However it is possible to be great without winning trophies, after all isn’t greatness subjective? I think you would find that most Southampton fans would say that Matt Le Tissier was a great player, and the only thing he won was a handful of caps for England. His lack of trophies was perhaps hindered by his loyalty to Southampton, the club where he spent his entire career, but should his loyalty not count as a ‘great’ attribute?
Similarly you could look at van Persie. Imagine a scenario where he signed a new contract, stayed until he was in his mid thirties and broke the Arsenal scoring record. Even if he didn’t win any trophies would he not constitute a great player for being the top goal scorer of one of England’s most successful teams ever?
Yes, clearly trophies make a great player better still. After all, to test yourself at the highest level should be the ambition of all top players. However, to condemn those medal-less players like Bale to a rung below five time Premier League winner and winner of the 2008 Champions League John O’Shea would be farcical.
Frankly it is perfectly conceivable that a player such as Gareth Bale might never win as many impressive medals. But that certainly wouldn’t make him a lesser player. The same statement can be applied to van Persie or any other extremely talented but trophy impoverished player.
It is easy to see why a player such as Rio Ferdinand, who has arguably been carried along by the performances of those around him at United during his career, would champion trophies over exceptional individual talent. However to do so would be too one-dimensional, even for a player of Ferdinand’s intellect. There is not a criteria for greatness, players are not always remembered who perhaps should be, and less successful players are sometimes put on pedestals to big for the lack of trophies.
Just look at a player like Socrates. One of the few great Brazilians never to win a World Cup, but it doesn’t stop him being regarded with the highest esteem. As Ferdinand’s career winds down, along with his Twitter following, perhaps we are seeing the first signs of the insecurities of a man who would rather be remembered for the exceptional feats of his manager and team mates as opposed to his own questionable talents.
Follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay Written by Hamish Mackay for FootballFanCast.com
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You contradict yourself with your point about Carlos Puyol, therefore you prove yourself wrong.
Also it is ridiculous to say Ferdinand has been carried by his teamates to success. His brilliant form in 2008 earned him a cl winners medal and was labelled as the best defender in the world by Lionel Messi amongst others.
Gareth Bale has an awful long way to go before he can be considered anywhere near the same class as Giggs. Giggs is a world star, a legend of the sport, still playing at the highest level at 39m, scored in every single premier league season. Bale has had one and a half decent seasons and the typically ignorant english media (who love to overrate british players) get carried away. When Bale looses his pace his kick and rush game will be gone and his technique and skill will be put into question. Giggs has shown his ability on the ball is up there with some of the greatest players of all time, Bale will do well to show anything even remotely as good.
Ultimately Bale needs to move up to the highest level and perform consistently if he wishes to show he can be great, or he will be forgotten.