Friday, 29 November 2013 Celebrating Ryan Giggs At 40... Heres A Quick Look At His Illustrious Career In the class of 92, he is the last man standing and 21 years later,... let that sink in again, 21 years later, Ryan Wilson Giggs is still bossing the midfield and has in him what Antonio Valencia, Luis Nani, Ashley Young and the upcoming ones cannot produce combined. Such is the wizardry of the Welsh, that when he was voted PFA Players Player of the Year, he was 36 years old. Call him Benjamin Button of football, give it the cliche of the wine tastes better when it is old, there is do denying Giggs is one of the last or possibly the last of a dying breed. 13 Premier League titles, 2 Champions League medals, 4 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, a Supercup, an Intercontinental cup and, a World Club trophy. It might not be in the league of those who win individually, the F1 drives, Golfers and Tennis Players but the winger has put in his fair share of work. 2 PFA Young Player of the Year award, PFA Team of the Year on six occasions, Most Champions League appearances, and when he was voted greatest Manchester United player ever, there was no denying that. He beat George Best, Eric Cantona, Bobby Charlton, and co to the award. A God-given talent as Eric Harrison would describe him, Giggs has shown why he is a top player and at 40, he belies his age. Starting on the left flank, the old winger has gone on to play in supporting striker roles, coupled with occasional left back duties, and sometimes playing on the right. His ease into the middle of the park could be seen against Bayer Leverkusen and Cardiff when he came on to the pitch and could have been more special if not for Rooneys moment of indecisiveness. When it all began; Giggs alongside Becks, Scholes, Butt and the Neville duo Amazing vision, quick feet, explosive, trickery are just part of the myriad of abilities in his arsenal, speaking of arsenal- who can forget his goal against Arsenal in the F.A Cup that left bodies scattered around him, like a mortar had dropped at Villa Park with a wild celebration that followed after fit for such goal? The pass to Michael Owen in the thrilling derby against Manchester City? His amazing performance against Juventus in the Champions League? And when Everton were about to put a dent in Uniteds title chances in 2007, who was the man whose trickery attracted a moment of madness, as David Moyes described it, from Pienaar to earn a penalty? Yes, not Ronaldo though he scored the follow up, but the Welsh, Ryan Giggs. No career club red card and described as a top trainer by his fellow team mates, Giggs is the definition of the ideal player Sir Alex Ferguson loved to have, professional and passionate. In an era where millions are easily made and transition to retirement is easier than in the past when little money was made, Ryan Giggs still carries on with 953 appearances to his name, the 1000th mark, something Giggs is certain to reach with contract extension possible if he continues in this good form. When Schofield looked at him, he knew this was a great player yet to be unlocked, and Im not talking of Prison Break; he could have been playing for Man City had the Citizens been able to get him on their scouts Dennis Schofield recommendation. At Old Trafford, he was the father-figure in the Class of 92, and was Sir Alex clubs grandson, such was the love for him that the retired manager moved to ban a journalist who asked a cynical question about Ryan Giggs in a press conference. In truth, words cannot do justice to this great player, Ronaldo, Zidane, Nedved, Figo have come and gone, but the Welsh is still standing. He might not have had an illustrious career on the international level with Wales but he still has a career that many would be envious of. Speaking after the game against Leverkusen, Rooney was sure to remind us he would not be playing for that long in his career. The oldest active player in the NBA at 39, Steve Nash a keen football fan as well, has been battered with talks of retirement, at 40, the talk of retirement with Ryan Giggs makes him laugh with his high involvement in yoga keeping him going. Now a Player-Coach at Man Utd in what is to be a training for him taking on the managerial role someday at Old Trafford, he might not be able to follow in the footsteps of the most important figure in the Red Devils history in SAF but till then, Giggs can proud himself as the greatest player ever to put on a Man Utd jersey and definitely, greatest Welsh player ever. Written By: ChukaMVP. Culled from wolexis sports blog
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:53:03 +0000
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