Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry most iconic duo (Image: SWNS)
The most iconic international football partnerships of all time are Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, Ronaldo and Rivaldo – and Pelé and Garrincha. A poll, of 2,000 footie fans, found 15% loved the Dutch maestros Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, and one in 20 admired the Italian defensive duo of Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro.
But the highest-ranking English duo were Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, both part of England’s ‘Golden Generation’. Having a good understanding (65%) and complimenting each other well (61%) were the crucial factors which make a good duo. While 36% simply want to see a footballing pair having fun together, on and off the field.
A spokesperson for Domino’s, which is unveiling The Perfect Match IPA beer in partnership with BrewDog ahead of the launch of the Euros, said: “As the top scorer when it comes to pizza, we wanted to create the perfect match for fans this football season.
“We know what a good partnership needs – Just as our research shows, a good understanding and complimenting each other well are key factors in making it work. Let’s hope our home teams can do the same.”
The study found 10% selected the Portuguese pairing of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. While 16% opted for the midfield metronomes Xavi and Andres Iniesta, crucial to Spain’s international success between 2008-2012.
Seven in 10 respondents believe that any truly great team needs to contain at least one iconic partnership. More than four in 10 (43%) also say that when their favourite footballing duo is playing, they’ll happily ditch all other plans to tune in and watch.
The perfect watching conditions include a drink (Image: SWNS)
Having somewhere comfy to sit (27%), being with friends and family (16%) and having a refreshing drink (12%) were the top factors in creating the perfect watching conditions.
And enjoying a pizza (35%) with the game was the top food option, ahead of burger and fries (31%) – whilst a beer (44%) was the top beverage of choice.
TOP 20 INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS OF ALL TIME:
- Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry – France
- Ronaldo and Rivaldo – Brazil
- Pelé and Garrincha – Brazil
- Xavi and Andrés Iniesta – Spain
- Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit – The Netherlands
- Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard – England
- Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley – England
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes – Portugal
- Diego Maradona and Jorge Valdano – Argentina
- Patrick Kluivert and Dennis Bergkamp – Netherlands
- Roberto Baggio and Gianfranco Zola – Italy
- Peter Crouch & Jermaine Defoe – England
- Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice – England
- Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe – France
- Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini – Italy
- Kevin De Bruyne & Romelu Lukaku – Belgium
- Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey – Wales
- Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro – Italy
- Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol – Spain
- Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic – Croatia
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1909993/most-iconic-international-football-partnerships