Sports
Sir Alex Ferguson Named Two British Players Who Were on Ronaldo and Messi’s Level
Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager of all time. In almost 27 years spent in charge of Manchester United, the Scotsman delivered 38 trophies to Old Trafford. Among them are a record 13 Premier League titles, alongside two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups, with one of each forming part of the iconic 1999 treble.
To do all of that, he needed great players, and across three decades, he worked with some of the finest the sport has ever produced. Ferguson made a living out of coaxing the best from elite talents while making sure no individual ever felt bigger than the team.
You had the instinctive brilliance of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke up front, and the relentless Wayne Rooney. Peter Schmeichel was arguably the finest goalkeeper the Premier League ever saw, and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic’s partnership set records that may never be beaten.
Yet for all the extraordinary talent that passed through Old Trafford during his tenure, Ferguson himself has always been quite specific about how many of those players he would truly describe as world-class. His answer, perhaps surprisingly, is just four.
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Alex Ferguson’s World-Class Four
Writing in his 2015 book, Ferguson was characteristically direct on the subject: “If you read the papers or listen to the television commentators, we seem to be awash with ‘world-class’ footballers,” he wrote.
“In my book there are only two world-class players playing today: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. I don’t mean to demean or criticise any of the great or very good footballers who played for me during my 26-year career at United, but there were only four who were world-class.”
Eric Cantona’s inclusion will surprise nobody. The Frenchman arrived at Old Trafford in 1992 and transformed the club almost overnight, bringing a belief and a swagger that had been missing for years. Cantona’s tenure at United was the shortest of the players on Ferguson’s list, spending only four and a half years at Old Trafford before his shock retirement in 1997.
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Things could have been so different for the midfielder.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is equally straightforward. The Portuguese arrived at United as a skinny, flashy teenager from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and left six years later as arguably the best player on the planet. Under Ferguson’s guidance, he was transformed from a player of extraordinary raw talent into a complete and devastating goal machine.
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, a Champions League, a Ballon d’Or, scoring 118 goals in 292 appearances for the club, and a manager who put him on the map. Ferguson rating Ronaldo alongside Lionel Messi as the only two truly ‘world-class’ players of their era is a view shared by almost every football fan on earth.
But it’s the two British names on Ferguson’s list that demand particular attention. Both Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, players who came through the club’s own academy, were also elevated by Ferguson to the same level as two of the greatest footballers the sport has ever seen.
Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs: Britain’s Best
Scholes is one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, and his career numbers reflect a player oozing consistency and quality. He made over 700 appearances for the club he supported as a boy, scoring more than 150 goals, a fantastic return for a player whose primary role was to sit deep and control the tempo. He was there for an incredible 11 of United’s 13 Premier League wins.
Giggs, who clocked up almost three decades of service at the Red Devils, was a constant across every era of Ferguson’s reign. The Welshman evolved and reinvented himself across multiple generations of United teams and won every trophy Ferguson claimed during the Premier League era. Giggs holds the record for the most appearances for club, with 963. It’s a record that won’t be broken any time soon.
For Ferguson to place both men in the same category as Messi and Ronaldo is a statement that carries enormous weight. Coming from a man who spent almost 30 years working alongside the very best, it’s perhaps the greatest compliment either player could ever receive.
Sports
Tottenham Hold Talks to Beat Liverpool to Kennet Eichhorn
Tottenham have held talks to sign one player who is being actively pursued by Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window.
Beating Liverpool to signings is certainly not going to be easy for Tottenham in the upcoming window, after they narrowly avoided being relegated from the Premier League.
The North London club are going to be without European football next season, which makes it more difficult for them to attract players, especially against sides that are in the Champions League.
Spurs are going to have to be clever with their recruitment. If they are targeting young talents from around the world, they have to offer them more of a pathway to first-team football than their rivals.
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Tottenham are making moves in the transfer market.
Tottenham Hold Young Startlet Transfer Talks
According to a report from Team Talk, Tottenham have held talks with Hertha Berlin youngster Kennet Eichhorn ahead of the summer transfer window.
The report claims that Liverpool are one of the leading contenders to sign him if he decides to make a move to England this summer, but Tottenham are waiting patiently.
According to Sky Sports earlier this week, Liverpool opened talks to sign the German youngster, who has a release clause in the region of £10m.
The 16-year-old wonderkid, described as a ‘special’ talent by scout Jacek Kulig, does plan on heading through the exit door in the summer transfer window, but it remains to be seen whether he’s keen on a move to England.
Tottenham Could Struggle in Eichhorn Race
Beating Liverpool to the signing of Eichhorn certainly won’t be easy for Tottenham heading into the summer transfer window.
Interestingly, the German youngster wouldn’t be eligible to play in England just yet due to his age, meaning it would likely be a pre-agreed signing for the future.
If Eichhorn is going to make a decision now, then Liverpool is undoubtedly the more attractive prospect, considering Tottenham were almost relegated this season.
A host of other clubs are also in the race to secure his signature, so it could be a difficult deal for Tottenham to pull off due to the competition.
Sports
Michael Jordan Named the Only NBA Player As Good as Him
To many fans who have followed the NBA, Michael Jordan is still viewed as the clear greatest basketball player ever. It’s a reputation that Air Jordan has carried ever since his dominance throughout the 1990s, even with legendary names like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James entering the conversation.
Jordan’s obsession with winning, combined with his demand for excellence, created a standard very few players have ever reached. The GOAT debate has lasted for decades, but Jordan’s championships, accolades, and individual brilliance continue to make him the benchmark for greatness.
Because of his competitive mindset and confidence, Jordan rarely appeared to believe anyone operated on his level. That mentality became part of the aura that surrounded him throughout his career.
Michael Jordan Once Acknowledged an NBA Equal
According to former Chicago Bulls teammate Craig Hodges, Jordan privately admitted there was another NBA player talented enough to be considered on par with him, though, he also believed there was one key difference separating them in the public eye.
“Not every great athlete is marketable like that, and they have just as much talent.
“I remember having a conversation one time. It was like four of us, MJ included. And the conversation came up about Clyde Drexler. And MJ said this, and I quote: ‘Clyde Drexler is just as good as me. He just don’t know how to play the game.’ Do you follow me? And we ain’t talking about basketball.”
Jordan’s comments suggest Drexler never fully embraced the business side of being an NBA superstar during the late 1980s and early 1990s. As basketball exploded in popularity across the United States, elite players became global celebrities whose faces appeared everywhere, from commercials to magazine covers.
Jordan helped pioneer that movement by partnering with Nike and transforming himself into a worldwide brand. His rise off the court only amplified the attention surrounding his performances on it.
If Drexler had leaned more into the commercial opportunities surrounding the NBA at the time, he may have enjoyed a similar level of fame to Jordan. Whether the iconic Portland Trail Blazers guard even wanted that spotlight is another discussion entirely, but by the mid-1990s, Jordan’s brand had become larger than basketball itself.
MJ’s Pick Remains One of NBA’s Most Overlooked Legends
Widely regarded as one of the best shooting guards in NBA history, Drexler’s legacy will always be connected to Jordan’s. Both players dominated the backcourt during their era, but the latter’s championships and overwhelming media attention often pushed the former’s achievements into the background.
|
Michael Jordan vs Clyde Drexler (Career Stats) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Michael Jordan |
Stat |
Clyde Drexler |
|
30.1 |
Points per game |
20.4 |
|
5.3 |
Assists per game |
5.6 |
|
6.2 |
Rebounds per game |
6.1 |
|
2.3 |
Steals per game |
2.0 |
|
0.8 |
Blocks per game |
0.7 |
|
5x MVP, 6x Finals MVP, 14x All-Star, 10x All-NBA First Team, 1x All-NBA Second Team, 1x DPOY |
Career awards |
10x All-Star, 1x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team |
|
6 |
NBA titles |
1 |
Drexler possessed a similar level of athleticism and explosiveness to Jordan, while also being an elite scorer in transition and in the half court. His smooth style of play earned him the nickname ‘Clyde the Glide’, and he was later selected for the legendary 1992 USA Olympic squad, famously known as ‘The Dream Team.’
In The Last Dance documentary, the Bulls icon discussed his rivalry with Drexler, saying in classic Jordan fashion: “Clyde was a threat. I’m not saying he wasn’t a threat. But me being compared to him, I took offence to that.”
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Jordan even gave credit to players who have criticised him…
Despite becoming a 10-time All-Star, Drexler’s position as a shooting guard during Jordan’s era limited his opportunities for more All-NBA First Team selections, with only one making its way onto his resume. Still, he captured an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets and finished his career averaging more than 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game.
Considering everything he accomplished, Drexler has a strong case to be viewed as one of the most underrated stars in NBA history. Among dedicated basketball fans, however, his impact and greatness continue to receive the respect they deserve.
Sports
Tim Henman Named His Greatest Tennis Player of All Time
Tennis throughout the modern era has largely been defined by four legendary figures. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray collectively dominated the ATP rankings, with the quartet controlling the world No. 1 position continuously from 2004 until 2022.
With that in mind, here is a closer look at the remarkable impact and achievements of tennis’ most dominant generation.
Tennis’ Big Four
Roger Federer
Roger Federer is widely viewed as one of the most naturally gifted players the sport has ever produced. The Swiss icon captured 20 Grand Slam singles crowns during his career, including a men’s record eight Wimbledon titles.
Celebrated for his fluid movement, attacking style, and consistency across every surface, Federer spent 310 weeks as world No. 1. His influence on the game extends beyond trophies, with his professionalism and popularity helping elevate tennis globally.
|
Roger Federer’s Grand Slam results |
|
|---|---|
|
Grand Slam |
Best result |
|
Australian Open |
W (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018) |
|
French Open |
W (2009) |
|
Wimbledon |
W (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017) |
|
US Open |
W (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) |
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal established himself as the greatest clay-court player in tennis history, collecting 22 Grand Slam singles titles overall. Fourteen of those victories came at the French Open, a record unlikely to be matched.
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British tennis legend, Tin Henman, has named the toughest opponent out of the sport’s ‘Big Four’, while also naming the GOAT of the sport.
Renowned for his relentless intensity and fighting spirit, Nadal spent more than 200 weeks ranked No. 1 in the world. His unforgettable battles with Federer and Djokovic defined an iconic era for the sport.
|
Rafael Nadal’s Grand Slam results |
|
|---|---|
|
Grand Slam |
Best result |
|
Australian Open |
W (2009, 2022) |
|
French Open |
W (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022) |
|
Wimbledon |
W (2008, 2010) |
|
US Open |
W (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019) |
Andy Murray
Andy Murray may not have matched the Slam totals of his rivals, but the Brit firmly earned his place among tennis’ elite. Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles, including two memorable triumphs at Wimbledon, ending Britain’s decades-long wait for a home men’s champion. He also held the world No. 1 ranking for 41 weeks.
Throughout his career, Murray became admired for his resilience, defensive skill, and ability to compete against some of the greatest players ever seen.
|
Andy Murray’s Grand Slam results |
|
|---|---|
|
Grand Slam |
Best result |
|
Australian Open |
F (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016) |
|
French Open |
F (2016) |
|
Wimbledon |
W (2013, 2016) |
|
US Open |
W (2012) |
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has built one of the most decorated careers the sport has ever witnessed. The Serbian superstar has claimed 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the highest tally in men’s tennis, while also winning seven Wimbledon crowns. Djokovic additionally holds the record for the most weeks spent as world No. 1, highlighting his sustained excellence over multiple eras. Even in the latter stages of his career, he continues to compete at the very highest level.
|
Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam results |
|
|---|---|
|
Grand Slam |
Best result |
|
Australian Open |
W (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023) |
|
French Open |
W (2016, 2021, 2023) |
|
Wimbledon |
W (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) |
|
US Open |
W (2011, 2015, 2018, 2023) |
Tim Henman’s Tennis GOAT
He faced every member of the Big Four during his career
Prior to the dominance of the Big Four, British tennis fans looked to Tim Henman as the nation’s leading figure on the ATP Tour. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Henman became one of Britain’s most recognisable athletes and later inspired the next generation, including Andy Murray. Throughout his career, he also had the opportunity to compete against each member of the Big Four.
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Henman once reflected on those experiences, discussing which player he believed possessed the most complete all-round game while also revealing his choice for the greatest male player ever.
Speaking with talkSPORT, Henman explained why Federer stood out to him as the most complete opponent.
“For me, Federer was the most complete player that I ever played against. I played Federer the most and I felt that he had the most complete game, he could play on any surface, had very few weaknesses, and there wasn’t a specific area that you could necessarily attack.”
Despite praising Federer’s all-around ability, Henman ultimately believes another member of the Big Four deserves the title of the greatest player ever.
“I only played Djokovic once when he was young. I think sort of 18, 19, and his game was developing then. He didn’t serve quite so well, but it’s been incredible to see how all their games evolved over time.
“For me, it’s pretty clear that Djokovic is the greatest male player of all time. When you look at the numbers — Grand Slams, weeks at world number one, Masters 1000 titles — Djokovic leads in almost every major category. That’s why, for me, the debate is fairly straightforward.”
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