The Best Senior Footballer in the world!

I have been
been an avid fan of football for as long as I can remember and that is more than half a century of following, not the soccer ball , but the players who can do wonders with the ball. And there have been many over the years who have impressed.
One such wizard is current soccer magician par excellence...RYAN GIGGS of Manchester United.
Last Sunday night I was watching the game between Man Utd and West Ham "live". It was a very open game with fluid passing and many attacking moves by both sides. The 1st half was goalless. When the 2nd half resumed, I remember thinking to myself...this is the kind of game that will likely need an individual performing a brilliant solo move to end the stalemate.
That wish of mine came true in the 62nd minute of the game.
Paul Scholes, another of the fabulous oldies of Man Utd, got the ball and sent a pin-point pass to Giggs who was lurking on the left wing. Giggs trapped and controlled the ball and instead of crossing the ball decided to go on a solo run.



What a stupendous run that was!
First, he approached the on-rushing Carlton Cole,
dummied to the left but went right. Then there was Scott Parker about to cut him down. Giggs dummied again to the left but went right again and there was a sea of players in front of the goal.
With his weaker right foot he unleashed a curling shot which beat everyone including the keeper Green. Man Utd won that game 1-0 and Giggs won every old timers heart, mine included!

The whole move, with not a single break in stride, was so smooth, so perfect, so sublime to watch...Poetry in Motion.
And that coming from a 35 year old player!
Right winger Rafael was only 8 months old when Giggs 1st played for Man Utd in 1991 against Everton....as the b/w photo showed.

He seems to get better with age...just like good wine!
Last night, I stayed up to watch the magician again. Though he did not score any goal, his control and contribution and assists were instrumental in Man Utd beating Derby 4-1 in the FA match. And he was a joy to watch.