A decade of fallen heroes- For love nor money

2000-2010 has provided us with some of the greatest footballing talent the world has ever seen. But what has happened to honest professional who is revelled in for his human nature as well as his footballing talent? Why is that in our age of mass media where sportsmen are revered as role models that every hero appears to be in someway tainted? Let's take a look at the greats of our decade who have suffered from the 'Maradonna syndrome' and decide whether we are to 'forgive' or 'forget' them.

Gareth Barry

At the age of 16 Aston Villa paid Brighton & Hove Albion £2.5million for the young left footed prodigy by the name of Gareth Barry. His talents as a defensive playmaker were not discovered until slightly later in his 12 year stint at Villa Park and for a brief period he was in danger of  becoming a dogs body utility player due to the unstable nature of John Gregory and David O'Leary's squads. His ability to feature at left back or even as a left winger prevented him from showcasing his range of passing and classy touch in Villa's engine room until O'Leary finally began playing him regularly in a dynamic centre midfield duo in which he struck an effective partnership with Gavin McCann in 2003-04. Five years later Barry became one of the most valued midfielders in Europe and his guidance of Martin O'Neil's fledgling, young side filled with potential starlets such as Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor - attracted the attention of Rafa Benitez who loomed over the Villa captain as his long term replacement to Xabi Alonso who would later make his own big money move to Real Madrid.
The partnership of O'Neill and Lerner won the hearts of many football lovers as they refused to be bullied into selling their talismanic midfielder for what they saw as a cheap price to a Liverpool set up who have now become the midlands clubs rivals for the top 4 spots. Barry responded slowly in the 2008-09 season before turning the screw on Villa's authentic challenge to breaking the top 4 Premiership dynasty of Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Although Villa would eventually drop off and let their small squad size haunt them at the business end of the season, the team that Barry led marked what many wanted to be the beginning of a power shift in English football.
His leadership of O'Neill's young British side pathed his way into the plans of Fabio Capello's World Cup qualification campaign after England's humiliating failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Since the turn of the century Barry has won 35 caps for England and his presence has ended the famous 'Lampard-Gerrard' debate as he has very much made the number 4 shirt his own with a series of collected performances for his country.

Barry's fall from grace arrived with his fairly sudden exit from Villa Park for a big money contract at Eastlands becoming one of Mark Hughes' first summer signings with his unlimited cheque book. Despite being one of Villa highest paid players with a view to an improved contract - it is understandable for the Holte Enders to feel aggreaved at what one would say was a lateral move in terms of club stature. Barry's comments that City were 'going in the direction' he wanted to go in implied that his former club were not, despite the fact they had finished 22 points and 6 places above Mark Hughes' moneybags outfit.

Forgive or Forget?

Barry can pretend all he likes that his move was inspired by wanting to further his England opportunities or the potential of European football at the highest tier. At the end of the day his opportunity of a move to Liverpool back in 2008 would have provided this for him. Add Barry to the current Villa side and for me you have a team more than capable of pouncing on the floundering fortunes of Liverpool and securing a top 4 spot. Villa still lie ahead of City in the Premiership standings and have strengthened their squad with some intelligent dealings in the summer - unlike City's chaotic spending spree with has led to Hughes being sacked. With a side you would imagine was close to Gareth's heart finally looking as if they could fulfill potential; his plane ticket for South Africa already booked, and more money in the bank than any other player in the Midlands there was no need for Barry to move. For these reasons my verdict is to Forget him.

A decade of fallen heroes - The French Headmaster

2000-2010 has provided us with some of the greatest footballing talent the world has ever seen. But what has happened to honest professional who is revelled in for his human nature as well as his footballing talent? Why is that in our age of mass media where sportsmen are revered as role models that every hero appears to be in someway tainted? Let's take a look at the greats of our decade who have suffered from the 'Maradonna syndrome' and decide whether we are to 'forgive' or 'forget' them.

Zinedine Zidane

For me Zizou was the great of the early 21st century. He came into the year 2000 on the back of marking himself as the ultimate victor, leading his France team to World Cup Glory in 1998 to the delight of the hosting fans. His two first half headed goals in the Stade de France final against then 4 time winners Brazil were just one example of Zidane's all round ability. In a period where football personnel obsess with the idea of specific role assignment - there can be little argument that the Juventus and Real Madrid galactico was a playmaker, a ball winner, a link man and a defensive shield all elegantly rolled into one phoenomenal player.

Unlike many in his mould he certainly has the honours to back up his weighty claim to being an all time great. At the age of 23 Zidane showed his hunger for Continental success by punching above his weight with a Bordeaux outfit that advanced to the 1996 UEFA Cup Final through the UEFA Intertoto Semi Finals. Not for the last time in his career Zinedine was the victim of the German 90's dynasty with his Bordeaux side containing names such as Lizarazu and Duggarry succumbing to a 5-1 aggregrate hammering by rock solid Bayern Munchen. After underachieving with his French team in Euro 96 and being denied an opportunity for revenge at Wembley by the steadiness of the Czech penalty taking and being edged out by Boroussia Dortmund in 1997 with a Juventus side that he fast became the linchpin of - Zizou was more than a little bit fed up of second best. Despite rubbing shoulders with the likes of Del Piero, Inzaghi and Davids, Zidane and company were unable to repeat the success of 1996 and after being runner-up again in 1998 at the hands of Real Madrid - Zidane began angling for one of European footballs most noted transfers. After his move to Real Madrid which saw him become the maestro of Los Galacticos with Figo, Raul, Ronaldo and Casillas for company Zidane finally began to rack up the trophies. The ever elusive European Cup medal  came in 2002 where Madrid triumphed over outsiders Leverkusen at Hampden Park, with Zidane finally putting the German spectre to rest with a spectacular volley which clinched the win. By 2006 the Frenchmen had won it all. The World Cup in 98, the European Championships in 2000, a string of Italian and Spanish league titles and of course the European Cup of 2002.

The reason this outrageous individual falls into this category of debate is for the legendary headbutt in the Final of the 2006 World Cup which stole the limelight and provided the world with a point of remembrance for what was a dismal tournament. Zidane still walked away from Germany with the Golden Ball for leading an average French side to the final against Italy before being dismissed for violent conduct after headbutting Marco Matterazzi who is supposed to have made a personal comment which greatly offended Zizou. His stature as a role model to all young football supporters was marred by this act of rashness and unfortunately it was his last contribution to the beautiful game and what those who were not as honoured as I to watch his majesty on top form.

Forgive or Forget?

A verdict of some conviction I would imagine for most. Yes he was wrong and yes he put a blot on the otherwise impeccable landscape that was his career with his moment of madness. In some ways however it can be said that Zidane showed his humanity with his reaction to the jibes of the Italian centre half and he was punished appropriately by being denied the opportunity to slot a penalty away in the ensuing shootout. The great man is by far and away - Forgiven.