Off Topic Top 5 Sporting Heroes

[FellTop]

To while a way a bit of time. Any sport, not only footy.

1. Maradona. My all time favourite, I still watch him regulalry on youtube. Artist.

2. Joe Calzaghe. I love my boxing and he is a true great and a brit. The performance against Lacy was unreal. The kessler fight was a classic.

3. Nick Faldo. Golf is a passion of mine. What he lacked in personality he made up for in talent and intensity. His masters wins remain etched in my memory and his overhaul of Norman was something else. Legend.

4. Steve Davis. Snooker was such a massive even in the day. So many made it so. higgins, white, the canadian lads. It was a real pub game made big. But the nugget changed it all. Just took the game to a different level altogether. And to think his most famous game he lost. Iove people that transform a sport.

5. Flo-Jo. Incredible life, sadly short. I love all things Olympics and Flo-Jo stands aloft for me. 3 golds in 88, and still holds 100m and 200m world records, nearly 40 years on, the 200m one being set in the Olympic final. A remarkable sportsperson.

 

[Nads]

Nice picks mate.

Marco. The man who made me fall in love with football and SAFC. I need say no more.

Michael Jordan. The greatest sportsman ever. Changed the world. I’m still obsessed with the (now garbage) Chicago Bulls to this day. A man who made sport a real part of culture, just a phenomenon of ability, will and character.

Ronnie O’Sullivan.Nobody, in any sport, in all eternity, has ever outweighed the rest of their peers in terms of natural ability by such a margin. Should have won every tournament he ever played frankly but his story and character is a fascinating, and fully explanatory reason why he didn’t.

Ronaldinho. I probably don’t need to say anything more than the purest footballer of them all. Had he cared about ‘being professional’ there’d be no GOAT debate. The best to ever do it, a magician. I can still, to this day, watch endless clips of the man. Would have had 10 Ballin d’or if he didn’t just want to enjoy the moment.

Lewis. I don’t care what anyone has to say about his personality and such, just a phenomenal talent who gambled and went o a nothing Mercedes team and not only matched (beat and was cheated) Schumachers record, but was a development wonder that helped create the most formidable and successful F1 team ever. Sensational, fearless driver. Been a shame the last couple years seeing him a little soulless. Hoping he gets a fire back at Ferrari.

 

[Teessidemackem]

In no particular order....

Ronaldinho - imo in his prime he is the goat. He was simply unplayable and was an absolute genius on the pitch. Unfortunately because of party lifestyle his peak performance didnt last as long as it should have done.

Iron Mike Tyson - again we didnt see the best of his for long, but in his Prime he was unstoppable.

Jon Jones - The goat in MMA. His reputation has been tarnished due to his drink and drug problems but still the goat.

Ronaldo (Brazilian one) - The most natural and complete striker in history imo.

Joe Calzaghe - still one of the most under appreciated boxers of all time, but one of the very best

 

[Nads]

In no particular order....

Ronaldinho - imo in his prime he is the goat. He was simply unplayable and was an absolute genius on the pitch. Unfortunately because of party lifestyle his peak performance didnt last as long as it should have done.

Iron Mike Tyson - again we didnt see the best of his for long, but in his Prime he was unstoppable.

Jon Jones - The goat in MMA. His reputation has been tarnished due to his drink and drug problems but still the goat.

Ronaldo (Brazilian one) - The most natural and complete striker in history imo.

Joe Calzaghe - still one of the most under appreciated boxers of all time, but one of the very best

Love these, Tyson and Lewis was a literal Fannie’s hair for me. Not just for what he did in boxing but for the phenomenal way he developed as life happened.

 

[Teessidemackem]

Love these, Tyson and Lewis was a literal Fannie’s hair for me. Not just for what he did in boxing but for the phenomenal way he developed as life happened.

Thanks mate. Im glad im not alone in thinking Ronaldinho was the goat. Like you i never get bored from watching him on YouTube.

 

[FellTop]

Nice picks mate.

Marco. The man who made me fall in love with football and SAFC. I need say no more.

Michael Jordan. The greatest sportsman ever. Changed the world. I’m still obsessed with the (now garbage) Chicago Bulls to this day. A man who made sport a real part of culture, just a phenomenon of ability, will and character.

Ronnie O’Sullivan.Nobody, in any sport, in all eternity, has ever outweighed the rest of their peers in terms of natural ability by such a margin. Should have won every tournament he ever played frankly but his story and character is a fascinating, and fully explanatory reason why he didn’t.

Ronaldinho. I probably don’t need to say anything more than the purest footballer of them all. Had he cared about ‘being professional’ there’d be no GOAT debate. The best to ever do it, a magician. I can still, to this day, watch endless clips of the man. Would have had 10 Ballin d’or if he didn’t just want to enjoy the moment.

Lewis. I don’t care what anyone has to say about his personality and such, just a phenomenal talent who gambled and went o a nothing Mercedes team and not only matched (beat and was cheated) Schumachers record, but was a development wonder that helped create the most formidable and successful F1 team ever. Sensational, fearless driver. Been a shame the last couple years seeing him a little soulless. Hoping he gets a fire back at Ferrari.

Class mate. I love OSulivan too, just unreal. I am of an age where Davis was something else, swayed my opinion maybe. Jordan you are right - Wow.

 

[TeamOfTalents]

To while a way a bit of time. Any sport, not only footy.

1. Maradona. My all time favourite, I still watch him regulalry on youtube. Artist.

2. Joe Calzaghe. I love my boxing and he is a true great and a brit. The performance against Lacy was unreal. The kessler fight was a classic.

3. Nick Faldo. Golf is a passion of mine. What he lacked in personality he made up for in talent and intensity. His masters wins remain etched in my memory and his overhaul of Norman was something else. Legend.

4. Steve Davis. Snooker was such a massive even in the day. So many made it so. higgins, white, the canadian lads. It was a real pub game made big. But the nugget changed it all. Just took the game to a different level altogether. And to think his most famous game he lost. Iove people that transform a sport.

5. Flo-Jo. Incredible life, sadly short. I love all things Olympics and Flo-Jo stands aloft for me. 3 golds in 88, and still holds 100m and 200m world records, nearly 40 years on, the 200m one being set in the Olympic final. A remarkable sportsperson.

Flo Jo a blatant drug cheat though? Her performances went crazy fast practically overnight in sprinting terms. Even died prematurely of symptoms associated with steroid abuse.
I'd agree with 1, 3 and 4 though for what it's worth

 

[Nads]

Thanks mate. Im glad im not alone in thinking Ronaldinho was the goat. Like you i never get bored from watching him on YouTube.

By a mile mate. Messi is beautiful to watch, Ronny is a powerhouse. Ronaldinho was absolute artistry.

The way he controlled a ball and his vision was just untouchable. He could send a ball off his back with accuracy many CM dream of.

I use to gasp watching him, like a kid on an Xbox just taking the piss and loving his time.

Only Neymar has even come close to matching the flair, but he was more than flair, he was borderline unicorn level of ‘****ing watch this’.

Nothing he could t do with a football.

Would have loved a night out with the lad in my prime an arl, can’t say that about Leo or Ronnie

 

[FellTop]

In no particular order....

Ronaldinho - imo in his prime he is the goat. He was simply unplayable and was an absolute genius on the pitch. Unfortunately because of party lifestyle his peak performance didnt last as long as it should have done.

Iron Mike Tyson - again we didnt see the best of his for long, but in his Prime he was unstoppable.

Jon Jones - The goat in MMA. His reputation has been tarnished due to his drink and drug problems but still the goat.

Ronaldo (Brazilian one) - The most natural and complete striker in history imo.

Joe Calzaghe - still one of the most under appreciated boxers of all time, but one of the very best

Brilliant mate. Another Calzaghe man. Saw him at the Lacy fight and it was epic.

Mike Tyson was just extraordinary as a young un. Terror with gloves on. Got softer as he went on. I thought Lewis beat him up badly, and Lewis was a fighter who might have beat up a young Mike too. Just an opinion, but I loved the young Tyson too.

 

[Nads]

Class mate. I love OSulivan too, just unreal. I am of an age where Davis was something else, swayed my opinion maybe. Jordan you are right - Wow.

Your reasoning for Davis is absolutely on the nail though mate, were I a few years older I might have been in that camp.

 

[SourPatch2]

I'm of a younger generation so please excuse the picks

Lionel Messi - Not sure I need to say much anything here. The GOAT. I have no shame in saying I celebrated his World Cup win as if it was England. To me he is football at its purest, major obstacles as a child but stayed completely dedicated to his craft and ended up being the best ever. I'm left footed so that helps also

Ronaldinho - An absolute artist. Could do things with a football that 99.9% of people can only dream about doing. That goal away at Chelsea sticks in my mind to this day, I was a bright eyed young kid sat mesmerised watching the TV.

Eli Manning - Perhaps a bit left field for some but for me he is the reason I love the NFL and the New York Giants. Coolness personified in the biggest moments. Tough challenge to step out of his Dads and his older brother's shadow but he did that and then some. An absolute pro.

Tiger Woods - A joy to watch in his prime. Completely dominated the sport year on year. Not many people can say they changed the sport they play but he absolutely can. Have to say I was a touch emotional when he won the Masters in 2019.

Sebastian Vettel - My favourite F1 driver. Loved his nasty streak and absolute determination to win at all costs. I like how he stands up for what he believes in off the track also. Could and should have won more than he did.

 

[FellTop]

Flo Jo a blatant drug cheat though? Her performances went crazy fast practically overnight in sprinting terms. Even died prematurely of symptoms associated with steroid abuse.
I'd agree with 1, 3 and 4 though for what it's worth

Dont know mate. Unproven? She basically was an elite college runner but had to give up to look aftet her family. Then a top end coach picked her up and took her back to the track after a long period off. She then almost instantly won 200m silver in 84. It was 88 when she smashed it. Her 100m record is believed to have been wind assisted, but a faulty bit of tech didnt work. Interesting though you can write that off and she is still the record holder with her second best time.

Either way, the stort attracts me. I loved what she stood for at the time. It is easy to shout drug cheat when folk do great things. Sometimes they are just great. I was tempted to go with Wiggins, but some doubt him too. Sometimes it is just better to believe in the greatness of folk, and she was great for a period precious in my life.

 

[Nads]

I'm of a younger generation so please excuse the picks

Lionel Messi - Not sure I need to say much anything here. The GOAT. I have no shame in saying I celebrated his World Cup win as if it was England. To me he is football at its purest, major obstacles as a child but stayed completely dedicated to his craft and ended up being the best ever. I'm left footed so that helps also

Ronaldinho - An absolute artist. Could do things with a football that 99.9% of people can only dream about doing. That goal away at Chelsea sticks in my mind to this day, I was a bright eyed young kid sat mesmerised watching the TV.

Eli Manning - Perhaps a bit left field for some but for me he is the reason I love the NFL and the New York Giants. Coolness personified in the biggest moments. Tough challenge to step out of his Dads and his older brother's shadow but he did that and then some. An absolute pro.

Tiger Woods - A joy to watch in his prime. Completely dominated the sport year on year. Not many people can say they changed the sport they play but he absolutely can. Have to say I was a touch emotional when he won the Masters in 2019.

Sebastian Vettel - My favourite F1 driver. Loved his nasty streak and absolute determination to win at all costs. I like how he stands up for what he believes in off the track also. Could and should have won more than he did.

Tiger was definitely in my thoughts as well mate. Just something else.

Without the issues he’d have set records that would never have been touched.

 

[Teessidemackem]

I'm of a younger generation so please excuse the picks

Lionel Messi - Not sure I need to say much anything here. The GOAT. I have no shame in saying I celebrated his World Cup win as if it was England. To me he is football at its purest, major obstacles as a child but stayed completely dedicated to his craft and ended up being the best ever. I'm left footed so that helps also

Ronaldinho - An absolute artist. Could do things with a football that 99.9% of people can only dream about doing. That goal away at Chelsea sticks in my mind to this day, I was a bright eyed young kid sat mesmerised watching the TV.

Eli Manning - Perhaps a bit left field for some but for me he is the reason I love the NFL and the New York Giants. Coolness personified in the biggest moments. Tough challenge to step out of his Dads and his older brother's shadow but he did that and then some. An absolute pro.

Tiger Woods - A joy to watch in his prime. Completely dominated the sport year on year. Not many people can say they changed the sport they play but he absolutely can. Have to say I was a touch emotional when he won the Masters in 2019.

Sebastian Vettel - My favourite F1 driver. Loved his nasty streak and absolute determination to win at all costs. I like how he stands up for what he believes in off the track also. Could and should have won more than he did.

Id have respected Messi alot more if he'd have had the same success in the Prem and Italy as he did for Barcelona. Ronaldo done it, and he very nearly came in my top 5 . This is also the reason why i pick Ronaldo over Messi in the most boring debate in football history

 

[SourPatch2]

Id have respected Messi alot more if he'd have had the same success in the Prem and Italy as he did for Barcelona. Ronaldo done it, and he very nearly came in my top 5 . This is also the reason why i pick Ronaldo over Messi in the most boring debate in football history

That's fair. It's pretty neck and neck for me but Messi edges is for the World Cup win. Seen both play in person and I have to say Ronaldo played better

 

[Nads]

Id have respected Messi alot more if he'd have had the same success in the Prem and Italy as he did for Barcelona. Ronaldo done it, and he very nearly came in my top 5 . This is also the reason why i pick Ronaldo over Messi in the most boring debate in football history

Yeah. Messi as a pure footballer, Ronaldo for proving himself 10 times over.

I was an Argentina fan for that final mind, Messi has brought us all joy over his career and he deserved that.

Also slightly biased cos I have several Argie pals, who are all absolute ****ing legends.

Messi is unquestionably a ‘more naturally gifted footballer’ than Ronaldo.

 

[FellTop]

I'm of a younger generation so please excuse the picks

Lionel Messi - Not sure I need to say much anything here. The GOAT. I have no shame in saying I celebrated his World Cup win as if it was England. To me he is football at its purest, major obstacles as a child but stayed completely dedicated to his craft and ended up being the best ever. I'm left footed so that helps also

Ronaldinho - An absolute artist. Could do things with a football that 99.9% of people can only dream about doing. That goal away at Chelsea sticks in my mind to this day, I was a bright eyed young kid sat mesmerised watching the TV.

Eli Manning - Perhaps a bit left field for some but for me he is the reason I love the NFL and the New York Giants. Coolness personified in the biggest moments. Tough challenge to step out of his Dads and his older brother's shadow but he did that and then some. An absolute pro.

Tiger Woods - A joy to watch in his prime. Completely dominated the sport year on year. Not many people can say they changed the sport they play but he absolutely can. Have to say I was a touch emotional when he won the Masters in 2019.

Sebastian Vettel - My favourite F1 driver. Loved his nasty streak and absolute determination to win at all costs. I like how he stands up for what he believes in off the track also. Could and should have won more than he did.

I hate you. I remember Archie from afar, and Peyton from closer up.

Tiger is one of me heroes. Love him. Took my game to a level never known. I have a deep seated grumble though which is he seemed to make the game about long holes. So many golfers now focus on distance. It is ****e. Golf is a skill game, not a muscle game, but there you go. I am old.

 

[Teessidemackem]

That's fair. It's pretty neck and neck for me but Messi edges is for the World Cup win. Seen both play in person and I have to say Ronaldo played better

Ronaldo used to pretty much single handidly take a bang average Portugal team to Semi finals. It didnt matter which club or formation he played for he'd always play at the same level.
Messi spent most his career playing 433 with Xavi and I Iniesta constantly putting it on a plate for him. Id liked to have seen how he'd have coped playing a 442 for example in the Prem like Ronaldo did for Man Utd

 

[SourPatch2]

Ronaldo used to pretty much single handidly take a bang average Portugal team to Semi finals. It didnt matter which club or formation he played for he'd always play at the same level.
Messi spent most his career playing 433 with Xavi and I Iniesta constantly putting it on a plate for him. Id liked to have seen how he'd have coped playing a 442 for example in the Prem like Ronaldo did for Man Utd

Was desperate for Man City to sign him when he went to PSG

 

[SourPatch2]

I hate you. I remember Archie from afar, and Peyton from closer up.

Tiger is one of me heroes. Love him. Took my game to a level never known. I have a deep seated grumble though which is he seemed to make the game about long holes. So many golfers now focus on distance. It is ****e. Golf is a skill game, not a muscle game, but there you go. I am old.

Yeah he's definitely the reason every course in the world is now at least 700 yards further than they were before he played. Doesn't help me that