Players like Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar aren’t for sure, because defending should also be in the conversation. The Camavinga memes had me thinking, is there a player who was/is actually really good at everything, or at least most things inside the pitch?
Gullit, Yaya Toure, Matthaus and in general box2box players could do anything from defending to scoring. Pogba when he was world class is a good example. Defenders who scored regurarly like Ramos, Hierro or Koeman, even fullbacks like Marcelo or Dani Alves are exceptional on many things.
Another fun pick would be Jorge Campos, the goalkeeper who also played as an attacker sometimes.
Bruno Fernandez comes to mind
The amazing Modric until 1/2 years ago, he was everywhere on the pitch. His feet got eyes as he could place the ball anywhere and ofc he could score some amazing longshots.
Salah
Reece James easily
Schweinsteiger around 2010-14 was an all-rounder
Didn’t he start out as a winger but turned central midfielder?
Yes
Lampard
Historically. John O Shea. Man could fill in anywhere. Even in goals.
Not many players were like it for most of their careers but my vote goes to Yaya Toure. There was like a 2-3 year period where he offered almost anything.
Peak Yaya was a cheat code. He did everything.
Shaqiri 😮💨 or valverde
Stevie G, could dribble could pass short and long, could run well, could shoot and could defend. All he couldn’t do was take a DJ not playing his song
Come to think of it, who are the Messi CR7 opposites. Their class of player but all they do is defend or pass not score.
John O’Shea, the guy played everywhere expect up front at one point or another at united.
More talented examples; Essien, Rooney, Yaya Toure and Pique could all have done a job anywhere.
A team of Kantes would be the most fun to see, hyperactive midgets running like crazy. Wouldn’t win many headers, but the opposition would be exhausted into submission.
Makelele
Beckenbauer
Currently Valverde i would say. Can score bangers , assists , can cover the ground if needed to defend
Me