Although football is a team sport, moments of individual brilliance are common. Additionally, the beautiful game can foster excellent teamwork within pairs. Collaboration can manifest in central defensive pairings, midfield duos, attacking partnerships, wing-back pairs, or even wingers on opposite flanks of the opponent's pitch. The synergy within such duos can be exquisite and captivating for spectators. In this section, Wintips admin brings you "Top 10 best duos in soccer". Below are the greatest duos in football history that we present to you.
What is the best duos in soccer you do not know?
1/ Andy Cole vs Dwight Yorke (Man United)
When captain Eric Cantona left after the 1996/1997 season, English striker Andy Cole began to feature more prominently in the Reds' first team. Although he could not match the talent and class of the legendary Cantona, Cole had great support from his teammate Yorke. The signing of Yorke in the summer of 1998 was considered a wise move by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The combination and chemistry between Cole and Yorke create a highly effective forward duo for the Old Trafford team. The 1998/1999 season was the peak season for this duo, as they contributed a total of 53 goals and won the historic treble with Man United. More broadly, the Cole-Yorke duo scored 129 goals in 285 games between 1998 and 2002.
2/ Wayne Rooney vs Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) - Best duos in soccer
United's current decline makes many fans suddenly think of the not-too-distant past when Rooney and Ronaldo stood side by side in the home attack. Following the departure of prominent figures such as David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Roy Keane, the Theatre of Dreams welcomed two more outstanding strikers in history.
The 2007/2008 season was considered the peak season for this duo, as CR7 contributed 42 goals, while R10 scored 38 goals. Their explosive performances contributed greatly to the double triumph of the Red Half of Manchester, winning both the Premier League and the Champions League. The legendary partnership between these two forwards came to an end in 2009 when Ronaldo decided to move to Real Madrid.
3/ Thierry Henry vs Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) - Best duos in soccer
Before arriving at the Emirates Stadium, Henry had always struggled at Juventus due to his ineffective performances as a left winger. Joining Arsenal in 1999 was a turning point for the French striker. Coach Arsène Wenger deployed him as the focal point of the attack, where he formed a lethal partnership with Dutch playmaker Dennis Bergkamp.
Together, the duo scored or assisted in 266 goals across 610 appearances. Henry won four Golden Boots between 1999 and 2006. They were key players in Arsenal's famous unbeaten league run in the 2003/2004 season. The incredible combination of Henry's speed, technique, and elite goalscoring ability, along with Bergkamp's exceptional creativity, give fans the perfect dream duo.
4/ Ian Rush vs Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool)
Liverpool's heroic history is marked by many famous striker pairings, including John Toshack and Kevin Keegan, as well as more recently Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Even so, the duo of Rush and Dalglish deserves to be above them all.
The 1983/1984 season was considered the duo's most successful year, as their brilliant form helped Liverpool become the first English club to win the treble (First Division, League Cup, and European Cup). Rush was known for his superior goalscoring skills in the box, while Dalglish was known for his quiet influence on the game. Together, this legendary duo scored 300 goals in 665 matches between 1980 and 1987.
5/ Xavi vs Iniesta (Barcelona) - Best duos in soccer
Xavi and Iniesta both graduated from Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy and played together during the golden era of both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. They were integral figures in the beloved tiki-taka system employed by both Barca and La Roja. This duo displayed a remarkable understanding of the game.
Xavi was a midfield maestro, known for his impeccable passing precision, while Iniesta possessed quick footwork, vision, and exceptional dribbling skills, along with a knack for scoring crucial goals. Together, they were simply unstoppable on the pitch. They won numerous accolades together, securing every major trophy at both club and international levels with Barcelona and Spain.
6/ Ferenc Puskas vs Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid)
Ronaldo, Bale, and Benzema can take pride in their legendary goal-scoring feats during Real Madrid's recent era of success. However, Los Blancos' legendary legacy was shaped by two iconic names from the 1950s and 1960s: Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano. This legendary duo propelled Real Madrid to five consecutive Champions League titles from 1956 to 1960.
With 360 goals scored in 433 matches, Puskas and Di Stefano's goal-scoring record is incredibly impressive. According to reliable statistics from Transfermarkt.com, the total number of goals scored by these two legends is 156 goals in 229 matches for Puskas and 193 goals in 227 matches for Di Stefano. Puskas' goal-scoring efficiency stands at 0.87 goals per match, while Di Stefano's is slightly lower at 0.68 goals per match.
7/ Pele vs Garrincha (Brazil) - Best duos in soccer
Considered one of the greatest attacking duos in football history, Pele and Garrincha brought home two FIFA World Cup titles for Brazil. Both are among the most exceptional attacking players to ever grace the field.
Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, while Garrincha is renowned for his exceptional dribbling skills. With Pele and Garrincha together on the field, Brazil remained unbeaten. Brazil remained unbeaten in all 40 matches Pele and Garrincha played together, winning 35 and drawing 5!
8/ Kylian Mbappe vs Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) invested heavily in building a team capable of winning the Champions League. They activated Neymar's €222 million release clause in his Barcelona contract, making him the most expensive player in history at the time. Soon after, PSG signed Kylian Mbappe on loan from Monaco, with an obligatory purchase option worth €145 million.
While PSG's dream of winning the Champions League has yet to materialize, this duo has provided fans with some memorable moments in recent years. Thanks to Neymar's creativity and Mbappe's blistering pace, few teams in the world can withstand PSG's attacking prowess. Since 2017, this striking partnership has played 107 matches together, scoring 42 goals across various competitions.
9/ Robert Lewandowski vs Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) - Best duos in soccer
Bayern Munich stands out as one of the most glamorous football clubs in the world. They have built their success from the backline, with outstanding ball carriers in midfield, and up top, they boast two excellent strikers responsible for goal-scoring duties. Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller have indeed been the gold standard of attacking duos over the past decade.
Lewandowski joined Bayern in the summer of 2014 and immediately formed a strong partnership with Muller. The Polish-German duo has played 326 matches together since 2014, totaling over 23,000 minutes on the pitch. During that time, they have jointly set a record of 77 assists for each other, bringing home 1 Champions League title and 7 Bundesliga trophies.
10/ Arjen Robben vs Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, dubbed "Robbery" by Bayern Munich fans, wreaked havoc on both flanks for Bayern during their time together in Germany. Together, this duo scored 268 goals and provided 284 assists.
Robben was renowned for his speed, dribbling skills, and ability to cut inside from the right wing and score with his left foot. Meanwhile, Ribery was a versatile player with excellent dribbling, passing, and shooting skills. He operated on the left wing and was famous for his ability to bypass defenders and create goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Robben and Ribery were a nightmare for opposing teams and will surely go down in history as one of the greatest duos in football.
Conclude
From formidable defensive partnerships to dynamic attacking duos, these pairs have left an indelible mark on the game. Their understanding, chemistry, and combined skill have not only contributed to their individual success but also to the achievements of their teams. Whether it's the telepathic connection between center-backs, the seamless link-up play between midfielders, or the lethal combination of strikers. Find out more interesting sports news at the bookmaker reviews website every day.
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