This is not about the best soccer player in the World. The list of "all time greatests" is short, and while most of us agree on their exceptional talent, skills, and achievements, there will always be debates about the exact ranking orders. Quite frankly, I find those debates boring, useless, and most of all boring.
This is about your personal, all-time favourite player. In my case, that would be Dennis Bergkamp. A quiet, reserved man, both on the pitch and off. Incredibly talented and agile, a great player to watch. I think he has many similarities with that other Dutch giant, Marco van Basten, but for some reason I have a soft spot for Bergkamp. Marco comes in a good second.
Unlike many stars of today, Bergkamp preserved a charming modesty. He had his weaknesses, like anyone. He missed many important matches in his career because of his fear to fly. All forgiven. Bergkamp, now in the autumn of his career, is of a different generation. Most Dutch people have fond memories of him, because he gave new flair to Dutch football.
Below is a clip of his winning goal against Argentina in the World Cup in France (1998), about thirty seconds before the end of the regular playing time. You hear the voice of Dutch radio commentator Jack van Gelder.
(you need broadband for this)
http://www.che.utexas.edu/korgel-group/Bergkamp.html
This is about your personal, all-time favourite player. In my case, that would be Dennis Bergkamp. A quiet, reserved man, both on the pitch and off. Incredibly talented and agile, a great player to watch. I think he has many similarities with that other Dutch giant, Marco van Basten, but for some reason I have a soft spot for Bergkamp. Marco comes in a good second.
Unlike many stars of today, Bergkamp preserved a charming modesty. He had his weaknesses, like anyone. He missed many important matches in his career because of his fear to fly. All forgiven. Bergkamp, now in the autumn of his career, is of a different generation. Most Dutch people have fond memories of him, because he gave new flair to Dutch football.
Below is a clip of his winning goal against Argentina in the World Cup in France (1998), about thirty seconds before the end of the regular playing time. You hear the voice of Dutch radio commentator Jack van Gelder.
(you need broadband for this)
http://www.che.utexas.edu/korgel-group/Bergkamp.html
