A one-club-man is a difficult thing to come by these days in modern era of world football.
Competitive leagues, increasing wages and the ease of travel have all contributed to players more often than not spending their career at multiple clubs, and often across different countries and even continents.
There are, however, some that still belong in the minute band of the ‘one-club-man’. A prime example of this is Manchester United and Wales legend Ryan Giggs, who spent the entirety of his 24-year-old professional career at Old Trafford.
With nearly 1,000 appearances and 168 goals for the Red Devils, Giggs holds the prestigious record of being the most decorated footballer in history with 34 trophies, and has a few more records to boot, too, including the most assists for a Premier League player and the most appearances in the division.
To celebrate the Man United legend’s 43rd birthday at the end of this month, FFC has put together the greatest one-club (or near enough) XI of all time. What do you think?
Goalkeeper
131 goals in over 1,200 appearances. Yes, that’s right. And yes, I am talking about a goalkeeper. Sao Paulo’s legendary shot-stopper Rogerio Ceni is perhaps better remembered for his unbelievable goalscoring record than his ability between the sticks, but that should not negate his record as a ‘keeper.
The Brazilian was Sao Paulo’s No.1 for two-and-a-half decades and was named Brazil’s Player of the Year on two occasions, despite only making 16 international appearances.
Defence
It is difficult to think of full-backs who played for only one club, however, when it comes to centre-halves there are an abundance that creates a slight dilemma.
Let us start with Paolo Maldini, AC Milan’s greatest player of all time and and Italy legend. Il Capitano is Serie A’s leading appearance maker, holds the record for the most minutes ever played in World Cup competitions and has seven Scudettos to his name.
Alongside the Italian is another legend of the game, but this time from Barcelona: Carles Puyol. World Cup winner, European Championship winner, Champions League winner and La Liga title holder. There is nothing in the game the Spaniard hasn’t won, and he was arguably the back-bone in the two greatest teams – Barcelona and Spain – of the modern football era.
Captain. Leader. Legend. John Terry may not have the most fantastic reputation off the pitch, however the Englishman is without doubt one of the Premier League’s greatest ever defenders, and his boot-boy to Champions League winning captain story is something of fairytale.
Midfield
The first of our two holding midfielders is Steven Gerrard, who recently announced his retirement from the beautiful game after his brief spell in MLS with LA Galaxy. Bending the rules slightly, Gerrard will forever be remembered as a Liverpool great and a stand-out player for the Reds over the past two decades, even when those around him couldn’t quite cut it.
Alongside him is Daniele De Rossi. Still only 33-yers-old, it seems the Italian midfielder has been around forever, yet he is still plying his trade in Serie A with Roma, who currently sit second in the table. De Rossi will hope this season will bring his first Serie A title, having finished second a depressing seven times.
Ahead of them in attacking midfield is Barcelona’s little magician Andres Iniesta. A man who can count himself unfortunate never to have been a Balon d’Or award, the Spaniard’s Zinedine Zidane-esque grace on the pitch means he always looks – well, is – one step ahead of his opponents.
On one flank we have Giggs himself, and the other, do I need even say? The greatest to ever grace a football field, Lionel Messi is beyond description. The Argentine wizard is a pleasure to watch and always has been, both on the club stage with Barcelona and the international one, despite Argentina not being able to replicate the success of past years.
Strikers
Italy legend Francesco Totti, despite not being an out-and-out striker makes the cut up front. The now 40-year-old holds practically every record in Roma’s history book, including goals scored (306) and appearance maker (768), and is still yet to announce his retirement from the game.
Totti’s partner up top is another who may not be an forward by nature, but arguably could have been: Matt Le Tissier. Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most under-rated and overlooked players of his generation, Le Tissier – who spent his whole career at Southampton – was perhaps better suited to football on the continent. Classy, elegant and always with time on his hands, Le Tiss is the Saints’ all time leading scorer.