The first footballer to collect 10 top division English league title medals; the only player to have played and scored in every single season of the Premier League since its inception; the first player in UEFA Champions League history to have scored in 12 successive seasons; Man United's all-time leader in appearances... ok, hold the list - the above is already more than enough for you to guess who we are talking about.
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Ryan Giggs receives the Players' Player Award at the PFA Player of the Year Awards 2009 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. |
That's right, Ryan Giggs, the Wales and Manchester United legend. As United's senior and most-experienced player, Giggs has contributed everything to the "Red Devils"; in return, he has achieved all a player ever could at club level.
Giggs' career is definitely one of a kind and still going on, yet despite the unbelievable records he has set, the Welsh winger had never before been named PFA Player of the Year until he received the award on 26 April 2009. After nearly 20 years in top-flight football, he has now claimed one of those precious few trophies that had thus far eluded him - and the kicker is that perhaps the only time he's been up for the gong, he didn't actually deserve it. Why?
Look at the other five nominees for this award: Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo also from United, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard. Every one of these has had more impact on his team than Giggs.
Edwin van der Sar didn't concede a goal for over three months; Nemanja Vidic was the most important figure in that clean-sheet streak; Ronaldo currently tops the scoring charts; Liverpool's captain is almost irrepressible this season and his team is still in the title race with the United; Chelsea's iron man is as consistent and productive as ever.
Then how about Giggs? The Welshman has played brilliantly this season, but only when he has actually played. At the age of 35, in the twilight of his career, he has reinvented himself in a central-midfield role. However, he has started only 12 Premier League games, far too few to justify his award.
One decisive factor in determining why Giggs took the award is that it is voted by his fellow players. As mentioned above, the other five nominees have all been in great form this season, without any single individual standing out in the way that Ronaldo has in the two previous seasons. In a case like this, sentiment is likely to play a bigger role than performances when players vote.
For Giggs is one of the best-loved footballers in the world, a true legend whose contribution to the English game in the past two decades is matched only by his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. So it's no wonder the votes flew to him.
Let's go back to the question. Did Giggs really deserve the PFA Player of 2009? No, to be honest. There are players who are playing more regularly and wielding more influence than him at the moment.
But what is sure is that he does merit one for all the years he has missed out, and for all he has done, is doing and will continue to do for football and its fans around the world.
(China.org.cn by Xiang Bin April 29, 2009)
