Most iconic international football partnerships of all time unveiled in study – Football News

Most iconic international football partnerships of all time unveiled in study

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

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:

  1. Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry – France
  2. Ronaldo and Rivaldo – Brazil
  3. Pelé and Garrincha – Brazil
  4. Xavi and Andrés Iniesta – Spain
  5. Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit – The Netherlands
  6. Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard – England
  7. Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley – England
  8. Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes – Portugal
  9. Diego Maradona and Jorge Valdano – Argentina
  10. Patrick Kluivert and Dennis Bergkamp – Netherlands
  11. Roberto Baggio and Gianfranco Zola – Italy
  12. Peter Crouch & Jermaine Defoe – England
  13. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice – England
  14. Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe – France
  15. Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini – Italy
  16. Kevin De Bruyne & Romelu Lukaku – Belgium
  17. Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey – Wales
  18. Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro – Italy
  19. Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol – Spain
  20. Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic – Croatia

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1909993/most-iconic-international-football-partnerships