If only there were more like him, although then we probably wouldn’t appreciate it as much, like Spring after Winter. Ryan Giggs just celebrated 20 years of play and FIFA recognizes him with a great story
In one sense, there was an element of symmetry to it. Last night, 20 years on, Ryan Giggs’ 863rd Manchester United appearance ended just as his first had: in defeat.
Yet although Chelsea simply succeeded in doing to the Red Devils legend what Everton had to a skinny 17-year-old on 2 March 1991, there seemed something ill-fitting about the outcome at Stamford Bridge. After all, if there is one thing Giggs has perfected in the intervening decades, it is the art of winning.As Jose Mourinho said in a tribute to evergreen 37-year-old: “The proof is in the medals.” Certainly, those winner’s baubles – 11 in the Premier League, eight from domestic cups and two in the UEFA Champions League – have established Giggs as the most decorated player in English football history.
Sir Alex Ferguson has described him as the greatest player of the Premier League era, while United’s fans recently bestowed an even greater compliment by voting him the club’s greatest-ever player. Giggs, typically unassuming, said that he “genuinely couldn’t believe” he had beaten the likes of George Best and Bobby Charlton. But few elsewhere were surprised.
Check the whole thing out. I started rooting for Leeds in 1991-1992 while enjoying English League matches with my Scottish buddies, Ross and Judith. What a treat it’s been to watch him during that time.
The Guardian does their usual fine work in digging through the archives. Go visit for more thrillers like this one from 1988!
