders he produced at Leeds, David O’Leary had a successful career in management. When O’Leary was appointed by Leeds in 1998, his side was languishing towards the lower reaches of the Premier League, but this soon changed.

With a crop of young, talented players, playing high-tempo, attacking football, just a year later Leeds finished third in the Premier League, an incredible transformation. Taking the Yorkshire outfit to the semi-finals of the Champions League, O’Leary had a fantastic spell with the club, but after they had overspent significantly, and a falling out with the club’s hierarchy, he departed the club.

Stints with Aston Villa and Al-Ahli followed, but neither replicated the incredible time he had at Elland Road.

David O’Leary Managerial Statistics
Matches	341
Wins	151
Draws	84
Losses	106
Win Percentage	44.28%

2 Chris Hughton

Notable Teams Managed: Newcastle, Norwich, Brighton

With two Championship promotions under his belt, Chris Hughton has enjoyed a great managerial career in England. Taking Newcastle up to the Premier League in his first managerial role, before being controversially sacked in December of the following season, Hughton was a popular figure on Tyneside. He went on to have spells with Birmingham, and then Norwich, before spending five years with Brighton.

At Brighton, Hughton turned the club into promotion challengers, before eventually taking them up in 2017, where they have remained since. Hughton was sacked in 2019 by Brighton, despite keeping the club up, after a poor end to the season, which was again met with discontent from his club’s fans. Spells with Nottingham Forest and then the Ghana national team followed in a very successful managerial career.

Chris Hughton Managerial Statistics
Matches	512
Wins	199
Draws	144
Losses	169
Win Percentage	38.87%

1 Mick McCarthy

Notable Teams Managed: Republic of Ireland, Wolves, Ipswich

The greatest Irish manager in history, Mick McCarthy, enjoyed a fantastic career both in England and as Republic of Ireland manager.

Despite not playing the most attractive football, McCarthy enjoyed some great spells, including with Sunderland, Wolves, and Ipswich, where he enjoyed promotion and narrow relegation survival. With two Championship titles to his name, with Sunderland and Wolves, McCarthy is recognised as one of the division’s best managers.

He also enjoyed two spells in charge of his country, in 1996 and 2018, where he was able to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, but after a very public falling out with Roy Keane, McCarthy was always under pressure.

After 68 games in charge, McCarthy resigned in 2002 after a poor start to qualification for the 2004 European Championships. During his second spell, the Irish manager was more successful, and almost guided his side to Euro 2020, but resigned before the play-offs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A football legend, McCarthy is a great character and had great spells throughout his career.

Mick McCarthy Managerial Statistics
Matches	1,041
Wins	398
Draws	281
Losses	362
Win Percentage	38.23%

All statistics via Transfermarkt. Correct as of 03.10.2024.

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November 3, 2024

The 10 Most ‘Decaying’ Stadiums in World Football [Ranked]

There are many beautiful stadiums around the world, Wembley Stadium being one of them, but to maintain that position, the stadium needed to be rebuilt in 2007. The old Wembley, while an all-seater stadium, was really an old-fashioned terraced bowl that had seats retrofitted in to meet the requirements of the Taylor Report.

Like all stadia, they need maintaining and improving if they are to survive the test of time. This comes at a price. Clubs pay fortunes for players, but at times more so for their homes. The world of football is littered with stadiums are no longer used and left to deteriorate.

Perhaps the ultimate example is Valencia’s Nou Mestalla, which is yet to host a game, dominating the city’s skyline while not yet finished. That Spanish ground is ranked number one in the list of the 10 most decaying stadiums in world football. A host of other stadiums from around the world also feature within the top 10 list.

The 10 Most ‘Decaying’ Stadiums in World Football [Ranked]
Rank	Stadium	Club	Country
1.	Nou Mestalla	Valencia	Spain
2.	Donbass Arena	Shakhtar Donetsk	Ukraine
3.	Stadio Sant Elia	Cagliari	Italy
4.	Guangzhou FC Stadium	Guangzhou FC	China
5.	Cathkin Park	Third Lanark	Scotland
6.	Avanhard Stadium	FC Stroitel Pripyat	Ukraine
7.	Stadion Za Luzankami	FC Zbrojovka Brno	Czechia
8.	Stadio Flaminio	Lazio & Roma	Italy
9.	Arena da Amazonia	Brazil	Brazil
10.	Stadio Oosterpark	FC Groningen	Netherlands

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10 Stadio Oosterpark

FC Groningen of the Netherlands former home

The stadium was home to Dutch club FC Groningen until they moved out in 2006. It was where a teenage Johan Cruyff scored on his Ajax debut. It was also where Arjen Robben made his name back in the early 2000s.

Having been left to the elements, the seats, proudly still intact, have faded to a lifeless grey colour. A snug, but atmospheric ground, Oosterpark could hold just under twenty thousand by the late 1980s. Robben returned to Groningen right at the end of his career, but by this time he’d missed the chance to play at the old ground with the club having long moved on.

9 Arena da Amazonia in Brazil

Stadium was built for the 2014 World Cup

The stadium was built for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was the venue for England’s two-one loss to Italy in the group stages. It was used for four matches in that tournament. Fast forward 10 years and the stadium hosts local games but rarely do they attract any more than a thousand spectators, who look pretty lost in the forty-thousand capacity.

Since the World Cup, some parts of the roof have been removed with this stadium being referred to as the ultimate white elephant, estimated to have cost the Brazilian government in the region of £200 to 300 million. Operating and maintenance costs remain an issue, so the future of this stadium is unclear, as is the wisdom and spending such a great deal on stadiums with such a limited shelf life.

8 Stadio Flaminio in Italy

Lazio and Roma’s temporary home for the 1989/90 season

The Stadio Flaminio in Rome was built in the late 1950s in time for the Italian capital’s hosting of the Olympic games in 1960. It was the venue for the Olympic football final in which Yugoslavia beat Denmark in the gold medal match by three goals to one. Up until 2011, it was home to the Italian rugby team.

During the 1989/90 season, when Rome’s Olympic stadium was undergoing renovations, the ground was used as a temporary home to Roma and Lazio. That was the year Maradona’s Napoli won Serie A, he scored at the Stadio Flaminio in a one-one draw with Roma. The following year, both Rome clubs were back at their home ground.

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7 Stadion Za Luzankami in Czechia

Home of the 1978 Czechoslovakian champions Zbrojovka Brno

In 1995, Stadion Za Luzankami hosted a friendly between Czechia and Finland, with the hosts winning four-one after a brace from former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Patrick Berger. Although the field has not seen a game since 2012, the terracing still looks like an inviting place to watch a game.

The stadium was the former home of FC Zbrojovka Brno, who in 1977, beat Dukla Prague to win the Czech title by three points, but they were forced to leave their home because the ground did not meet FIFA regulations. That said, it still looks like an interesting venue to watch or play a game of football.

6 Avanhard Stadium in Ukraine

Home of FC Stroitel Pripyat in the Chernobyl district

The Avanhard Stadium in Ukraine is perhaps the most extreme example of an abandoned football stadium. Situated in Chernobyl, which endured a disaster in 1986, after the explosion of a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was near the city of Pripyat, which was later included in the exclusion zone as the area was deemed unsafe for human life.

Today, the city is still abandoned. The stadium was built the year of the disaster and therefore never hosted a game. Today the pitch has been completely reclaimed by nature, with trees having grown tall where the turf once momentarily stood.

5 Cathkin Park in Scotland

The Glasgow-based ground was once home to Third Lanark

Cathkin Park is the perfect example of a footballing relic living in harmony with nature. With the pitch now a municipal park, the terraces remain and can still be a noisy place. But now, instead of being lined with people, it’s a series of trees that stand on the terrace, with the birds sat in them providing a chorus.

It’s reported that Scotland beat England there way back in 1896 in front of a crowd of twenty thousand. Third Lanark’s last match at the ground was back in 1967, by which time the ground had fallen into a state of disrepair. Now in the twenty-first century, the metal terraces and the stands still survive.

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4 Guangzhou FC Stadium

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Guangzhou FC were due to build the greatest stadium in the world. A one-hundred-thousand-seater masterpiece that was to wow the football world and be a fitting home for the side that won the Chinese title seven times in a row between 2011 and 2017, but amazingly, the stadium was never finished.

he club owners ran into serious financial difficulty owing debts thought to be in the region of £220 billion. The club’s fortunes didn’t do much better, as they began to struggle in China’s second tier after finishing rock bottom of the first division in 2022. What’s left is an eyesore on the landscape and construction of a stadium that will likely never be completed.

3 Estadio Sant’Elia in Italy

Cagliari’s former home

Cagliari’s Estadio Sant’Elia hosted all three of England’s group games during the 1990 World Cup. Originally able to hold sixty-thousand spectators, the capacity was reduced over the years. Located on the southern tip of the Italian island of Sardinia, it’s within a hefty goal-kick of the sea.

Today, what was the pitch is a scorched wasteland. With local authorities disagreeing on a way forward and the ground needing a major overhaul if it was to continue being viable as a Serie A ground, Cagliari left the stadium in 2017, forty-seven years after first moving in.

2 Donbas Arena, Ukraine

Shakhtar Donetsk’s former home has long been dormant

The Donbas Arena is now unrecognisable after being abandoned in 2014. Since Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk have had to abandon their home ground. The stadium only actually opened in 2009 and was home to some of Shakhtar’s finest moments.

It was also a ground used for Euro 2012, hosting the game in which England beat the hosts with a goal from Wayne Rooney, as well as the semi-finals, with Spain eventually beating Portugal four-two on a penalty shoot-out. The stadium has fallen victim to recent shelling with the once neat pathways leading to the stadium festooned with ever-growing weeds.

1 Nou Mestalla in Spain

New Valencia stadium that never was

Valencia’s new stadium was due to be ready in 2009. This wasn’t just a new stadium, this was to be the world’s best. It is still to be finished. Much like the UK, in 2008 Spain endured a recession, with property seriously impacted and a banking crisis shortly following. It was then reported that Valencia were in debt to the tune of €550m.

By 2009, the club stopped all construction work on the stadium. The club are still optimistic that the ground can be finished, but the ongoing history of continual setbacks raises serious doubts over whether it will ever really be finished and ready to host games. So, rather than a modern stadium, what is left looks more like an artefact from ancient Rome.

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November 1, 2024

10 Greatest Chile Players in Football History [Ranked]

Key Takeaways

Chile have produced some of South America’s finest footballers.
As a national team, they most recently won Copa America in both 2015 and 2016.
Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal are two greats of the modern era.

South America has a reputation for producing some of the most talented footballers in the world. Nations in this region such as Brazil and Argentina live and breathe football and have had significant success on the international stage.

Outside these two dominant nations, Chile have had success and has produced footballers who have gone on to compete at the highest level for club and country. This historic country also hosted the 1962 World Cup where they finished third, their best performance in the competition to date.

Chile also enjoyed glory in recent times with two Copa America triumphs in both 2015 and 2016. One of the most notable names players in the modern era is Arturo Vidal, the midfielder has represented some of the biggest clubs in the world, such as Juventus, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. He makes the top 10 list of the greatest Chilean players in football history, alongside nine other icons.

Greatest Chile Players in Football History
Rank	Name	Career Span	Chile Caps
1.	Alexis Sanchez	2005- Present	166
2.	Arturo Vidal	2006-Present	142
3.	Ivan Zamorano	1986-2003	69
4.	Marcelo Salas	1994-2009	70
5.	Claudio Bravo	2003-2024	150
6.	George Robledo	1946-1961	31
7.	Elias Figueroa	1962-1983	47
8.	Francisco Valdes	1961-1981	50
9.	Jaime Pizarro	1982-2000	53
10.	Gary Medel	2007-Present	161

10 Gary Medel

Career Span: 2007-Present

Gary Medel is a centre-back currently playing for Argentine Primera Division side Boca Juniors. The Chilean, who has played for a variety of teams in different leagues, can also operate as a defensive midfielder.

Medel started out at Universidad Catolica before representing teams such as Boca Juniors, Sevilla, Cardiff City, Inter Milan and Besiktas. After that, he returned to Italy to join Bologna in 2019. He has over 160 caps for the national team since 2007, representing his country at two World Cups, five Copa America tournaments and one Confederation Cup.

Medel was a key figure in the squad that won the 2015 Copa America and his efforts were recognized by him being named in the team of the tournament. Furthermore, he was part of the squad that won the Copa America Centenario in 2016. He was also selected in the squads that finished fourth at the 2019 Copa America and as the runners-up at the 2017 Confederations Cup.

9 Jaime Pizarro

Career Span: 1982-2000

2023 Sport Minister and President of Santiago 2023 Jaime Pizarro and President of Panam Sports Neven Ilic

Jaime Pizarro retired in 2000, having obtained 53 caps for the Chile national team between 1987 and 1993. Significantly, he featured in the 1987 Copa America final. The midfielder spent the majority of his career at Chilean club Colo-Colo, where he was crowned champion as both a player and as a coach. His last appearance on the international stage came against Peru at the 1993 Copa America tournament.

Pizzaro’s only goal for his nation came in a 1989 friendly match against Uruguay in Montevideo, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. He also had a one-year stint as assistant manager of the Chile national team.

8 Francisco Valdes

Career Span: 1961-1981

Francisco Valdes is one of the most decorated midfielders in Chile’s history. He is the top scorer in the history of the Chilean league with an impressive 215 goals to his name.

He spent his entire career in the Chilean first-division league, surpassing Pedro Gonzalez’s 212 goal tally. Valdes also scored 179 goals in 353 matches during the Chilean national championship, as well as one goal in the Copa Libertadores tournament. The midfielder is the top scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 20 goals to his name in just 44 matches. He played 50 matches for the national team, scoring nine goals.

7 Elias Figueroa

Career Span: 1962-1983

Elias Figueroa was an incredible defender who starred for several careers throughout his long and successful career. He played for his hometown club Santiago Wanderers, Brazilian club Internacional and Uruguayan side Penarol. Figueroa won titles with both of these sides in the 1970s and his role in their success is outlined by the three successive South American Footballer of the Year awards he won between 1974-1976.

He made 47 appearances for Chile, appearing in three World Cups, in 1966, 1974 and 1982. The defender was an incredible athlete, who could make inch-perfect challenges in the most pressured situations. Figueroa was also named as Chile’s footballer of the 20th Century and was even included in the FIFA 100 in 2003.

6 George Robledo

Career Span:1946-1961

George Robledo played as a striker and is well known for the years he spent at Newcastle. During his time in England, he became the first non-British registered foreign player to become the top scorer in England.

Robledo was selected in the Chile squad ahead of the 1950 World Cup even though there was a language barrier considering he didn’t speak Spanish. He made his debut in the opening game against England. Later in the tournament, he found the back of the net in Chile’s 5-2 victory over the United States. He was included in his country’s squad for both the 1955 and 1957 South America Championships.

5 Claudio Bravo

Career Span: 2003-2024

Claudio Bravo, who has made 150 appearances for Chile, is the third-most capped player in the nation’s history, behind only Alexis Sanchez and Gary Medel. His sensational saves and lightning-quick reactions have made him a Chilean icon. The goalkeeper also embraced the opportunity to captain his country, leading his team to victory at the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments.

After moving from Real Sociedad to Barcelona in 2014, Bravo won the treble and Zamora Trophy in his first season at the club. He also lifted silverware in England at Manchester City, where he won several titles during his four-year stint in the Premier League. On the international stage, he represented Chile at two World Cups, one Confederations Cup and six Copa America tournaments.

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4 Marcelo Salas

Career Span:1994-2009

A truly delightful player, who got fans off their feet. Marcelo Salas was a left-footed wizard, who played primarily as a number nine. The striker spent the majority of his career in Argentina and Italy, winning titles with each club he played for. His most successful years came at Lazio and Juventus.

At Lazio, Salas played a crucial role in the side that completed the Italian Scudetto in the 1997-98 season. In this same season, his efforts were recognized as he was voted South American Player of the Year. He is second only behind Alexis Sanchez for goals scored for the national team. Salas scored 37 goals in 70 international appearances. Furthermore, he represented Chile at the 1998 World Cup in France, where he scored four goals in as many matches; he also played at two Copa America tournaments.

3 Ivan Zamorano

Career Span: 1986-2003

Ivan Zamorano playing for Real Madrid — Action Images

Ivan Zamorano is arguably Chile’s greatest striker ever. He is regarded as one of the most recognised players in the nation’s history due to his impressive goal-scoring record. As a regular member of the national team setup, Zamorano played in the 1998 World Cup and four Copa America tournaments. At club level, he excelled at some of the biggest sides in Europe, such as Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Sevilla.

His potent finishing is illustrated by the striker winning the Pichichi Trophy after scoring 28 goals in the 1994-95 season for Real Madrid. In addition to this, he won the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan. The forward will be remembered for his impressive strength and ability in the air, which made him impossible to stop at times. His position on this list is further cemented by the fact that he was once selected in the FIFA 100, a list of the best football players in the world.

2 Arturo Vidal

Career Span: 2006-Present

Arturo Vidal epitomizes all the qualities of a modern-day midfielder. He is well known for his tenacious tackling and aggressive interceptions, which made him one of the best box-to-box players in football during his prime years. After making his debut in 2007, Vidal went on to earn 142 caps for the Chile national team and has represented his country at the Copa America tournament in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

He also played a crucial role in his nation’s successive Copa America victories in 2015 and 2016. Furthermore, he has also played in the Copa America Centenario, the 2017 Confederations Cup and in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. During his career, Vidal has won nine league titles for various European clubs. He was also named in the Bundesliga and Serie A Team of the Year, which coincided with him being named 2016 Chilean Player of the Year.

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1 Alexis Sanchez

Career Span: 2005- Present

Alexis Sanchez is often lauded as the greatest Chilean player of all time, due to his success with the national team, but also because of his personal achievements. The dynamic forward is able to play anywhere in the front line with his quick feet and lethal finishing, his best attributes.

The silky winger had successful spells with Barcelona, Arsenal and Inter Milan. His best years came at Arsenal, where he scored 80 goals and won two FA Cups. Significantly, he won the 2015 PFA Fans Player of the Year. On the international stage, he won the Golden Ball award in the 2016 Copa America, where he helped his country defend their title.

Sanchez holds the record for most appearances for the Chile national team, further cementing his status as one of the greatest players to emerge from this region.

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All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 20/10/2024

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October 29, 2024

10 Most Disrespected British Players in Football History [Ranked]
Key Takeaways

Criticism of footballers can be excessive and unfair due to high expectations and social media scrutiny.

Players like Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson, and Raheem Sterling have faced unjustified backlash despite their contributions to the sport.

History shows iconic players like David Beckham and Emile Heskey were also wrongly targeted by fans and media.
It’s sometimes easy to forget that footballers are human when watching them in action almost every weekend of the year. They can frustrate us with a poor pass, leave us awestruck with a 90th-minute winner and shape our mood for the week in victory or defeat.

Criticism of players is a murky topic because fans’ passion can lead to a line being crossed. It’s understandable to show frustration if they falter because they are paid the big bucks to help guide your team to success.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is a prime example of a player who came under fire in unfair circumstances. Fans and the media ripped into the England international even when he performed well.

Maguire pointed out that footballers aren’t robots and have emotions. The world’s most expensive defender is one of many past and present British players who have arguably been in the firing line unjustifiably.

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10 Most Abused Premier League Players Named [2024]

From Marcus Rashford to Erling Haaland, the numbers have been crunched and the most-abused Premier League players have been revealed.

Here, we rank the top 10 Brits who felt the wrath of fans and press for various reasons, such as underperforming, high transfer fees, and personality. The ‘disrespect’ aimed at players includes those overlooked or whose contributions were unrecognised.

10 Jonny Evans

Nation: Northern Ireland

Sir Alex Ferguson ‘couldn’t believe’ Manchester United sold Jonny Evans to West Bromwich Albion for just £6 million two years after his retirement. The versatile left-footed centre-back was viewed as one of the brightest defensive prospects at Old Trafford, a potential heir to Rio Ferdinand.

The post-Sir Alex era started with many frowned-upon recruitment decisions, and Evans’s sale was one of them. The higher-ups cashed in, refusing to invest their time in the Northern Irish defender with three Premier League title wins under his belt. He proved a point with the Baggies and later Leicester City, part of a Foxes side that won the FA Cup in 2021.

Evans, 36, returned to United in the summer of 2023, initially as a squad player but playing his way into Erik ten Hag‘s starting XI. He’s proving that age is just a number with impressive performances, including a Man of the Match display in a 0-0 draw against high-flying Aston Villa (October 6).

Jonny Evans Career

Club

Appearances (530) Goals (23) Assists (15)

International

Appearances (107) Goals (6) Assists (3)

Major Trophies

13

9 Steve Bruce

Nation: England

While Evans was dismissed by United, Steve Bruce, one of the club’s all-time greats, was overlooked by England. The courageous Bruce was at the heart of the Red Devils’ defence in the early and mid-1990s when the club won titles and doubles while achieving European glory.

Bruce was a threat going forward, famed for attacking the ball with his head. He managed a remarkable tally of 47 goals in 393 games for United, but that wasn’t enough to convince Bobby Robson or Graham Taylor to call him up for international duty.

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Including Man Utd and Arsenal legends, we have ranked the nine greatest English players to never feature for the Three Lions.

By the time Terry Venables rang to propose an England appearance, it was too late for Bruce. He claimed in his autobiography that he didn’t want a sympathy cap. The former Norwich City defender ended his career having only turned out for the nation’s B team on one occasion.

Steve Bruce Career

Club

Appearances (393) Goals (47) Assists (6)

International

Appearances (0) Goals (0) Assists (0)

Major Trophies

12

8 Chris Iwelumo

Nation: Scotland

Footballers dream of proudly representing their country and wearing the nation’s badge. Chris Iwelumo was handed his international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Norway in 2008. It was a reward for a fine season with Charlton Athletic, bagging 10 goals in 46 EFL Championship games in the 2007-08 season.

Iwelumo’s dream Scotland debut became a nightmare when he produced an astonishing open-goal miss. The social media pitchforks and the Scottish press’ feather quills were soon out. ‘Was that the worst miss of all time?’ read one headline while the popular Sky Sports morning programme Soccer AM wheeled out their ‘Taxi‘ segment. Iwelumo said:

“The media were very harsh over the next two or three weeks. I think I was fortunate because I was playing down in England. I missed a lot of it.”

The Coatbridge-born frontman put his miss behind him to fire 14 goals in 31 Championship games for Wolves. Unfortunately, any feats achieved by Iwelumo after his miss were tainted, and his career has been defined by that moment.

Chris Iwelumo Career

Club

Appearances (476) Goals (109) Assists (28)

International

Appearances (4) Goals (0) Assists (0)

Major Trophies

1

7 Gareth Southgate

Nation: England

It’s not often an Englishman gets to play and coach the Three Lions, and Gareth Southgate did so with pride. There was fair criticism over his brand of football, but he won the hearts of fans across the nation for most of his eight-year reign. Men fled to their local M&S to buy his trademark Euro 2020 waistcoat.

The love for Southgate came after a long period in which the English media maligned him for his penalty shootout miss at Euro 1996. The former Villa defender couldn’t beat Germany goalkeeper Andreas Kopke, and England crashed out in the semi-finals on home soil.

Related

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Southgate featured in a Pizza Hut advert that mocked the former 57-cap England international and fellow penalty-missers Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce. He wore a paper bag over his head and later admitted that he wished he hadn’t participated. The miss stuck with him even during his managerial reign, as his troops fell at the final hurdle of two consecutive European Championships.

Gareth Southgate Career

Club

Appearances (556) Goals (19) Assists (11)

International

Appearances (57) Goals (2) Assists (0)

Major Trophies

2

6 Gareth Bale

Nation: Wales

Gareth Bale lived a footballing double life at the back end of his Real Madrid career. The five-time Champions League winner struggled with injuries, a deteriorating relationship with his coach, Zinedine Zidane, and a scornful Madridistas fanbase. This wasn’t the case for Wales, whom he captained to World Cup qualification in 2022 for the first time since 1958.

The Spanish media were onto Bale like a flea. They refused to let a player, who’d written his name in Madrid’s history book, breathe in the latter stages of his career. The Welsh wizard had enough of the constant ridicule that came his way and hit back at ‘slanderous’ journalism after one publication called him ‘a parasite’.

Bale left the Santiago Bernabeu in July 2022, jetting off to the United States for a swansong with Los Angeles FC. There were obvious issues with his motivation in the twilight of his playing days, but he deserved more respect in Spain for his contributions to Los Blancos’ success.

Gareth Bale Career

Club

Appearances (554) Goals (185) Assists (132)

International

Appearances (111) Goals (40) Assists (22)

Major Trophies

19

5 Jordan Henderson

Nation: England

Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Sadio Mane are the names many would consider the heroes of Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool. The German tactician ended the Reds’ 30-year wait for a league title in 2020 by guiding the Merseysiders to Premier League glory.

Jordan Henderson was captain and lifted the title in the same fashion as he’d galvanised the team for years. The 81-cap England international’s performances went under the radar. He was the beating heart of Klopp’s heavy metal style, doing the hard work while others took the plaudits.

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The current Ajax man is a divisive figure, not least because of his controversial move to the Saudi Pro League after leaving Anfield. Yet, his abilities are always, and groundlessly, questioned despite his prominence in Klopp’s title-winning team and a Three Lions side that rose under Southgate in the late 2010s to early 2020s.

Jordan Henderson Career

Club

Appearances (628) Goals (39) Assists (82)

International

Appearances (81) Goals (3) Assists (11)

Major Trophies

8

4 Harry Maguire

Nation: England

One of British football’s biggest scapegoats, Maguire, paid the price for United, paying a world record £73.3 million fee for a defender in 2019. His stock was sky-high at Leicester City, with talk of Man City’s Pep Guardiola wanting him at the Etihad.

Maguire, 31, has been vilified throughout his Old Trafford career, and the abuse hurled at him has gone overboard. The veteran centre-back’s mother publicly called for an end to the ‘abusive comments‘ aimed at a proud Englishman.

It wasn’t just fans who were at fault, though. Roy Keane recently conceded he was too harsh with some of his punditry comments, and Maguire accepted an apology from the iconic ex-United captain.

Maguire is also now a former Red Devils skipper after losing the armband amid his difficult period two years ago. Named in the 2022 World Cup Team of the Tournament, he’s since enjoyed a career renaissance and spoke proudly of how he’s acted in troubling times.

Harry Maguire Career

Club

Appearances (548) Goals (33) Assists (27)

International

Appearances (64) Goals (7) Assists (2)

Major Trophies

2

3 David Beckham

Nation: England

Time stood still for every England fan when David Beckham was sent off against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. The nation’s hopes rested on the Three Lions’ No.7 throughout his career, but a moment of petulance, kicking out at Diego Simeone, led the country to turn its back on the Man United legend.

Beckham was enemy number one on English shores, a damning indication of how volatile football can be. It was, at times, disturbing the level of hate directed at the then-23-year-old winger. A pub hung an effigy, his manager, Glenn Hoddle, blamed him for ‘costing‘ the Three Lions, and he was left ‘clinically depressed‘.

Related

Every British Player to Finish in the Top Three of the Ballon d’Or [Ranked]

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Fortunately for Beckham and British football, the six-time Premier League champion put that dark period behind him. He became unquestionably the most famous footballer in the history of the British game. His name was on every fan’s lips worldwide, and he was a Hollywood-level megastar at Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and PSG.

However, fame comes with a price, and the Inter Miami co-owner’s celebrity status often makes fans forget just how talented he was on the pitch. His crossing abilities were second to none. A set-piece mastermind, he was a leader who inspired his teammates.

David Beckham Career

Club

Appearances (720) Goals (127) Assists (225)

International

Appearances (115) Goals (17) Assists (42)

Major Trophies

21

2 Emile Heskey

Nation: England

The evolution of social media has played a significant role in giving football fans a voice, but it comes with its flaws. There are a plethora of ‘meme’ accounts on X/Twitter that can quickly respond to a player’s downfall with a viral clip or picture. Today’s usual Premier League victims are Maguire, Mykhailo Mudryk and Darwin Nunez.

Emile Heskey was often the brunt of British football fans’ ‘banter’ during his playing career. He was often ‘memed’, such as being called ‘the Chuck Norris of football’ in a song by YouTuber KSI. Such jesting was sometimes lighthearted but unjust given the imposing striker’s influence on his teams, forming a formidable partnership with Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen for Liverpool and England.

The ex-Leicester City frontman was a powerful target man who could bring others into play. He wasn’t the most prolific centre-forward but played with an unselfishness that went without the deserved recognition.

His peers constantly spoke of Heskey’s kind-hearted personality, a prominent fixture in Three Lions teams during his career. This was occasionally met with moans and groans from fans who rolled their eyes at his selection. Heskey spoke about the criticism he faced:

“I wouldn’t allow it (to get to him) because I knew my worth and I knew what I was bringing to the table. As well I actually distanced myself from it. Now it’s difficult because you have social media and it’s always in your pocket and it’s always there.”

Emile Heskey Career

Club

Appearances (742) Goals (154) Assists (61)

International

Appearances (62) Goals (7) Assists (12)

Major Trophies

8

1 Raheem Sterling

Nation: England

With a record of 20 goals and 27 assists in 82 England caps, including three strikes at Euro 2020, Raheem Sterling should have the respect of his country. The pacey winger hasn’t just excelled on international duty, breaking onto the scene at Liverpool with aplomb, he then cemented himself as one of the most important players of the Guardiola era at City.

Yet, 12 years into Sterling’s trophy-laden career, he’s still a scapegoat of British football, lambasted for one bad day at the office while a stellar display goes without recognition. The 29-year-old has won it all domestically and been instrumental in his trophy success, hitting 131 goals in 339 games at the Etihad.

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Why Raheem Sterling’s Mum Stopped Him From Joining Arsenal 19 Years Ago

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Sterling’s criticism has, at times, gone beyond the pale, receiving abhorrent racial abuse from fans and character assassination from the press. The four-time Premier League champion has advocated against the media’s constant attempt to tarnish his and other players’ reputations.

There’s a reason why Arsenal, Chelsea, City, and Liverpool signed Sterling during his career. When he’s at the peak of his powers, he’s one of the most talented attackers in European football and deserves his flowers.

Raheem Sterling Career

Club

Appearances (556) Goals (174) Assists (104)

International

Appearances (82) Goals (20) Assists (27)

Major Trophies

12

Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 26-10-24.
Source link
October 26, 2024
10 Most ‘Beautiful’ Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]
In football, it is often the players, managers and even fans who are discussed the most, and the football stadiums are forgotten. These magnificent arenas, where supporters go to worship their team every week, are pivotal to the sport. Sometimes these stadiums are old, ugly, and falling apart, but certain venues are works of art.

With this in mind, here are the most beautiful football stadiums in history, ranked from ten to one.

Ranking Factors
- Design
- History
- Overall Aesthetics
10 Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Team: Real Madrid

Opened in 1947, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.

Home to one of the most successful teams of all time, Real Madrid, the Santiago Bernabeu has seen some incredible moments, and legendary players. The stadium itself is ever getting more remarkable, with a five-year renovation between 2019 and 2024 improving the stadium further. Adding more seats, redesigning the exterior, and inputting a state-of-the-art retractable pitch and roof, there are few stadiums like the Santiago Bernabeu.

An arena every football fan would love to visit, the home of Real Madrid is an unbelievable venue.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Statistics

Year Opened

1947

Capacity

85,000

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9 Allianz Arena

Team: Real Madrid

An incredible stadium, home to Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena is a beautiful stadium.

Inside, the picturesque pitch and seat designs leave fans in awe, with a large Bayern badge printed on the seats, which stands out from a mile away. Yet perhaps the most amazing part of the Allianz Arena is the exterior. Designed by the architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, the stadium features 2,800 air cushions, which have LED lights underneath and can display 16 million different colours. On a match day, the stadium lights up red, which is a sight to behold.

A beautiful stadium, home to one of the world’s best teams, the Allianz Arena is a unique and mesmerising arena.

Allianz Arena Statistics

Year Opened

2005

Capacity

75,024

8 Wembley Stadium

Team: England

After deciding to leave the old Wembley, England had to create a venue fit for an ever-improving nation, which would also be hosting international tournaments and domestic cup finals.

A huge stadium, the largest in the United Kingdom, Wembley Stadium stands out from miles away, and the iconic arch which goes over the stadium adds to the spectacle. The beauty of the stadium is hard to incredible, but the size and magic really add to the beauty.

With a perfect playing surface, which requires constant care and attention, Wembley Stadium always looks pristine and is already a legendary arena.

Wembley Stadium Statistics

Year Opened

2007

Capacity

90,000

Related

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7 Birds Nest Stadium

Team: China

Perhaps less iconic than some of the other stadiums, the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing is truly beautiful.

Opened for the 2008 Olympics, but now being home to the Chinese football team, the Birds Nest Stadium features a unique design, which makes it stand out among the rest. “China wanted to have something new for this very important stadium,” according to the chief architect, Li Xinggang, and that is exactly what they got. Inspired by Chinese ceramics, the exterior of the stadium has a steel frame outside the main stadium structure, which gives the appearance of a bird’s nest. A stadium like no other, China’s Birds Nest Stadium is a thing of beauty.

Birds Nest Stadium Statistics

Year Opened

2008

Capacity

80,000

6 Rheinpark Stadion

Team: Lichtenstein

One of the smallest stadiums on this list, the Rheinpark Stadion, home to the Lichtenstein national team, is incredible.

Situated on the banks of the river Rhine, just on the border of Switzerland, the stadium has some fantastic views. The ground is surrounded by mountains, hills, and even a castle, which makes the all-round spectacle very unique. Although the stadium itself isn’t spectacular, the surrounding area and views from within make it one of the most beautiful stadiums around. It is a venue all football lovers would dream of visiting, as there are few grounds like it.

Rheinpark Stadion Statistics

Year Opened

1998

Capacity

7,584

5 Camp Nou

Team: Barcelona

Currently under construction, the Camp Nou is arguably the most iconic stadium in club football.

Home to Barcelona, the stadium has hosted some of the sports’ best-ever players, as well as some remarkable games. The stadium is the third largest in Europe, and is almost entirely out in the open, with only a small area covered by a roof. With stands that go incredibly high up, the Camp Nou is a sight to behold, not just due to the quality of football on display.

Regularly being updated and renovated to improve and ensure the ground remains one of the best on the planet, the Camp Nou – recognised all across the globe – is one of the sport’s greatest venues.

Camp Nou Statistics

Year Opened

1957

Capacity

99,354

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4 Pancho Arena

Team: Puskas Akademia FC

A small arena in Felcscut, Hungary, the Pancho Arena is remarkable.

Designed by famous Hungarian architect Imre Makovetz, who wanted to give fans a design like no other in sport, the stadium has received plaudits from all that have visited it, due to its sheer beauty. The stadium features fan vaults, spread like tree branches to provide a unique and stunning look. When lit up, the beauty of the ground is even more apparent, and there is no arena quite like it.

It appears almost like a church, which is symbolic of the emotions fans feel when watching their team, and is named after legendary footballer, Ferenc Puskas.

Pancho Arena Statistics

Year Opened

2014

Capacity

3,865

3 The Float at Marina Bay

Team: Various

Although this stadium is not exclusively for football, The Float at Marina Bay is without doubt the most unique stadium on this list.

The multipurpose venue in Singapore was built in the Marina Reservoir, with a large grandstand on the shore. The first football match that was played there was between Tuan Gemuk Athletic and VNNTU FC, in the ESPZEN Sunday League Division One, but it has also hosted a vast number of ceremonies and parades. The arena was sadly demolished in 2023, but the incredible stadium, which could hold the weight of up to 9,000 people, will never be forgotten.

The Float @ Marina Bay Statistics

Year Opened

2007

Capacity

27,000

2 La Bombonera

Team: Boca Juniors

One of football’s most iconic stadiums, La Bombonera is famed for its incredible atmosphere, beautiful design, and historical moments.

Hosting some of the world’s best matches and players, the stadium is seeped in history, but is also stunning to look at. Surrounded by murals of famous players, the stadium has something magical around every corner, and is a dream venue for most football lovers. The stadium, which is entirely open, is unusually shaped, with one stand which covers three quarters of the pitch, and another running the length of the touchline. The shape of the stadium makes for excellent acoustics, and particularly during derby matches against River Plate, it is unbelievably loud.

La Bombonera Statistics

Year Opened

1940

Capacity

57,200

1 Maracana

Team: Flamengo, Fluminese, Brazil

Arguably the most famous and well-known stadium in history, the Maracana is simply incredible.

Built in 1950 in order to host the World Cup final, which Brazil went on to lose, the stadium hosted a record-breaking 173,850 spectators, despite having a capacity of 73,139. Now a multipurpose arena which has hosted concerts and Olympic events, the Maracana is home to all the biggest fixtures in Brazil, and is the third-largest stadium in South America.

With yellow, blue, and green seats to represent the Brazil flag, the stadium’s beauty, alongside its character and history, makes it one of football’s greatest venues. It is often spoken about as the ideal place to play in for players, and as it has hosted over 150,000 on 284 occasions, the ground is simply like no other.

Maracana Statistics

Year Opened

1950

Capacity

73,139

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Source link
October 26, 2024

Jonny Evans Career
Club	Appearances (530) Goals (23) Assists (15)
International	Appearances (107) Goals (6) Assists (3)
Major Trophies	13

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Statistics
Year Opened	1947
Capacity	85,000

Allianz Arena Statistics
Year Opened	2005
Capacity	75,024

Wembley Stadium Statistics
Year Opened	2007
Capacity	90,000

Birds Nest Stadium Statistics
Year Opened	2008
Capacity	80,000

Rheinpark Stadion Statistics
Year Opened	1998
Capacity	7,584

Camp Nou Statistics
Year Opened	1957
Capacity	99,354

Pancho Arena Statistics
Year Opened	2014
Capacity	3,865

The Float @ Marina Bay Statistics
Year Opened	2007
Capacity	27,000

La Bombonera Statistics
Year Opened	1940
Capacity	57,200

Maracana Statistics
Year Opened	1950
Capacity	73,139

10 Greatest British Set-Piece Specialists in Football History [Ranked]

There aren’t many things sweeter in football than a well-executed set-piece that sees the ball nestle into the back of the net and break the deadlock in a tight game. Every England fan will remember exactly where they were when Kieran Trippier’s immaculate free-kick opened the scoring against Croatia during the 2018 World Cup, and the same goes for Wales fans celebrating Gareth Bale’s opener from a dead ball situation against Slovakia at Euro 2016.

Teams that focus on perfecting the art of a set piece are often scoffed at and dismissed as playing ‘anti-football’, but in reality, it’s a facet of the game that can give you a major advantage if well worked on. Given British football’s reputation as a physical, blood and thunder game, it’s only right that the small island nation has produced some of the most effective set-piece specialists of all time, designed to feed the combative specimens crowing the box.

From Leighton Baines to David Beckham, here are the top ten greatest set-piece specialists in British football history.

British Football’s Greatest Ever Full-backs
Rank	Player	Career Span
1	David Beckham	1992-2013
2	James Ward-Prowse	2011-Present
3	Trent Alexander-Arnold	2016-Present
4	Frank Lampard	1995-2016
5	Steven Gerrard	1998-2016
6	Leighton Baines	2002-2020
7	Glenn Hoddle	1975-1995
8	Gareth Bale	2006-2023
9	Jamie Redknapp	1990-2005
10	Sir Bobby Charlton	1956-1980

10 Sir Bobby Charlton

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks and corners

The great Sir Bobby Charlton was perhaps one of the first real set-piece specialists, arguably making him a pioneer in this field. Renowned for his technical quality and powerful shooting, the Manchester United legend’s expert ability from free-kicks was an integral part of his repertoire, and a significant contributor to his elite output.

Scoring from five direct free-kicks in his illustrious career, at a time when the success rate from these situations was much lower, Charlton was more well-known for his inch-perfect delivery from corners and wide free-kicks. Generating several assists from these moments, the pace and accuracy of his dead-ball crosses from wide areas were a weapon for the dominant United side of the 1950s, creating chaos in opposition boxes.

9 Jamie Redknapp

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks

While injuries may have hindered much of his playing career, Jamie Redknapp developed a knack for curling the ball around the wall and into the back of the net from free-kicks around the area. The outspoken pundit did this nine times in the Premier League, a rate bettered by just two Brits in the division’s history.

Technically clean, Redknapp’s ball-striking was most vividly on display from dead-ball situations, when his fragile body had time to measure itself and connect sweetly with the ball. The bend the former Liverpool man was able to generate on his free-kicks was audacious, and may have been as well documented as the notorious Beckham Bend, had he been able to remain on the pitch for more of his career and showcase this unique ability more frequently.

8 Gareth Bale

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks and corners

A man whose supreme technical ability needs no introduction, but the quality of his set pieces went under the radar. Gareth Bale opened his North London Derby account for Tottenham with a sensational free-kick that caught Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia out at his near post in 2007. His second goal in professional football, it was a sign of things to come.

Developing a reputation as a ‘knuckleball specialist’, Bale netted 12 direct free-kicks throughout his prodigious career, most of which followed this distinctive technique. Also capable of whipping inviting corners into dangerous areas on a persistent basis, the serial Champions League winners’ deal-ball prowess was perhaps underrated due to the absurd quality he provided in other facets of the game, and due to Cristiano Ronaldo hogging the scenarios in his time at Real Madrid.

7 Glenn Hoddle

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks and corners

Glenn Hoddle playing for Tottenham Hotspur

Celebrated for his gracefulness and ability to glide across the pitch, which predated the era he was playing in, Glenn Hoddle’s eloquence extended to his set pieces. Scoring 14 free-kicks throughout his distinguished career, the Tottenham legend’s superpower from dead balls was actually his playmaking.

Swinging delightful balls into the mixer, with physical brutes battling for the ball in the box during the 80s, set-piece coaches of today’s jobs would be made a lot simpler if they had a player capable of the quality of deliveries Hoddle was able to produce. The ex-England manager’s innate ability to find a teammate in a congested penalty area from the corner spot was unparalleled in his time.

6 Leighton Baines

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks, corners and penalties

While Leighton Baines was certainly an astute defender and a very effective full-back on his day, it was set-piece mastery that set him apart from most players in his position. With free-kicks, corners and penalties all part of his repertoire, the Everton legend managed four seasons between 2010 and 2014 where he netted five times or more from left-back.

The majority of these goals were sourced by exceptional execution from dead-ball scenarios. Converting six direct free-kicks in the Premier League, 26 out of 29 penalties and numerous assists from corners, the marauding full-back was as deadly as anyone from these positions – and has the third-most assists as a defender in Premier League history. His abruptly powerful strike away at Newcastle in 2013, lacing through the ball, springs to mind as one of Baines’ most iconic goals.

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5 Steven Gerrard

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks and penalties

Another who made his name on Merseyside and whose most notable free-kick goal was at St. James’ Park, Steven Gerrard’s sublime technique meant he was always likely to be effective in these situations, while his temperament and composure lent itself to specialising in penalty-taking. While aided by a minor tee-up from a teammate, Gerrard leathered the ball beyond Shay Given in one of the most venerated free-kicks in Premier League history on Tyneside in November 2007.

This wasn’t his only rodeo in this regard, as the legendary Liverpool midfielder mastered the art of the pile driver presented to him by short layoff into his stride, while he also perfected the cheeky curl around the wall to the goalkeepers near post. One of the most potent from 12 yards as well, Gerrard converted 46 of his 56 penalty kicks.

4 Frank Lampard

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks, corners and penalties

Frank Lampard celebrates scoring for Chelsea.

Perhaps not as pronounced in this realm as many, Frank Lampard’s superb ability from dead balls is evidenced in the numbers. Scoring nine direct free-kicks in his Premier League career, level with Redknapp and behind just two other Brits, the Chelsea hero managed to contact the ball in a way that deceived goalkeepers with unusual movement whilst in the air, on a consistent basis.

Not only that, but the England international’s delivery was so good, that he profited from wide free-kicks bypassing the melee in the box and going all the way in without a touch on numerous occasions. Also dependable from the spot, Lampard slotted home 60 penalties throughout his career, only missing eleven.

3 Trent Alexander-Arnold

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks and corners

Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Liverpool

Possibly the most creative defender of all time, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s extraordinary technical quality and expansive passing range is like nothing we’ve seen before from a right-back. The modern-day Beckham, the 26-year-old has everything the glamorous superstar had – the crossing, the passing, the vision, and of course, the set-piece quality.

The defender with the most assists in Premier League history, Alexander-Arnold is capable of whipping a ball with frightening velocity and accuracy, and does so with ridiculous regularity. His sumptuous top bins effort at Stamford Bridge in Liverpool’s title-winning season is perhaps the most ‘postage stamp’ goal we’ve ever witnessed in the English top flight.

2 James Ward-Prowse

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks, corners and penalties

James Ward-Prowse might be the player that comes to mind for most in the modern day when asked to summon a name associated with being a set-piece specialist. The archetypal, ‘jack of not many trades, but master of one’, Ward-Prowse is certainly a good Premier League footballer, but his free-kick taking is arguably better than almost any other human on the planet.

Sound hyperbolic? Well, in January 2023, Ward-Prowse’s conversion rate from direct free-kicks (only including players who have attempted 35 free-kicks or more) was greater than any other player in world football. Not even Lionel Messi could match his 21.4% success rate. Taking 70 by this point, he’d netted 15, a sample size large enough to demonstrate that he can reliably get the ball past the goalkeeper from dead-ball scenarios.

Preventing him from taking top spot is the only British footballer to have scored more free-kicks than him in Premier League history…

10 Greatest Set Piece Specialists in Football History [Ranked]

From David Beckham’s curling free-kicks to Roberto Carlos’ dagger of a left foot, here are the greatest set piece takers in history.

1 David Beckham

Set-piece speciality: Free-kicks and corners

When you have a film title referencing your ability from free-kicks, it’s probably safe to say you were a specialist at said facet of the game. ‘Bend it like Beckham’ was not only a blockbuster hit, it was also a culturally significant term used in Britain throughout the former Manchester United star’s playing career, and for years after.

Evidently synonymous with bending the ball around a wall from dead-ball situations, Beckham was perhaps one of the first footballers who really, truly perfected the art of a free-kick. When opposition teams committed a foul in a dangerous position against a team containing Beckham, there was almost a resignation that they’d already conceded.

Carefully placed strikes, focusing on the accurate details relating to accuracy, were his trademark, and he finished his career with 18 direct free-kick goals in the Premier League. Aside from Trippier’s effort against Croatia, his strike against Greece in 2001 that sent England to the 2002 World Cup is comfortably the most iconic English free-kick goal of all time.

With the game poised at 2-1 to the Greeks, and England seconds from missing out on the major tournament, the maverick winger stepped up and… you know the rest.

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October 17, 2024

10 Most Valuable Pairs of Brothers in Football for 2024/25 [Ranked]

Key Takeaways

From Gary and Phil Neville to Frank and Ronald De Boer, brotherly pairings in the world of football have been around for years.
There are a plethora of pairs of siblings, such as the Bellinghams and Mbappes, that are currently plying their trade in football’s current form.
A list of the top 30 highest-valued pairs of brothers have been named by Transfermarkt – here’s the top 10.

For many parents, having their offspring sign a professional contract in football is the greatest thing that can happen – but imagine that happening on two occasions. In fact, there are a plethora of brothers who are taking the beautiful game by the scruff of its neck at the time of writing.

Over the years, the Nevilles, Laudrups and De Boers of the world have become synonymous for being the best brotherly pairings to ever grace the game – but in the modern world, there are plenty who are carrying the torch in the sport’s modern form.

From the likes of Inaki and Nico Williams to Ethan and Kylian Mbappe – perhaps it’s the competitive nature within families that has made all manner of brothers such a force to be reckoned with at the pinnacle of the sport.

Courtesy of the folks over at Transfermarkt, a list of the top 30 most valuable pairs of brothers have been compiled – and here at GIVEMEPSORT, we’ve provided a rundown of the top 10.

1 Jude and Jobe Bellingham

Combined market value: £159.96 million

Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham has thrived in the spotlight since moving from Germany to Spain and is, behind Erling Haaland, the second-most valuable footballer in the world at £149.96 million. Stourbridge-born, what he can go on to achieve is scary – as is his rise to the top of the game.

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Poised to follow in the footsteps of his brother, the Sunderland star and one of the Championship’s poster boys is his younger brother: Jobe Bellingham. The young midfielder is a mainstay at his current employers, despite his tender age of 19, and is valued at 10 million. That price, however, could rise exponentially in years to come.

Jude and Jobe Bellingham – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Jude	Jobe
Market value	£149.96 million	£10 million
Club	Real Madrid	Sunderland
Games	5	9
Goals	0	1
Assists	1	1

2 Kylian and Ethan Mbappe

Combined market value: £151.63 million

After one of football’s longest ever transfer sagas was wrapped up in the summer with Kylian Mbappe finally putting pen to paper on a switch to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain, the talismanic Frenchman – widely considered as one of the best footballers in the world – is valued at a monstrous £149.96 million.

His brother, Ethan, also switched clubs in the summer. Albeit less documented, there is still a plethora of excitement surrounding the Montreuil-born ace, who plays in the engine room. Still just 17 years of age, he has endured his injury struggles since moving to LOSC Lille but has played 80 minutes of action thus far.

Kylian and Ethan Mbappe – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Kylian	Ethan
Market value	£149.95 million	£1.67 million
Club	Real Madrid	LOSC Lille
Games	8	3
Goals	5	0
Assists	1	0

3 Theo and Lucas Hernandez

Combined market value: £83.31 million

Both Theo and Lucas Hernandez have enjoyed glittering careers at the top of the game – but who is valued the most between the two? The former has emerged as one of the best left-backs in world football over the last couple of campaigns and, as a result, is valued around the £50 million mark.

Interestingly, the latter – who has turned out for both Bayern Munich and PSG throughout his career in top flight football, is worth less. In 2024/25 alone, the £33.32 million-worth defender is yet to play thanks to a cruciate ligament tear but is expected to return to action at the turn of the year, ready and raring to go in the French capital.

Theo and Lucas Hernandez – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Theo	Lucas
Market value	£49.98 million	£33.32 million
Club	AC Milan	Paris Saint-Germain
Games	7	0
Goals	2	0
Assists	2	0

4 Marcus and Khephren Thuram

Combined market value: £83.31 million

Inter Milan marksman Marcus Thuram has taken Italian football – and in particular, the summit of Serie A – by storm since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2023. In 2024/25 alone, the 26-cap France international has plundered seven goals in as many games, forming a threatening partnership with Lautaro Martinez.

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His brother, 22-year-old Khephren Thuram, joined Juventus in a career-defining move in the summer just gone after being chased by Premier League juggernauts Manchester United and Liverpool. The central midfielder’s start to life in Turin hasn’t gone swimmingly with him on the periphery of Thiago Motta’s thinking – but alas, he’s still worth £29.16 million.

Marcus and Khephren Thuram – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Marcus	Khephren
Market value	£54.15 million	£29.16 million
Club	Inter Milan	Juventus
Games	7	5
Goals	7	0
Assists	3	1

5 Nico and Inaki Williams

Combined market value: £79.14 million

The only pair of brothers who currently play for the same team are Pamplona-born duo Nico and Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao – a club they have both represented ahead of making big-money moves to some of Europe’s elite. The latter has paved the way for the former, who is set to become one of Spain’s leading talismen in years to come after his Euro 2024 exploits.

Nico, regarded as one of the best dribblers in world football, is still just 22 years of age and currently boasts a market value of £58.31 million. Inaki, eight years his brother’s senior, is still worth £20.83 million, per Transfermarkt’s calculations, but there is every chance that he finishes his career in La Liga with his current employers.

Nico and Inaki Williams – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Nico	Inaki
Market value	£58.31 million	£20.83 million
Club	Athletic Bilbao	Athletic Bilbao
Games	7	9
Goals	1	1
Assists	0	4

6 Alexis and Kevin Mac Allister

Combined market value: £67.48 million

Alexis Mac Allister’s £35 million-worth move to Liverpool is, by the day, looking ever so close to being one of the bargains of recent windows given how pivotal he has become for the Reds – alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. So much so that he is currently valued at 62.48 million, but if a club were interested, it would cost much more.

The 2022 World Cup winner went toe to toe with his brother Kevin Mac Allister in his side’s 2023/24 Europa League campaign and came out victorious – with their respective careers reaching different heights. Kevin, who is a regular for Belgian’s top tier outfit Union Saint-Gilloise, is valued at £5 million if any teams decide to take a punt on his services based on his younger brother’s exploits.

Alexis and Kevin Mac Alllister – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Alexis	Kevin
Market value	£62.48 million	£5 million
Club	Liverpool	Union Saint-Gilloise
Games	7	9
Goals	0	1
Assists	0	0

7 Luis and Jesus Diaz

Combined market value: £66.77 million

Liverpool and Colombia star Luis Diaz has begun the 2024/25 Premier League campaign like no other – notching five goals and the solitary assist in the Reds’ opening seven games, helping them to a spot at the top of the table. A feared winger in England’s top division, the 27-year-old has a market value of £66.64 million.

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Jesus Diaz, who is Luis’ younger brother, plays in his native Colombia for second tier outfit Barranquilla FC and, expectedly, his value is dwarfed by his siblings. Relatively unknown, the winger – who has failed to contribute to a goal in six outings this term – is worth a paltry £124,960.

Luis and Jesus Diaz – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Luiz	Jesus
Market value	£66.64 million	£124,960
Club	Liverpool	Barranquilla FC
Games	7	6
Goals	5	0
Assists	1	0

8 Jurrien and Quinten Timber

Combined market value: £60.82 million

As the first twins on the list, Jurrien and Quinten Timber are two of the most exciting prospects in Europe. The former got his big break in the summer of 2023, transferring to a title-chasing Arsenal before tearing his ACL on his debut, while the latter is quickly becoming a fan favourite for Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord.

Arsenal ace Timber – valued at £31.66 million – looks set to become one of the best full-backs in the league, permitting he remains fit. Quinten, a four-cap Netherlands international, is worth slightly less than his brother – £29.16 million – but has plenty of time to increase his value in the coming seasons.

Jurrien and Quinten Timber – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Jurrien	Quinten
Market value	£31.66 million	£29.16 million
Club	Arsenal	Feyenoord
Games	6	7
Goals	0	2
Assists	1	0

9 Rasmus and Oscar Hojlund

Combined market value: £55.82 million

A divisive figure among Manchester United fans, Rasmus Hojlund has endured his fair share of struggles at Old Trafford since joining from Atalanta. The Dane has notched 17 goals and a further two assists in his 48-game career for his current employers and is still valued highly at £54.15 million.

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Oscar Hojlund is much less known among Premier League fans with him plying his trade for Eintracht Frankfurt. The 19-year-old central midfielder, who has plenty of years left in the tank, is currently struggling for game time in Germany but, on talent alone, is worth £1.67 million – a figure which could rise in the next few years.

Rasmus and Oscar Hojlund – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Rasmus	Oscar
Market value	£54.15 million	£1.67 million
Club	Manchester Utd	Eintracht Frankfurt
Games	3	1
Goals	0	0
Assists	0	0

10 Leroy and Sidi Sane

Combined market value: £50.28 million

Leroy Sane, a two-time Premier League winner with Manchester City, is a man who needs no introduction. Currently valued at just shy of £50 million – £49.98m, to be precise – the German winger is now in the Bundesliga plying his trade for Bayern Munich in a squad packed to the brim with talent.

His lesser-known brother, Sidi, is practically an unknown quantity in the world of football but has the chance, at such a young age, to grow. Valued at £350,000 by Transfermarkt, the 21-year-old is also a winger – much like Leroy – and earns his corn for Bundesliga 2 side Braunschweig after signing on a free from Schalke in the summer of 2023.

Leroy and Sidi Sane – 24/25 League Statistics
Statistic	Leroy	Sidi
Market value	£49.98 million	£291,570
Club	Bayern Munich	Braunschweig
Games	2	0
Goals	0	0
Assists	0	0

All market values and statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 15/10/24

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October 16, 2024

Steve Bruce Career
Club	Appearances (393) Goals (47) Assists (6)
International	Appearances (0) Goals (0) Assists (0)
Major Trophies	12

Chris Iwelumo Career
Club	Appearances (476) Goals (109) Assists (28)
International	Appearances (4) Goals (0) Assists (0)
Major Trophies	1

Gareth Southgate Career
Club	Appearances (556) Goals (19) Assists (11)
International	Appearances (57) Goals (2) Assists (0)
Major Trophies	2

Gareth Bale Career
Club	Appearances (554) Goals (185) Assists (132)
International	Appearances (111) Goals (40) Assists (22)
Major Trophies	19

Jordan Henderson Career
Club	Appearances (628) Goals (39) Assists (82)
International	Appearances (81) Goals (3) Assists (11)
Major Trophies	8

Harry Maguire Career
Club	Appearances (548) Goals (33) Assists (27)
International	Appearances (64) Goals (7) Assists (2)
Major Trophies	2

David Beckham Career
Club	Appearances (720) Goals (127) Assists (225)
International	Appearances (115) Goals (17) Assists (42)
Major Trophies	21

Emile Heskey Career
Club	Appearances (742) Goals (154) Assists (61)
International	Appearances (62) Goals (7) Assists (12)
Major Trophies	8

Raheem Sterling Career
Club	Appearances (556) Goals (174) Assists (104)
International	Appearances (82) Goals (20) Assists (27)
Major Trophies	12

Tag: Ranked

10 Most Intimidating Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]

10 Cairo International Stadium

Team: Egypt

9 Camp Nou

Team: Barcelona

Stunning New Images of Barcelona’s £1.25bn Redesigned Camp Nou Emerge

8 Celtic Park

Team: Celtic

Ranking the 11 Best Stadium Atmospheres in World Football

7 Ibrox

Team: Rangers

6 Santiago Bernabeu

Team: Real Madrid

Every Champions League Stadium Ranked From Worst to Best

5 Anfield

Team: Liverpool

The History of Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium (Complete Guide)

4 Signal Iduna Park

Team: Borussia Dortmund

Camp Nou, Wembley, Westfalenstadion, San Siro: The 20 best stadiums in Europe named in study

3 Raiko Mitic Stadium

Team: Red Star Belgrade

2 Rams Park

Team: Galatasaray

1 La Bombonera

Team: Boca Juniors

Ranking the 20 Best Stadiums in World Football (2024)

9 Greatest Strike Partnerships in Football History (Ranked)

Key Takeaways

Ronaldo & Benzema, Cisse & Ba: 15 greatest strike partnerships of 21st century

Ranking Factors

9 Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi

1997-2001

8 Hristo Stoichkov and Romario

1993-1995

7 Ronaldo and Raul

2002-2007

6 Kevin Keegan and John Toshack

1971-1977

5 Hugo Sanchez and Emilio Butragueno

1985-1992

4 Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp

1999-2006

Top 5 Dennis Bergkamp Premier League goals ranked

3 Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke

1998-2001

2 Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush

1980-1987, 1988-1990

10 Greatest Liverpool Attackers in History [Ranked]

1 Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit

1987-1993

10 Least Intimidating Stadiums in British Football History [Ranked]

Key Takeaways

Ranking Factors

10 Emirates Stadium

Arsenal

Brentford

8 Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth

10 Most ‘Beautiful’ Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]

7 The Madejski Stadium

Reading

6 Vicarage Road

Watford

5 Pirelli Stadium

Burton Albion

Presenter Ranks Top 10 Stadiums in English Football After Visiting All 92

4 St. Mary’s Stadium

Southampton

3 Carrow Road

Norwich City

2 Stadium MK

MK Dons

1 Craven Cottage

Fulham

Every Premier League Stadium Ranked From Best to Worst

10 Greatest Irish Managers in Football History [Ranked]

Key Takeaways

10 Brian Kerr