After leaving Anfield, Reds legend Steve McManaman spent four glorious years in Spain, winning two La Liga titles and two European Cups with Real Madrid as he finally achieved the kind of success that eluded him at Liverpool. With that in mind, it's hardly surprising that Macca is a big fan of the Spanish national team, who he rates as the 'best team in history'. Is he right?
In an interview with AS a few days ago, McManaman - who grabbed 47 goals and assists in 94 games for Madrid - said:
"This Spain team for me is the best team in history, even better than Brazil of 1970.
"If Spain win Euro 2012 they'll be better than Brazil of 1970 and all teams in the world. No one has done it, but I think Spain can".
Better than Brazil's 1970 World Cup winning team? There's no real way of judging the comparative quality of both teams, but in a head-to-head game, I think the flair and guile of Brazil 1970 would triumph over the clinical passing game of Spain 2012.
What do you think?
Jaimie Kanwar
In an interview with AS a few days ago, McManaman - who grabbed 47 goals and assists in 94 games for Madrid - said:
"This Spain team for me is the best team in history, even better than Brazil of 1970.
"If Spain win Euro 2012 they'll be better than Brazil of 1970 and all teams in the world. No one has done it, but I think Spain can".
Better than Brazil's 1970 World Cup winning team? There's no real way of judging the comparative quality of both teams, but in a head-to-head game, I think the flair and guile of Brazil 1970 would triumph over the clinical passing game of Spain 2012.
What do you think?
Jaimie Kanwar
Los alucinantes productos farmacéuticos debe estar trabajando Steven. I always knew you were a splitter.
ReplyDeletespain passing will pick off brazill flair
ReplyDeletei think Germany are the best team at Euro 2012
ReplyDeleteI think it is close but spain are better as they work strongly as a unit and have to quality players for every position
ReplyDeletewho scored most and let in the least in the euros without counting today this week quater final
ReplyDeleteSorry Macca, you were a great dribbler but no contest. Brazil's flair included great passing and great dribbling. Take a look at some of the clips from that period on Youtube and it was an absolute joy to watch
ReplyDeletefirstly McManaman is anything but a legend at anfield he a money grabbing toe rag who left on a bosman despite being asked to look for a transfer a year earlier so at least Liverpool would get something in return. you can value the rest of his judgements lots dont.
ReplyDeletespain are brilliant, but the defence is not so great.
ReplyDeletei would say the france 98/00 team is the best ever, world class players in every position. saying that i never seen the brazil team in 1970, youtube will obviously show the best bits
how can you say not great alonso and buquets infront of pique and ramos is like a big rock
ReplyDeleteuuuummmmm arbeloa?
ReplyDeleteI think Macca is right. Football has moved so much that, when I watch the clippings of 60s & 70s great games, it feels in slow-motion. Actually, I think the Brazil team of '86 was better than the 70s team.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of individual skill, teams in 70s & before looked better, but I doubt they can match the France '98-00, Spanish '08-'10 or German '90-'92 teams tactically, from compactness, in stamina or speed.
As someone mentioned, I put those 4 teams (& may be the Dutch '88 squad) better than the Brazil '70 team. There were some great individuals, but they competed with contemporaries, the game has progressed 3/4 decades.
Stand out national teams for me
ReplyDeletePele s Brazil
Cruyffs Holland
Beckenbauers Germany
Maradona s Argentina
Zidanes France
xabi s Spain
The best....... close call between Brazil and Holland (IMO)
I think you use the word legend too loosely
ReplyDeleteBrazil did it over 12 years. If Spain win this one they would be worthy equals but not better.
ReplyDeleteIt's a matter of opinion. In my view, McManaman is a footballing legend. Absolutely superb player for Liverpool, and such a joy to watch.
ReplyDeleteYou left out the great french side that platina played in.
ReplyDeleteDifficult call. Different times, Different styles. Not an easy one to pick as the best. Both teams were a joy to watch.
ReplyDeleteI think Fra lose bcoz of Benzema....
ReplyDeleteThis is preposterous, how many of the current Spanish team would get into the Brazil 1970 team?
ReplyDeletePele world cup winner 1958,1962,1970 with (heavy leather balls, brutal tackles)
Xabi world cup winner 2010
Case closed
The closest any team got to Brazil's greatest was Argentina & Germany the rest don't even deserve a mention.
No matter which way anyone tries to spin this the greatest footballing nation on this planet IS BRAZIL.
every player to pull on a LFC shirt is not "a legend",he is part of a legend.
ReplyDeletewatch in 2014 where spain will embarrass brazil on there own turf
ReplyDeleteAnd that will prove todays Spain is better than Brazil 1970 . Pay attention . Both a joy to watch , who knows , who cares
ReplyDeleteTo me there is a certain boredom in watching Spain. People say England are boring, but Spain pass side to side for large periods of time until they find a gap and then get a chance; England concede possession until they get the ball back then look for a gap and get a chance. But we get derided.
ReplyDeleteGrudgingly, I prefer Germany's play. It has a control, energy and directness that excites me more; but its just personal preference.
I live in the here and now and according to the question asked ..The Greatest Team thus far is BRAZIL.
ReplyDeleteEven if Spain win it they would have to win it again in 2018. tell me they'll win that as well @Huj
As a collection of individuals, Brazil; as a cohesive unit, Spain.
ReplyDeleteHow many of this Spain team would get into Pele's Brazil? None.
ReplyDeleteNone of them are old enough.
spain better than pele brazil that won three world cup in twelve years dream on
ReplyDeletespain will be coming home in body bags even dreaming they could go to the greatest football nation on earth and win.your out of fucking mind
ReplyDeletebrazil 70 miles ahead
ReplyDeleteyear right with the likes of robbie savage and carlton palmer hesky vinny jones,wayne ronny not being able to trap a simple ball when at a tournament dont make me laugh.
ReplyDeletewell said
ReplyDeletePeles team won 3 world cups and only lost in 1966 because he was brutalized out of the tourney ( as he was in 62 )
ReplyDeletewhen that team toured Europe they destroyed EVERYBODY including the Euro champ that year Benfica... Pele scored 3 in that one. Spain is good but Brazil dominated for a DECADE.