Glenn Hoddle is one of British football's greatest minds. Uncharacteristically technical and creative for an English midfielder in the 1980s, Hoddle's genius made him almost untrustworthy for rudimentary Three Lions managers, who often overlooked him in favour of more dynamic and combative central midfielders.
As a manager himself, he brought some truly innovative ideas to the England national team. But his methods split opinion among players and pundits, and his spell as Three Lions boss would end in off-pitch controversy.
Nonetheless, Hoddle was considered to be ahead of his time both as a player and a manager, and remains highly regarded for his footballing intelligence and understanding of the game. His views on the sport itself are, therefore, always worthy of listening to.
Back in 2022, the Tottenham legend told Football Ramble the three greatest players he ever shared a pitch with - this was his response.
Johan Cruyff
When they shared a pitch: Cruyff spent the final season of his career at Feyernood, having been angered by Ajax's decision not to offer him a new contract, and showed up his former club by winning the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup. However, Feyernood would come unstuck against Tottenham in Europe and lost 6-2 on aggregate in the second round of the UEFA Cup. Cruyff scored at White Hart Lane, while Hoddle got three assists across both legs and described his performance as one of his 'best ever' for Spurs.
What Hoddle said about Cryuff: "Cruyff was a special player. He was, for a short period of time, the best in the world... If you've got a skill named after you, the Cruyff turn, then you've done something great. You deserve to be in my top three... When he did the turn, I fell off the sofa. I remember I said to my dad 'what did he do there?'. The Cruyff skill isn't actually that difficult, but it had never been done before... After the game I went into the garden and continued to do it, left and right."
Diego Maradona
Hoddle's GOAT
When they shared a pitch: Hoddle was on the pitch during the game that defined Maradona's legacy - Argentina's 2-1 victory over England at the 1986 World Cup. Maradona scored arguably the greatest goal of all time followed by the most controversial goal of all time in a matter of minutes, illustrating the duality of one of the greatest players of all time. Hoddle also played with Maradona in midfield during Ossie Ardiles' testimonial, during which the legendary attacker famously wore a Tottenham kit.
What Hoddle said about Maradona: "For me, he was the best player that's hit the planet. Better than Pele, better than Messi or Ronaldo or anyone else... To play against him in that quarter-final was amazing. The goal he scored was incredible. What people don't realise is that the pitch was so poor. There was ruts at the bottom of the pitch and that's why they left the grass really long. To score a goal like that on that pitch was incredible... I watched him in his pomp for Napoli. I've never seen a team mark anyone with two men - Udinese marked him with two guys, followed him everywhere, tried to kick him, could not get close him. They couldn't get near him, it was amazing to watch."
George Weah
When they shared a pitch: Hoddle and Weah played alongside each other 34 times at Monaco, playing under Arsene Wenger. As a fellow English-speaker, Hoddle helped integrate Weah into the team, and although the pair never lifted silverware together, they both helped to change perceptions within the game. While Hoddle improved how English players were judged abroad by illustrating technical and creative qualities, Weah would become the first African superstar in world football, signified by his Ballon d'Or win in 1995.