Paul McGrath vs Diego Maradona | vs Rest of World 1987 | Colossal Performance |All Touches & Actions

Paul McGrath's MOTM performance against the FIFA Rest of the World side featuring Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Preben Elkjaer, Paulo Futre, Hristo Stoichkov etc, with Bryan Robson putting in a typical 2 goal Roy of the Rovers display for good measure.
Football League: Peter Shilton, Richard Gough, Kenny Sansom, Paul McGrath, Bryan Robson, Chris Waddle, Neil Webb, Clive Allen, Peter Beardsley, Liam Brady
Subs - Ossie Ardiles for Neil Webb
Alan Smith for Peter Beardsley
Steve Ogrizovic for Peter Shilton
Pat Nevin for Liam Brady
Steve Clarke for Richard Gough
Norman Whiteside for Clive Allen
Manager - Bobby Robson
Rest of World - Rinat Dasaev, Glenn Hysen, Thomas Berthold, Josimar, Salvatore Bagni, Celso, Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Michael Laudrup, Paulo Futre, Gary Lineker
Subs - Igor Belanov for Gary Lineker
Aleksandr Zavarov for Paulo Futre
Andoni Zubizarreta for Rinat Dasayev
Dragan Stojkovic for Celso
Preben Elkjaer for Salvatore Bagni
Lajos Detari for Michel Platini
Lars Larsson for Josimar
Check out this playlist to see more footage of McGrath - • Paul McGrath - The Bla...
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[@JamesSmith-bl6rd]

Best football player I ever had the privilege to see live. After every ireland match I was at growing up as a kid, everyone just talked about how good paul McGrath was.

[@icemanire5467]

When you hear sky debate the best defenders in the league history they bring up Terry, Ferdinand, Vidic, Stam ect. This guy was the first defender PFA winner in the Premier League only 2 times afterwards was it done. This guy was the elite. Mcgrath and Adams are hands down the 2 most underrated defenders.

[@footballsgreatest2645]

Spot on. McGrath was a colossal defender. Top notch. It didn't matter if he was facing Platini-Boniek, Rush-Dalglish, Van Basten-Gullit, Baggio-Signori or heck even the likes of Maradona, Platini & Laudrup as was the case in this match, he could mix it with the best of them!

[@philbradshaw7650]

I wanna like this comment more, highly underrated

[@samuelbiswas615]

He’s underrated becuase he won one fa cup while others won several premier leauges and maybe a ucl too

[@icemanire5467]

@@samuelbiswas615 true, I won't deny that. No other club wanted him other than Villa because his knees and his alcoholism.

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

@@icemanire5467 McGrath is the best Central defender I've seen and that's saying something to be better than Stam, Vidic, Ferdinand and Desailly. Sorry, but wouldn't put Adams in that class (as a player)although he was an exceptional captain and leader!

[@fabiostefanutto5307]

Legend and a nice, humble man with a few problems, like all of us. Doesn't get the credit he deserves when the greatest defenders of his era are discussed. He's right up there. Wish he'd stayed longer at ManU. Ooh-ah Paul Mcgrath!

[@zimzimma5688]

Favorite Paul McGrath story is from when Ron Atkinson was managing Villa, he just signed Dave Sexton as his assistant manager. In Sextons first game as Assistant Paul put's in a man of the match performance, despite sitting out training for the entire week with his dodgy knee , as he had pretty much the entire season. During the game Sexton turns to big Ron and says "This is not possible. What McGrath is doing is just not possible with the amount of preparation that he's had." Big Ron gives a rye smile and says "Dave that's just what the big man does."

[@jerryoshea3116]

You know u hear many an version of an story(I think H Redknapp might be one to embroider some-he's an E.Ender!)and Anecdote! .But any about McGrath are the real deal,like that one!..Even though this was a Friendly,he still would have done the same in a regular game...People forget in Italia 90..They talk about Gazza's performance against Germany&how well he played&he did..But against Ireland Paul McGrath was playing in Midfield(where he started out at Man U)And he pretty much bossed that Game in the Centre,cancelling out England's Midfield..Absolute Irish Legend.🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀..

[@paulnoonan8602]

Every time England have a team,capable of challenging they seem to be sort ,that one guy,hes nearly always Irish, Giles,1970,Brady 1978,McGrath 1988/1998,Keane euros 1996,if they had these lads they have won that respected competition

[@footballsgreatest2645]

True, he was immense on the biggest stages (1988 Euros, 1990 & 1994 WC) and shone against some of the greatest players ever (Gullit, Van Baste , Baggio, Platini etc). Truly a phenomenon.

[@desplatt842]

Run Atkinson also said about him that sometimes he wondered what on earth Paul McGrath was doing in such a position and then the ball would go straight to him. For anyone here who is also a rugby league fan, I always thought the same about Saints ‘ fullback Paul Wellens . A rare gift of knowing where players were going to kick the ball when he looked an unlikely choice. He was a complete footballer. I remember in a league cup tie at Anfield, him outpacing a couple of defenders to score himself.

[@davidantony2734]

anyone who understands football, knows that this man was an elite player. doesn't get much better. better than bruce and pallister.

[@jerryoshea3116]

Absolutey no comparison-they were really good at their Job,but then we have the Platinum Level&then McGrath/Franco Baresi..What I think so many people appear to forget,whenever the "Big Man"was up against better quality&World Class players he just raised his Game accordingly without skipping a beat. In USA 94 first game in Boiling Hot NYC conditions(and i flew in on that day,it was stifling Hot) against a quality Italian Team he was at his best&rightly named "Man of the Match"

[@johnboylan3591]

Bruce & palister couldn't get near Paul McGrath donkeys in comparison

[@DocTommy1972]

@@johnboylan3591 And the players were much better at protecting themselves as well. Look at 1:08 he sees the tackle coming and pulls his foot out of the way. Current players would risk a career ending injury to t get the foul or to get the opponent carded.

[@SPIDERM0OSE]

@@jerryoshea3116 reland was the only team to beat Italy in open play that tournament. McGrath was arguably at his peak, reading the game like he was telepathic & could see the future, he was like a negative Kenny Dalglish on that score. Id say from 1990 to 95 or 96 he was the best CB on the planet. I wouldnt swap him for Baressi or anyone else.

[@philliphall8792]

Best bit of business we ever did at Villa was signing McGrath, absolutely awesome player...👍

[@brixtonsaint]

I think everyone who listened to Gary Lineker's thoughts on Maradona wants to see the pitch entrance and phenomenal keep uppy sequence. RIP Diego

[@footballsgreatest2645]

Exactly. A tragic loss for the footballing world

[@paddyom]

Unbelievable Irish talent and highly underrated as a whole. A very humble man from any of the interviews/videos I've seen. Dul ar Éirinn 🇮🇪

[@tobyaughnotobi3919]

I'd still say that Paul Mcgrath was the best cenre half I ever saw at United, and I've seen some good ones these last 45 years. Absolutely immense player who could do everything.

[@Stratahoovius]

Some of the best positioning I've ever seen from a defender.

[@jerryoshea3116]

Great comment..Well.observed..Even today at Aston Villas Stadium,they still refer to him as"God"when they sing songs..

[@markkofi8522]

I remember watching this like it was yesterday. McGrath was immense.

[@brandonwilson2732]

Wow! So good never missed a tackle. Phenomenal player!

[@reillyjp]

Paul McGrath was world class..he could read the game so well and that put him ahead of most strikers. That's how he lasted so long towards the end of his career when he couldn't even train during the week but come match days he was still the best

[@footballsgreatest2645]

Just sheer class. One of the very few defenders (Maldini, Moore, Beckenbauer, Ferdinand etc) who could make defending look artistic and classy.

[@reillyjp]

www.independent.ie 'I shouldn't have been anywhere near a football pitch that day' - Paul McGrath ...

[@footballsgreatest2645]

@@reillyjp That link does not work unfortunately. This is the article I'm assuming. www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/i-shouldnt-have-been-anywhere-near-a-football-pitch-that-day-paul-mcgrath-on-his-finest-hour-in-green-38741896.html He was magnificent that day...

[@footballsgreatest2645]

@@reillyjp Be sure to check out the mini profile that I made on him. It also features McGrath's game against Italy (albeit on dailymotion since it was blocked on KZbin) www.redcafe.net/threads/classic-players-paul-mcgrath-le-god.430204/

[@thelolguy007]

McGrath was as good they come. And to think he was that good while suffering with his demons is unreal. World Class 🙌

[@fwdons.]

McGrath is my dad's fav footie player and I can see why

[@ronniep9272]

He was brilliant against Baggio (the best player in the world at the time) in 1994 as well.

[@footballsgreatest2645]

Yes he was immense in that fixture. Actually had a compilation of that game but it was blocked, unfortunately.

[@Ralaacj]

Paul my hero as person and made me fall in love with defending i seen comment saying he elite baller true him maldini best ever for me watch them doing art of defence for many hours

[@KingKong-ee8hc]

Timing distances and a high football IQ = Mr Paul McGrath. What an absolute genius I’m showing this to my 8 yr old son

[@footballsgreatest2645]

That's awesome! Hope he enjoys it.

[@imnotavingthat6813]

Ooh aah Paul Mcgrath We say ooh aah Paul Mcgrath

[@jerryoshea3116]

The "Rest of the World"Team receiving the Paul Mcgrath Treatment! .Fantastic Center back. .And now we have fantastic Camera Angles,a lighter Ball,Hard Tackling&Physical contact frowned upon,Diving&feigning Injuries and players constantly moving around like 'Football Monopoly' but apparently the Game is better!. No the game was better then&b4.. U had Maradona,Platini,Futre for the 'Rest of the World'Team and on the other Team u had one of the Best Centre backs to play the game(from the 80's&90's &i can't really think of anyone better than Paul McGrath&Franco Barasi)..Great Video👍

[@footballsgreatest2645]

Cheers!

[@SPIDERM0OSE]

From 1990, I think it was when they banned the back pass & changed the offside rule to favor the forward, or more accurately to stop blatantly favoring defenders, up until 98 when they changed the ball to make it swerve more in the air, was the best period. They had the balance right, it forced defenders to abandon the offside trap & improve their match play & at the same time didnt make it too easy for attackers who could still be tackled from behind.

[@jaydugs]

As he is known at villa. And rightly so. 'GOD'

[@04Redeemed]

The Black pearl of inchicore.

[@Macca-rb5ok]

Paul McGrath became a truly world class star at Aston Villa. A remarkable player.

[@footballsgreatest2645]

He delivered some phenomenal displays at United too, such as his brilliant MOTM performance against Kendall's Everton in the 1985 FA Cup or his displays against a star-studded Juventus for instance. You can check out these matches on my playlist of McGrath m.kzbin.info/aero/PL9n84njYMCXSYPr9okViUuTVlXcHtHcTD Also a profile which I did of him on redcafe. www.redcafe.net/threads/classic-players-paul-mcgrath-le-god.430204/ Many United fans consider him to be one of their greatest defenders ever and some the greatest, ahead of the likes of Jaap Stam, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

[@Bukoappl]

@@footballsgreatest2645 He's easily ahead of the likes of them. I find Stam to be so over-rated ... I can't remember a single game that United won because of Stam. He was very good but not world class. Ferdinand and Vidic both very good but I can remember countless times both of them being rinsed by top class forwards. Remember Torres making a show of Vidic regularly. I never saw that with McGrath. He was a truly world class player. And his ball playing skills were several levels above all those players I've mentioned.

[@andyhello23]

Any footballer on same wavelength with maradona had a great time in his teams

[@garsm2290]

Some kind of magic.

[@spudbyrne9497]

Paul was world class and a nice man to

[@Cassie-t1i]

I'm in love with Paul McGrath 😘

5:48 Détári (HUN) & Maradona (ARG) in one team !

[@ihateyoumother-fucker3204]

Wow - what shift he put in.

[@dcostello3944]

all the talent ,

[@martingray8493]

The day the best player in the world played against Maradona. God5.

[@roberthayes9842]

Paul was immense, in my opinion the greatest defender in his day, sadly a lot of those tackles would be fouls today as the game now is often ridiculous, the fantastic Paul McGrath

[@Bukoappl]

No, they wouldn't be. He always tackled and came away with the ball. He's not going through players or coming in from behind.

[@footballsgreatest2645]

Agreed, he was one of the 'smoothest' defenders I'd ever seen. He had an uncanny reading of the game and his tackles were timed to perfection. McGrath never used brute strength when guile sufficed, which was the case more often than not. The quote by Jock Stein on Moore "There should be a law against him. He knows what's happening 20 minutes before everyone else." pretty much applies to McGrath too in my opinion.

[@Bukoappl]

@@footballsgreatest2645 yes, he was a remarkable player. It seemed he could move in the half beats between normal players movements - a phenomenon. Thank you for posting these videos on him 💚🥺

[@footballsgreatest2645]

@@Bukoappl Spot on. You are welcome, glad to know you enjoyed it!

[@SPIDERM0OSE]

McGrath read the game so well.

[@athlone73]

I remember half a story that McGrath and Maradona were in the tunnel waiting to go on the pitch and McGrath said to Maradona that he was a bit drunk. Maradona said don't worry me too

[@ck_7621]

Think that was Gazza mate

[@athlone73]

@@ck_7621 you're spot on,I was a bit drunk myself when I posted the original comment

[@eddienally4657]

incredible player,even played in midfield,someone once said he had six gears...

[@johndoyle1810]

I,noticed that Paul McGrath had no hesitation in slide tackling to stop his opponent

[@makhabzaranamane6869]

Greatest defender ever

[@Withcare111]

what was the final score in this?McGrath looks immense.He had maradona and the centre forwards in his back pocket.

[@jeremyslaney5644]

steve steve Paul McGrath's team beat the Rest Of The World side 3-0. Bryan Robson scored 2 of the goals, with Norman Whiteside scoring the other

[@urbanexpansion1357]

@@jeremyslaney5644 what is McGrath's team called

[@jeremyslaney5644]

@@urbanexpansion1357 I just had a read of Paul McGrath's autobiography, and he represented the Football League side, against the Rest Of The World side

[@urbanexpansion1357]

@@jeremyslaney5644 Sounds cool, thanks man! Hope you enjoyed it

[@alias55]

Im a Paul McGrath fan but that's some stretch of a comment mate!

[@The_Bit_Player]

Paul McGrath destroyed Maradona.

[@user-qm8id7gg8t]

Best player in the world v Maradona. McGrath won MOTM - says it all.

[@JohnMcMahon.]

Van Dijk reminds me of McGrath.

[@scozc1]

not even close

[@simonbradley3556]

Nah mate. Not fit to lace McGrath’s boots.

[@mshah6835]

Give Van Dijk a glass of vodka before a game and see if he can do that

[@stephenbolger8724]

Ah stop 😂😂😂

[@peterbyrne178]

Big Paul on his day probably as good a centre half as you could get anywhere

[@docca123]

Villa legend - Jack Grealish doesn't come close

[@subtlestevey09]

How we could do with Paul now

[@jeremyslaney5644]

It's a shame that there isn't a time machine that couldn't be used to put Paul McGrath into so that he could be transformed into a 26 year old, and he would then be a Herculean colossus for United

[@footballsgreatest2645]

Haha that would be amazing. He'd, hands down, be the best defender in world football and transform United's defense.

[@kevio8179]

Imagine being the best player in the world but a pisshead with bad knees steals the show😂

[@vincentmcnabb939]

Paul McGrath is twice the player George Best was! 😂

[@joeymcloughlin6123]

Fuckinel 🤣😂🤣😂big futre fucked off to left wing give in 🤣😂 Lineker didn’t get a kick neither did Elkjaer 😂 he is from outer space 🪐 only Diego got past him once seen him do that but Italy 94 v Utd league cup final 94