26 Jun 2018 06:36:52
To everyone, my question is why defenders and GK is overlooked whenever we are discussing about GOAT? . Many will say that we are lucky enough to watch Messi and Ronaldo. Come on what about the unbelievable saves of Neur, buffoon. And defenders like Nesta, Maldini, Lahm and Carlos.

1.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 07:48:32
Not to mention René Higuita, Lev Yashin, Ray Clemence, Beckenbauer, Fernando Hierro and Javier Zanetti etc etc, Roberto Carlos is a good shout, I loved him. GK's and defenders do always get overlooked, well apart from when Lev Yashin won the Balon d'Or that is lol but I doubt we'll ever see a Keeper or a defender win that again.

2.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 07:48:55
Because players like Maradona could single handedly win matches and trophies due to what they did on the pitch. No goalkeeper or defender can do that. There have been many fantastic world class defensive players but none that single handedly won trophies.

3.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 07:53:44
Totally agree with you. But for some reason I just hate this GOAT acronym.

4.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 07:57:14
Three reasons, the first is that it's much easier to quantify how good a player is in relation to scoring goals than it is keeping theny out. The second is that it's much easier to demonstrate individual skill in an attacking context, defence has a heavier reliance on teamwork. Third is that football is fundamentally about scoring goals so the people who contribute most to that are the most celebrated.

5.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 07:57:36
My guess would be because people are influenced by favouritism (myself included) . When discussing who you think is the best, most people will be swayed slightly by who you enjoyed watching the most. Defenders and goalkeepers aren't entertaining enough to be remembered as well as a flying winger, a lethal striker, or a silky midfielder.

An alternative reason why is the widely accepted view that the hardest part of football is putting the ball in the net, and that defending is more about tactics and discipline, than actual skill. I tend to disagree with this because I think defending is an art in its own right but it could be a factor as to why more forwards are picked in these discussions.

Ultimately, football is about entertainment. We all want to see goals. So you are unlikely to find many people who favour players whose aim is to make the game as boring as possible!

6.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 08:02:43
It's a show, and people who make it interesting are going to be focused on more.
That being said, I just don't see any defenders being at the level of Ronaldo and Messi. Could say de gea or nueur are close to it - nueur came third in the balon d'or a few years back - but I'd argue since Lahm, I don't think we've had anyone who we would say he is the best rb/ lb/ CB in the world right now.

7.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 08:10:57
Because we all love watching football for the goals and attacking play, like Robertson said “nobody wants a left backs shirt”.

8.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 08:57:31
Because the best fowards can show their ability week in week out. The best defenders can only really show the full extent of their ability against the best forwards. Scoring 3 against anyone, even someone a division lower, is an achievement. A shut out against someone a division lower is an expectation. The bar is just so much higher for defenders that they are unlikely to ever climb over it - although if the European breakaway happens and essentially the worlds best forwards are all assembled in one league, it might change that slightly.

9.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 09:01:04
Yeah defending needs team work. But learning the game and tackling at right minute is a skill which not everyone have. I think its just the way the batsman are more celebrated than bowlers in cricket.

10.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 10:18:06
As regards to the ballon D’or surely the winner of the World Cup will play massively into this. If Spain win the World Cup then Iniesta would be a massive shout as along with a domestic double their may be a slightly nostalgic vote for him. Likewise Ramos could be an option. Obviously you have Ronaldo if Portugal win or he wins golden boot. Looks unlikely Argentina do much but if they do you have Messi. How about Croatia doing well then Modric who was arguably Madrid’s best player last year. France then you could argue Greizmann after his goals in the Europa League. England and Kane if he wind golden boot. Brazil and Neymar ( even though he’s been shocking in fist 2 games)
Personally would love to see Iniesta win it. He should’ve had it back in 2010 not Messi.

11.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 13:37:09
Surprised lev yashin won the balon d'or, I didn't know that. Football is all about putting the ball in the net so those who try to stop that happening are just as important. Anyone who's played football however will know that your most skillful players are played further up the park, your most intelligent players in midfield and the big boys at the back.

12.) 26 Jun 2018
26 Jun 2018 16:53:35
Yes, PH he won it in 1963 mate, the first and only goalkeeper to ever win it. Ed1 may correct me here but I think there's only 4 defensive players who have ever won the Balon D'or. Lev Yashin, Matthias Sammer, Franz Beckenbauer and Fabio Cannavaro.

13.) 27 Jun 2018
27 Jun 2018 10:23:31
Lothar Mathaus I’m pretty sure won it after Italia 90.