One Club Wonders The Living Legends, My top 10

In today's modern footballing era, it has been very difficult to tie down players to one club. The influx of foreign owners and the amount of money pumped into the sport has to certain extent changed the players mentality from being passionate about their teams to being materialistic especially in the big European leagues and has even worsened the situation to certain extent by making the current crop of marquee players to hold their club at ransom to either increase their stakes, or let them leave to a club that is ready to pay into their demands.
This list here is a tribute to those players who epitomize loyalty, dedication and heart to one club where they have spent all of their lives playing.
My top 10 list of one club men who have cannoned on season after season defying their age and at times defying physics too, putting in shifts that left millions across the globe awestruck, and bewildered for over 12 seasons and more for their respective teams.


#10 Name : Gary Neville
Team : Manchester United(1992-2011)
Position: Right Back
United Debut: Vs Torpedo Moscow (Uefa Cup)


Gary Alexander Neville joined the Manchester united academy in the year 1991 and was one of the players brought into the fist team from the famous class of '92 that comprised of fellow youth stars Beckham, Scholes, Butt and Giggs.


Having appeared 602 times in a devils shirt, making him the second longest serving player for Manchester United squad behind Ryan Giggs. Neville decided to hang his boots in feb 2011 when injury plagued him through out the last season. He was described by Sir Alex as the best British right backs of his generation. He was inducted as the club captain the the year 2005 after the unceremonious exit of Roy Keane in November of the same year.

In a 19 year career with united, Neville has notched up 7 goals in 602 appearances in his time at Old Trafford.

Moment to Remember: He played a crucial role in the treble winning season of 1999 when he helped united win the Fa cup, Champions league and the Premier league and subsequently was rewarded a place for his efforts in the Champions league final against Munich in Camp Nou, Barcelona and completed 90 mins.

Moment to Forget: He kicked out the football against a spectator at Goodison park,in a match against Everton and was sent off.

Honours:

9 time Premier League winner :1996,97,99,2000,01,03,06,07,08
3 FA cups : 96,99,04.
2 Uefa Champions league: 1999, 2008
6 FA Community Shield:1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010
1 Intercontinental Cup: 1999
1 Club World Cup: 2008

#9 Francesco Totti
Team: AS Roma(1992- )
Position: Striker/Attacking midfielder.
Debut: Vs Brescia (Siera A)


Often Referred to as the gladiator by the Italian media, the talismanic frontman from Rome has won several accolades including as one of the players in the "125 greatest living footballers" selected by the legendary Brazilian Pele as oart of FIFA's centenary celebrations.

Totti is Roma's most capped player in the club's history and considered as Roma's greatest ever player and all time top goalscorer

Totti is still continuing to play with Roma and has currently amassed 610 appearances for the Giallorossi's scoring 262 goals in all competitions.

Totti Became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in 2003 and FIFA/SOS children's villages in 2006 and raised funds by publishing 2 self effacing books containing jokes about what people used to describe him as and in an interview, when he was asked what he would have become if he did not become a footballer, Totti promptly replied saying that he would have become a thug on the streets of Rome had it not been for football.

Totti is one of the finest italian players of his generation. His array of passing, eye for spectacular goals and the ability to inspire team-mates around him make him one of the most lethal players that the game has seen.


Moment to Remember: Totti lifted the FIFA World Cup in the Year 2006 in Germany by defeating France and was a very influential player for the Azzuri's throughout the campaign in Germany helping the azzuri lift their 4th world cup title.

Moment to Forget: Totti incidentally spat at Danish Defender Christian Poulsen after a goalless draw in Euro 2004 and was subsequently banned until the semifinals.

Honours
1 World Cup winners medal 2006
1 Seria A title 2001
2 Supercoppa Italiana 2001, 2007
2 Coppa Italia 2007, 2008




#8 Guti
Team: Real Madrid (1995-2010)
Position: Attacking Midfielder.
Debut : Vs Sevilla FC

We could say that Guti was a Madrid player right from the time of his birth till 2010. He joined the Real Madrid cantera in the year 1986 at the age of 10 and made his senior debut against Sevilla in the year 1995.

Guti's main attribute was his flamboyant left foot that was so accurate that he could slick passes through the thinnest of gaps. and convert defense into attacks earned him a regular starting berth in the Madrid line ups and earned him a call up to the national squad.

Guti has appeared 526 times in the Madrid Shirt and scored 75 times in all competitions

However was a very temperamental player and was shown marching orders 8 times in the league.

Guti's number has been taken over by another spaniard named Xabi Alonso who has filled the void that guti left in the year 2010.

Guti is currently playing for the Turkish side Besiktas JK

Moment to Remember: When Guti came on as a sub and created all the 3 goals for madrid who were 1-0 down at half time. This win helped them secure their liga title for the 30th time.

Moment to Forget: When He was sent off for kicking an opponent who had fallen down after sustaining an injury in the 1999-2000 season.

#7 Raul Gonzalez
Team: Real Madrid (1994-2010)
Position: Striker
Debut: Vs Real Zaragoza

Raul was snapped up from cross town rivals Atletico Madrid's youth system at the tender age of 17, when Atletico's then president Jesus Gil decided to close down their youth academy as a part of cost cutting measures. Raul soon started to find his foothold in Real and went on to make his senior debut against Real Zaragoza and became the youngest ever player to Debut for Madrid at 17 tears and 124 days which was later broken by Alberto Rivera late that season.

Raul in one of the greatest strikers the game has ever seen. He emulated the record previously held by Alfredo Di Stefano by becoming the top scorer for Real Madrid in La Liga scoring 228 goals.He managed to notch up a staggering record 741 appearances for the Galacticos scoring 323 goals in all competitions. He remains the first player to score 50 Goals in the UEFA champions league and still remains to be the top scorer in all of Europe with 71 goals.

He holds the distinct record of never being sent off in a career that spans to 17 long years. Raul is one of the finest and the most disciplined players that the game has ever seen.

He is currently plying his trade for the German side Shalke 04.


Moment to Remember: He won 3 Champions league with the Castilian Club and scored 66 goals in the Europe's Elite competition for the Los Blancos and remains the leading scorer in the Champions league today.

Moment to Forget: When he was accused of creating a divide between the players in the Real Madrid and the national Dressing rooms and was criticized by Nicolas Anelka and Cicinho for his influence in the tea

Honours:
La Liga: 1995 ,97, 2001, 03, 07, 08.
Uefa Champions League:1998, 2000, 2002.
Uefa Super Cup : 2002
Intercontinental Cup :1998, 2002
Super Copa de Espana :1997, 2001, 2003, 2008


Honours:
La Liga: 1997, 2001, 03, 07, 08.
Uefa Champions League:1998, 2000, 2002.
Uefa Super Cup : 2002
Intercontinental Cup :1998, 2002
Super Copa de Espana :1997, 2001, 2003, 2008.

#6 Carles Puyol.
Team: FC Barcelona(1997- )
Position: Centre Back
Debut: Vs Real Valladolid

Carles Puyol, known for his Goldilocks hairstyle started playing football for his hometown club as a goalkeeper however after sustaining a shoulder injury forced him to switch positions to striker.

He then joined Barcelona in the year 1995 and slowly worked his way up to the first team in the year 1997 under the then barcelona coach Luis Van Gaal. He started out as a defensive midfielder and then swicthed his place to Right Back and then successfully now holds the Centre back position in the year 2000 and continues to be at the heart of the defense even today.

He took over the captaincy of Barcelona after the retirement of Luis Enrique at the end of the year 2003-04

He is known for his ruggedness in going for tackles and his positional sense. Barca fans refer to him as the wall and his colleague Miguel Angel Nadal famously lauded puyol saying that He was a "fantastic defender with a great positional sense and above all, he takes pride in his shirt".

Carles has now appeared 516 times scoring 9 goals in all competitions for the Catalan club. He continues to impress us even today with his authoritative defending and brilliant leadership qualities. Carles still has a brilliant engine and is destined for further greatness being a part of probably the greatest club sides the world will ever see.


Moment to remember : When he became the match winner over Germany in the 2010 world cup Semi finals by scoring a powerful header past Manuel Neuer and eventually lifting the world cup in the finals by thwarting off the challenge of the Oranje.

Moment to Forget : His place in the Barcelona side came under fire and was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in England in the winter market in 2008.

Honours:
World Cup: 2010
La Liga: 2005, 06, 09, 10, 11
UEFA Champions League: 2006, 2009, 2011
UEFA Super Cup : 2009
FIFA Club World Cup: 2009
Spanish Cup: 2009
Spanish Super Cup: 2005,2006,2009,2010

#5 Javier Zanetti
Team: Internazionale Milan(1995- )
Position: Left Back / Defensive Midfielder
Debut: Vs Vicenza


Javier Zanetti is one of the finest left sided and left footed players I have ever seen after Ryan Giggs. He moved to Internazionale from Argentine first division club Banfield where his virtuoso performances was recognized by the scouts and saw him move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe and earned a place in the Argentine national squad. He the first ever signing of the new team owner Massimo Moratti's reign. He made his debut in August 1995 against Vicenza in Milan.

He is one of Inters most consistent, reliable and most trusted players for the Nerazzuri. As a reward for his performances and qualities, he was made the captain of Inter taking over from the legendary defender Guiseppe Bergomi in 1999 and honestly he is one of the greatest players that I have ever seen play for Inter.

In his 16 year stint with Inter, he has appeared 749 times for Inter just 9 behind Bergomi's record and is currently their longest serving player behind the Italian. He has scored 24 times in all competitions for Inter and became the First player to Captain an Italian side to a treble in 2010 when they defeated Bayern Munich.

Many of the Inter Fans Idolize him for his honesty and discipline and dedication he has shown towards inter over the years and I idolize him too.

Moment to Remember : When he became the first captain to successfully lead an Italian team to a treble.

Moment to Forget : When he was omitted by Diego Maradona for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Honours:
Serie A : 2006, 07, 08, 09, 10
UEFA Champions League: 2010
Coppa Italia: 2005, 06, 10, 11
UEFA Cup: 1998
FIFA Club World Cup: 2010
Super Coppa Italiana: 2005, 06, 08, 10

#4 Alessandro Del Piero
Club: Juventus (1993- )
Position: Striker.
Debut: Vs Foggia

Alessandro Del Piero is regarded as one of the greatest supporting strikers to have played the game. His trademark free kicks and penalties have seen him earn respect among footballers alike and still plays the game with aplomb today. He is a talismanic frontman who breathes Juventus. He switched to Juventus from his boyhood club Padova Calcio,

One of the greatest traits of Del Piero was his versatality to play anywhere across the midfield, to instigate attacks and break down attacks and at the same time the ability to score out of nothing.

In his time with with Juve, Del Piero has made a total of 677 appearances socring 285 times in all competitions. He is Juve's all time leading goalscorer and is continuing to score and create chances for his colleagues. He is one of Old lady's greatest servants.

Moment to Remember : When he helped Azzuri lift the World Cup in the summer of 2006.

Moment to Forget: In 2006 the entire Juventus team's management were held responsible for alleged match fixing and were relegated to Serie B for the first time in its history. They were stripped off their winners medal. It took them 2 seasons for them to get promoted to Serie A again.


Honours:
Serie A: 1995, 97, 98, 2001, 2003.
Serie B: 2007
Super Coppa Italiana: 1995, 97, 2002, 03
Coppa Italia: 1995
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999
UEFA champions League : 1996,
UEFA Super Cup: 1996,
Intercontinental Cup: 1996


#3 Paul Scholes.
Team: Manchester United(1994-2011)
Position: Midfielder
Debut: Vs Port Vale

Paul Scholes is Undoubtedly one of the best midfielders of his generation and the best in England in his time. He was part of the famous FA youth cup that reached the final in the year 1993. He is also called the ginger top by team mates and is nicknamed the Ginger Demon for his his amazing ability to control Midfield Play.
Personally I have not seen anyone who make precise diagonal arrow head passes as Scholes does. His uncharacteristic ability to control and dictate a game made him one of the most gifted Midfielders ever to play the game. His short passes were also brilliant and he could create goals out of nowhere.
Scholes has played for the red devils 676 times and scoring 150 goals in all competitions, notably his best goal coming in the Semifinals against Barcelona in 2008 when he half-volleyed a shot in the top corner that sent them through to the finals and saw united lifting it.
He has one of the the most venomous right footed volley's I have ever seen and the goal against Aston Villa in the 2005-2006 season still sticks in my Head even today.
He has been described as the complete footballer that every team loves to have by Zinedine Zidane. Scholes notably embarked his 500th appearance for united by scoring against arch rivals Liverpool in a 2-0 win at home in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
Scholes had this uncanny ability to almost always go in for late challenges and make a hash of them nevertheless, the arrow head diagonal balls from scholes will be sorely missed by united as they go in search for his replacement.


Moment to Remember: His half volley against Barcelona in the Semi Finals of the Champions league in 2008.

Moment to Forget: He was suspended for the Champions league Final in Barcelona in 1999. The Year United did the historic treble.


Honours:
Premier League: 1996, 97, 99, 2000, 01, 03, 07, 08, 09, 11
UEFA Champions League: 1999,2008
Football League Cup:2009, 10
FA community Shield: 1196, 97, 2003, 2008, 2010
Intercontinental Cup: 1999
FIFA Club World Cup : 2008
FA cup:1996, 99, 2004.


#2 Ryan Giggs.
Team: Manchester United(1990- )
Position: Left Winger
Debut: Vs Everton


Ryan Giggs according to me is one of the finest footballers to have ever played the game and one of the greatest players to have never played the World cup or the Euros. He has the ability to tear apart defenders and cut through them. He became instant hero when he scored the famous solo goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi finals of the famous 1999 season.
Sir Alex's first heard of Giggs when a local Manchester scout named Harold Wood recommended the boy to him. Sir Alex then got a glimpse of him playing for salford boys against United U-15's and scored a hat trick. Impressed with Ryan, Sir Alex wasted no time in securing his services by personally visiting him in his house and securing his signature on his birthday when he was just 14 years old and since then there has been no turning back for the Welshman. Till then, Giggs had been a junior for cross town rivals Manchester city.
He had ruled the left wings for over a decade and is now being used more centrally as a playmaker at times.
Ryan Giggs has made 876 appearances for the Red devils and scoring 159 times and still counting.In a recent worldwide polling, Ryan Giggs has been voted the greatest ever Manchester United player in the club's history and is the most decorated British Footballer.He has won every single premier league trophy that Manchester united have won and the count still increases. Ryan Giggs also holds the distinctive record of being the only player to have scored in all the English Premier League seasons since its inception in the year 1992.

Moment to Remember: His solo goal against Arsenal that catapulted him to fame and glory.

Moment to forget: His super injunction scandal accusing him of having extra marital affairs with a reality TV star and his sister in law have created an indelible scar on his face that cannot be erased.

Honours:
Premier League: 1993, 94, 96, 97, 99, 2000, 01, 03, 07, 08, 09, 11
FA Cup: 1994, 96, 99,2004
Football League Cup: 1992, 2006, 09, 10
UEFA Champions League : 1999, 2008,
UEFA Super Cup: 1991
Intercontinental Cup: 1999
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
FA Community Shield: 1993, 94,96,97,2003,07,08,10.

#1 Paolo Maldini.

Team: AC Milan (1985 - 2009)
Position : Centre Back / Left Back.
Debut: Vs Udinese

Paolo Maldini, son of Cesar Maldini is probably my greatest and the most fearsome defenders of all times and the greatest one club player in the history of modern football. I have never seen him struggle to defend and all his challenges were so smooth to watch that he made his presence felt even though the accolades were most often given to the players scoring.

Maldini made his Milan debut at the age of 16 against Udinese who came in for the injured Sergio Battistini and that went onto become his only league appearance of the 1984 - 85 campaign. The following seasons, the coach made him a regular in the starting line up for the Rossoneri.

Maldini in his early days at Milan started out as a left back which enabled him to drive forward and had venomous attacking ability. He was also the part of the famous Milanese quartet that comprised of Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti. Later on, he went onto the position of a central defender.

Maldini appeared for the Milan outfit a record 902 times.. that's right, 902 times emulating the Serie A record held by the legendary Dino Zoff. He has scored 22 times for the rossoneri with some stunning strikes throughout his career. He is probably the finest fleet footed defender that the game has ever seen.

He captained Milan from the 1995 season onwards. Cesar and Paolo Maldini are the only father son duo to have Lifted the European Cup as Club captains, and as a tribute to his services, Milan have retired his #3 jersey but will be bequeathed to one of his sons if they were able to make it up to the senior team squad.

He finally bid adieu to the rossoneri faithful at the end of the 2009 season, and Paolo Maldini is truly the greatest one club wonders of the modern footballing era.


Moment to Remember: In 2003, he lifted the Champions league trophy as club captain, exactly 40 years after his father accomplished the same feat.

Moment to forget : Losing to Brazil in the 1994 World Cup Finals in the penalty shoot outs.

Honours:

Serie A: 1988, 92, 93, 94, 96, 99, 2004
Coppa Italia :2003
Supercoppa Italiana : 1988, 92, 93, 94, 2004
UEFA Champions League: 1989, 90, 94, 2003, 07.
UEFA Super Cup: 1989, 90, 94, 2003, 07.
Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 90
FIFA Club World Cup: 2007.

Honorary Mentions:

1.Steven Gerard, Liverpool (1998- )
2.Iker Casillas, Real Madrid (1999- )
3. John Terry, Chelsea ( 1998- )


These are my list of One club wonders, It really amazes me as to how loyal these players were to their respective clubs in modern times, but precious stones like these are a rarity and is hard to come by as of today and I hardly see it happening. Thats why these players will remain etched in the folklore of the respective clubs and in the memories of people watching the game world over. They truly are " The Living Legends".