The history of football is replete with teams that have demonstrated the verve and artistry of the beautiful game. Since the turn of the twentieth century, many European and South American football teams have emerged from obscurity to dominate their respective eras. At the same time, the sport has evolved to encompass a greater array of skills and a higher degree of fitness.
The best football teams need to have won at least one trophy. They need to have played attractive but effective football in a climate of high technical standards. Most importantly, they need to have endured an era of stiff competition and intense rivalry.
Presented here are the ten best football teams that meet those criteria. They are chosen from the entire history of international and club football. To justify the selection, I have endeavored to find the best Youtube videos showcasing their abilities.
10. Arsenal (2004)
The `Arsenal Invincibles' went through the entire 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten. Despite Juventus equaling this feat in 2012, Arsenal won far more of their games, finishing on 90 points. The team included Theirry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires. Arsenal's swift, attacking style of football destroyed the opposition, taking them to the league title in emphatic fashion. Their 49-game unbeaten record led to them being declared the Premier League's best ever team.
9. Milan (1988-1994)
During this 6 year period, AC Milan won the European Cup (Champions League) 3 times, and the Italian League 4 times. They dominated European football thanks to a team of world class players, including Paolo Maldini, Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Franco Baresi.
8. Liverpool (1984)
The treble winning Liverpool team of 1984 won the league, a domestic cup, and the European Cup (Champions League) in the same year. They beat Roma in the final of the latter on penalties. Star man, Ian Rush, netted 47 goals in the season. Other notable players were Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, and Alan Hansen.
7. West Germany (1972-1974)
The German team that won the 1972 European Championships and the 1974 World Cup featured some of the best football players of all time. Led notably by Franz Beckenbauer, the team also included Berti Vogts and their prolific striker, Gerd Müller. They denied Johan Cruyff's famous `total football' Netherlands team with a 2-1 victory in the final of the 1974 World Cup. The video shows the highlights from this epic final.
6. France (1998-2000)
France won the 1998 World Cup, beating hot favorites Brazil 3-0 in the final. They then won the 2000 European Championships, defeating Italy 2-1 with a golden goal from David Trezeguet. Other notable players in the team were Theirry Henry, Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, Lauren Blanc and Lilian Thuram. They had world class players in every position, although Zidane was instrumental in their success.
5. Real Madrid (1955-1960)
Led by Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskas, the Real Madrid team of the late 50's dominated world football. They won the European Cup (Champions league) five times in a row from 1956 to 1960. This culminated in the 1960 final when they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in one of the greatest footballing displays of all time (see video).
4. Manchester United (1999)
The treble winning Manchester United team of 1998-99 won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in a single season. It included greats such as Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Peter Schmeichal. Like many of Alex Ferguson's teams, they fought until the last whistle, and this was demonstrated in no greater way than the 1999 Champions League final. Against Bayern Munich they came from behind to win with two late goals from Sheringham and Solskjær.
3. Barcelona (2009)
Ten years after Manchester United's achievement, Barcelona won the first ever treble by a Spanish club. They beat United in the final of the Champions League 2-0, destroyed Real Madrid 6-2 to win La Liga, and also won the Copa Del Rey. This season saw the emergence of Lionel Messi as the best player in the world. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Messi more than doubled his tally from the previous campaign. Barcelona's tiki-taka style of play ensured they also won the domestic and UEFA Super Cups, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009, turning their treble into a `sextuple'.
2. Brazil (1970)
The 1970 FIFA World Cup saw the greatest World Cup performance of all time. Brazil scored 19 goals in 6 games, culminating in a 4-1 thrashing of Italy in a final where Carlos Alberto scored one of the best goals of all time. Also contributing to their beautiful brand of attacking football were greats such as Pele, Gerson, Jairzinho, Rivelino, and Tostão.
1. Spain (2007-2012)
For winning 3 successive international football tournaments, the best football team of all time has to be Spain. They won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Between 2007 and 2009 they went 35 games unbeaten. This included winning all ten of their 2010 World Cup qualification games. Formed almost exclusively from the Barcelona and Real Madrid teams, notable players include David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Xabi Alonso, and Iker Casillas.
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