If you were to ask me to name the best teams in international football history, without hesitation, I’d go Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Germany…and I wouldn’t be too far away.
All four have rich heritages and an impressive tally of trophies, and they remain powerhouses in world football, three are on target for another triumph over the next week, as only Germany have gone out of the European Championships, while Italy hunt for glory and Argentina and Brazil have made the last four of the 2021 Copa America.
But these four giants of world football haven’t had it all their own way…
The best teams in history
South American football has evolved over a century which, for much of the first 50 years was dominated by neither Brazil nor Argentina. In terms of Copa America wins, Uruguay have the most at 15, one more than Argentina and well ahead of the Selecao on nine.
But seven of Uruguay’s triumphs came before the Second World War and they have only had one Copa win this century. However, they also won the World Cup twice, one of only six teams to achieve that feat, in 1930 and 1950.
The famous Brazil team, inspired by Pele, dominated from 1958 to 1970 and have won more World Titles than any other team, at five, while Germany and Italy have four each, while Argentina and France have two. Pele captured the imagination of the world as he inspired the Selecao to play a brand of football never seen before, quick passing, mazy running and spectacular goals. The Samba Boys took the world by storm.
Over in Europe, Italy responded by adding rapier-like attacking to their legendary granite defence. Juventus legend Paulo Rossi won the Golden Boot at the 1982 World Cup, scoring six goals including a quarter-final hat-trick against Brazil and the first of the Azzurri’s three in the final victory over West Germany.
Germany were never far away though and with players such as the prolific scorer Gerd Muller and centre-back Franz Beckenbauer the Germans were big players in Europe throughout the 1980s and 1990s and into the 21st Century, last winning the World Cup in 2014.
Aside from Germany who have won three European Championships, Spain have also won three, while France has two and the Azzurri just the one, in 1968. Spain’s triumphs came in 2008 and 2012 and they picked up their World Cup win in between, in 2010, as Andreas Iniesta scored the only goal, deep into extra time against the Netherlands.
But one of the most iconic pictures of all time is of Diego Maradona, the Argentina and Napoli superstar, known to be the best player since the great Pele. Maradona inspired his nation to win the 1986 World Cup but they have struggled to reach such heights since.
The best teams in 2021
So in terms of the best of all time, the four I picked are pretty much on the money, with honourable mentions for Spain and Uruguay. But where do we sit in 2021?
Well, this year’s international football 2021 results at the Copa America have gone according to plan with Argentina and Brazil both topping their groups and the two juggernauts are on course to meet in a showcase final.
Argentina are set for a semi-final showdown with Colombia, while Brazil face Peru. The Selecao squeezed through to the last four by a 1-0 margin over Chile. Lucas Paqueta scored the only goal of the game after Gabriel Jesus had been sent off. Argentina have failed to pick up any silverware since 1993 and this time, Lionel Messi is determined to finally put that right.
Back in Europe, and according to the latest FIFA World Rankings, the two best teams exited the European Championships at the Quarter Final and Round of 16 phases, as Belgium and France crashed out to Switzerland and Italy respectively.
With just four teams left in the competition, the international football 2021 odds at Euro 2020 have installed England as favourites at SBOTOP odds of 2.65, with Italy at 2.80, Spain 4.00 and Denmark the rank outsiders at 8.50.
Italy meet Spain on Tuesday night before the Three Lions take on the Danes on Wednesday. The Three Lions are dreaming of glory again as 55 years have passed since they won the World Cup, and with talisman Harry Kane hitting form at the right time this could be their year.
But watch out for the Azzurri who, having missed out on the World Cup 2018 finals, have been in scintillating form in 2021.
Three of my best four teams of all time will be on stage again this week, with England sneaking on too…it promises be a fantastic week of football…bring it on!
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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