BBC Poll : Best European football players in history

V Basten
i was just a kid back in '88 when he scored that amzing goal in de EC final.
Sad he had to retire so young.

heeeey, Im an Arsenal fan, but I dont think hes done enough in terms of the European / World stage to be so high up.

And er, lack of funds was my downfall..


and no, no attacks from the rear recently

It's much easier to impress and stand out if you're attackign and scoring goals every week as opposed to defending and blockign them hence why it's much harder to get on lists like that if you're a defender or goalie but Schmeichels in there.

I must say Im glad Larson isn't there. Probably got alot to do with the state of our league to be honest but pretty much everyone except Celtic fans are glad to see the back of him.

Barcelona supporter, isnt it?

I think that Cruyff should have won

Bobby Charlton!!

Sir Bobby Charlton is without doubt one of the most famous English players of all time. His name is synonymous with some of the greatest moments in the English game but also with the highest traditions of sportsmanship and integrity. Charlton, using his pace out of midfield and with a thunderous shot, scored some of the most spectacular goals English football has ever seen.

Born in Ashington, Northumberland, the Charlton family had football in its blood. Three of his uncles played for Leeds United and his mother's cousin was the Newcastle United legend, Jackie Milburn. In 1953 he was signed by Manchester United aged just 17 and would go on to spend the next 17 years at Old Trafford. As one of the "Busby Babes" to survive the Munich Air Disaster he was in the great United side of the Fifties alongside Duncan Edwards, Roger Byrne and Tommy Taylor, as well as the team of the Sixties featuring Denis Law and George Best that produced some of United's greatest ever football.

Initially a striker, he switched to outside-left with England and finally became a deep-lying centre forward renowned for his powerful shooting. To say that Bobby Charlton could hit a ball is the understatement of the century. Some of his famous long-range torpedoes have gone down as all time classic goals for both England and United. In the 1966 World Cup he fired in two long range belters that sunk Portugal in the semi-final. While his 106 caps were eventually surpassed his total of 49 goals for England still remains a record to this day and is unlikely ever to be topped.

Although it's scandal Stuart Pearce isn't on there