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Clip of the day

Den Ridder Miss

Beerschot's Nicoletta den Ridder somehow manages to scoop a rebound over the bar from a yard against Ajax. Oops

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Feature: Hoddle, Francescoli, Ritchie, Rai & more

Even the game's greatest idols had heroes. And they're not always who you might expect

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1  2    

1 Berbatov on Shearer

"He could score goals from anywhere on the pitch. My parents got me a Newcastle strip with No.9 on it and my name. I'd go to bed in it every night."

2 Zidane on Francescoli

"I played against him when I was at Juve. When you are on the pitch with the guy you've adored all your life, that's when you realise you've become a big person."

3 Bryan Robson on Wyn Davies

"To a small boy the Welshman was a giant. I swear to this day that Wyn could head a ball as hard as most could kick it."

4 Cannavaro on Maradona

"Maradona is a God in Naples - he changed history. In seven seasons with him we won two leagues, a UEFA Cup and two Italian Cups. Perfetto."

5 Van Nistelrooy on Van Basten

"There was only one player in the world as far as I was concerned. As a child, I tried to model my game on him."

6 Sheringham on Hoddle

"I always got to White Hart Lane early enough to watch Glenn go through his warm-up routine. I was mesmerised by what he could do."

7 Ian Rush on Bob Latchford

"When I was old enough I used to watch Everton. I remember watching from the terraces the year he scored 30 goals - little dreaming that one day I'd equal that feat."

8 Roberto Carlos on Junior

"I modelled my game on Junior from the 1982 World Cup. He was the business. He was right-footed, but a very attacking full-back. I always wanted to play like him."

9 Kaka on Rai

"I admired him because he was the top player at Sao Paulo when I was starting out. He was a leader who decided games and was an elegant player."

10 Terry on Desailly

"He was 30 by the time he joined us, but he was still right up there. He was a total professional, one of the best players in the world in almost a decade."