Top 5 Tuesday: Legends Who Never Played for Big Clubs
The definition of big clubs might not be agreed upon here, which is why I want to clarify that by big clubs I mean clubs that are not that popular worldwide.
Legends of the football world have carved their names in stone due to many accomplishments, however, some have done so while not playing for big clubs
5- Pele
Starting with the easiest one, Pele's goal tally had reached over a thousand goals if you count his official and non-official matches. The youngest goalscorer in World Cup history, also the youngest to score in a World Cup final.
Pele has mainly played for Santos, especially since his stint at New York Cosmos was more symbolic. In spite of playing only for one club, as popular as it may be in Brazil, it was never a club name recognized worldwide. Still, Pele's name is one of the first ones you think of when football is mentioned.
4- Telmo Zarra
Spain journals described Zarra as a man who plays with three legs, not in a dirty way as the third was in reference to his head. Zarra played 277 games scoring 251 goals with Athletic Bilbao. While some of his records still stand, such as Copa Del Rey's top scorer of all time, many were outdone thanks only to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Zarra is still considered the best Spanish goalscorer, and if it weren't for Messi and Cristiano as we mentioned, he would be the current record holder of most goals scored in La Liga.
3- Lev Yashin
If you were to ask who was the best goalkeeper of all time, many would name Lev Yashin, even those who haven't seen him live or even watched a video of him. Nicknamed "Black Spider", "Black Panther", and everything fast or has many arms/legs in between.
This legend has only played for Dynamo Moscow in his club career. Dynamo Moscow is a club that is still yet to win a title since 1995 and has yet to win the league since 1976.
Still, and even though the keeper was living far away from where the football-watching eyes were, Lev Yashin has made a legendary status, racked up countless individual awards, and is the only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d'Or.
2- Alan Shearer
Is there ever going to be a player to break Alan Shearer's record of 260 goals, most goals scored by one player in the Premier League?
The legendary English striker has played for only three clubs in his entire career, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, and Newcastle United. While somewhat big clubs locally at the time, Shearer has never played for any of the clubs recognized worldwide.
Shearer has won only one title in his career, the Premier League title, and he did so with Blackburn Rovers in 1995.
1- José Luis Chilavert and Carlos Valderrama
Not to make a habit out of this, but number one is a double feature. I really loved reading about the two, one of whom will actually feature in next week's list.
José Luis Chilavert, the Paraguayan had a long career that lasted 22 years, in which he scored, not joking, 61 goals. He is the second-highest goalscoring keeper of all. Still, his closest claim to fame in club football is a ten-year stint with the Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield. Chilavert remains Paraguay's best player of all time and one of the best South America's history by many accounts.
Carlos Valderrama, known for his distinctive hairstyle, reflects a huge side of Colombian players who tend to play away from the spotlight when they get famous. Valderrama's most famous club to play with was Montpellier, with whom he won one Coupe de France.
That was today's list
I hope I kept it short and sweet this time. Thank you for reading.
On another note, I have started a Comedy Community in which I am hosting a weekly contest, the current one is worth 70 HBD in prizes, it would mean a lot to me if anyone reading this would subscribe and enter the contest.
Great list!
Of course, Shearer could have joined Manchester United but choose to go back to Newcastle.
All things being equal I would imagine Kane will beat his record.
Yeah, Kane is rather close. I would be cheering against him doing that as an Arsenal fan.
Thank you for your comment.
Alan Shearer's for me is always quite astonishing when I think of it.
On the flip side, we may argue that Newcastle then were bigger than what they are currently.
Perhaps, the new ownership may be returning them to glory days
Yeah, big clubs apply mostly in the current time more than it may back then. But then, if you look at his record while seeing the titles he won, it adds meaning to the pick.
Sports information like these can be so relaxing to me, thanks @amirtheawesome1.
Surprised to see Pele and Shearer on the list. Newcastle and Blackburn weren't huge clubs, but when they signed Shearer, it was for a record-breaking transfer deal.
I loved watching him at the time, he was talentless except his goal hogging and getting it in the back of the net. I guess that's whats important though. When I see him these days, similar to Linekar, I just want to kick the TV !