[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Soccer, even moreso than hockey, can have dozens of "right answers" to the question "who is the best goalie/defender/midfielder/forward" in the world, and even moreso to "who is the best player in the world." Especially when you consider that the top leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland, Portugal, France (in no real order)) play distinctly different types of football, which make even the style differences between the NHL's Western and Eastern Conferences look minor.

This results in a cheapening of the individual awards to the point of obscurity and quaintness. Would Ronaldinho be the best player in the world in a grinding, tactical league like Serie A? Would Gigi Buffon have as impressive a save percentage in the high-octane Spanish Primera Liga? Would John Terry still be a rock on defense in a free-wheeling, less structured Portugese team? It ends up being less who is the most talented, and more who thrives the best in where they are.

Interesting point. Well said.