
Defining a great football team is not as easy as it sounds. It can be quite subjective, in that some value trophy success as the be all and end all when it comes to measuring the greatness of a football team, whereas others would argue that the beauty or innovative nature of a football team is what separates a successful side from a truly great era-defining team. Our opinion is that a great team can be either but in general tends to be a team that can combine both qualities, successful as well as innovative, and in very rare cases capable of producing breathtaking football to boot.
In this category we have the greatest national sides of all time - generally teams that have won the World Cup or European Championships, or who have made a immeasurable impact on a international tournament and are still remembered today for the attractive style of football they played and the teams that have revolutionised football through their performances in the international arena.
Similarly in this category there are also the greatest club sides of all time; teams that have transcended success within their domestic league. They are either European sides that have won the European Cup more than once, or won and the reached the Final several times, with largely the same team, management and system. Or they may have won the trophy once but done so in some style or significance. The list also includes South American teams that have won the Copa Libertadores several times with largely the same side and have also beat the European Champions in the Inter-Continental Cup.
TYPES OF FOOTBALL TEAM
Joga Bonito
Teams which are renowned for the breathtaking way they played football, renowned as masters of the beautiful game. Full of flair, panache, wonderful combinations and jam-packed with marvellously gifted individuals. A joy to watch.
Pragmatic
Teams who were dedicated to winning at all costs and renowned for their defensive brilliance. Ruthless on the counter-attack, difficult to pass through in midfield and tactically proficient, with an aggressive yet calculating approach to defensive play.
Gung-Ho
An aggressive style of football dedicated to fast paced attack with emphasis on scoring goals rather than retention of the ball unlike its attacking rival Joga Bonito. It is the style of football usually associated with the British game, with flair and speed down the flanks being the optimal method of creating danger though in the modern game it has been adopted by European sides such as Borussia Dortmund with a more technically refined twist. BalancedTeams which managed to combine all the other styles and formulate a hybrid approach. Such teams don't tend to leave behind glorious legacies such as those who are pure Joga Bonito, but they're able to take on all-comers due to their versatile style of play and incredibly successful. They can go all-out attack when they need to, or play on the counter when the situation depends on it.
THE GREATEST TACKLES

WORLD CUP 1970
MOORE V JAIRZINHO

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2011
NESTA V MESSI

ENGLISH LEAGUE 2004/05
KING V ROBBEN

SERIE A 2004/05
CANNAVARO V SHEVCHENKO

ENGLISH LEAGUE 2005/06

