The term ‘Mount Rushmore’ is derived from a mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota in the United States of America that has faces of four former presidents carved on it.
These men were chosen because all four played an important role in American history. They are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
Which brings me to my point: my football Mount Rushmore is, as tricky as it is to decide on the final four faces, the four players I believe are the best I’ve seen since I’ve started watching the beautiful game of football.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, was known for dribbling at speed, his pace and his mesmerising stepovers.
But it was his devastating finishing in front of goal that made Ronaldo, and this has comfortably earned him the first spot on the prestigious mountain.
Despite having his illustrious career shortened by injury, the former World Cup leading scorer is still regarded as one of the finest players to ever play the game.
To give his place on the mountain more credibility, most past and present greats in the game regard him as arguably the best footballer in the history of the game alongside Pele and Diego Maradona.
Ronaldinho
Go around to barbershops, stadiums, education institutions and heck, hospitals – and ask about Ronaldinho, real name Ronaldo de Assis Moreira.
Most will tell you that this man changed the way football was played. It’s an opinion Ronaldinho himself makes hard to disagree with. A lot in sport, not just soccer, has to do with winning and Ronaldinho did that – repeatedly.
He made you appreciate the game more than just winning. Such was the man’s greatness that in November of 2005 when he was plying his trade for Barcelona he produced a performance of the ages in a demolition of Barca’s great rivals, Real Madrid, in their backyard.
It sparked a standing ovation from the opposing side’s fans, a rare sight in football – or any sport for that matter.
Leo Messi
As far as describing this unique talent, we’re blessed to be living in the same times with him. The footballing world, including this writer, has surely run out of superlatives to describe the greatness which is Lionel Messi.
The forward’s disappointing showing on the international stage is probably the only, yet glaring stain on his undeniable greatness.
In fact, the diminutive magician is the only member of this quartet to have never won the game’s most prestigious prize: the Fifa World Cup. But so abundant is his talent, even not winning the World Cup cannot keep him off Mount Rushmore.
With Ronaldinho passing the torch to him at Barcelona, it’s safe to say that Barca boast the most ridiculously talented No 10s soccer has ever witnessed.
Zinedine Zidane
I would loan out my girlfriend for a day in a bet that the midfield master was the first name on Raymond Domenech’s 2006 World Cup squad – ‘Zizou’s’ last appearance on a football.
And what an exit it was, by the way. Like most great players, a then 34-year-old Zidane ended his career on a high when he led the French to the final after almost single-handedly eliminating a star-studded Spain in the round of 16 and then Brazil in the quarter-final round.
This is not why the former Real Madrid engine room is on the list, though – what he’s offered the game is there for all to see. In my humble opinion, there are two primary reasons the World Cup winner makes the great quartet.
He’s undoubtedly one of the best, but his most important feat is that Zizou’s peak never dropped.
He almost led the French all the way in 2006 had it not been for his bizarre exit, which is a topic for another day. Who knows what would’ve happened against that great Italian side who were the eventual champions for the fourth time?
It was no surprise that the French leader and No 10 was named the Player of the Tournament.
What adds to Mount Rushmore’s appeal is that it consists of an even number total of four. It’s always tricky, and widely unusual to have lists with even number totals.
That being said, had a fifth spot been available, it would’ve been awarded to one Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a toss-up between him and Zidane – but it wouldn’t have been a Mount Rushmore without the French great.
