Unsung heroes of the beautiful game

Real Madrid will be still cursing the day when they sold the glamour less 5’7 tall Frenchman to Abrahomvich’s Chelsea, for he asked a wage hike. Jose Mourinho will swear that the key to Chelsea’s success is the calm and assuring presence of this very Real outcast, even though he seldom hits the headlines. Claude Makelele, the uncompromising task master is the best among the holding midfielders, the unsung heroes of the beautiful game.

The holding midfielder is stationed in front of the back four defenders for defensive duties, ‘holding back’ the attacking freedom of the opponents. He is expected to thwart the attacking moves of the opposition, win the ball and distribute them to the attacking midfielders/strikers. This is a very crucial position in modern football as the attacking midfielders can press forward confidently if and only if there is a player capable of anchoring the defence.

Even though the pre tournament hype was centered on superstars, it is the presence of holding midfielders like Makelele, Mascherano, and Gattuso etc that has been vital for the team’s success. In the Brazil vs. France quarter final match, it was Makelele denying space to Kaka to play that gave Zidane and Vieira the license to attack. Makelele is so effective at the holding midfielder role to the extent that the position has been named ‘The Makelele Role’ after him.

If Makelele is the defensive midfielder of France, Gennaro Gattuso does the job for Italy. On road to the finals of Germany 2006 the Azzuris has been on a 24 match unbeaten streak under Marcello Lippi and Gattuso has been central to Lippi’s plans. On the eve of the Germany vs. Italy semifinal, when it was mentioned to the A.C. Milan star about the suggestion of him being the centre stage of the tournament, he dismissed the suggestion.

“That is an insult to football. I can play well and win a lot of tackles but the entertainment and the class of Ronaldinho, who certainly disappointed here, they are what I dream about at night,” he said.

Similarly, Javier Mascherano does the ball winning task for Argentina, thus allowing the likes of Riquelme and Maxi Rodriguez to move forward. The 22 year old is happy doing the ugly work as his midfield partners win all the applauds.

''Okay, you don't get the glory and you don't get into the highlights and maybe some don't see what you do in the game. But, in that role, the game always goes through you. You are always in the middle of it and you are always battling, always fighting. That's what I love. I've always liked defending more than attacking anyway. And to know your team-mates depend on you so much, that you have got so much responsibility, well, that spurs you on even more,'' he said.

Even though the position of defensive midfield does not get much limelight, it is the battery of the team, rated highly by football pundits and followers alike. These physical defensive midfielders who very aggressively and constantly marshal the opposing team's attacking players are truly the unsung heroes of the beautiful game.