How do you define a "world class" player......?

[Four2Three1©]

The term "world Class may or may not be banded about too regularly these days....

But some of the ideas people often mention:
1) Legends of the game (the likes of Cruyff, Pele, Maradona)
2) The current world XI.
3) The top few in each position.
4) A player who would get into every side in world football.
5) A player who has played a major role in winning the major trophies on the biggest stages.
6) A player who has, in more than one top-level league, played to the highest quality consistently.
7) A player who has retired and left a legacy behind.

Maybe you don't even feel there are world class players...
Maybe you feel there is simply world class form...
Or maybe you have a totally different understanding of the term.

I guess essentially, nobody has the correct answer, but it would be great to get a good discussion going...
...How do YOU define "World Class", and why?

 

[MrToontastic]

World Class is purely form based,

e.g.Ronaldinho was once said to be "World Class" now it seems he was a good player in a rich vein of form.

To be truly "World Class" you have to have the ability and mind set to continue this World Class form for a prolonged period of time, these are what I'd regard as the highest level players e.g. Di Stefano, Maradonna, Pele, Cruyff, Ronaldo(Luís Nazário de Lima), Shearer, Raul.

Some players that are regarded as average can be in good form and wrongly be branded World Class e.g. Kevin Phillips, James Beattie and Michael Ricketts, they all produced some World Class form in their time but I'm sure everyone in the whole world would agree that they are far from World Class players.

Also, surely you can only be branded as World Class when your career is over? I would say the term World Class, when referring to a player directly, can only be used in the past tense. A player cannot be World Class but can have been World Class. (If you get my meaning on this one)

Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi could be the next players finsih their career's and join this World Class group!

 

[Four2Three1©]

World Class is purely form based,

e.g.Ronaldinho was once said to be "World Class" now it seems he was a good player in a rich vein of form.

To be truly "World Class" you have to have the ability and mind set to continue this World Class form for a prolonged period of time, these are what I'd regard as the highest level players e.g. Di Stefano, Maradonna, Pele, Cruyff, Ronaldo(Luís Nazário de Lima), Shearer, Raul.

Some players that are regarded as average can be in good form and wrongly be branded World Class e.g. Kevin Phillips, James Beattie and Michael Ricketts, they all produced some World Class form in their time but I'm sure everyone in the whole world would agree that they are far from World Class players.

Also, surely you can only be branded as World Class when your career is over? I would say the term World Class, when referring to a player directly, can only be used in the past tense. A player cannot be World Class but can have been World Class. (If you get my meaning on this one)

Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi could be the next players finsih their career's and join this World Class group!

Thank you for posting.
Very interesting points raised, Whilst I have never heard Phillips, or Beattie referred to as world class players, I agree with your logic. I was having a discussion with friends the other day about how I felt Adebayor is a good striker (not a world class one) who had a couple of extremely fruitful/world class seasons, Likewise Rooney. These two are players who I have heard labelled as world class.

Out of interest, would you label Messi world Class? Or would you judge this at the end of his career. As of course, there is every chance his career could falter like Ronaldinho's.

The names you mentioned;Di Stefano, Maradonna, Pele, Cruyff, Ronaldo(Luís Nazário de Lima), Shearer, Raul, they are a select few. Would, for example, Cannavaro make the list, once he retires? If you were to compare Cannavaro to the likes of Pele people would laugh, but he meets your criteria, surely?
If not what sets him apart from that list?
What constitutes to the highest level of players in your eyes?

Or if Xavi were to end his career tomorrow, what would he qualify as? An extremely good player, or a world class one? He has played a big part in one the greatest club teams of all time, won all of the major trophies, and has undoubted quality and influence. What, if anything, would stand him apart from the names in your list?

You said "e.g." so I don't know if there would be more on your list, but, would, for example, Bergkamp? If not, what sets him apart from Shearer in your eyes? Records? Accolades? Goals?

 

[Four2Three1©]

Also, interestingly, your list contains only attacking midfielders and forwards...
Would you not class any defensive players as having been world class?

 

[MrToontastic]

What constitutes to the highest level of players in your eyes?

It's hard to explain but I think it's someone who delivered greatness for most, if not all their career. e.g. Giggs(is there a better example?)

Would you not class any defensive players as having been world class?

For sure there are World Class players that played in defensive positions, e.g. Maldini, Matthaus, Dunga, Schmeichel.

Out of interest, would you label Messi world Class? Or would you judge this at the end of his career.

He can surely only be judged once his career is over. Don't get me wrong, he is producing World Class performances now and looks odds on to join the elite group. As is Cristiano Ronaldo.

if Xavi were to end his career tomorrow, what would he qualify as?

It's a tough one, he very borderline for me but if he were to end his career tomorrow I would say he was World Class!

I don't know if there would be more on your list, but, would, for example, Bergkamp?

I like Bergkamp, mainly because he has scored my favourite Premier League goal so far. That flick around Dabizas against us was absolute genius. Unfortunately, Bergkamp misses out on World Class status due to the fact he wasn't what most remember him for when at Inter Milan and he never tested himself in Europe enough because of his ridiculous fear of flying. He didn't have that prolonged era of World Class performances that someone like Raul had!

Would, for example, Cannavaro make the list, once he retires?

Cannavaro is already crowned with the title of being World Class by many people, I wouldn't disagree with these people and go as far to say he is/was one of the best defenders there ever has been.

Shearer
The reason regard Shearer as World Class is because he scored goals throughout his career, even at a very young age at Southampton and in an average Newcastle side (some seasons). Just imagine if his heart never ruled his head, he would have easily scored many many more goals at Manchester United with the midfield supply they had during the years of 1996-2004. Scary!

P.S. When I say, "can only be judged when their career is over", I mean when it's theoretically over not actually done and dusted. Raul and Cannavaro are still playing but I already say they are World Class.

 

[Four2Three1©]

Interesting points, most of which I agree with.
I will ask you one thing though.
You define it as: "someone who delivered greatness for most, if not all their career"
But what is this "greatness"?
I could argue Gerrard has delivered greatness for most of his career, yet I doubt you would label him "world class"
What exactly makes him not as world class a Giggs for example? Legacy?
I know it's probably a hard question to answer lol...

I also feel some of the views on this topic are ruined by nostalgia.
People are always quick to mention the likes of Pele, Maradona, and Cruyff. But if you were to place them with even players as special as Henry, or Zidane they would disagree.

I personally feel there is almost a "legends of the game" status, Where the likes of Pele etc. are.
But, I myself, am not even sure whether there is such a thing as a world class player. It is so complicated, For me it must be more of a player by player analysis, no comparison to another player involved.

For example Van Nistelrooy, has not the weapons at Henry's disposal, in a playing sense, but has scored as many goals per game, if not more, but I rate Henry more highly.
For me it's that magic, that impact, that a player can do something so out of this world yet it fails to suprise you.

Maybe it's a case of "you know a world class player when you see one"
Or Maybe, all current top players are world class, and the players we have mentioned are more "icons"
I honestly have no idea...


*Also, lots of people have had a look at the article, so feel free to comment, would be good to hear lots of views....*

 

[Steevee]

How do you define a "world class" player......?


That easy. ONE WORD...
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. BENDTNER

 

[Optimistic & English]

The whole idea is complete rubbish if you ask me, i dopnt like the idea of setting patricular players appart from the team, ultimatly when was the last time you heard of a "world class player" playing in a team that really was in the dumps, you wont as it'll never work great players require other good players to do a job around them, sure they'll have some stand out perfomnaces that really set them appart, for example scoring a few goals or an outstanding goalkeeping perfomance etc, however the concept is flawed by my view.

Ultimatly i would class Barcelona, for expample, as a world class 'team', however i would be much more cautious to refer to any individual players as being world class, why? well by my mind i somehow think that its very easy to assertain this tag of world class playing for a top team, the team is really what amkes the individual players stand out due to how they work together to make space and creat oportunites for each other, e.g. would Leonel Messi score evern half the goals he manges if lets say he was playing for West Ham at this curret moment, of course we'll never know, however i would wager he wouldn't.

My main point behind this is i think you could manage a world class performance, or you can have a world class unit, e.g. attacking unit, midfield, or defence and goalkeeper (combined), however World class players are simply in my opinion the byproduct of a sensationalist and lazy media to wow starstuck fans, ultimatly if you are ever going to be able to class a player as world class or preferably legeneds, you would have to view their career as a whole some time after they completed it to really evaluate what they achieved and how they changed the game, or performed at a greater level, managed great feats, etc.

note: short summary, i don't leik the term "world class" its silly.

 

[Four2Three1©]

The whole idea is complete rubbish if you ask me, i dopnt like the idea of setting patricular players appart from the team, ultimatly when was the last time you heard of a "world class player" playing in a team that really was in the dumps, you wont as it'll never work great players require other good players to do a job around them, sure they'll have some stand out perfomnaces that really set them appart, for example scoring a few goals or an outstanding goalkeeping perfomance etc, however the concept is flawed by my view.

Ultimatly i would class Barcelona, for expample, as a world class 'team', however i would be much more cautious to refer to any individual players as being world class, why? well by my mind i somehow think that its very easy to assertain this tag of world class playing for a top team, the team is really what amkes the individual players stand out due to how they work together to make space and creat oportunites for each other, e.g. would Leonel Messi score evern half the goals he manges if lets say he was playing for West Ham at this curret moment, of course we'll never know, however i would wager he wouldn't.

My main point behind this is i think you could manage a world class performance, or you can have a world class unit, e.g. attacking unit, midfield, or defence and goalkeeper (combined), however World class players are simply in my opinion the byproduct of a sensationalist and lazy media to wow starstuck fans, ultimatly if you are ever going to be able to class a player as world class or preferably legeneds, you would have to view their career as a whole some time after they completed it to really evaluate what they achieved and how they changed the game, or performed at a greater level, managed great feats, etc.

note: short summary, i don't leik the term "world class" its silly.

Thank you for your post
As I have said, I, myself am unsure whether or not the term "world class" is an appropriate one.
Your point if very true, The most talented players do tend to play for the most prestigous and talented teams, and this definately enhances and highlights their reputation, and more often than not their influence and status.
But surely playing and standing out in an unbelievably gifted Barcelona team for example, makes Messi more than just part of a class unit?
That team is full of the most technically gifted and intelligent footballers, yet he stands out heads and shoulders.

Without doubt Pele, Maradona, and Cruyff were sensational players, people often refer to them as "world class" and use them as the standard to measure others. But I would argue they are more than that, they have left behind respective leagcies, and I would personally refer to them as icons. Those are the players who nobody has any doubt over, nobody questions their credentials, or status. I see sense in your post, it is possibly true that, for example "Cole & Yorke" were a "world class partnership. Two good players who when put together were unplayable.

I ask the question because I was watching a re-run of a chelsea game a while back, and the commentator said, "In Michael Essien, Chelsea have a world class midfielder" and it made me really question why he said it, and what he meant by it.

 

[MrToontastic]

I could argue Gerrard has delivered greatness for most of his career, yet I doubt you would label him "world class

I do regard Gerrard as a great player and probably will regard him as World Class, his ability and impact on, not only his own team but the opposing team too is quite frankly devastating. Just loved watching him in his prime a few years back, he's slowly winding down now, unfortunately. He hasn't had this type of impact for a couple of seasons now.

 

[NoNewsNUFC]

To me, a world class player is someone that carries on that form at all levels of the game - someone who can produce top performances against any opposition.

I do not agree 100% that world class of purely form based...are you saying that Torres is not world class? Rooney? Hype is form based, but world class is someone that can perform in the champions league, the domestic league, and at international levelwith the same consistency.

Another question - can a player be world class of he is not playing at the top level? Are there any players who are world class but not playing in the champs league, or even their country?

 

[NoNewsNUFC]

I do regard Gerrard as a great player and probably will regard him as World Class, his ability and impact on, not only his own team but the opposing team too is quite frankly devastating. Just loved watching him in his prime a few years back, he's slowly winding down now, unfortunately. He hasn't had this type of impact for a couple of seasons now.

In my mind there is no doubt that the lad is world class. Theres also no doubt that he is winding down, and is not in the form that he was 2 years ago, but IMO he always has something special in him. There will always be that ability to do something that little bit special against a big team in a big competition, like he has so many times in the past.

 

[MrToontastic]

There will always be that ability to do something that little bit special against a big team in a big competition

Totally agree mate

 

[arazis]

This is a great post and lots to consider.

I would consider world class as a player who has at least 4 seasons at the very top level (ie. playing for one of the top 6 clubs in Europe's top 4 leagues), a lot of the other factors that determine this are a bit abstract IMO, which is why it's hard to nail down.

I guess what it comes down to is how each player ranks against the best in the world in their own position and by my reckoning to get in with the World Class crowd any player would have to be able to say that they would be good enough to get in to one of the top 6 national sides in the world in their own position.

Just trying to figure out roughly how many world class players there are in the world at any one time. I'd say only about 6 in each position, so roughly speaking 70, but for arguments sake lets round it off to 100. So to be World Class you'd have to be one of the top 100 players in the world in any position, what does everyone think?

 

[COMAS]

1. cannot be english 2. must be able to dive/cry when things arent going right 3. must have no loyalty 4. loves items such as hotpants, hair wax and striped trousers

 

[Erik]

Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, Cafu, Nesta, Casillas, Buffon, Zidane, Del Piero, Henry, Totti are some of my favourites (who I recall watching).

 

[jinius]

World Class is a subjective term, but for me I would define a player as world class if he would walk into most teams in his preferred position unless there is another world class player already there. For me it is more to do with form than longevity. A player can be world class for a period of his career without ever becoming a legend. Some players are world class for their entire careers, some for several years and some may just have one season of brilliance.

Some examples of players I believe are world class for the reason stated above; Casillas, Ashley Cole, Vidic, Xavi, Messi, Ronaldo, Robben, Sneijder, you will struggle to find a team that would not happily accommodate any of those players as long as money or injuries were not an issue. Of course this is not a comprehensive list there are several other players I would also consider world class of that group there are however only two I would consider legendary ie. in the same breath as the Zidanes, fat Ronaldo, Cruyff, Maradonna etc and they are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

[FatalException]

Messi.