7 Greatest Final Seasons Before Retirement of All Time

[@Ben-tf4fk]

"Just being really good at football without ever winning any international trophies" - then goes on to talk about Marco van Basten, who scored 5 goals for the Netherlands as they won the 1988 Euros, including one of the greatest goals of all time in the final.

[@fresalilm7706]

I think he was implying/joking that that is a difference between those who are good but didn't win any international trophies and Marco Van Baston though :o

[@Ben-tf4fk]

@@fresalilm7706 I thought of that, but before Van Basten he listed Frank Rijkaard, who was also an integral member of that 1988 Netherlands squad.

[@gm2407]

Probably an Alfie oversight. It does happen.

[@sonicgoo1121]

Probably a reference to the reputation of being the best team never to win a world cup.

[@albertmiller2electricbooga897]

This is why the rise of Middle Eastern graveyard leagues makes me sad, no one is ever gonna remember Kanté's last few years while Kroos was in the European sphere all the way through

[@finneas9894]

Did Kante not make 2 MotM appearances in this Euros already? Couldn't have picked a worse example.

[@albertmiller2electricbooga897]

@@finneas9894 first Saudi leaguer I could think of that wasn't Ronaldo (already a top 5er) and Henderson (which was massively controversial) You're right it was a terrible example

[@Evemeister12]

Kante is rich beyond his wildest dreams. I doubt that he gives a damn.

[@Constantinos_Is_Dead]

Kante is heavily overrated anyway, Kroos has been the best CM in recent memory.

[@CC-INV]

@@finneas9894Right, so people are gonna remember 4-8 good performances, every 2-4 years. As opposed to yk, 10-20 every season, every year, on top of those good international performances.

[@minnumseerrund]

Laudrup also captained Denmark in their best WC ever in 98, going toe-to-toe with Brazil in the quarters

[@lexkanyima2195]

But nobody knows if the Laudrup brothers would retire at the same time.

[@ExileOnDaytonStreet]

The research Alfie puts into the Further Adu jokes probably qualifies him to be Freddy Adu's biographer.

[@freddiemercury2075]

Kinda shocked that Adu have not retired yet. Despite starting his career 263 years ago.

[@MartijnterHaar]

This list also has three of the most famous smoking football players: Cruijff, Zidane and Rijkaard. No idea if there is any connection, just something I noticed.

[@ShinnaDEW]

TBH Kroos had an overall truely amazing carrer. Approx 30 big trophies and titles speaking volumen what he achieved. He got a treble with Bayern. He won the UCL 6 times and beside the Euros won every other major trophy.

[@tobiasharstel7941]

Toni Kroos won as many Champions League as Bayern Munich in its entire history, he is now already Germanys most successfull player of all times, even if he doesn't win the euros

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@tobiasharstel7941what about Neuer and Muller ?

[@EnzoPepsiCola]

​@@lexkanyima2195he has more trophies than them, what about them?

[@lexkanyima2195]

@EnzoPepsiCola they winning 2 trebles which Kroos couldn't do

[@EnzoPepsiCola]

@@lexkanyima2195 one of those treble were WITH Kroos so it's ridiculous to mention it. And yes they both achieved another treble without him which was a great achievement, he went and got another 5 UCL titles whereas both Neuer and Müller have 2 in total. I appreciate that all 3 are legends of the sport but there's a reason Kroos is the one with the most trophies, the most important trophies too (UCL is obviously the highest honour at club level) and of these 3 players we've mentioned Müller is the one who hasn't won the German player of the year award

[@tumppuman]

Honestly, I feel Van Basten is a bit of a cheat pick as number one. He was forced to retire unusually young and there for in the peak of his career. A world class player having a great season at 28 isnt really that remarkable. He didnt choose to retire. That being said, great video as usual.

[@robertgregory9896]

I feel the same. Perhaps Enzo Francescoli would be a good pick to take his place.

[@marcschramm6958]

And his season was not really great. He played terrible in the CL final that Milan lost. That stained his season.

[@gm2407]

Yes, it litterally goes against the injuries rule at the start of the video.

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@marcschramm6958 the first 4 months of the 1992-93 was really his final peak, but it was not a cheat.

[@heijimikata7181]

@@marcschramm6958 I mean…he’s injury-ridden towards the end of his career so it’s not really fair to judge him based on the “usual” van Basten’s standards. Rooney is much the same too. Got injured a lot before big international tournaments.

[@Evemeister12]

Zenedine Zidane should've topped this list BECAUSE of his head butt on Marco Materazzi.

[@bezoekers]

Cruijff moving to Feyenoord and dominating the league is probably the funniest thing any footballer ever did.

[@maciejbala477]

revenge can be one hell of a motivation apparently lol

[@stanyamish3996]

You put two players from my native city and my dad's favourite player on top. One of my favourite videos from you, that's for sure. We tend to forget, due to his performances with France, that Zidane struggled at some point at club level. Nonetheless, he won what most of us would dream to win with his club(s).

[@Cancun771]

Kroos has become something of a German Pirlo. When he hadn't even joined Bayern at the time of that 2006 match, let alone the national team.

[@PeakDennisReynolds]

Kroos is the closest player to Beckenbauer Germany have had since he retired. Phenomenal player.

[@EnzoPepsiCola]

What 2006 match are you talking about?

[@MonopodMan]

Since this is the seventh year of HITC Sevens, you should do some videos to celebrate the occasion e.g. revisiting your very first video on the channel or maybe your seven best and worst videos you've ever made

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

good idea, I have also thought about that

[@thecrimsondragon9744]

What a coincidence! I was binge watching videos about Kroos just yesterday and how underrated he is. Germany owes Toni a glorious send off.

[@tdyerwestfield]

Rivaldo was already falling down the ladder by 2004, he was playing in Greece for Olympiacos, scoring in the famous Champions League game against Liverpool with the Gerrard "OOOOHHH YOU BEAUTY WHAT A HIT SON" goal.

[@DidykehNjdhe]

you bring so much joy and knowledge into each video, it’s amazing!

[@maxzalman]

I have seen Oliver Kahn playing his last ever Europe game when my team Zenit beat Bayern 4:0 in a UEFA Cup semi-final. Despite the scoreline I have the utmost respect for the man and felt privileged to watch him play.

[@DidykehNjdhe]

i’m amazed by the quality and clarity of your explanations!

[@Lukita-yh4kz]

Kroos 😭

[@neby_nebs]

You make some of the most creative topics. Why has no one ever thought of this as a video.

[@AJ-ct8om]

Still producing bangers when on the move during the Euros, what a guy

[@tm_yt496]

That Rijkaard season was amazing 🔥

[@PeakDennisReynolds]

I think alot of people still don't get how talented that guy was. I had always known him as the best defensive midfielder of all time in most peoples opinions but when you watch highlights of the guy the amount of rockets he fired into the net from about 30 yards and perfect through balls he put on a plate for forwards makes him look more like a box to box player similar to Gullit.

[@BALHAM69]

Videos for you to consider - what on earth is going on at inverness Caledonian thistle From third place and winning Scottish cup to Scottish league one You Haven’t had a Scottish team in this series so you might want to. - Clapton CFC A fan owned team and their story You do like a non league video at times for the viewers - the rise of bashundhara kings How they won last six Bangladesh premier League now - last suggestion would be your q and a video 😊

[@neilpolson4685]

Yes an Inverness video would be class

[@BALHAM69]

@@neilpolson4685 today they announce their financial report for last season

[@depekthegreat359]

These are the real respective legends to have achieved every accloades before retiring and long lives respectively to all of them,good friends!!!👍🏾

[@greensmithbackup6774]

16:42 Cryuff lost millions to a PIG FARMING SCAM? Alfie you can't just gloss over that, we need more deets! 🐽 Great vid

[@ScarletAsmodai]

He basically wanted to invest after retirement and was convinced by a close friend of his to invest all his earning into several pig farms. Friends knew shit about what he was doing, ran into multiple issues with the authorities and all Cruyff's earnings evaporated into thin air. Forcing him to strap his boots on again as the only means to an income.

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

@@greensmithbackup6774 a video yess

[@pimpinmagicianofprophecy]

Ohh no. The jinxmeister out here jinxing us germans.

[@VictorMongrelPrawira]

yeah😂

[@Thomas-jl8xr]

Nobody talked about Kroos ballon dor before he talked about retirement, bit weird isnt it?😅

[@mike04574]

Lol

[@PeakDennisReynolds]

Because he's not a overhead kick or ten stepovers type player. People that actually understand the game know he should of already had a balon dor in the last ten years.

[@jomets10]

@@PeakDennisReynoldsAbsolute delusion he's never once been the best player on any teams he's been in matter of fact rarely top 3

[@vfamily4396]

@@PeakDennisReynolds And he most definitely isn't someone who dribbles and dribbles

[@PeakDennisReynolds]

@@jomets10 Rarely top 3? Have you not seen the guys pass completion and assist stats over the years? And before you say he mostly passed sideways don't even bother it's nothing but lies and anyone can see that if they ever watched a full match when he played.

[@OfficialFingazMC]

19:40 Alfie mate, Holland won the Euros in '88.

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

I guess he didn't meant it literally - just as they have been very unlucky not to win more than that

[@OfficialFingazMC]

@@joachimhovgaardramlau3064 Tbf he does literally say that they won about minute later, (and Van Basten was the top scorer in 88) . I'm guessing it was just a slip of the tongue, but by then I'd forgotten I wrote the comment lol

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

@@OfficialFingazMC probably, I must admit I didn’t heard that

[@hussainraheema]

Some people are speculating that kroos might go back on his retirement decision. I don’t see it happening he said many times he just wants to spend more time with his family. I see him coming back to the sport few years after his retirement definitely not as a player tho.

[@bodelieriwan2773]

Best video ever Alfie, not that it would play a role that you mentioned one or two Dutch players 😁

[@Tommo6300]

14:03 I swear he says Right Guard.

[@OmarAbdulkadirkhaliif]

Boy, now I cannot unhear that 😂

[@Shinso1337]

Start Rijk, end Rijk

[@johnbakker4828]

If I remember correctly, Michael Laudrup would have played on for one more season at Ajax, if they had managed to sign his brother for the 1998-99 season. They had never played together at club level, and it would have been a fairytale ending for them both. Ajax did try to sign Brian, but he left Rangers for Chelsea instead. The next season he did come to Ajax, but his brother Michael had unfortunately already retired by then.

[@insertname8506]

In a nutshell: if you're old, join Ajax.

[@MartijnterHaar]

Any of the better Eredivisie clubs is a good option. The tempo is relatively low and the defending is not that aggressive, but the level is still good enough that on occasion a team might have success on a European level. So if you've lost some top speed, but still can pass the ball with precision, the Eredivisie is the place to be.

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

or Feyenoord

[@cycklist]

Brett Pitman is playing in the 9th tier aged 36. He just loves the game.

[@glencurtis6052]

And scoring a crazy amount of goals

[@1greenMitsi]

dat mid-nineties ajax squad was lit

[@fairphoneuser9009]

Even the end-nineties squad was great, but the 93-94 squad was incredible!

[@RyuzakiTaiyou]

Best German players in the premier league of all time. (Day 652) I will not give up until the video is made or Alfie himself tells me to stop. Everyone else telling me that will be ignored. If you don't believe my number, just go back to the previous videos. I'm at the bottom most of the time, but I'm there.

[@TheGameCritc]

I won't check just trust. I want this list too. Robert Huth needs to be in there. I adored him way before Leicester during his Middlesbrough days, and even beyond that as he was a youngster at my heart's club Union Berlin! I need this list now. I'll try to comment on your comment every video. Have a terrific day!

[@moosheesterbeek3209]

Can you do a video about Willem van Hanegem (imo maybe the most underrated player ever) (19th video)

[@OneOfTheCrowsInTheMovieCrow]

You could make a video of the 7 most exciting seasons ever.. Either the premier league or just in general 👌

[@midnightrider910]

Does the 1988 euros just not exist in the heads of the british

[@glencurtis6052]

As someone who was 9 years old at the time we try to block it out of our memories

[@GreekHouseEffect]

they lost all games, including one to Ireland, so I guess it doesn't

[@PatrickvanStokken]

That 5-0 cup win of Ajax is the oldest football memory I have. This entire video felt like it was made just for me 😄

[@archstanton6102]

Shearer's lat game for Newcastle was him scoring in a 4-1 win against scumderland.

[@guus5504]

Damn, 4 of these players have had their last season in the Eredivisie, and Kuyt didn't even make the list, he lead Feyenoord to their first league title in 17 years and he scored a hattrick in the title deciding game.

[@omarserrano5865]

Xavi Hernandez had a great final season as well. Treble with Barcelona in 2015.

[@keebs67]

Joe hart final game was a cup final old firm win 90th min winner surely that’s some way to go out

[@ifan_1234]

pwetty pweaseee make a video about the Welsh premier league. despite the success of the Welsh national team in recent years, the domestic league in Wales is still largely ignored and underfunded.

[@jordan_roadhouse4798]

Because it's shit. When was the last Wales international from that league, capped whilst playing in it?

[@ifan_1234]

@@jordan_roadhouse4798 what do you mean because it's shit? yes ofc it is, that's what I'm saying

[@jordan_roadhouse4798]

@@ifan_1234 So it's not underfunded then. If it got more money, from where and who's paying? No company wants to invest anything significant and just lose their money and it should not be paid by any public fund. It's ignored because it's dreadful. Be nice to have a decent Welsh league but there is just no interest in it whatsoever.

[@maciejbala477]

i mean i don't really see why it's interesting, plenty of other leagues are like that

[@ifan_1234]

@@maciejbala477 i thought that given the fact Alfie is english, He might be interested in what's going on in his neighbouring country. also, Wales has the 3rd oldest national football association in the world, and yet didn't even have a domestic league until the early 90s. i think its interesting but I might be biased, but hey, each to their own

[@christiansimbarashe]

thank you alfie. wasn't really a fan of the stadium and gelsenkirchen videos. Golly you've been there a lot. But each to their own

[@jimbob-robob]

18:26 Why the heck did Ajax let Cruyff go to Feyenoord!???

[@johnbakker4828]

The Ajax chairman thought Cruyff didn't have it in him no more to excell for another season. He was sadly mistaken.

[@rupamaditya0]

Day 123: The despicable despotic president of Bangladesh Football Federation

[@JesuisHugo]

This should make it pretty clear that the Netherlands is one of the greatest footballing nations on earth. Especially when compared to size.

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

That's my video idea again! Hope you invite me to dinner one day!

[@मृदुलशर्मा]

video idea:- Best Dead 11

[@stefanlilienthal6072]

...and even Uwe Seeler got a stain on his 'til then stainless record when he was tricked into playing one game for Cork Celtic by Adidas - not knowing it was a league game. Even with that little stain on his otherwise stainless record he will always be the greatest player of all time to me - reliable scorer, faithful team-player and maybe the most humble player I ever had the pleasure to witness. Also he scored my favourite goal ever: With the back of his head against England in the 1970 world championship. 😊

[@Blueflag04]

Cruyff for sure

[@danielabcde4476]

Very unexpected video this, I haven't seen anybody ask for it

[@eX1st4132]

Somebody was asking in the comments for some time for this video

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

@@danielabcde4476 I asked for it a lot of times, then stopped, then did it one more time and it suddenly got 200 and something likes.

[@christopherproctor2536]

Las Vegas Lights mentioned 🎉🎉

[@SamButler22]

Zidane? He's no Tim Sherwood

[@TheAciddropper]

No shotout to Matthias Sammer?

[@sabineworner5202]

Kroos❤

[@ScarletAsmodai]

You skipped on one more dutch player with Van Bronckhorst who featured in a WC finale as his finale hurrah.

[@tesssherlock9510]

Surprised at no Mario de Castro, of the legendary 1.95 goals per game record, who retired as top scorer of the league in 1931 aged 26 due to fan violence

[@Zhuk-zc8es]

What happens at 3:24, I don't understand.

[@Maneesh-u2z]

Og content Love from nepal

[@pm-of9yl]

Nepal represent🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵

[@mattyctill]

19:39 1988 Euros????

[@danielkarmy4893]

You know something? With Portugal playing fairly well lately, I've noticed all the talk has been about a certain chap called Ronaldo - yet nobody at all has even mentioned the fact that one of their defenders is literally redefining what is possible or achievable in professional sport. To be an integral part of his national team, as they forge on through to the latter stages of a major tournament, at the age of 41 and a half, is unprecedented. Yes, I know, Billy Meredith still played for Wales at 46 but by that time they were no longer a force to be reckoned with (if they ever had been at all); Roberto di Maio still plays for San Marino at 41, but you and I (who are the same age) will be centenarians by the time they come close to qualifying for the Euros. What about Essam El-Hadary at the 2018 World Cup, 45 and a half and saving penalties? He set the new bar for goalkeepers, but as a goalkeeper, even his incredible achievement wasn't beyond the limit of what humankind thought possible. Pepe has broken that barrier, and is setting a record all of his own - one that several past players (out of millions to have played the game) have come close to, but perhaps no future player will ever match.

[@FilJR99]

Pepe is easily one of the top-10 centre-backs of all time in my books. He’s got a reputation but people overlook his quality. Amazing player!

[@vfamily4396]

Ronaldo is simply the greatest, of course he'll be talked about mostly. Unlike all these you named, CR7 has been the most consistent since the beginning of his career playing non stop without any breaks. It's same story with Argentina, they only talk about Messi yet it's Di Maria who's playing insane while being just few months younger than Messi. However, Pepe is definitely amazing even at 41, sad to see him retire.

[@maciejbala477]

random thing I just noticed but Arda Guler kinda looks like Johan Cruyff

[@yutehube4468]

How "great" was Kahn when Ericsson's England put 5 past the Kraut in that World Cup qualifier in Germany on Sept 1st 2001? Not so great that time was he! Owen got a hat trick.

[@makouras]

15:00 True football fans can name 10 out of these 11 players (The 11th is George Finidi)

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

@@makouras finidi George

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

@@makouras oh you are the true and only football fan, he is known as Finidi George, but his true name is the other way around!

[@Constantinos_Is_Dead]

"The Germans always win but the Dutch always age better"~Gary Lineker

[@mitchell4680]

Scam investment in pig farming? How tf have I never heard of that lmao

[@MrMooooole]

Not enough mentions of England for my liking...

[@201hours8]

Bro snuck in "BALLON D'OR?" in the thumbnail

[@IHSpark7325]

Video on Austrian football please.

[@jordanschlansky4093]

Top 10 slips and own goals Gerard Piqué next please

[@he_football]

Bayern selling Kroos is the supidest decision in modern football

[@jf9229]

lol no... if you've ever watched any of the other videos on this channel, you know there have been made far worse decisions.... bad transfers happen all the time, it's just how it is

[@eX1st4132]

Yeah, but they had Thiago. I mean, they won ANOTHER treble without him. Just because he won a lot of trophies with Real Madrid (anybody who goes there will win lots of trophies, it doesn't make you a bad player, but they have exceptional teammates, and Champions League magic) doesn't mean he was irreplaceable. Would it have been better if he had stayed? Maybe, but it wasn't exactly an issue for Bayern.

[@he_football]

@@jf9229 I was exaggerating :))

[@he_football]

@@eX1st4132 I know but it still feels like a missed opportunity. He could have been the next Schweinsteiger.

[@NoCureForMe]

Misstiano Penaldo, are you watching this?

[@vfamily4396]

Pionel Pessi should learn from this video as well, cheating end of career is a horrible look! Wc and ballon dors being robbed

[@OmarAbdulkadirkhaliif]

13:47 what? The Netherlands won the world cup? 😮

[@Rojo84]

OK so, play your last season in the Netherlands. Got it.

[@James_utd123]

Zidane is wayyyy too low for me. He played in a harder league than most of the people there if not all and led Madrid to 2nd in the league still whilist having some great performances. 2006 World Cup was better than his 1998 World Cup that game vs Brazil is one of the best football performances ever.

[@patrickhauser588]

He didn´t lead Madrid. Madrdi had too many great players. So 2nd place in the Spanish League was a disappointment. Champion would have been a great achievment against that Barcelona team. But his World Cup performance was so great of course.

[@Lawlz4Dayzz]

Do the Top 5 players who died durring their careera Im already depresses anyway.

[@svdgnl]

Without winning a trophy?? 1988 European champions is pretty international I think

[@marecare223]

Laudrup is danish

[@tfe1788]

He is well done

[@carlbyronrodgers]

Cruyff,the double with Feyenoord.

[@denniskaptein4788]

Shame you ruled out Kuyt and Van Der Sar for playing for amateur clubs. Pretty much anyone in the Netherlands considers that post retirement activity for them 😅 Love your videos, though, this one no exception

[@gugga2745]

i cant explain why and its not bc ive not seen some of the pictures before, but the laudrup in the ajax kit pictures all look like deep fakes

[@dr.strangelove4665]

The Anti-CR7 video

[@lougiacobbi725]

Kroos knows he won't get the teammate and officiating advantage all players get at Madrid vs anywhere else, and not having La Liga and UEFA cheating for his team's results are the main reason he is retiring.

[@yungosscar]

they named their stadium after him😂

[@ferdinandmaldonado3582]

That's NoT a Argument it is a FACT!!! PAPÁ Tony Kroos is The Best in His Position... End of Story ✌️🤠 and Hala Madrid!!!!

[@mauricioandres7470]

Well there's also Zidane, Xavi, Didi. He has quite a competence

[@eX1st4132]

Lol no. You are a small child using your parents youtube account. HITC Sevens is a great place to educate yourself though, so I implore you, keep watching, and you'll learn the error of your ways.

[@thetruth4654]

Van Basten is the best striker of all time.

[@Strangegloves]

I belive in joe hendry!!

[@pablol3560]

Dont forgert about Emiliano Salas one

[@RenatoMondragon-s5q]

He does not deserve no balón dor he’s just getting milked rn bc he’s retiring put he’s not balón dor quality at all

[@justgames4420]

Someone explains this to Ronaldo Edit: better to step down as a GOAT than a sheep

[@Blueflag04]

Too late already

[@justgames4420]

@@Blueflag04 😭😭

[@t.robinson4774]

So, if Christiano Ronaldo retires immediately after Portugal win Euro 2024, does he sit in this group? Is his age the barrier for qualification or the standard of his existing club?

[@Drunken_Master]

It's pronounced Mikhel.

[@freddiemercury2075]

Wayne Rooney !

[@mi3_4kor]

lahm the best😊

[@EscanorOG]

Ballon do‘r for what?😂he was not even the best player in his team when the season ended madridistas called for Vini or Bellingham as ballon do‘r favourites,now because of the retirement and the euro it should be kroos?Ballon d‘or is such a joke where a big fan base just needs to point to a player of a team that won an important trophie.

[@thomascarey4779]

whos here after germany won the euros

[@VictorMongrelPrawira]

Which universe are you living in 🤣

[@VictorMongrelPrawira]

oh you mean the 1996 Euro😂

[@TN-mv3mm]

The award for “Greatest transfer blunder of all time” is a field dominated by Leeds

[@TheMasterhunter2010]

I love van Basten but there is no way his 22 game final season is better than Cruyff going to Feynoord and his revenge on Ajax or Rijkaard almost going invincible if not for a Cup quarter final! A great idea for a video would be exploring Cruyffs love hate relationship with Ajax not only did he leave twice as a player on bad terms but also as a manager and would then go on to sue the club and directors who where fighting his famous cruyff plan especially Louis Van Gaal apparently cruyff's wife hated Ajax!