The hard player: Stéphane Henchoz
Born on 7 September 1974 in Billens, Switzerland, Stéphane Henchoz was a central defender who carved out an impressive career across the 1990s and 2000s. He started out at Neuchâtel Xamax (94 games, 1 goal), moved on to Hamburger SV (59 games, 2 goals), then made his mark in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers (82 games). His longest and most defining spell came at Liverpool: 205 appearances, zero goals, but a composure and defensive solidity that earned him a firm place in the club’s history.
With the Swiss national team, Henchoz racked up 72 caps without ever troubling the scoreboard – fitting for a defender of his kind. He later joined Wigan Athletic (32 games) before retiring. After his playing days, he moved into coaching. A reliable, understated presence who only 30% of players managed to identify: the kind of profile that slips under the radar of collective memory, but not of true connoisseurs.
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PlayThe medium player: Álvaro Recoba
Born on 17 March 1976 in Montevideo, Álvaro Recoba is an Uruguayan attacking midfielder whose career is largely defined by his time at Inter Milan. In 262 appearances in the nerazzurri shirt, he scored 72 goals. Before Italy, he built his reputation in Uruguay, notably at Danubio (41 games, 32 goals) and Nacional (100 games, 18 goals). After hanging up his boots, he moved into coaching, remaining a key figure in Uruguayan football.
With the national team, Recoba earned 68 caps and scored 10 goals for La Celeste. He also returned to Nacional late in his career, adding another 40 games and 36 goals on home soil. An attacking technician who left his mark both in South America and Serie A.
The easy player: George Best
Born on 22 May 1946 in Belfast, George Best let his dribbling do the talking. A truly exceptional attacker, he spent the heart of his career at Manchester United, making 474 appearances and scoring 181 goals alongside Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. In 1968, he claimed the Ballon d’Or as the best European player of the year. Pelé himself included him in the FIFA 100 in 2004, stating that Best was the best player he had ever seen.
After Manchester United, Best bounced between clubs in the twilight of his career: San Jose Earthquakes (56 games, 21 goals), Los Angeles Aztecs (37 games, 14 goals), Fulham FC (47 games, 10 goals) and Fort Lauderdale Strikers. He earned 37 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring 9 goals. His off-pitch excesses made headlines as often as his on-pitch brilliance. He passed away on 25 November 2005 in London, aged 59. Today, Belfast’s airport bears his name.