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Top 10 big match footballers in modern day football

Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira – Cometh the hour, cometh the menJose Mourinho once famously said that there’s nothing such as runners-up, saying whoever finishes second is just the first among the “losers”. While he could have put what he meant more subtly, his statement rings truer than ever in today’s age of televised broadcasting and high financial and prestige stakes.Players in the wilderness and on the fringes of their squads are catapulted into the world of paparazzi fever with one big-ticket, high-profile performance. For shining in what you may call a “normal” or routine match is one thing, shining when it matters is something else.The last decade and a half has been witness to some enthralling individual performances on the biggest of stages. While the players around them wilted under the spotlight, these men took their game a notch or two higher than always – they were the tough ones who got going when the going got tough. And, for that reason alone, they have etched their names in footballing folklore forever.Here are the 10 greatest players who made rising to the occasion a habit. They are ranked as per their performances in big-match scenarios, and not with respect to their footballing quality. 

#11 Honourable Mentions

Honourable mentions

Diego Milito – The Argentinean forward famously scored four goals against Madrid, while at Real Zaragoza in the 2005 Copa Del Rey semifinal. His move to Inter was hugely successful, with him scoring the winner in the Coppa Italia final against Roma and scoring twice in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich to help Inter win the treble in 2009-10.

Roy Keane – Scoring against Manchester City in his first ever Manchester derby, Roy Keane also became the Man of the Match in the 1994 FA Cup final. His finest hour as a footballer came in United’s semi-final against Juventus in the treble season, when he not only marked Zidane out of the game but also scored the comeback goal for his team. He also scored in the Intercontinental Cup final later that year.

Roberto Carlos – Roberto Carlos had a habit of showing up at important times, with his goal at the Camp Nou in 2003 creating history, as Madrid beat Barcelona away for the first time in two decades. He also scored the winner on the final day of the 2002/03 season, as Madrid won the La Liga, and also assisted Zidane in his famous volleyed goal in the 2002 Champions League final.

Thierry Henry – Henry was very good for both Arsenal and Barcelona in a glittering career. His man of the match display in the 2003 FA Cup final, his incredible brace against United, flummoxing Fabian Barthez, and his individual brilliance at the San Siro against Inter, with Arsenal by 3 goals, all stand out. He also grabbed a hat-trick in the farewell match at Highbury.

Patrick Vieira – The spine of Arsene Wenger's all-conquering Arsenal team, Patrick Vieira made it a habit of being at the right place at the right time. His winner in the fiery league encounter against United in 1997, his goal against Chelsea in the Invincibles season, and most memorably, his goal against Spurs in the North London Derby, which won Arsenal the title that season. He went on to score again in the derby and also against Liverpool, the following season, before scoring the deciding penalty in the shootout in the 2005 FA Cup final

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