THE VINTAGE GIGGS: A TRIBUTE TO 40 YEAR YOUNG LEGEND

“I have cried twice in my life watching a football player. One was Maradona and other was Ryan Giggs”- Alessandro Del Piero. This sums up the class that oozes when Giggs has ball at his feet. Wine tastes better with age but in the matter of Giggs, he gets younger with his age. The premier league did not exist when he made his debut for Manchester united. 1000 games, 150 goals over incredible 22 years of career. These numbers may look great. But what is even more interesting is the tempo he maintained over those 22 years of career.
                    Giggs was 17 years old when he was offered his first professional contract with Manchester United. “I remember the first time I saw him. He was 13 and he floated across the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver papers in the wind” said sir Ferguson about young Giggs. Nothing changed all these years. He is same spaniel who chases silver papers which in his case is football. He is 40 but plays more like 25years old. He’s up and down all the time. He’s everywhere. Since scoring his first premier league goal against Tottenham in 1-1 draw in 1992, Giggs has gone onto hit the back of the net further 108 times in the league. Though he is yet to score this season he scored in every season since the start of premier league. In the meantime he has won 34 trophies at United, making him most decorated player in football history.
                      1988 was the time when united started to threaten the dominance of Arsenal and Liverpool and Ferguson’s quest for winger came in the form of Giggs. Giggs collected the first piece of silver ware in 1992 as united defeated Nottingham forest in league cup final. He scored many outstanding goals in his career. His goal against Arsenal in 1999 FA cup semifinal is simply the best. He went past all Arsenal defenders and scored solo goal. Ryan could play football and find the door no matter how many players were in there with him.
                      His class increased parallel to his age in his incredible career. His performance against German side Leverkusen in Champion league is like light in the dark tunnel for Moyes who has been looking for playmaker in midfield. His assist to Nani is simply classic. He gently chipped the ball over the head of opponent’s defense which nani ended it in the net. A special performance from legend is a relief for Moyes who is under pressure. His leadership quality helped united many times. He backs youngsters and is an idol for every player on pitch.
                      Despite his high profile, very little is known about Giggs the person, as opposed to Giggs the footballer. In this rare interview, he is deadpan and often bland. Yet the former united captain Roy Keane described him “a real character-streetwise and wickedly funny”. Early in his career, Giggs was the premiership’s poster boy and his relationship with TV presenter Dani Behr meant he quickly found himself on the front page of tabloids as well as the back.
                        Giggs is the best player to have ever graced the league, he may not be the most talented baller to have ever graced the English pitches but I dare you to find me someone who look after themselves so holistically, and still has the same drive, hunger, determination, skill and desire to keep putting himself through the training at the age of 40. World cup is the man thing missing from his CV, but world cup or Ballon d’or or some other award cannot fully reflect the class and hunger of the welsh man. Its been an absolute honor to have watched this Welsh hairy chested wizard progress from cheeky, scrawny 14year old, to a footballing legend of 40 years old. There will never be another of his sort, he is simply the best.