I have a few pieces almost complete but, in the meantime, I thought readers might enjoy a little video post about one of the most graceful players ever to play the game: Enzo Francescoli.
I can think of few players who are so lithe, so elegant and so fluid in their movement and who seem to possess those qualities when in control of the ball. Although his nickname was ''The Prince'', and he has a princely demeanour about him, in many ways ''The Swan'' would have been a better name. Elegance underpinned by enormous energy. Even when he surges past a player
There isn't the cockiness of Cruyff, or Prosinecki, but Francescoli's work in ''the tight'' is similar to both. Perhaps that is the princely demeanour. He doesn't need to be cocky. He doesn't need to show off. Of course, there are the impressive flicks and tricks but they do not seem to be intended for show but rather for go.
No, Enzo, seems to be about gliding past players and through defences. Sure, he can scream past them if needs be but he is one of those players who seems effortless.
What always impresses me about Francescoli is his directness, there is no messing about, there is no ''cat and mouse'' with the opposition. He seems to take the quickest route to goal.
It doesn't hurt that he can score absolutely astonishing goals.
One of the finest players of the 1980s, a man who inspired Zidane (he was Zidane's idol and a man he modelled himself on - one can see the similarities) and a River Plate legend. He, like Hugo Sanchez (covered here last week), is one of those players that is often overlooked when we discuss greats of the past.
RCM
3 comments:
Good to be reminded of Francescoli - I remember the run up to the 1986 World Cup and how he was really talked up - it turned out to be a disappointing tournament for him as the Uruguayans were blown away by Denmark and reacted by massing their defences. However, the period I really remember him from was his spell in France playing for both PSG and Marseille. Unlucky not to have been born in a different era as the current Uruguay vintage might have been even stronger with him involved.
Thank you for the comment. He was just a superb player - as you say, a shame he was born in the wrong era for Uruguay.
If he were a Brazilian or an Argentine, we'd hear about him all the time.
Zinedine Zidane even called his elder son Enzo after him.
Post a Comment