All-'50s Soccer Team

 

The Clueless About Soccer All-Time XVI (XVI because I don't really know how to best arrange them into an XI) is coming soon, but right now, here's something I haven't seen anywhere: all-decade teams for soccer. And even though I'm not as familiar with any soccer players as I let on, not having really seen them or read copious amounts about them, I'll try my hand anyway.

I started with top-100 lists from various sources compiled on RSSSF (here, here, and here), with players not appearing in The Complete Book of Soccer filtered out. To pick a few players for the '90s and '00s teams, I had to refer to the FIFA 100 as well as ESM XI and Onze Mondial listings from RSSSF. I have no file for exactly how I used ESM teams to fill in gaps in the '90s and '00s teams.

If any of the substitute listings look off or the teams look biased toward any nations in particular, I'd consider suggestions if I had readers.

It wouldn't be typical of me to emphasize the things these players did off the field or the things they had to overcome, but here I am doing that. My sources for player bios are The Complete Book of Soccer, World Soccer Yearbook 2002-3, and Wikipedia.

FIFTIES

Formation: 2-3-5

GK #1 Yashin
Lev Yashin is no doubt the best Soviet footballer of the Soviet era, and he monopolizes discussions of the best goalkeepers ever. An agile player with big hands, what he said about "the joy of a good penalty save" rang true when watching him.

RB #2 D. Santos
Djalma Santos is one of two players to make three All-World Cup Teams. He had the defensive skills expected of a fullback and then some, and on the Brazilian team, he could support the attack for Garrincha or, as seen in one '62 final, for Vava.

LB #3 N. Santos
Nilton Santos (no relation to Brazil teammate Djalma) was an early example of a two-way defender. He reportedly went so far forward against Austria at the '58 World Cup that it didn't make sense - until he scored, that is.

HB #4 Charles
John Charles was great at center-half and center forward. He shone with Leeds United and Juventus, and he led Wales to the World Cup quarterfinals in 1958.

HB #5 Didi
Didi, the Brazilian center-half and midfielder, could score from free kicks like nobody's business. His technical skill made him well-suited for his important position on a team that won back-to-back World Cup titles.

HB #6 Liedholm
Nils Liedholm was excluded from the Swedish team when he went pro. Their loss; he brought his creativity to Milan and contributed to their four Serie A titles in the '50s.

OF #7 Matthews
One of English soccer's luminaries, Stanley Matthews played at the club level until he was fifty! He earned every bit of his nickname, "The Wizard of the Dribble," by outmaneuvering defenders.

IF #8 Puskas
Ferenc Puskas was amazing at finding the net. This Hungarian hero had goal numbers in the hundreds for his two clubs and almost one goal per game for the Magical Magyars, a national side that dominated Europe in the early '50s.

CF #9 Di Stefano
Alfredo di Stefano used the many skills he had to produce big numbers and championships at the club level. One of the true greats of the game, he rivals Diego Maradona among all-time Argentine-born legends.

IF #10 Schiaffino
Juan Schiaffino scored the equalizer for Uruguay in their 1950 match against Brazil, and he was a sensation from the time he arrived in Milan for an unprecedented transfer fee.

OF #11 Hidegkuti
Nandor Hidegkuti played deep, and his role was key for the Hungarian powerhouse. That 6-3 win against England in '53? He scored half of Hungary's goals.

Alternates
IF Ladislav Kubala
IF Sandor Kocsis
CF Just Fontaine
CF Raymond Kopa
HB Obdulio Varela
GK Antonio Carbajal

Coming hopefully before the end of this year are the rest of the decades' teams (still have a lot to figure out regarding the '00s) and my consensus all-time team. Who do I think I am?