Azeem Azam has battled injuries and tackled
spiteful forces, hell-bent on bringing him down through vicious online attacks.
But Azeem has put all of that behind him now and is ready to add a fresh
chapter to his life that has been a roller-coaster ride. He has already started
getting offers from football clubs but the English
footballer is yet to make a decision. In the meanwhile, he has much to share.
The flourishing stage of world football is
decorated with awe-inspiring players. From Pele, who started plying his trade
in the mid-50s, to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of the current
generation, they have all been feast to the eyes. Every footballer has his
favourite players and Azeem is no different.
In a freewheeling conversation, Azeem
reveals his most influential players, those who have been inspirational forces
in his quest to find a niche for himself. Let’s take a look.
Diego
Armando Maradona:
Though he was way before my own
generation, I watched the Argentine great on every occasion that I could.The
Maradona bug hit me quite early in my life. Every time I watched him play, I
was transported to a different plane. He gave me joy. Everyone talks about the
1986 World Cup in which he captained his side to glory but what touched me the
most was the post-match presentation of the 1990 World Cup - Lothar Mathaeus
was lifting the trophy for Germany while Maradona was crying like a baby. It
was so touching that I couldn’t hold back my own tears.
Lionel
Messi:
What can I say about Messi that’s not already
been said by so many. He is the ultimate genius. Although the jury is still out
as to who is the greater of the two argentines, I believe they are both Gods of
football. No point comparing players of different eras. He has single-handedly
propelled Barcelona to such great heights that people believe that the Catalan
giants are the best club to have played the beautiful game ever! I only wish he
guides Argentina to a World Cup win before he hangs his boots. That would be
the icing on the cake and also shut his detractors.
Zinedine
Zidane:
This man is easily one of the greatest
footballers of all time. Period! A leading figure of a generation of French
players that won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, the
Real Madrid player is today an inspiration for many aspiring players. There was
hardly anything that he couldn’t do with his feet. Many have criticised him for
head-butting Marco Materazzi in the chest in a World Cup but we shouldn’t
judge. Who knows the ground realities? He will always be a legend.
David
Beckham:
I believe Beckham was always under-rated
due to the circus that followed him off the field. If you were to judge Beckham
solely as a footballer, then on his day he was immaculate. He’s been successful
everywhere he’s played but I enjoyed him the most when he was at his peak at
Manchester United. His curling free-kicks are legendary and I couldn’t blink
when he was lining his shot. I only wish he had the chance to play for Great
Britain in the Olympics.
Cristiano
Ronaldo:
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Ronaldo.He
is doing unbelievable things wherever he’s played, averaging over a goal a game
in the last La Liga season. However, he has one thing in his way that has
invariably prevented him from being unanimously named the best, and that’s the
genius of Messi. But he is up there with the best.
Andres
Iniesta:
I Love watching Iniesta play. He embodies
Barcelona’s tic tac football… I think he should be called Iniesta tic tac. The
Spanish midfielder received the UEFA Best Player in Europe award after pipping
Ronaldo and club-mate Messi and I think it’s a tribute to the diminutive
player.I jumped with joy when he scored the extra-time winner against the
Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.
Luis
Figo:
Another awesome footballer I grew up
watching. He great power and technique and is a true giant of world football.
He is seen by many as the outstanding wide player of his generation. His classy
dribbling, pinpoint crossing and high work-rate have given me many joyous
moments.No wonder, in his homeland, Figo is considered second only to Eusebio
as Portugal’s greatest ever player.
Paul
Gazza Gascoigne:
I really loved watching Gazza
play. He embodied football on the pitch, a total genius and by far the greatest
English footballer.Paul Gascoigne played football. That’s how fans knew and
loved him. Still do. Not the World Cup tears, the media victim, the maddeningly
juvenile mischief, or the washed up celebrity. Forget that, because Gascoigne
was simply the finest, most exhilarating talent of his generation with the capacity
to overwhelm by virtue of his sheer genius.
Gianfranco
Zola:
I think he was cut from the same cloth as
Maradona and Messi, a magical player. Well, just ask the Chelsea fans.Goals
that will live long in my memory include the mid-air back flick against Norwich
City, an effort against Manchester United that left opposition goalkeeper Peter
Schmeichel motionless and a brilliant turn and shot in the 1997 FA Cup
semi-final win over Wimbledon. That was wow!
Dennis
Bergkamp:
Mr Immaculate! Bergkamp has perhaps the
best first touch I have ever seen. He would leave you at times in awe at his
first touch, it was that good. I really like one of his most popular quotes…
“One of his secret in success is something they taught him while he was still
in Ajax, "Concentrate in your skill first, and you will gain the rest
along with your future experiences."