The big game players come through when others lose their nerve. These are the players that grab the game by the scruff of the neck. These are the players that managers can depend on for goals when silverware is at stake. And, there haven’t been many of those around. This is why today, we are looking at the biggest big game players of all-time.
Biggest Big Game Players in the World
Park Ji-Sung (South Korea)
Park Ji-Sung was the epitome of a Sir Alex Ferguson player. The South Korean’s work ethic made others around him look good. He didn’t score many goals. But the ones he did score were usually against Manchester United’s biggest Premier League opponents.
David Villa (Spain)
David Villa is an underrated player who won everything. He was an integral part of arguably Spain’s greatest generations. And, the striker could come through when it mattered most. For example, his four goals in Euro 2008, set Spain on the route to a final that they won even if Villa was injured on that occasion.
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima (Brazil)
At his peak, Ronaldo was the greatest striker in modern football. And, while injuries could have easily sidelined a highly promising carer, the Brazilian showed himself to be the kind of player who makes a splash when it is most important to do so. His two goals scored in the 2002 final against Germany brought the World Cup trophy back to Brazil and erased memories of the previous 1998 final.
Roy Keane (Ireland)
Roy Keane was Manchester United’s captain and the engine that made Sir Alex Ferguson’s team as successful as they were. You could say that Keane brought his best in big games. But, the Irishman would just tell you that he was simply doing his job. United’s 1999 victory over Juventus in the Champions League semi-finals, however, will keep Red Devil fans forever singing his praises.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Steven Gerrard was a real leader for Liverpool. He was also a highly skilled midfielder. His run of performances during the 2005 campaign, when the Reds had looked lacklustre before winning the Champions League trophy, will forever be remembered by the Scousers.
Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Andres Iniesta, like others on this list, is a player who’s focused on making his team be as good as it can be. But the highly talented Spanish midfielder also came good in big games. Iniesta scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final and managed assists in three separate Champions League finals played for FC Barcelona.
Gerd Muller (Germany)
There was likely never a more efficient goalscorer on the European stage than Bayern Munchen’s Gerd Muller. Simply a goalscoring machine, Muller saved off his most important goals for the really big games. The striker scored twice in the Euro 1972 final, scored the winner in the 1974 World Cup final, and averaged more.
Zinedine Zidane (France)
Zinedine Zidane was, of course, a generational talent. But looking at his stats, it is easy to remember that he did not score a tremendous number of goals during his playing career. However, he always came good in big games. Zidane scored three goals in the World Cup finals, helping France win the 1998 edition. Not only that, but his goals scored against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final will always be viewed as one of the best ever scored.
Gareth Bale (Wales)
Gareth Bale will be regarded, once the dust has firmly settled, as one of the best players of his era. However, it was also while he was scoring his most important goals that the Welshman received some of the strongest criticism. Goals against top EPL teams made him a record signing for Real Madrid. Here, he won five Champions League trophies, scoring decisive goals in two of those finals.
Didier Drogba (Cote D’Ivoire)
Didier Drogba is the most famous big game player. The Ivorian striker is, perhaps, the most important player that modern Chelsea has had. Drogba usually saved his most important goals for cup finals. An FA Cup winner against Liverpool and the winning penalty in a Champions League victory over Bayern Munchen are particular highlights of a career that had many of those. Drogba, despite never reaching incredible seasonal records, has scored 10 goals in 10 finals for Chelsea and has won 10 trophies along the way.
