Comments on: Does the captaincy really matter in football? http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/ World Soccer views and news Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:30:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Bill Hayes http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342947 Bill Hayes Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:26:56 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342947 Leadership ability is the key attribute for a successful team captain whether it be soccer, rugby or ice hockey, or cricket for that matter. The captain must be an inspiration to team mates. They must be highly respected for their maturity, character and knowledge of the game. While it is sometimes the best player on the team, superstars with hugh ego's and individuals who are "not team payers" are rarely a successful captain. The best choice is usually the most obvious to team mates and fans alike. Leadership ability is the key attribute for a successful team captain whether it be soccer, rugby or ice hockey, or cricket for that matter. The captain must be an inspiration to team mates. They must be highly respected for their maturity, character and knowledge of the game. While it is sometimes the best player on the team, superstars with hugh ego’s and individuals who are “not team payers” are rarely a successful captain. The best choice is usually the most obvious to team mates and fans alike.

]]> By: Mark M http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342933 Mark M Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:23:10 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342933 Fair point that Maldini's history should make him the obvious captain but Milan have played 2160 minutes of competitive football this season and Maldini has managed 1120 minutes (he wont have started every game so I thought it was fairer to say 1 in 3) If he didnt play these games because of injury then ok, but generally he doesnt play every game because he is getting on. Hence adds to our conclusion that a captain is more important off the field than on it. Fair point that Maldini’s history should make him the obvious captain but Milan have played 2160 minutes of competitive football this season and Maldini has managed 1120 minutes (he wont have started every game so I thought it was fairer to say 1 in 3)
If he didnt play these games because of injury then ok, but generally he doesnt play every game because he is getting on. Hence adds to our conclusion that a captain is more important off the field than on it.

]]> By: Mark http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342929 Mark Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:58:42 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342929 "Paolo Maldini, 40, is club captain at AC Milan but plays once every three games. If the captain was that important, wouldn’t they appoint one who played every game?" What a ill researched statement. Maldini has played 12 games for Milan this season, thats 2 more than Kaladze and only one less than first choice rightback Zambrotta. Maldini is captain because he is everything a footballer should be, 24 seasons at Milan, some players dont even play for 14 years. “Paolo Maldini, 40, is club captain at AC Milan but plays once every three games. If the captain was that important, wouldn’t they appoint one who played every game?”

What a ill researched statement.

Maldini has played 12 games for Milan this season, thats 2 more than Kaladze and only one less than first choice rightback Zambrotta.

Maldini is captain because he is everything a footballer should be, 24 seasons at Milan, some players dont even play for 14 years.

]]> By: links for 2009-01-09 | Du Gehst Niemals Allein http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342925 links for 2009-01-09 | Du Gehst Niemals Allein Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:04:13 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342925 [...] Reuters Soccer Blog » Does the captaincy really matter in football? "Let’s face it, it doesn’t really matter who the captain is on the football field." (tags: england kapitän) [...] [...] Reuters Soccer Blog » Does the captaincy really matter in football? "Let’s face it, it doesn’t really matter who the captain is on the football field." (tags: england kapitän) [...]

]]> By: Weston http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342920 Weston Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:40:05 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342920 and is it just me or are most german captains goalkeepers? kahn comes to mind to me first but he retired :( and is it just me or are most german captains goalkeepers? kahn comes to mind to me first but he retired :(

]]> By: Does the captaincy really matter in football? | Sports 40 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342915 Does the captaincy really matter in football? | Sports 40 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:36:00 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342915 [...] Go to Source [...] [...] Go to Source [...]

]]> By: nikolas http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342912 nikolas Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:42:20 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342912 i couldn't disagree with you more..first of all do you play football?? i myself played for some years and i know that i captain is the one that gives you the strength to go on when you are tired..he is the one you shouts to everyone when they need someone to do so and he is the one who has the right to ask and talk with the referee about the cards given or not.plus he has to give the right example about the life outside the field..look at del piero or raul.. all in all i think the captain has a very important role in a team you just can't see it from the outside..who lifts the trophy and who doesn't is irrelevant.. i couldn’t disagree with you more..first of all do you play football??
i myself played for some years and i know that i captain is the one that gives you the strength to go on when you are tired..he is the one you shouts to everyone when they need someone to do so and he is the one who has the right to ask and talk with the referee about the cards given or not.plus he has to give the right example about the life outside the field..look at del piero or raul..
all in all i think the captain has a very important role in a team you just can’t see it from the outside..who lifts the trophy and who doesn’t is irrelevant..

]]> By: Does the captaincy really matter in football? | Soccer News Info http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342911 Does the captaincy really matter in football? | Soccer News Info Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:30:11 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342911 [...] to Source Share and [...] [...] to Source Share and [...]

]]> By: Soccer Camps » Blog Archive » Does the captaincy really matter in football? http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342910 Soccer Camps » Blog Archive » Does the captaincy really matter in football? Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:20:38 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342910 [...] Source: Mark Meadows [...] [...] Source: Mark Meadows [...]

]]> By: Kevin Fylan http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2009/01/08/does-the-captaincy-really-matter-in-football/#comment-342909 Kevin Fylan Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:53:12 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/?p=11986#comment-342909 I think you're right that it's a minor issue on the field. It's much more important behind the scenes, where it's not so important that a captain plays every game, more that he is the most respected person in the dressing room. I think you’re right that it’s a minor issue on the field. It’s much more important behind the scenes, where it’s not so important that a captain plays every game, more that he is the most respected person in the dressing room.

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