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Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Iker Casillas are some of the great players of the 00s but the previous generation had similar heroes who lit up the field every time they stepped on it.Lets take a look at the best soccer players of the 90s.
#1 GK: Peter Schmeichel
No goalkeeper other than the “Great Dane” deserves a place on this illustrious list.
Besides being a born leader Schmeichel also had a knack for making impossible saves and became an integral part of Manchester United throughout the ‘90s and won the treble in his final season with the Old Trafford club which was a fitting farewell for the genius.
Such was Schmeichel’s impact on the team that it took Sir Alex Ferguson six years to find a suitable replacement. It can be safely said that Schmeichel was one of the best soccer players of the ‘90s.
#2 LB: Paolo Maldini
A lot of people would have preferred that Roberto Carlos occupy this spot but it must be remembered that Carlos was at his prolific best in the 2000’s.
Maldini was a key part of the Milan team since 1985 and continued to find himself in the first team for over two decades. Few defenders could tackle better than Maldini who carried out his attacking duties as well as his defensive duties with equal ease.
The Italian won 7 Serie A titles and five European Cup/Champions League titles with Milan and was rather unfortunate not to win the World Cup with his country in 1994.
#3 CB: Fernando Hierro
It was hard to pick between Hierro and Laurent Blanc but the Spaniard comes on top due to his versatility. Hierro possessed extraordinary passing skills along with attacking abilities and could also operate as a defensive midfielder.
The former Real Madrid man won loads of trophies with his club including 5 La Liga’s, 1 Copa Del Rey along with three Champions Leagues, and was even declared the defender of the tournament in the 1997-1998 season.
No list of the best soccer players of the ‘90s could be complete without Hierro.
#4 Jaap Stam
The Dutchman was one of the most gifted centre-backs of the ‘90s era and was an important player for Manchester United during his four years at the club.
Stam took no time in winning over the Old Trafford faithful who used to chant “Get past him if you can” every time he got into a one-on-one situation.
The defender left United for Lazio after winning 3 Premier Leagues and 1 Champions League with the English club and left a big void in the team which was acknowledged by Sir Alex Ferguson who said that selling Stam was one of his biggest regrets as a manager.
#5 RB: Cafu
You don’t get to make 142 appearances for Brazil if you’re an ordinary player.
The defender possessed incredible pace which made him a real threat down the right flank.
Cafu won a plethora of trophies during his incredible career including two World Cups, 2 Copa Americas,1 Champions League and 1 Serie A title with AC Milan and is considered to be one of the best full backs to have played in Italy.
#6 LW: Ryan Giggs
The one and only Welsh wizard is rarely included by people when they make a list of the best soccer players of the ‘90s which is extremely shocking as Giggs was one of the most talented players of that era.
The Welshman was extremely dangerous down the wing in his earlier days and was capable of single handily ripping a team apart- just ask the Arsenal side of 1999. Giggs was an extremely graceful player and didn’t just rely on his speed like fellow country man and current Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.
The legend’s presence on the field will surely be missed by Manchester United who are unlikely to produce such a remarkable player anytime soon.
#7 CM: Paul Scholes
The ginger haired magician is usually overlooked on such lists in favour of other stars of the ‘90s like Edgar Davids and Ruud Gullit but even they agreed that Paul Scholes was one of the best midfielders of all time.
Scholes could literally do anything and everything with a football. His passing skills and accuracy was nearly superhuman as was his ability to dictate play. Scholes created pure magic whenever the ball came to him and will surely be included in the list of the world’s greatest midfielders in a few years.
Manchester United are still trying to find a player who is capable of having as big an impact on the team as Scholes did.
#8 CAM: Zinedine Zidane
This Frenchman’s name will be a mainstay on these type of lists for generations to come. Zindane was such a graceful player on the pitch that you simply couldn’t take your eyes off him.
The former France international had five brilliant seasons with Juventus where he won two Serie A titles, 1 UEFA Super Cup and even the World Cup with his country in 1998 before earning a £70 million move to Real Madrid.
Zizou continued to perform well at the Bernabeu won one La Liga and a Champions League, which he helped his team win by scoring a brilliant volley. It can be safely said that Zindane’s name will always be part of such lists.
#9 RW: Luis Figo
Few wingers were better than Figo back in the’90s. Figo enjoyed his best years with Barcelona where he won 2 La Liga’s, 2 Copa Del Rey’s and 1 Spanish Super Cup.
The Portuguese had a good build and was blessed with good pace which made him one of the most dangerous wingers around.
His move to Real Madrid did dent his fabulous image with Barcelona fans who threw numerous things, most notably a pigs head, at him during his return to Camp Nou but no-one can deny his incredible talent.
#10 ST: Raul
The Spaniard will go down in history as one of the most gifted strikers ever and will never be forgotten by the Real Madrid fans, whom he had amazed for years.
Raul has broken innumerable records for club and country as a player and scored a total of 131 goals in the ‘90s. Apart from being a prolific striker Raul is also an extremely clean player and has never been sent off for club or country in his entire career.
You just can’t make a list of the best soccer players of the ‘90s without including him.
#11 ST: Ronaldo
Nobody could score goals better than this man who was capable of tearing defences to shreds. Ronaldo literally scored goals for fun during his time at PSV, Barcelona and Inter Milan along with winning the first of his two World Cup medals at the age of just 18.
The Brazilian had extraordinary pace and dribbling skills during his youth and scored a total of 153 goals in the ‘90s. Ronaldo enjoyed good performances even during his Real Madrid days but never really replicated his ‘90s form.
Every football fan who had the privilege of watching Ronaldo during the 1990’s will agree that he was that generations best striker.
