What does "World Class" Mean?

_blank_

Is it the top 5 players in a position in the world? Top 10?

Have to play/have played in the CL/WC?

Have to won a certain amount of medals?

Have to have played a certain amount of internationals?

Savman

Just a superlative when you run out of things to say about a tasty player. By some of the uses of 'world class' referring to PL average joes, it makes me wonder if we should invent a new phrase "Galaxy class" for the likes of Messi who actually are a cut above.

dahat

Messi,Xavi,Inesta,Vidic,Scholes to me were a cut above alot of players in their chosen position..
World class is a phrase used to glorify players for media purpose more often than not it is the players that score or create that get most pludits.
Carnavarro is the only defender to get the World player of the year i think..

VW 1

For me to label a player as world class they have to be in the top 2/3 in their position in the world. Of course it is completely subjective and therein lies the problem. Opinions dictate that people think some players are better than others. But that is the criteria I go on when labelling a player world class.

Kess73

I think that world class describes players who are in the very small number that makes up the very best for each position.


I also think that if there is doubt or a need for debate as to whether a player is actually world class then that player is most likely not WC as the true world class players tend to stand out with no need for debate on their ability. The likes of Zidame, Mess etc.


The Premier league and the British media are probably amongst the worst for using the World class tag, with lots of players who are good to very good being called world class week in week out.

AnCapaillMor

Savman wrote: »

Just a superlative when you run out of things to say about a tasty player. By some of the uses of 'world class' referring to PL average joes, it makes me wonder if we should invent a new phrase "Galaxy class" for the likes of Messi who actually are a cut above.

Maybe even mess with the galaxy name something like galactico.

World class= A signing that keeps the fans of your back until january.

gimmick

It is geneally a Sky Sports word used to describe younger English talent.

Like the term Legend, World Class has pretty much lost all meaning when it comes to football.

Frank Black

It means if intelligent life is ever discovered elsewhere in the universe and we teach them how to play soccer and then organize a inter-planetary match, said ‘world-class’ player has a good chance of making the 23 man squad

Mr Alan

In my head world class is the top 3 to 5 players in their position in the world.

Honours won etc are entirely irrelevant.

Mr. Presentable

If we were to play a Mars 11 they would be on the first team.

World Class to me means best in the world in their position.

maximoose

World class is thrown about far too often, especially in the British media.

I was watching Man City v America on saturday there on ESPN, and the commentators were referring to their new signing Clichy as "world class". Granted it was two american dorks on ESPN, but still :rolleyes:

Leiva

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

If we were to play a Mars 11 they would be on the first team.

World Class to me means best in the world in their position.

^^^^ this is it exactly^^^^


Bit simplistic but .....

If we (earth) qualified for the Universe World Cup then what 11 players would we pick ?

smokedeels

It’s a lazy word used by pundits who don’t want to or can’t articulate a player’s attributes.

djPSB

Ranking among the foremost in the world; of an international standard of excellence; of the highest order

Ardennes1944

world class is what Arsenal could shortly be freed of

djPSB

Dirk Kuyt's middle name is 'World Class'.

Interesting.

smokedeels

djPSB wrote: »

Ranking among the foremost in the world; of an international standard of excellence; of the highest order

thanks webster

Mr Alan

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

If we were to play a Mars 11 they would be on the first team.

World Class to me means best in the world in their position.

I disagree with that.

That would be the "world 11".

What we're talking about here is a world class 11.

Take someone like Evra, is he not world class because Cole is better than him? Is Rooney not world class because Villa is better than him? Is Fabregas not world class cause Xavi is better than him? Is Reina not world class cause Buffon is better than him? etc etc.

Savman

mixednuts wrote: »

^^^^ this is it exactly^^^^


Bit simplistic but .....

If we (earth) qualified for the Universe World Cup then what 11 players would we pick ?

More importantly, would those 11 all want to play for their planet or would they sulk and complain about having to travel light years for meaningless friendlies.

Space-Time travel with the FAI is not something I'd like to try if they can't get a few bibs and balls to South Korea :eek:

aidan24326

mixednuts wrote: »

^^^^ this is it exactly^^^^


Bit simplistic but .....

If we (earth) qualified for the Universe World Cup then what 11 players would we pick ?

It is a bit simplistic, and to be fair you'd have to say Earth squad rather than team, so you'd be picking 23 players rather than 11.

But I'd agree that selection for that 23 would entitle you to be called world class.

But in these days of hype and hyperbole Sky will label just about anybody as 'world class', especially if he happens to be English. (and we all know how England's 'world class' players tend to perform at the World Cup)

G.K.

I'd love to name a whole 23 man squad. But a first XI...

Reina

Alves Pique Vidic Cole

Xavi De Jong Sneijder/Schweinsteiger

Muller Messi Iniesta


Playing Tiki-Taka

LuckyLloyd

I would contend that "World Class" defines a player who has the ability to consistently play well and positively impact the highest profile fixtures in football; i.e. high pressure Champions League ties, crunch International games, top of the table clashes in the top leagues, etc. If a player has such an ability, then it means he can hold his own on any footballing stage. As such, he has the "class" to play anyone, anywhere in the "world".

stesaurus

I should start a spin-off 'Average' thread!

The Floyd p

One of the top 3 players in the world in his position

GLaDOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2eIjZJ2DJ4

Tusky

Des wrote: »

Is it the top 5 players in a position in the world? Top 10?

Have to play/have played in the CL/WC?

Have to won a certain amount of medals?

Have to have played a certain amount of internationals?

You're three and a half years late Des! I hate arguments over 'world class'.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=54731191

batistuta9

Des wrote: »

Is it the top 5 players in a position in the world? Top 10?

definitely in the top 10

Des wrote: »

Have to play/have played in the CL/WC?

more the CL than WC as not everyone's country has the ability to qualify but players do get opportunities to play for the top club sides

Des wrote: »

Have to won a certain amount of medals?

not necessary but players from winning sides are given the world class tag a lot easier even if some probably don't deserve it

Des wrote: »

Have to have played a certain amount of internationals?

you would expect them to be full internationals if their going to be called world class, judging them on the amount of caps would be a bit harsh.

The main one i would judge it on myself would be the consistency like LuckyLloyd said, a player could give a world class performance or have a world class season but doing it over a period of time is what the really top players are able to do year in year out

Smegball

If you somehow had the qualities to be better than Emile Heskey you are world class.

:pac:

batistuta9

Smegball wrote: »

If you somehow had the qualities to be better than Emile Heskey you are world class.

:pac:

i seen him score a world class goal at finn park years ago all down hill from there

Neil3030

Would be selected on any team in the world, would be my taking.

Which I suppose is another way of describing that world 11 idea.

SlickRic

it's a term that is actually quite convoluted.

world class, IMO, should mean that you would, every week you are fit, get into the first XI of any team in the world.

that closes the net down to a very small number really; namely about a dozen or so.

but, that's not what it means anymore.

it simply means that you are an excellent player, who can compete at a high level quite consistently.

i do wish the term was completely done away with.

Mr. Presentable

Mr Alan wrote: »

Take someone like Evra, is he not world class because Cole is better than him? Is Rooney not world class because Villa is better than him? Is Fabregas not world class cause Xavi is better than him? Is Reina not world class cause Buffon is better than him? etc etc.

That'd be the nub of it, yes. Just because I think someone is awesome doesn't mean they are the best or therefore of World Class. In my opinion.

Not you, mr Alan, but some seem to wish the definition would be generous enough to extend to the players of the club they follow (as about to be demonstrated next ). I, for what it's worth, am happy to concede there are none at the clubs I follow.

homerjay2005

for me it means you would get on any team in the world in your position.

Messi
Ronaldo
xavi
iniesta are the ultimate definition of world class at the moment.there are many more.

IMO the likes of Rooney, Vidic, are world class from a united perspective, with Rio and Evra also pushing that title, hernandez and nani have to become consistently good after great seasons last year to be world class, but both are well on their way to it IMO. Scholes, van der sar(lat 3 years) and giggs would all have been world class at some stage.

Mr Alan

homerjay2005 wrote: »

for me it means you would get on any team in the world in your position.

Messi
Ronaldo
xavi
iniesta are the ultimate definition of world class at the moment.there are many more.

You can't say that & then say.....

homerjay2005 wrote:

hernandez and nani have to become consistently good after great seasons last year to be world class, but both are well on their way to it IMO.

so if Nani has a similar season to last for the next 3 years, who's place is he gonna take Ronaldo or Messi's?

homerjay2005 wrote:

van der sar(lat 3 years) and giggs would all have been world class at some stage.

Neither of those have ever been the best in the world in their position, you asserted that was the definition of world class at the opening of your post.

It's a player who can hold their own away to Stoke on a cold and wet Monday night.

pickarooney

World-Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Mr Alan

This thread is crying out for a bit of.......

curry-muff

Mr Alan wrote: »

I disagree with that.

That would be the "world 11".

What we're talking about here is a world class 11.

Take someone like Evra, is he not world class because Cole is better than him? Is Rooney not world class because Villa is better than him? Is Fabregas not world class cause Xavi is better than him? Is Reina not world class cause Buffon is better than him? etc etc.

Ermmm

dfx-

It's an impossible task...which allows the term to be abused - like a good referee, someone will always disagree on some decision or the impact of it.

abelard

Wary as I am of adding another suggested definition, I'd think of 'world class' as the shortlist of players for each position if I was picking a best-in-the-world-XI.

It doesn't have to be a specific number of players for each position, but enough that it can still sensibly be called a shortlist.

Davaeo09

IMO - "World Class" refers to the top players in their respective positions. i.e the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, Rooney, Casillias, Vidic... These players if they were to move club would be guaranteed starters in there new team, regardless of what team it is.

World Class is not a term that should be used to describe a player who is playing well, or has hit form. It SHOULD only be used to describe the best of the best.

A list of some players I consider world class!
Goal Keepers: Cech, Valdes, VDS, Casillias, Reina
Defenders: Vidic, Rio, Pique, Puyol, Terry, Lucio, Carragher, Maicon and a few more
Mid-fielders: Xavi, Iniesta, Masch, Busquets, Scholes, Giggs, Essien, Gerrard, Sneijder, Ozil, Alonso,Cesc, Sweinsteiger.. Possible a few more too
Strikers/Forwards: Ronaldo, Messi, Pedro,Van Persi, Villa, Higuain, Rooney, Drogba (not so much these days) Eto'o, Suarez, Nasri and Kuyt.


There are allot of players who have the potential to be world class in modern football. Players such as G.Bale, Nani, Affelay, Benzema, but they are not quiet there yet, and they pale in comparison to the real deal when it really counts.


Consistency, the ability to perform on the big occasions, a determination to succeed no matter what it takes and unselfishness are some of the attributes i'd associate with the cream of the crop to be honest.

Paparazzo

Slightly off topic, but another phrase I hate is "natural striker".

Carry on

eZe^

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

As such, he has the "class" to play anyone, anywhere in the "world".

This is the best imo. I think picking the best 11 is very shortsighted, as if you named two teams, with who you think are the best first 11 players in the world, and played them against the 2nd best 11, the difference in quality wouldn't be significant enough to make a clear difference imo.




----Nani

---

Rooney

---

Messi

---

---

Xavi

---

Busquets

---

Sneijder

---

---Evra

---

Pique

---

Vidic

---

Maicon----

---

Casillas

---

---

Ronaldo

---

Villa

---

Muller

---

---

Fabregas

---

Alonso

---

Iniesta

---

--Cole

---

Puyol

---

Ferdinand

---

Alves----

---

Buffon

---

---

Ozil

---

Eto'o

---

Suarez----

---

Martinez

---

Schweinstager

---

Toure----

--Abidal

---

Kompany

---

Carvalho----Sagna---

---

Reina

---

All of those teams are very comparable, and on any given day could beat the other. So as Lloyd mentioned, a world class player is one capable of making an impact against against footballing side on the planet.

G.K.

Sneijder will have to do a hell of a job on Team 1 vs Team 3 day.

eZe^

G.K. wrote: »

Sneijder will have to do a hell of a job on Team 1 vs Team 3 day.

What are you talking about?

G.K.

eZe^ wrote: »

What are you talking about?

Oh, you. :pac:

x in the city

Des wrote: »

Is it the top 5 players in a position in the world? Top 10?

Have to play/have played in the CL/WC?

Have to won a certain amount of medals?

Have to have played a certain amount of internationals?

Maradona.

= World Class

curry-muff

I think team 1 and 2 would walk all over team 3.

There is that difference in class Lloyd was talking about between 3 and the other 2, but 1 and 2 are pretty close.

The Floyd p

Davaeo09 wrote: »

IMO - "World Class" refers to the top players in their respective positions. i.e the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, Rooney, Casillias, Vidic... These players if they were to move club would be guaranteed starters in there new team, regardless of what team it is.

World Class is not a term that should be used to describe a player who is playing well, or has hit form. It SHOULD only be used to describe the best of the best.

A list of some players I consider world class!
Goal Keepers: Cech, Valdes, VDS, Casillias, Reina
Defenders: Vidic, Rio, Pique, Puyol, Terry, Lucio, Carragher, Maicon and a few more
Mid-fielders: Xavi, Iniesta, Masch, Busquets, Scholes, Giggs, Essien, Gerrard, Sneijder, Ozil, Alonso,Cesc, Sweinsteiger.. Possible a few more too
Strikers/Forwards: Ronaldo, Messi, Pedro,Van Persi, Villa, Higuain, Rooney, Drogba (not so much these days) Eto'o, Suarez, Nasri and Kuyt.


There are allot of players who have the potential to be world class in modern football. Players such as G.Bale, Nani, Affelay, Benzema, but they are not quiet there yet, and they pale in comparison to the real deal when it really counts.


Consistency, the ability to perform on the big occasions, a determination to succeed no matter what it takes and unselfishness are some of the attributes i'd associate with the cream of the crop to be honest.

born2bwild

Savman wrote: »

More importantly, would those 11 all want to play for their planet or would they sulk and complain about having to travel light years for meaningless friendlies.

Space-Time travel with the FAI is not something I'd like to try if they can't get a few bibs and balls to South Korea :eek:

John Delaney's salary could actually be used to develop spacetime warp drives to drastically cut down on travel times to Betelguese or alpha Centauri.

Davaeo09

The Floyd p wrote: »

Those players highlighted, while not being as good as the others in my list are indeed all quality players! As for Scholes and Giggs, they are on that list for their contribution over a long period of time in football terms. Obviously with age their ability to perform at 100% comes into question. And for the rest, they are all borderline in my opinion, perhaps it's just some thing about each of them personally that draws my attention I don't know, I did say that was all just opinion.

Football discussion without varying opinions would be quiet dull no? :pac:

Any way hope that clears some thing up for you