THE BEST BRITISH FOOTBALL PLAYERS EVER

We have already published a post about some of the best English football players of all time. What about the players of the rest of the countries forming the United Kingdom? We think that we had to pay tribute to some of them, since they are part of the history of football. As it always happens, there may be different opinions to ours. Tell us what players you would have included. Here you are our selection:

SCOTLAND

Denis Law

He holds the honour of being the only Scottish player ever to win the European Footballer of the Year award in 1964. Nicknamed "The King" by supporters, he scored 237 goals for Manchester United (1962-1973) and is still Scotland´s international highest goalscorer with 30 goals.

Denis Law is one of the greatest legends of Manchester United

His flair, spirit and genuine love for the game made him a hero for a generation. A statue of Denis Law stands on the Stretford End at Old Trafford as a fitting tribute to one of United´s true living legends.His trademark celebration -arm in the air, finger pointing at the sky- will never be forgotten there.



Kenny Dalglish

"King Kenny" was named as the best footballer in Liverpool F. C. history (he played there from 1977 to 1991). He won with Liverpool six Leagues and three European Cups.  He is also the most capped player in the history of Scotland´s national team (102 appearances). He was also considered as "the greatest striker in post-war British football" in 2009 by the football magazine "FourFourTwo"

Kenny Dalglish, the King of Anfield

Nobody in Anfield can forget his sublime curlers, his mazy dribbles or his stretching volleys. A pure genius with the ball at his feet, he still is and will be for a long time yet the great idol of Liverpool supporters.

NORTHERN IRELAND

George Best

A Northern-Irish winger for Manchester United, where he played between 1963 and 1974. He won the European Cup in 1968 and The European Footballer of the Year in 1968. His playing style combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness and goalscoaring and the ability to beat defenders.

Best was a genius of football

Best´s talent was so big that he became one of the first celebrity footballers but his subsequent extravagant lifestyle led him to various problems, most notably alcoholism and even to quit Manchester United at the early age of 27. He reached unimaginable heights with his outrageous skills before self-destructing into alcoholism, bankruptcy and even jail. There´s a saying in Britain: "Maradona Good, Pelé Better, George Best"

WALES

Ian Rush

He was among the top strikers in the English game during his two spells for Liverpool (1980-1987 and 1988-1996), interrupted by a frustrating year playing in Italy for Juventus.



Ian rush, one of the gratest British scorers

He remains the record goalscorer for both Wales (28 goals) and for Liverpool F.C. (346 goals in all competitions). He won two European Cups (81, 84) and five English Leagues. His electric pace and eagle-eyed anticipation made him a nightmare to mark and his attacking partnership with Dalglish is regarded as one of the best ever.

Ryan Giggs

A living legend for Manchester United, where he is still playing. He made his first appearance for the Red Devils in the 1990-1991 season. He soon established as a left winger and is known for his tireless running, ball possession and ability to create goalscoring opportunities for those around him.

Giggs is getting a bigger nd bigger legend every day

Giggs is the most decorated player in English football history  (12 Premier Leagues,  4 FA Cups, 2 Champions Leagues). He also holds the club record for competitive appearances (933-653 in League). He is also the only player to have played and scored in every Premier League Season.

Gareth Bale

To show that the numbers of fantastic British football players never ceases to increase, we are talking about one of the present stars at the Premier league. Gareth Bale is a Welsh footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur as a winger. Nowadays, he is one of the main objects of desire of clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Gareth Bale is one of the best British players now

He started his professional career at Southamptom, playing as a left-back, earning acclaim as a free kick specialist. Since being signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 2007, he has transformed into a more offensively-oriented player. He has been described as a footballer with "tremendous speed, great crossing ability, a great left foot and exceptional physical qualities". All these virtues have made him one of the most dangerous left-wingers in the world.