Best Passers of The World Cup

[Leo No.8]

Watching France vs Spain last night, I came to the conclusion that we possibly have the best passer of the ball in the world in Xabi; I haven't seen anyone do it better than him, with such range and comfort on either foot.

 

It's one of those things - watching him week in week out I thought no-one could really better his distribution, but actually seeing him competing with the best of the best confirms it's not just being biased.

 

I loved hearing the way he'd hit one of those phenomenal cross-field pass, and it'd draw a little swell of appreciation from the crowd as it dropped perfectly to it's intended recipient. Football fans the world over love watching a truly great passer of the ball.

 

Ballack I think is the only one to rival him so far, some of his passing has been phenomenal, both over distance and flicks and touches in the final third. I haven't seen every game though so I might have missed someone, or not thought of them.

 

Any thoughts on players who have passed the ball equally well as Xabi so far?

[Philby]

Andrea Pirlo, strikes the ball very well with either foot and is quite innovative in his passing (e.g. he often dinks it over the head of a forward & midfielder straight onto the chest of Toni/Gilardinho).

[JGL]

I think Pirlo is quite over-rated. The only game he has really excelled with his passing ability in this world cup was against USA after they got two players sent off.

It often annoys me that Pirlo gets far too much undeserved credit. I don't know how it is in england but here in Sweden everybody knows who Pirlo is, and he is generally seen as the best passer of the ball in the world. While nobody even knows of Xabi, who to me is the best by far.

[Woodsyla]

Another thing I noticed was that not only was he pinging the ball about but he was telling the defenders (In particular Pernia) who they should pass to. He controls that midfield majestically.

[cochyn]

Xabi is, of course, the master and I think Figo's proved he's still got it in spades. Carrick's shown a simplicity and economy in his passing which rarely gets mentioned these days of hollywood balls and flicks. Top marks.

 

there was one ball early on last night which alonso pinged out to the left wing from the right-back position. must have travelled 70 yards, right to feet, and the commentator said nothing. he's a majestic passer of the ball.

 

Pleat probably thought to mention it, but 'Xabi Alonso' was just too much of a mouthful for the illiterate feck.

[Coyler]

...he was telling the defenders (In particular Pernia) who they should pass to.

I always think of that quote from Jan Molby, I think he was doing co-commentary for Danish telly and he said that he was marvelling through the whole game because Alonso chose the correct ball or pass to play every single time, i.e. the one that passing genius Molby would have chosen with the added benefit of watching the game from up in the gantry. He said it was uncanny.

[Guest Aussie_Red]

Another thing I noticed was that not only was he pinging the ball about but he was telling the defenders (In particular Pernia) who they should pass to. He controls that midfield majestically.

 

Yes, I see him do that with Liverpool as well. My only issue is that he needs to make himself more avaliable to recieve passes, I know he gets closed down a lot, but sometimes when I watch him he doesn't put himself in an avaliable position for others to pass to him.

[RedHarvest]

For me the most impressive passers this tournament have been:

Xabi - a true genius blossoming before our eyes..i'm so proud he's ours.

 

and, in no particular order: Riquelme, Xavi, Kaka

[Coyler]

Yes, I see him do that with Liverpool as well. My only issue is that he needs to make himself more avaliable to recieve passes, I know he gets closed down a lot, but sometimes when I watch him he doesn't put himself in an avaliable position for others to pass to him.

That's mental. I haven't seen him live but he always seems to be peeling off his marker or making a tiny run into space to receive the ball. When he thinks that he should be the one receiving it, that is.

[Rimbeux]

Yes, I see him do that with Liverpool as well. My only issue is that he needs to make himself more avaliable to recieve passes, I know he gets closed down a lot, but sometimes when I watch him he doesn't put himself in an avaliable position for others to pass to him.

 

Fair point imo, when someone such as Zidane last night makes a point of getting close to him when the centre halves have the ball, he wont always look to get away from them. Alot of the time though, this means there is a man spare somewhere else, which can make it a tactic.

[Guest Sabre]

Ask Ahmed Dimwitson what he thinks of Xabi, the Manc t***

[Benzo-13]

I think a shout must be made for Rafael Marquez.

 

The guy was outstanding and could dicate the tempo of the game with his passing from the back four. He gave multiple captain's performance before Mexico's run came to end.

 

He was Beckenbauer-esque at times.

[Stevie H]

I think a shout must be made for Rafael Marquez.

 

The guy was outstanding and could dicate the tempo of the game with his passing from the back four. He gave multiple captain's performance before Mexico's run came to end.

 

He was Beckenbauer-esque at times.

agree. he's been superb to watch this world cup.