Saturday, April 16, 2011

EXTRA TIME with Vusumuzi Mourinho Ndlovu - FOOTBALL LEGENDS: Luis Figo v Ryan Giggs

 
Upon consulting many fans about the Luis Figo and Ryan Giggs debate I wasn’t surprised finding out that most fans are biased towards their favourite teams.

It was crystal clear that Red Devils fans will stick with Giggs whilst the Merengues faithful will opt for Figo. To me, Figo’s switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid alone was enough to sway the Catalans fans’ vote to the Welsh wizard.

Giggs remained on top of his game for many years. Its funny how many people underrate consistence. Figo’s fans talk of awesome displays at his last two years at the Nou Camp and his first two at the Bernabeu, some Giggs’ fans say if Ronaldinho played like he did at Barca for the rest of his career he would have surpassed Zidane and Maradona. In this they emphasize that consistence is key. Where is Figo now? He has faded out: thus their quick response.

Both were great ballcrossers and freekick specialists. Giggs being a speedy agile dribbler, Figo was more of a slow technician known for his close ball control. United fans bragged about Giggs’ numerous medals. What did Figo do that Giggs couldn’t? Surely, how is he still running at 37? They asked.

Figo reached a higher level because he raised his game to the highest sphere of football. Giggs has never been close to the “world player of the year tag”. Figo won the 2000 European footballer of the year award and the most prestigious award a player could get when he got the FIFA world player of the year award the following year.

Playing for many years doesn’t automatically makes you a better player, where was Zizou at 17 and at 37? The case that Giggs played for the same team with the same manager knocks out some points on his side because he didn’t have to settle in and adjust, something you have to do when you transfer to another club with a different coach.
I think they mustn’t be judged on medals they have because that would put a player like Fransisco Gento on top of wingers’ charts. Figo featured prominently on international level which further puts him ahead of Giggs.
Having played football on the streets, junior and lower leagues of Zimbabwe, I have never heard any player calling himself or being called Giggs.


Figo might have had more fans and more influence. However, the opinion of many isn’t always correct, no matter how loud they may be. What’s your opinion: Luis Figo or Ryan Giggs?

1 comment:

  1. Figo was a master of the game without doubt. He played at the highest level exceptionally well. Giggs consinstantly played average for very long. It's 2 different cups of tea. A different medal for each will do.

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