Best player you’ve seen live

[Nutsin]

I saw Zidane play for Rael Madrid in a friendly against Beckhams L A Galaxy. He stood out amongst a group of all stars.

In a competitive top flight match I’d have to say Liam Brady, 

Best West Ham player was Trevor Brooking, although I always enjoyed watching Billy Bonds.

who stood out to you on the terraces.

[stubbo-admin]

Probably Di Canio or Payet.  Always hard to call 'best' of course...I've seen Shearer live, David Seaman live, Lampard live, De Bruyne live, David Silva live, Jay Jay Okocha live....am sure many without clarent tinted specs would say they were all better than Di Canio and Payet...but for me it was those two.

[southbankbornnbred]

Used to travel to see major tournaments, or foreign matches, a lot when I was younger. Hence, got to see these names in the flesh. Genuine privilege, if you’re a proper football fan (which most on this site are).

[southbankbornnbred]

Never saw Pele play live - missed his career, I’m afraid. Likewise, Moore, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Best and Charlton. Would love to have seen them all, obviously.

Pirlo and Xavi deserve mentions as players who were outstanding, but somehow under-rated when it comes to “top-level” discussions. Pirlo played in an unpopular position (that many folk didn’t really understand at the time) and is the best genuine regista I’ve ever seen.

[southbankbornnbred]

Was fortunate to see Maradona play live. Not just the best I’ve ever seen, but the best player ever to lace up a pair of boots. Indescribably brilliant, on a level that even Messi never was (and Messi was amazing: I’m not one of those old farts who doesn’t rate him).

Otherwise, Fat Ronaldo. The Brazilian, and when he was in his pomp before his knee exploded in 1999/2000.

For three or four seasons, he played like he was on course to compete with Maradona as the greatest player ever. He was unbelievable, genuinely breathtaking speed, skill and explosiveness. Had everything. Except, a year or so later, a working kneecap. Still went on to win the World Cup in 2002 as half the player. That’s how good he was.

Other honourable mentions: Zidane, Van Basten, Baresi, Maldini and, reluctantly, cսnt Ronaldo.

[twoleftfeet]

Zico.

i had the pleasure of trying to mark him.

I wasn't that good!    Seriously, you lucky bugger, my all time favourite foreign player. Was just something about the way he played, especially in that Brazil team of 82, they were just set up to entertain.  

Was lucky enough to see Martin Peters in my first ever game, although he was playing for Norwich at Carrow Road in a 2-2 draw against us back in either 76 or 77.  For pure skill, I can't really seperate Sir Trev and Alan Dev, and for endeavor and the total all round player it would be Bonzo.

 

 

This was in 1997, he would have been mid 40s and I was 30. He was a a brand ambassador for our company in Brazil. Every 4 years the company held a world cup and I was lucky enough to get selected for the UK team, we met Brazil in the semi final and my manager tasked me with marking him. Bear in mind that in the previous game against Hungary I scored 2 goals as a winger so man to man marking wasn't my thing. Suffice to say at half time I was substituted because I never got anywhere near him, he was just too good. They ended up winning the tournament and at the awards night dinner he searched for me and gave me his Diadora tracksuit top as a momento, his English wasn't great but he said something along the lines of please have my top as you never got near it in the match. Really nice guy and what a player.

[Far Cough UKunt]

Anybody see Robin Friday play in the flesh?

[gpike]

Brooking 
Jari Litmanen

[mallard]

As far as matches go, Ray Clemence Testimonial in 1990, I got to see Bonds, Brooking, Devonshire, Hoddle and Gascoigne all play together 

 

[Central Park Man]

Maradonna
Messi
Ronaldo
Gazza
Hoddle
Brooking

[only1billybonds]

Brooking
Bobby Moore.

As much as it pains me to say, Hoddle was sublime at times.

George Best obviously

Stan Bowles. Never knew what was coming next.

Bonds, simply out of my outrageous bias. Not the most naturally talented but fuck me,what a leader.

[goose]

For us - Di Canio. Nobody comes close.

against us - Gullit, Ginola, Yaya Toure.

outside of us - Francesco Totti 2006 in the San Siro, he scored twice for Roma………. Although I think Totti played against us in that friendly.

[Mad Dog]

Saw Maradona play live for football league v rest of world at Wembley

Saw Messi play for barca

For us its probably dicanio, Devonshire wasn't too bad, neither was that snake payer

[Massive Attack]

Di Canio - For West Ham

Messi - For Barcelona and Argentina 

[GBHammer63]

I’m old enough to remember a lot of players at West Ham but for me, even though it wasn’t for long and ended badly Payet was outstanding, probably one of the best in the world for a while, every time he got the ball or was over a free kick you were out of your seat. 
Any other players than from my team are irrelevant to me.

[Gank]

Mr. Woo, West Ham, circa 2006/7

[Forest Gate Ugly]

Bobby Moore, Franz Beckenbauer, Johann Cruyff, George Best. I guess there are some benefits to being old! 

[ragingbull]

Devonshire and i've seen Brietner.

[Pub Bigot]

Dimitri Payet. Excited the crowd, got people out of their seats and made the final season at UP exceptional. 

[frank marker]

In terms of the most skill playing for West Ham, for me it would have to be Payet. He had the ability to do things that others couldn't even imagine (which sadly included going on strike to get a move away).

From other teams well this is not going to be a popular choice, but I would have to mention Berbatov. His movement off the ball seemed effortless, always popping up in the right place. He had skill to match that of Di Canio and the vision of Bergkamp. 

Leave it a few minutes while I work out where I am going to hide.

[eusebiovic]

Ronald Koeman - Barcelona v Sampdoria 1992 European Cup Final, Wembley.

He gave a masterclass in defence and midfield and scored the winner from a free kick in extra time.

I never realised what the hype was until that day then I felt completely foolish afterwards.

Sublime

[oioi]

George Best

For West Ham: Bobby Moore

[Far Cough UKunt]

The players who impressed me the most seeing them live were Roy McFarland for Derby, Willie Carr for Coventry and Pop Robson for Newcastle.

Obviously I was over the moon when Pop joined us.

[zico]

Zico.

i had the pleasure of trying to mark him.

I wasn't that good!    Seriously, you lucky bugger, my all time favourite foreign player. Was just something about the way he played, especially in that Brazil team of 82, they were just set up to entertain.  

Was lucky enough to see Martin Peters in my first ever game, although he was playing for Norwich at Carrow Road in a 2-2 draw against us back in either 76 or 77.  For pure skill, I can't really seperate Sir Trev and Alan Dev, and for endeavor and the total all round player it would be Bonzo.

[Sir Alf]

For the older gits, David Kipiani when Dynamo Tbilisi when they destroyed us at UP 1-4

[Fauxstralian]

Lionel Messi
Couple of times at the Nou Camp and in the Argentina friendly v Croatia at Upton Park
Xavi & Iniesta played in the Barcelona games and they were a bit special

Live for West Ham … Payet