Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: Nos 50-41 of the greatest football teams of all time
One of the truly enthralling things about following football is the chance to watch the great teams at work. Whether it be in domestic football or on the international stage, we have been blessed to see some truly unforgettable teams over the last century.[LNB]We know picking a top 50 will always be contentious, and we know you will want to have your say - we welcome it.[LNB] Perhaps you have a favourite team from British football - maybe Manchester United's treble winners from 1999, Liverpool's 1984 vintage or Celtic's Lisbon Lions?[LNB]It could be that one of the great European club sides will top your list, the great Real Madrid or AC Milan teams?[LNB]Or maybe its one of those special international teams that have graced our summers down the years - Brazil's magical stars of 1970 or Holland and their total footballers?[LNB]We haven't only selected teams on strength of trophies alone - there's more to the game than that. Style, panache and skill are all characteristics that any true lover of football will recognise and appreciate.[LNB]So enjoy the week, we will bring you ten great teams every day and reveal the winner on Friday...[LNB]50-41 Greatest football teams of all time...50. Italy (2006)[LNB]49. Greece (2004)[LNB]48. Juventus (1985)[LNB]47. Red Star Belgrade (1991)[LNB]46. Manchester United (1994)[LNB]45. Ajax (1995)[LNB]44. Brazil (2002)[LNB]43. Torino (1943)[LNB]42. Brazil (1958)[LNB]41. Bayern Munich (1976) [LNB]SPORTSMAIL'S GUIDE TO THE GREATEST FOOTBALL TEAMS ...50 Italy (2006)Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Grosso, Camoranesi, Pirlo, Gattuso, Perrotta, Totti, Toni[LNB]World champions[LNB]Marcello Lippi ended the Italians' long wait for glory by steeringthem to a penalty shootout victory over France. Fabio Cannavaro was arock at the heart of their defence.[LNB] Enlarge No 50: Fabio Cannavaro lifts the World Cup after Italy's victory over France in the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin[LNB]49 Greece (2004)Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fissas, Zagorakis, Katsouranis, Basinas, Giannakopoulos, Vryzas, Charisteas[LNB]European champions[LNB]The team that stunned Europe with a sensational surge to brush asidethe cream of the continent. There were no stars, just a team superblymarshalled by German coach Otto Rehhagel.[LNB] [LNB] Enlarge No 49: Greece stunned the football world when they beat hosts Portugal to win the European Championship in 2004[LNB]48 Juventus (1985)Tacconi, Favero, Cabrini, Brio, Scirea, Bonini, Briaschi, Tardelli, Rossi, Platini, Boniek[LNB]European Cup winners[LNB]Inspired by the brilliant Michel Platini, the Italian giantsovercame Liverpool in the European Cup final that will for ever be overshadowed by theHeysel tragedy.[LNB] [LNB] Enlarge No 48: Juventus won the European Cup in 1985 but the final was overshadowed by the tragedy at the Heysel Stadium[LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... Which is the greatest football team of all time? Sportsmail's team of experts have selected their top 50 greatest football teams of all time. But have they ot it right? Who do you think is missing? And most importantly, which team IS the greatest? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK 47 Red Star Belgrade (1991)Stojanovic, Sabandzovic, Belodedici, Najdovski, Marovic, Mihalovic, Jugovic, Prosinecki, Savicevic, Binic, Pancev[LNB]European Cup winners, Yugoslavian champions, Club World Cup winners[LNB]The best of a bunch of teams to emerge from eastern Europe. RobertProsinecki and Dejan Savicevic were among the side that went on tobecome world stars.[LNB]46 Manchester United (1994)Schmeichel, Parker, Bruce, Pallister, Irwin, Kanchelskis, Keane, Ince, Giggs, Hughes, Cantona[LNB]English champions and FA Cup [LNB]Eric Cantona was bringing the good times back to United, while thelikes of Roy Keane, Paul Ince and Ryan Giggs were emerging as heroes.[LNB][LNB] [LNB] Enlarge No 46: Manchester United players celebrate their 4-0 FA Cup final win over Chelsea in 1994, which completed the club's first league and cup double[LNB]45 Ajax Amsterdam (1995)Van der Sar, Reizeger, Blind, Rijkaard, Frank de Boer, Seedorf, Davids, George, Ronald de Boer, Litmanen, Overmars[LNB]Champions League winners, Dutch champions Intercontinetal Cup winners[LNB]Louis van Gaal's expert blend of youth and experience propelled Ajaxto the top of Europe. The start of great things for the likes ofClarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert.[LNB][LNB] [LNB] Enlarge No 45: The Ajax team celebrate their European Cup Final win against AC Milan in Vienna in 1995[LNB] [LNB] 44 Brazil (2002)Marcos, Edmilson, Lucio, Roque Junior, Cafu, Kleberson, Gilberto Silva, Carlos, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo[LNB]World champions[LNB]The three Rs - Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho - ended England's dreamsbefore storming to yet another World Cup triumph. Suspect at the backbut simply awesome going forward.[LNB]Enlarge No 44: Cafu holds aloft the World Cup after Brazil's victory in the 2002 final against Germany in Yokohama[LNB]43 Torino (1943)Bodoira, Piacentini, Ferrini, Gallea, Ellena, Grezar, Ossola, Loik, Gabetto, Mazzola, Ferrari II[LNB]Italian champions, Italian Cup winners[LNB]The Grande Torino are regarded as Italy's greatest ever club side.The great Valentino Mazzola inspired them to five straight titles.[LNB]42 Brazil (1958)Gilmar, Hideraldo Bellini, Djalma Santos, Nilton Santos, Orlando, Didi, Zagallo, Garrincha, Zito, Pele, Vav[LNB]World champions[LNB]At just 17, Pele shot to the world's attention with some brilliantdisplays - but this side was about so much more than one player.[LNB][LNB] [LNB] Enlarge No 42: An emotional 17-year-old Pele cries into the arms of goalkeeper Gilmar Dos Santos Neves after Brazil's 5-2 win against Sweden in the 1958 World Cup final in Stockholm[LNB][LNB][LNB]41 Bayern Munich (1976)Maier, Hansen, Schwarzenback, Beckenbauer, Horsmann, Durnberger, Roth, Kapellmann, Rummenigge, Muller, Hoeness[LNB]European Cup and Intercontinental Cup[LNB]With Franz Beckenbauer, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Gerd Muller leading the charge, this was one of the great teams of the 1970s.[LNB] [LNB] Enlarge No 41: Franz Beckenbauer lifts the European Cup for Bayern Munich after their win against Saint-Etienne in the 1976 European Cup final at Hampden Park[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]THE BEST OF THE REST OF THE LISTSportsmail's top 50 sporting venuesSportsmail's top 50 free-kick kingsSportsmail's top 50 England heroesSportsmail's top 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail's top 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail's top 50 goal poachersSportsmail's top 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail's top 50 FA Cup heroes[LNB] [LNB]
