7 pairs of football rivals who you wished had played together

Football rivalries, especially player rivalries, are more entertaining and celebrated as compared to club rivalries. There are always sub plots in a match of high importance and these are basically dominated by the players pitted against each other. We have seen plenty of rivalries on a pitch that has left us speechless yet thoroughly entertained. How can someone forget the famous Viera and Keane bust up in the tunnel, Van Nistelrooy being swamped by Arsenal players over a hoax call, Or the continuous rant between Diego Maradona and Pele.However, have you ever imagined how a team would shape up if these rivals were playing together rather than against each other? We look at players apart from direct rivals who could create a magical partnership when playing for the same team. We have considered contemporary players playing in the same as well as different leagues.We look at seven such pairs of we wish could have played together.

#1 Roy Keane and Patrick Viera

Probably the biggest rivalry seen in modern day football, Keane and Viera epitomized what Manchester United and Arsenal stood for in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. There was no love lost between the two and every time they played against each other there were entertaining fireworks. The famous tunnel incident at Highbury in 2005 was when Keane squared up against the 6’4 Viera after the latter had threatened Gary Neville for having kicked Arsenal players.

The way Keane threatened Viera with phrases “I’ll see you out there” became part of the folklore for years. The pair shared 21 cards between them and it was always a blockbuster spectacle when the two were on the pitch.

Viera was a traditional deep lying midfielder always involved in a fierce midfield battle. He would also be seen bursting into the opposition half during a counter attack. Viera had the pace, strength as well as a keen eye for a killer pass. Keane also in the mould of a traditional pivot was an antithesis to Viera. Not as quick as the Frenchman, Keane made up for the lack of pace with his strength and ability to dictate the pace of the game.

Always uncompromising in a tackle, he was the perfect midfield shield for the back four. His ability to keep the ball moving, making short passes and his ability to strike fear in opponents as well as inspiring team mates are traits which any manager would look for.

So imagine a team with two talented midfielders and how they would have performed if they played together!

#2 Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer

One of the finest forward of his generation and one of the finest defender of this era, Cruyff and Beckenbauer had mutual respect for each other. Of course, Beckenbauer can boast of bragging rights as it was his performance against the highly skilled Cruyff that won the Germans the World Cup in 1974.

Beckenbauer created the much famous “Sweeper” position. Intelligent, tactically aware, technically gifted, comfortable in possession, natural leader and ability to set up and score goals, he was probably the most marauding defender of all time. Cruyff on the other hand was someone who could be labeled as an “Elf”; elegant, talented, magical and enchanting. He was the natural successor to Pele, such was his appetite for goals at the club and country level.

He defined the ‘Total Football’ that the Dutch were famous for. He would just glide on the pitch with a fluidity that was unmatched. He demonstrated both technical precision and tactical intelligence in leading the Dutch to world prominence. The famous “Cruyff turn” was born in the 1974 World cup which showed his magician skills on the field.

It was hence a shame that they were divided by nationalities. A fan’s mind would just go on overdrive imagining both of them in the same side.

#3 Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry

Another Manchester United and Arsenal pairing, Scholes and Henry would have probably formed a partnership that any team would want. Two of the finest players plying their trade in the Premier League, Scholes and Henry were legends for their clubs.

Starting off as a deep lying midfielder, Scholes made a reputation for himself when he moved to a central midfield role. The switch ensured effective utilization of his touch, technique and vision and it also coincided with United’s successful domestic run. He had a keen eye for a pass as well as goals and it was his late runs into the penalty box that flummoxed the best of defenses. However, Scholes was always known for his ferocious shots from outside the box, which would more or less crash into the top corner.

Henry, on the other hand was converted from a winger to a world class striker by Arsene Wenger. Exceptionally quick, Henry could take on defenders at will and could score from anywhere in and around the penalty box. His mazy runs, key passes and dribbling skills were second to none in the league. He scored a total of 228 goals as a Gunner of which 175 of them came in the Premier League - an amazing return for a player converted into a striker. It was also his ability to contribute in defense that set him apart from other strikers.

Always having mutual admiration for each other, it would have been an absolute delight if they would be playing together rather than against each other.

#4 Zinedine Zidane and Andriy Schevchenko

Perhaps one of the biggest Galactico to represent Real Madrid, Zidane would lift the team with his wizardry skills in the midfield. Blessed with technical acumen, vision, strength, it was his ability to influence and be decisive in a match that separated him from the rest. He had the ability to control the pace of the game, score goals, assist teammates. His individual skills on the ball that made him one of the best players football has ever seen. Such was his impact, that any number of adjectives used to describe him is nothing but a few drops in the ocean. He could seamlessly fit into any team and elevate that team to greatness.

While Zizou was wielding his magic in Spain, Schevchenko was plying his trade with AC Milan during that time. He was one of the most deadly forwards during his spell at Italy. It were the tactics and strategy employed at Milan that used his strengths which made him a household name. A complete contrast to Totti, Scheva was surprisingly very quick and it was his ability to run at defenses and killer finishing which made him a complete striker. He won almost everything there was to win at Milan.

Although he would never have been considered as a Galactico, it would still be interesting to imagine combining the sorcery of Zidane with the attacking prowess of Scheva.

#5 Francesco Totti and FIlippo Inzaghi

One of the most under rated and under celebrated Number 10 in Italian football, Fransesco Totti has been hugely inspirational for AS Roma. A one club player, Totti has played at different positions across the attacking line for Roma. “Il Capitano” is the symbol of Roma’s resurrection and is someone the fans would never trade for anyone or anything. Totti is an exceptionally gifted player with brilliant technical skills.

He has never been the fastest or the most physical player, yet he makes up for these deficits with an exceptional vision, ability to score as well as pick up a key pass. However, his biggest strength lies in his movement off the ball. With his intelligent runs he creates space as well as chances for his team mates. He would however always rue the fact that he never had a world class striker to play with.

Inzaghi was scoring some goals for fun in Italy. One of the most under rated strikers in modern times, Inzaghi was an unattractive forward to say the least. Yet, it was his uncanny ability to keep scoring that made him such a prolific striker in Italy as well as in Europe. He was never quick but it was the intelligence in his movement, an appetite and an anticipation that separated him from other strikers. He gave defenders no let-up, always living on the last shoulder, forever disappearing out of a marker’s sight at just the right moment. Simply put, nobody had the instinct for finding the right position that Inzaghi did. One of the truest strikers of his generation, he was definitely a legend at Milan.

With his extraordinary footballing skills, Totti would have formed a deadly partnership with a player of Pippo’s calibre.

#6 Andrea Pirlo and Cristiano Ronaldo

What would happen when an artist like Pirlo would be in the same team as the enigmatic and brilliant Ronaldo? It would be nothing short of a splendor.

Pirlo fondly called L'Architetto (The Architect) has been responsible for holding Juventus and Italy together. With age catching up on him, he has transformed himself from a brilliant “Number 10” to a deep lying midfielder. Yet, the shift in position hasn’t seen a dip in his game. He still remains an artist on the field delivering masterpieces with his array of subtle skills and elite vision. His ability to weave around players and provide inch perfect passes makes up for his lack of pace and physical strength.

L'Architetto at the peak of his powers was able to lob a 40 yard ball right to the feet of his intended target. His ability with free kicks is unparalleled and his surgical precision in delivering that inch perfect goal from the spot is something that can never be matched.

Ronaldo is a mercurial footballer. Physically very strong he also has an explosive pace that can be bettered only by Gareth Bale. 233 goals in 207 matches is an incredible return for a player who predominantly plays in wide positions. He is skillful, an amazing dribbler and also good in the air. Like Pirlo, he has an amazing ability to convert his free kicks. All in all, he is an extraordinary footballer and a talent that does not come too often.

Definitely the two of them together would create havoc for opponents if ever they are paired in the same team. It’s safe to say that only an intervention would save the day for the opposition playing against them.

#7 Lionel Messi and Xabi Alonso

There have been only five players in history who have swapped one jersey for the other; such has been the competition between the arch rivals in Spain. Hence, it’s definitely an interesting proposition to imagine Xabi Alonso playing his trade in the same team as Lionel Messi. What a mouth watering partnership that would be? Alonso, a deep lying midfielder with the ability to control and dictate the game would be a perfect ploy for Messi. The industry, creativity as well as the vision of Alonso is something that was so important in Madrid being successful over the past few seasons. His ability to read and break the game makes him a complete midfielder.

Messi, one of the best footballers of this generation is a highly influential figure for the Catalans success on the pitch. Be it his ability to score goals, his movement, dribbling, mazy runs and ability to spot a through ball makes him a complete attacker. He can play anywhere in the attacking department and he, like Zidane, has the uncanny ability of influencing games.

If you could combine the industry and vision of Alonso with the mastery and skill of Messi, there would be no words required on how a team would look like.