Portrait of an icon: David Beckham
Sexual icon, fashion icon and sporting icon, yet still with whiff of boy next door. The sportsman of our times?
Portrait
Portrait of an icon: George Best
A cultural icon who welcomed in a new age of football and society. Sadly, Best just couldn’t survive in it
Portrait of an icon: Dennis Bergkamp
On his 49th birthday, we remember the majesty of Dennis. This was the first ever Portait of an Icon….
Portrait of an icon: Sir Bobby Robson
Player, manager, trailblazer, Sir Bobby will long be remembered more as English football’s gentleman…
Portrait of an icon: Paolo Maldini
The most attractive defender in the history of the game. There isn’t anyone who doesn’t love Maldini
Portrait of an icon: Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona retired on this day in 1997. He was a game-changer for Man United and the Premier League.
Portrait of an icon: Bobby Moore
England football’s greatest captain and greatest defender, treated appallingly by his country…
Portrait of an icon: Lev Yashin
Arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time, and certainly the most influential. It’s Lev Yashin…
Portrait of an icon: Alan Shearer
For ten years, Alan Shearer made Newcastle fans feel a little bit better about supporting Newcastle. And he was brilliant.
Portrait of an icon: Matthew Le Tissier
A genius caught between two eras, a scorer of supreme goals. Just don’t criticise the ambition
Portrait of an icon: Romario
Brazilian to the core, an entire country in footballer form and yet still man of the people. It’s the great Romario
Portrait of an icon: Ferenc Puskas
“A roly-poly sort of figure” but perhaps the greatest striker in the history of the game. Step forward Mr Puskas
Portrait of an icon: Xavi
Possibly the greatest midfielder ever, the personification of Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona dream. It’s Xavi
Portrait of an icon: George Weah
The most important winner of the World Player of the Year award. The man who changed his country.
Portrait of an icon: Garrincha
Perhaps the most naturally talented player in football’s history, ruined by addiction and let down by the game.
Portrait of an icon: Hidetoshi Nakata
Hidetoshi Nakata was not the best player of the last 20 years, but he might be the most important.
Portrait of an icon: Antonio di Natale
Loyal and generous, his kindness is almost as famous as his goalscoring. Both are pretty magnificent
Portrait of an icon: Javier Zanetti
Magnificent man, player and hairstyle. When Zanetti retired, we lost the last gentleman of the game.
Portrait of an icon: Pierluigi Collina
He became the most famous referee in the game, but also one of its best and certainly its most committed.
Portrait of an icon: Gary Lineker
England’s greatest modern goalscorer, and now TV surpremo. The nation’s hero became national treasure
Portrait of an icon: Gabriel Batistuta
The greatest amateur footballer of the last 30 years, in the truest sense of the word. Step forward Batigol.