Watching Thiago Alcantara play football was like watching the sun rise. Like a symphonist dictating the rhythm of his ensemble. As elegant & majestic ball could look.
Football lost one of its true artists today.
Happy retirement amigo, @Thiago6 ❤️
Congrats to @cbsacsoccer boys on their W over Vista tonight! With the win, they become the CAL LEAGUE CHAMPS!!! Great team win for the boys. Franklin⚽️Ben⚽️Collin⚽️ PK save by Nick. Next up…#cifsjs playoffs Friday at 6 at CB. #BleedBlue@KBFTsports@SacBee_JoeD@PremierPrepsNMP
RIP Franz Beckenbauer... 'Der Kaiser of Trivela'
Bit late to the news but another GOAT leaves us... Der Kaiser, Franz Beckenauer. What better way to pay tribute to him than paying homage to his favourite type of pass... the 'Trivela'.
There was a reason why I started the entire Pythagoras In Boots project and it was due to the frustation what whilst attacking GOAT's get their flowers, players like Beckenbauer rarely get put within the top 5 footballers of all time whereas according to our calculations, he is arguably alongside Di Stefano one of the most complete who could function in every third without looking like a fish out of water.
Now if you haven't ever watched him play, remember this is merely one facet of his game. People seem to think the ball playing defender is at its zenith but truly... which defender in the modern game could make passes like this, whereas this was merely one type of pass which the great German mastered.
He was a world class, generational box to box midfielder in the early phase of his career, capable of protecting the backline, controlling the game and a goal threat. Then he became the GOAT of 'sweeper/libero' defending.
To top it all off, a pretty compelling management career.
He will be missed... I just hope future generations keep his legacy secure and if anything elevate his status even further. He needs to be on the Mount Rushmore of Football.
#RIPFranzBeckenbauer #RIPKaiser