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Denmark international Michael Laudrup playing for Barcelona against Real Madrid

15 quotes on Michael Laudrup: ‘He saw things that nobody else saw’

If we all agree that ethereal playmakers who sometimes can’t be arsed are the best type of footballers – and we do all agree on that, don’t we? – then Michael Laudrup may be the greatest player of all time.

A league winner in Italy, Spain and Holland, Laudrup is a rare species; equally adored by Barcelona and Real Madrid fans, having played a key role in 5-0 El Clasico victories for both sides.

We’ve collected 15 of the best quotes on the greatest No.10s in history.

Pep Guardiola

“The best player in the world, I can’t believe he hasn’t won the title as best player.”

Johan Cruyff

“When Michael plays like a dream, a magic illusion, determined to show his new team his extreme abilities, no one in the world comes anywhere near his level.”

Ivan Zamorano

“I always say that Laudrup had three eyes, not two like everyone else. As a forward, I had to be aware all the time, because he could make you a chance out of nothing and you had to be prepared for that moment. Michael was a magician and one of the greatest players ever.”

Andres Iniesta

“Who is the best player in history? Laudrup.”

Roberto Galia

“I have played against Maradona, Platini and Baggio. But the player I saw do the most indescribable things was Michael Laudrup.”

Luis Figo

“I think maybe Laudrup was the best player I ever played against.”

Raul

“The best I have ever played with.”

Jan Molby

“People don’t quite realize how good he was. He was absolutely unbelievable. He was a great dribbler, but he also spotted things. He saw things that nobody else saw.”

Michel Platini

“Michael had everything except for one thing: he wasn’t selfish enough.”

Ronald Koeman

“Michael was possibly the most skillful and elegant player I ever played with. Few could dribble like he could. He could sense when a game was ready to be seized and transformed by a moment of individual brilliance.”

Hristo Stoichkov

“From more than hundred goals that I scored I’m sure that over 50 were assisted by Michael. To play with him was extremely easy. We found each other by intuition on the field and found common football language.”

Brian Laudrup

“My brother started as an attacker but became an elegant attacking midfielder, perhaps the most complete there has ever been. His vision, speed of thought and passing were on a different level; he always knew what was going to happen before anybody else did. If anyone had a ‘football brain’, it was him.”

Mari Bakero

“No one has given the club [Barcelona] as much inspiration as Michael. We all look up to him. It is a privilege to have your day enriched by a genius.”

Franz Beckenbauer

“Pele was the best in the 60s, Cruyff in the 70s, Maradona in the 80s and Laudrup in the 90s.”

Johan Cruyff

“One of the most difficult players I have worked with. When he gives 80–90% he is still by far the best, but I want 100%, and he rarely does that.”


READ NEXT: ‘I won 10-0’: When Michael Laudrup ruined El Clasico for Barca & Real

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