Every football club have their idols – someone who encapsulates an era in the club’s history that will be remembered by not just the club’s fans but of fans all over the world. It’s rare though that these players are still active whilst reaching idol status; Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United however, all have the prestige of currently having them at the club in the form of Alessandro Del Piero, Raul Gonzalez and Ryan Giggs.
So why highlight these three now? People have been talking about these three for well over a decade now. Well, they all have something in common – they are all going through a revival.
Alessandro Del Piero
Del Piero moved to Juventus at the age of 19 and became student to the great master Roberto Baggio. It didn’t take Alex long to make an impact; scoring a hat trick on his full debut for the Old Lady – 15 years later and it’s no surprise he’s Juve’s all time goal scorer. Del Piero isn’t just a goal scorer though. He has great vision and has remarkable creativity – something that David Trezuquet will vouch for as their partnership and Trezequet’s goal scoring record is the most prolific in Serie A.
A knee injury ended his 1998/1999 season early and in the following years struggled to make the same impact. It’s no coincidence again though that as Del Piero gained in form, Juventus captured two more Serie A titles in 2002 and 2003. Zidane came and went, Nedved stole the limelight temporarily, but through all this Del Piero remained the constant. He’s a true symbol of Juventus and Italian football and his resurgence mirrored that of Juventus’ after the Calciopoli scandal.
Many thought Del Piero’s time in Serie B would be his final contribution to the Bianconari; those doubters felt that Del Piero had lost a lot of his pace and struggled against stronger opposition – but following Juve’s promotion the cynics have been proved wrong. He helped Juventus clinch a Champions League spot with 21 goals in Serie A and his Champions League form has been exceptional; recently earning a standing ovation in the Bernabeu after scoring a goal and providing an assist. The standing ovation follow the match were not just for that goal and assist however, Alessandro Del Piero has worked his adult life to receive those exclusive plaudits.
Raul Gonzalez
Raul’s effort to the Real Madrid cause has been second to none. Although people negatively talk of his influence in the politics of the club there is no doubt he still weighs in with a fair haul of goals and assist over the season.
He recently beat Di Stefano’s great record. His secret? Apparently a low oxygen tank which allows his body to recover faster each game, however one senses there’s more to it than meets the eye. Raul has always had an incredible amount of guile and instinct and has never had to rely on his pace to produce the goods. This has given him the ability to still pull through fast games where other 30 plus year olds would fall behind. The crowd appreciation is there for all to see. The crowd boo when he is substituted, cheer when he scores – it’s a manager’s responsibility to put him first on the team sheet.
Raul also holds the distinction of never receiving a red card. He does this though through passion and not anger, through competitiveness and not being hot headed. Players today could really look to Raul as a role model as Real Madrid’s club captain hasn’t found himself where he is today by accident.
Ryan Giggs
Manchester United’s youth team of the nineties will always be remembered for the class of 1995 – the kids; consisting of Beckham, Scholes, Butt and the Nevilles. However maybe the greatest find came five years earlier when a young skinny boy signed for the Red Devils. He quickly became a regular in the starting line up and when Alex Ferguson ousted Lee Sharpe it was clear where his preferences lied down the left flank.
He will always be remembered for his goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi final in 1999. A quick, tricky and direct run resulting in a goal says it all about Ryan Giggs. However in years to follow Giggs’s performances fell away as age took a toll on his pace through numerous hamstring injuries. Many thought it was time for him to move on to keep playing first team football, but Alex Ferguson thought different and it’s to his testament we have the Ryan Giggs of today.
The reinvention of the Welsh winger has earned plaudits from many corners of England, his recent shortlist on the PFA player of the year award has resulted in negative murmurs from some quarters but the masses cannot be wrong. Some feel that Giggs deserves some kind of trophy – one that represents the most decorated player in Premiership history. Alex Ferguson has called for his knighthood but Giggs doesn’t need an accolade as such as he’s already the knight in shining armour at Manchester United. He plays fewer games now but has been highly effective on each outing this season for Manchester United. So often has Giggs offered a plan B to Manchester United which may see them edge over the finish line where Liverpool and Chelsea may have faltered – experience is key, but the flexibility, work ethic and pure class of Giggs as well as Raul and Del Piero will ensure they are never forgotten.
Written by Steven Jones
