5 things we miss about football in the 2000s

Every now and then we all get a little nostalgic about one thing or another. Football fans are certainly no exception to the rule.Whether it’s a specific retro jersey that they simply don’t make anymore, a special player that has since retired or faded from popularity or simply a crazy match that captured the imagination, there are plenty of memories populating the annals of the beautiful game’s history that make us pine for a return to a simpler time.So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look back at five things we all (probably) miss about football in the “noughties”.

#5 Underdogs like Greece and Porto FC

Greece stunned the world of football by winning Euro 2004

Sure, every era has their surprise packages but there was something extra enthralling about the crusades undertaken by both Porto FC and Greece.

Each team conquered Europe in their own way and although they were definitely not everybody’s cup of tea (more like a bitter cup o’ joe), it’s hard to argue that they weren’t super effective and deserving of their respective victories. Greece took Euro 2004 by storm while Jose Mourinho’s Porto won the Champions League against all the odds in the same year.

Usurping all the big guns along the way, they injected a fresh sense of romanticism into the life-stream of world football and provided minnows everywhere a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, diligence and tactical astuteness. At times, it wasn’t pretty but their achievements have arguably grown since then due to the fact they have yet to be matched in those particular competitions in recent years.

Bring back the age of the underdog.

#4 Real Madrids Galacticos Part 1

The Galacticos brought a new level of glamour to football

It was a mad time in world football where money was having a bigger effect on club football than it had ever done before and it was all being masterminded by the ultra business-conscious club president Florentino Perez.

Although the trend of finance dominating headlines, club policy and transfer activity has gathered even more traction since then, the first era of Real Madrid’s Galacticos underlined just how big a factor money could really be.

Stars like David Beckham, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo began to grace the Santiago Bernabeu at the turn of the Milennium and it initially paid off for them as they began to win titles as well as recouping huge fees in shirt sales. It was, no doubt, a weird and wonderful time to be a Madridista and the club have tried to re-create the same feeling in recent years with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale all spearheading the current era.

Ultimately, the original band of superstars failed to instigate a long-lasting period of dominance and they didn’t implement the ‘Zidanes y Pavones’ rule they wanted to, as Blair Newman put it on the Guardian: “Real Madrid promoted their youngsters, but subsequently demeaned them. They were not considered a part of the club’s core, merely filler in positions deemed less important.”

That said, die-hard fans would love to see that team play again because at their peak, they were a joy to behold.

#3 Strikers like Raul and Inzaghi

Raul and Inzaghi were quintessential strikers whose games were centered around goals

They just don’t make forwards like Raul and Filippo Inzaghi anymore. It’s as simple as that.

It’s easy to think that the sport has only ever housed a few great names but Raul and Inzaghi are clear proof that the beautiful game has always produced fantastic footballers. During the “noughties” these two were household names who ruled the roost in European football and they deserve to be remembered for the fantastic superstars they were.

“Super Pippo” netted over 300 career goals in his day and although he was often derided for not being the archetypal forward, he really was a wonder of graft and guile. As for Raul, he will always be remembered as one of Los Blancos’ finest players who pocketed 323 strikes for the 10-time European Cup winners.

They amassed over 117 Champions League goals between them and for that will always have a place at the heart of a sport they gave so much to.

#2 The Manchester United-Liverpool rivalry of old

Liverpool’s 4-1 victory at Old Trafford was a Premier League classic

Recently, Manchester United overcame Liverpool on a final score-line of 1-0 at Anfield but the clash was far from the fiery affair it once was. Both teams have shrunk in stature over the last few seasons and spectators might have been forgiven for thinking they were watching two completely different teams do battle last weekend.

Where the Red Devils used to constantly vie for silverware, they are now led by a beleaguered manager who looks past his best and out of options. On the other hand, the Reds are in the middle of a transitional period (although many are confident Jurgen Klopp is the man to turn things around once he gets the players he wants from the transfer market).

Sure, there is still a high level of competition between the pair but it has really lost its sheen and is no longer a fearsome battle between two master duelists, but rather a clash of two off-colour former giants of the game.

For the sake of English football, let’s hope this one sparks into life again soon because it really is a household rivalry and one that used to get the hairs on the back of one’s neck standing upright. Remember their 2009 clash which Liverpool won 4-1? A true classic. Or, better still, who could forget the way the two sides united in applause during an FA Cup clash for Alan Smith after he broke his leg back in 2006?

#1 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho had the Bernabeu applaud him, something even Messi could never manage

Nowadays, Lionel Messi is the supernatural talent everybody loves to fawn over but believe it or not back in the mid 2000s the diminutive Argentine was second fiddle to none other than Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.

Arguably the most entertaining player of his generation, “Dinho” lit up world football with touch after touch of samba magic and for years he managed to perfectly combine a unique flair with equally outstanding achievements which earned him more than his fair share of silverware and plaudits.

His time at Barcelona was obviously his peak and although that era was over far too soon, the memories he left behind because of it will last a lifetime. A few months back, the ever-smiling former Brazil international took part in a charity match at Wembley Stadium to offer everybody a fresh reminder of just how good he was.

Rumours of a return to England might just be too far-fetched to be true, but most fans would give anything to see the 35-year-old make one last hurrah in the big leagues.

Make it happen Ronaldinho, please – we miss you.