Football, a team sport, isn't as easy as we think. It is not just about the goals and the points; there are so many more things that we need to know. The game is also about leadership, mentality, and inspiration. The greatest or the best football are not the ones who define eras, rally teams, and turn the matches according to their thoughts. Here is the list of the best football captains who have led the game with a never-dying spirit, leading to victory.
Best Football Captains in History
Here is the list of the best football captains in history who have turned the game in a different direction, resulting in applause and cheers.
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Anton Beckenbauer was a German professional football player, manager, and official. He is nicknamed 'Der Kaiser,' which means the emperor and is regarded as one of the GOATs in football history. He is honoured with several rewards, such as the FIFA World Cup, the European Champions Cup, and the Ballon d'Or.
Twice named European Footballer of the Year, Beckenbauer appeared 103 times for West Germany, playing in three FIFA World Cups and two European Championships. He was also awarded the World Cup Trophy for being the best captain in 1974. Also, he was the first captain to receive the World Cup, the European Championship at the international level, and the European Cup at the club level.
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona Franco was an Argentina professional football player and a manager. He is regarded as one of the greatest football players in history. He was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award alongside Pele.
During his Argentina career, he managed to earn 91 caps and scored 34 goals. He has played in four FIFA World Cups, including the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he captained and led Argentina to victory over West Germany in the final and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
His next excellent win was at the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, where he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over England, leading to football history for two reasons. The first goal was said to be the 'Hand of God,' while the second goal followed a 60 m (66 yds), which dribbled past five England players, and was also voted 'Goal of the Century' by the voters of FIFA.com in 2002.
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini is another famous and the best football captain. Paolo Cesare Maldini is an Italian football executive and former professional footballer. He played as a left-back or centre-back for the AC Milan and the Italy National team. He is also considered one of the greatest defenders and has received the UEFA Club Football Award.
Until the intrusion of Gianluigi Buffon in 2020, he held the record for appearances in Serie A (647) and the joint record for most European Cup/UEFA Champions League final appearances. He won 26 trophies with Milan: the European Cup/UEFA Champions League five times, seven Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, five Supercoppa Italiana titles, five European/UEFA Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish football pundit, former coach, and former professional player. He has won 19 major trophies in his club career, 17 of which came during his time at English football club Manchester United. He is regarded as one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, one of the best players of his generation, and the best players in Premier League history.
He played as a captain at the international level in the Republic of Ireland for over 14 years. At the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he played in every Republic of Ireland game. Due to a dispute with national coach Mick McCarthy regarding the team's training facilities, he was sent from the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Tony Adams
Tony Adams was only 21 years old when he was appointed as the club skipper. He is an English former football manager and player who played for both Arsenal and England. Here, he captained both teams. He played his entire career as a centre-back for 19 years, making 672 total appearances and winning four English League titles. He is considered one of the greatest Arsenal players and is included in the Football League 100 Legends.
With Arsenal, he also won other top-flight division titles, where he captained uniquely a title-winning team to complete three different decades, such as the three FA Cups, two Football League Cups, a UEFA Winners' Cup, and two FA community shields. He won 66 caps for England between 1987 and 2000 and played at four major football tournaments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Football Captains
What Makes a Great Football Captain?
A great footballer has an unshakeable mentality and the ability to inspire; a person with tactical intelligence can handle challenging situations, and loyalty and longevity are also musts to grip performances during essential turns.
Is There a Need for the Captains to Be Vocal During the Game?
It's not always needed but depends on the captain's ability. If they can handle the team patiently, they don't have to be vocal and prefer to be chosen. But in some instances, there comes a need for the captains to speak up. Hence, they must act accordingly.
What Are the Most Essential Qualities of a Football Player?
The fundamental skills of football players include unshakeable mentality, tactical intelligence, good communication skills, loyalty and longevity, and adaptability.
Football captains are crucial in shaping the players and taking the teams to new heights. However, the following list of players are the names of those who have set benchmarks for the game and have shown their best in the game.
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