Look at Ryan Giggs’ numbers: 963 appearances, 168 goals, 34 trophies, 23 years, one club. It is astonishing, incredible and it will never happen again.
Born in Cardiff in 1973, Ryan Giggs began his youth career at Manchester City in 1985 before moving to Manchester United in 1987.
He progressed through the youth system there before making his goal-scoring senior debut against Everton in 1991.
What began on that night over two decades ago was a career that defied logic and was unlike any other professional football career. There have been many one-club players, but who have churned out top-class performances for the biggest club in the world well into their late 30s.
It is mind-boggling to think that Ryan Giggs had already won seven trophies before I was born.
I never really had an understanding of the role that Ryan Giggs had in football until I was about 14 or 15. By that stage Giggs would have been 35 years old. At that age, most footballers would have been a season or so into retirement, but not the Welsh Wizard.
He made more than 20 appearances per season for his entire career, except for his last season of 12. Each season he kept putting in when the team needed him most. In the latter stages it was the big matches where he made his mark, showing experience and class to outwit players a decade his junior.
His name was made on the flanks of Old Trafford, but as his pace diminished his role in the team changed and he began to be deployed in a more central role. It is clear that Giggs took a note out of former teammate Paul Scholes’ book on how to control a midfield.
Giggs had a bigger influence on Manchester United in the second half of his career, and that is a big statement for a player who clearly had such a brilliant first decade in football.
The dwindling outings near the end of his career were inspiring because he was more often than not the best player on the field.
I imagine his only major regret in football would be not being able to turn out in a major international tournament for his nation of Wales. He came close in his 64-cap career, but was never surrounded by the right talent. A Giggs in his 20s would help the current crop of Welsh players.
His four-game stint as Manchester United manager this season will prove to be vital. There was a dour mood around Old Trafford, and his presence for that short period of time will make Louis van Gaal’s task easier.
While he will not be pulling on the boots, he has been announced as the assistant to the incoming Dutchman and will surely be an integral part in any potential success. He would also have to be a favourite to become the next manager once Van Gaal departs from Old Trafford.
It is an emotional time to be a Manchester United supporter and Ryan Giggs’ retirement has added to the sense of change, but change seems to be in order to move forward for the club.
I am sure that Ryan Giggs’ role at the club will only increase now he steps into his new leadership role. May the legend continue.
Bondy
Guest
+ 1 .
Bondy
Guest
He was a true club man a great patient player with a brain and longevity obviously and remarkably remained relatively injury free through his illustrious career .
Johnno
Guest
Perhaps, we could add Graeme Souness and Paul Mcstay Steve as good as Garrincha, to make you feel right at home.
Johnno
Guest
That's only 1 source. Many Rate Ryan Giggs highly Steve, like elite high. Time and time again. Giggs by the way won 13 EPL titles, how many has Gerrard won-zero. Scholes is great, and underrated. Alan Shearer I always rated highly, one of best strikers I ever saw, same with Berkamp. Klinsman and Van Basten, Brazil Ronaldo, and Thierry Henry best 4 I saw, post Maradonna. Giggs made the 100 FIFA best players of all time list. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-uniteds-ryan-giggs-greatest-ever-2844136
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Sorry, but comparing Giggs to Messi and Zidane and Ronaldo has really got on my wick. Admittedly this was done in 2011 and I think missing out Cristiano Ronaldo at that point was a huge error. I think it's safe to say that Giggs hasn't done much to change perceptions since 2011 however. This is as comprehensive an analysis as you can find of the top players of all time. You won't find Giggs as he's not even in the top 100. Please start looking at some of the other names that are missed out before considering one of the greatest of all time. Consistency is not the same as greatness, I'm honestly staggered at the comparisons being made. http://footballpantheon.com/2011/09/the-100-greatest-players-of-all-time/
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Spot on AZ, Scholes was simply a class above Giggs. I can't even believe we're having this conversation in terms of his ability. The longevity he (and Zanetti) have had is wonderful but that's a totally different discussion. How we are talking about Giggs in the same breath as Zidane and Messi is just beyond me.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think Giggs should be commended for his longevity but I think to compare him in ability to the likes of Zidane, Van Basten, either Ronaldos or Messi is just ludicrous. Eric Cantona likewise, a wonderfully talented maverick but you are seriously comparing them to the all time greats? Sorry but that is just plain nonsense and you can't have watched much of any of those players to come to those conclusions. Playing for a long long time is a highly commendable feat but there isn't a single poll that has been held anywhere in the world that holds Giggs in remotely the samely company as these guys. The season that Gareth Bale just had at Spurs far surpassed any twelve months that Giggs had at United on the left wing. And 'a touch of Garrincha'?? Please stop it now............. Just nonsense sorry. Consistent yes, brilliant no.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Scholes doesn't come up in conversations like these often enough. 169 goals for a deep lying midfielder is phenomenal. Compare that to Xavi's 100 in many more games. Of course, Xavi played alongside some of the greatest goal scorers of his era and had a greater focus on short passing and creating chances. I think it's worthwhile including Scholes in such debates.
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
Just want to add Javier Zanetti to the conversation, another great player with incredible longevity
Stavros
Guest
Great post Johnno. My two favourite lines are "Who knows maybe Ryan Giggs could lay claims to be the best ever" and "a better version of aussy Ned Zelic". Keep up the good work.
leon
Guest
Here I was thinking that the title was a reference to Giggs' sister in-law.
Johnno
Guest
Has real claims to challange for the best player since Maradonna. He's in Zidane's level,Roy Keane,Van Basten,Klinsman, Thierry Henry, and Xavi, Eric Cantona, And the 2 Ronaldo's, and Messi, and all the other modern day greats, great player. Giggs may be the best, as he was on the left flank, a real value, his longevity is only matched by Paolo Maldini,Lothar Matthaus I can think off , with regards to outfield players. One blight on Giggs career, is he's always played in great or top class club teams, how would he have gone in less star studded sides. However in Wales side he didn't, have a star squad. I never really knew about his Wales efforts, as Wales always didn't make a big tournament. Who knows maybe Ryan Giggs could lay claims to be the best ever, so adaptable was he as a player. A touch of Garrincha, in him. My favourite Ryan Giggs memory was the 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay vs Arsenal, where he got a great goal in extra time. Giggs could play as a defender,midfield,and striker, and on left flank, most adaptable player I can think off. a better version of aussy Ned Zelic, who was a great player, and could play all positions.