CONCACAF split as strike duo reign
This past week's two 'Have Your Say' debates revolved around CONCACAF's best players and the best finisher in the world. Responses filtered in from all over the world and reflected every possible point of view.
Over 200 responses were received on who is the top player from
the North, Central American and Caribbean zone. And there was no
Canadian Leafdolfan said it was Canuck favourite "D-Ro [Dwayne de Rosario] all the way," while tyrehead from the USA went Jamaican, claiming: "Luton Shelton from Jamaica is the best forward in CONCACAF. He's super fast and has a great eye for goal."
Trinidad's Kenwyne Jones and David Suazo of Inter Milan and Honduras also got their fair share of votes. "Suazo has the speed, the power and the eye for goal that make him rise over the rest of the region's players," wrote checho914 of Honduras
Almost predictably, the debate eventually turned toward the region's biggest rivals: USA and Mexico. Most users swayed towards their countrymen, but Estebanhco of the USA gave credit to both American and El Tri players.
"I have to say that Landon Donovan is an extremely good player," he wrote. "But Nery Castillo is the best player in CONCACAF. Clint Dempsey never made as beautiful a play against an international giant like Nery did against Brazil [in the Copa America]. Overall Castillo is the best and he will only get better with time."
Guillermo Ochoa, Rafa Marquez, Nery Castillo, Andres Guardado and even young Gio dos Santos proved popular choices among Mexican fans, while Stars and Stripes devotees leaned towards the likes of Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan. "I think that Landon Donovan is better than any Mexican player," was the simple response put forth by ElBaRcA.
Mexicochamp took the other side of the argument, claiming: "Gio dos Santos, Andres Guardado, and Nery Castillo are the best in CONCACAF hands down. They have superb talent and manipulate the ball effortlessly. There is no contest, it's these big three for sure!"
Ronaldo and Torres stand out
FIFA.com's second 'Have Your Say' of the week asked: Who is the best finisher in the world? Close to 250 responses came from all over the word and there was more than just a little back-and-forth regarding users' favourites. but it was AC Milan and Brazil striker Ronaldo and Liverpool's on-song Spaniard Fernando Torres that proved the most popular choices.
"No doubt, Ronaldo. Simple. There is no striker like Il Fenomeno," declared Ghana's DONPLATO. Campos10 of the USA agreed: "Without a doubt, it has to be the incomparable Ronaldo of Brazil. Any one who has watched him play, and more importantly score, can agree with the fact that nearly every one of his goals possesses an air of elegance, composure, and brilliance."
Another USA-based user,
Garrido10, added: "At his best Ronaldo has to be
considered the best in the world," before adding that
"Torres is beginning to emerge as the current best finisher
The former Atletico Madrid player also earned the praise of Malaysia's ffety612: "I was blown away by Fernando Torres finishing... it is just so accurate and powerful." According to Weaner2004 of Spain: "Torres is simply unstoppable at the moment."
Karim Benzema, Dimitar Berbatov, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Filippo Inzaghi, Miroslav Klose, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luca Toni and Ruud van Nistelrooy were among the other favourites.
FIFA.com would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed to making these debates so intriguing. Now it is time to turn your attention to another subject: Who are the penalty kings?