It’s a question that provokes debate across the full spectrum of sports – just who is the greatest ever?
For boxing, fans of the noble art argue endlessly over whether Muhammad Ali was better than Mike Tyson. Or, come to think of it, on a pound for pound basis, was Sugar Ray Leonard the daddy of them all? And, as Wimbledon faces its usual battle with the elements, we’re left to ponder whether Roger Federer would have swept Björn Borg from the centre court with consummate ease.
For the moment, however, it’s football’s turn once more. (you may say: ‘Thank goodness. That’s quite enough of the inferior sports, thank you.’) No sooner had Spain begun cavorting around the pitch with the 2012 European Championship trophy for company, we were being asked if, with their third consecutive major championship victory in the bag, (an admittedly astonishing feat) could they lay claim to being described as the best football team of all time?
On an international level, thoughts immediately turn to Brazil, of course. Fair enough. A record of five world cup wins leaves us in no doubt about their standing in the beautiful game. The only question is, which of the great samba sides to pick?
For most commentators, the 1970 side are top of the pile when it comes to the Brazilians. Think Mexico 1970, and images flash into the head without too much effort. The 4-1 mauling of Italy in the final that year is regularly summoned for TV, especially the intricate build-up play and clinical thumping fourth goal, lashed joyfully home by marauding right back Carlos Alberto.
The Italians themselves, of course, are no strangers to clinching the all-important titles. Much could be said for the Germans. But whether any of their sides could match the current Spanish throng is at best highly dubious.
It’s astonishing to consider that Spain attracted criticism during the course of this summer’s football feast in Poland and Ukraine. They were described as boring by many, people who viewed their possession football as lacking in the clinical fire-power and the art of killing off teams.
That they took to the field on a few occasions without a recognised striker had something to do with that. But the feeling persisted that, for some at least, the team had lost an edge somewhere, perhaps lacking hunger following their success in recent years.
In light of the injury to their predatory striker David Villa, it's been felt that other sides could finally sense working out how to play against them, or at least mitigate the damage they are able to inflict.
It also shouldn’t be forgotten that, as you might expect, the Spanish national side is predominately made up of Barcelona and Read Madrid players, most of whom have just completed a gruelling season in La Liga and the Champions League. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, but they are human after all.
Anyhow, the doubters were silenced in emphatic style, as Spain saved their best for last. Their opening 45 minutes against Italy on Sunday evening was simply as good as it gets, and the only wonder was that only two goals separated the teams at half-time.
Another 45 minutes later and another piece of silverware. Rather than being boring the argument was on. So, the best of all time, right?
The answer to this is – probably. And, should Vicente del Bosque’s boys retain their world cup crown in two years’ time in Brazil, the answer must emphatically be – definitely.
The club game has also had us drooling over what Spain has to offer in recent years, particularly in the shape of Barcelona. The style of play at the Nou Camp is similar to the national side’s imperious form, and, once again, the title of greatest ever team has been bestowed upon Barca’s band of tiny terrors.
Mind you, the best ever club side is possibly more contentious when it comes to making a selection. I mean, what about Real Madrid back in the 1960s? Or the Ajax team a few years after that? And who mentioned Liverpool just now?
These are the normally beer-fuelled debates that rage on, and it’s always entertaining stuff, even if it does tend to be predicated by whichever era you belong to! Thank goodness for opinions though, otherwise it would all be dreadfully dull.
So, that’s it settled then – Spain, the greatest of all time. Pardon? Brazil 1970? What makes you so sure………..