MY UNSUNG ALL-TIME XI

PHILIPO ROURKE PICKS THE PLAYERS WHO DON'T GET THE PLAUDITS THEY DESERVE...

- PHILIPO ROURKE

SINCE football began, there have been star players in each generation. The likes of Pele, Maradona, Best and Cruyff are all household names and the only argument anyone usually has in regards to them is what position each one could play in an all-time football XI.

But sitting behind all these stars are those who have gone under the radar. There are many who have done amazing things, but, for some reason or another, have not got the recognition they deserve.

So, to try to set the record straight, I am going to name my Unsung All-Time XI, sticking with a simple 4-4-2 formation…

GOALKEEPER ANDONI ZUBIZARRETA

Goalkeepers rarely get the plaudits and accolades they merit. Only one goalkeeper has won the Ballon d'Or, and that was Lev Yashin in 1963.

It is a role that is under-appreciated and there are goalkeepers who don't even get a mention when it comes to being the best in that position.

One is Andoni Zubizarreta, who played 126 times for the Spanish national team.

He won La Liga four times with Barcelona but probably more impressive was winning it twice with Athletic Bilbao, including a double in the 1983-84 season when he also won the Copa del Rey. (He won three Copa del Reys in total). He also has one European Cup medal, winning it with Barcelona in 1991-92. He is my number one.

RIGHT-BACK DJALMA SANTOS

At right-back, we have a two-time World Cup winner with Brazil (1958 and 1962), Djalma Santos. He played in four World Cups, being part of the golden era of Brazilian football.