The only real great I've seen is Cruyff but was probably too young to appreciate at the time. Ronaldo is the only high profile player I've seen play in recent times but not sure if he'll be classified as a 'great'.
The player I'd most like to have seen is Garrincha - incredible story and amazingly skilful player.
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I would have loved to have seen Pele, Beckenbauer and Maradonna.
For me:
Seen play live - Messi
Wished i'd seen live - Maradona
Seen Messi play live (although Iniesta was better during the game) and Ronaldo plenty of times so privileged to have done that.
Player I would have liked to have seen outside of him playing for Argentina would be Maradonna.
Not seen? Pele
Dennis Law
Jimmy Greaves
Dalgliesh
Simmonson
Plus all the top premiership players during charltons time.
Plus Simon church.
Puskas - would like to have seen
I'd say Maradona and Messi were more influential.
George Best
For Charlton Stuart Leary
One I would have liked to have seen - Pele.
Probably can add Gascoigne to that list too
I would love to have watched Best, I think he had an aura about him that would have been special. Definitely up there with the most naturally gifted footballers ever.
Ronaldo is class but works hard to keep himself fit and to maximise his potential. Best could have 5 pints and still run rings round everyone.
Thierry Henry is also up there. Probably the fastest player I’ve ever seen, he literally would breeze past players in first gear.
The one I had wished to have seen - it’s still Lionel Messi. For me, he is the best footballer to have ever lived.
I could name at least 30 players I'd want to watch. I'll go with Best
In a Charlton shirt, Jorge Costa and Paulo Di Canio would top my list.
I would've liked to have seen Pele in his prime and George Best, popular choices looking at other peoples' posts.
I found this on You Tube about Sam and I think some good points were being made!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpdPThxNwxA
However, for one-off performances, Giggs against us in the 3-3 in '98 - hit the bar from the halfway line, with Solskjaer scoring the rebound (would have been a far better goal than Beckham's v Wimbledon if Giggs' shot had gone in), and he nearly scored a replica of his famous cup semi-final solo run vs Arsenal 2 or 3 times against us in the same game.
Also, Henry-inspired Arsenal, can't remember the year, think it might have been 3-0. Tore us to pieces, and they were so good to watch that I actually didn't mind too much that we got stuffed, almost felt lucky to be able to see in the flesh a great side at their very best.
Is it ridiculous to put David Whyte one this thread? I thought he was a genius on his day. He doesn't seem to get mentioned that much. Pretty sure it would be a different story if his 40-yarder against Millwall on New Year's Day '95 had gone in instead of bouncing back off the bar.
Sir Stanley Matthews (not seen playing football live but seen him outside stoke’s ground many times)
Xavi ran it a bit more so I'd say that was the best individual performance I've seen.
Giggs in the 3-3 v us was ridiculous too, it was Giggs v Charlton that day.
Would love to have seen George Best.
Dalglish, Best, Cantona, Villa, Ian Wright, Messi, Bergkamp, Ardiles, Hansen, Ronaldo, Bobby Moore, Lineker
Would like to have seen live: Pele, Eusebio
Most like to have seen - Cruyff
Best I've seen live: George Best (at his peak playing for ManU)
Would like to have seen: Pele
Player Id love to have seen live in his prime - Ian Rush