FFT ranks the finest to step foot on Planet Football, via Jon Flanagan superfans, raw chickens and a magic dwarf
Words Tom Hancock
30 JOSIMAR
Selected in FIFA’s 1986 World Cup All-Star Team, Brazilian right-back Josimar only won 16 caps, yet established himself among the planet’s premier right-backs during the ’80s. Incredibly, he made his debut in Mexico and scored in each of his first two internationals.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTDoing what apparently comes naturally for Brazilian full-backs and bagging a belter at the World Cup – against Northern Ireland great Pat Jennings, no less.
29 ERIC ABIDAL
A league winner in France, Spain and Greece (of course), in addition to starting the 2006 World Cup Final, Abidal had a stunning career. He needed surgery on a liver tumour in 2011, yet won the Champions League two months later with Barcelona. After a transplant, he still managed to return to first-team action.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTHoisting the European Cup at Wembley following his initial surgery – captain Carles Puyol handed him the honour.
28 BRANDI CHASTAIN
An idol of the women’s game, Chastain won 192 caps for the United States from 1988 to 2004. A highly versatile right-back who could also operate in midfield or up front, Chastain slammed home the winning spot-kick in the 1999 World Cup Final shootout against China.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTAfter that penalty, she removed her shirt in celebration, making for what was later described as the “most iconic photograph ever taken of a female athlete”.
27 DENIS IRWIN
The greatest full-back known by their middle name? Possibly. Perfectly competent on both flanks, (Joseph) Denis Irwin played a crucial role in Manchester United’s ’90s dominance. He won a dozen major titles at Old Trafford, including the Treble, and helped the Republic of Ireland to reach the last 16 of USA 94 after a shock defeat of eventual runners-up Italy.
THEY SAID “He would be the one certainty” – Sir Alex Ferguson on his all-time United XI.
26 GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA
A World Cup winner in 2006, few moments summed up what the Italian was capable of better than his strike against Ukraine in the last eight – surging forward from right-back, then crashing home a left-footed 25-yarder. Adept on either wing, he won 100 caps, as well as Serie A titles with Juventus and Milan.
DID YOU KNOW?The Como native
