The predominant skill that makes a truly great footballer.

[king tarzan]

For me, it would be Dennis Bergkamp. His ability to imagine a goal in his mind and then execute it to perfection was sublime and unique. The goal against Newcastle illustrates my point as well against Leicester and the Word Cup goal was also great. I don't see Andy Cole, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Wayne Rooney ever scoring goals like those albeit they were talented in their own respects.

Marco van Basten... Claudio Canigga ( extremely under rated)

[ulstersubbie]

For me, it would be Dennis Bergkamp. His ability to imagine a goal in his mind and then execute it to perfection was sublime and unique.

Bergkamp was pure class. The best first touch of any footballer I have ever seen and that is saying something. Back in the early 00's saw him score a hat trick at Blackburn Rovers when he was at Arsenal, the man had tremendous ability.

[NIK]

Yes Arsenal were really blessed at the time with two absolutely world class players in Bergkamp and Henry. Viera was also probably world class, whilst Pires was also a really classy performer. Great defence too. It’s little wonder they were the ‘invincibles.’
 Shame to see how they have declined year upon year to sink to their lowest point in living memory.

[NIK]

Marco van Basten... Claudio Canigga ( extremely under rated)

Van Basten was a phenomenal player - the complete centre forward. Sad that his career ended relatively prematurely.

[willie loman]

Please no more celebrating players, who could kick the shit out of opponents. its depressing that i have to ask that, it seems to be something that only the english admire.

[ulstersubbie]

Viera was also probably world class

Viera was world class, admittedly he had Emmanuel Petit alongside him who was no slouch!

[NIK]

Viera was world class, admittedly he had Emmanuel Petit alongside him who was no slouch!

Yes Petit was also excellent. It's easy to forget though that he had gone before the invincible side.
Also on checking, Bergkamp didn't play anywhere near as much as I thought he had that season. He was perhaps slightly past his best by then. However Henry was at his very considerable peak.

Bergkamp was though one of the first truly top class foreign players (apart from Ardiles) to come to England whilst at his very peak. The others, Ardiles apart, tended to be not quite in the very top level or were maybe past their best. Although Muhren and Thysson at Ipswich were pretty effective.

[Bush]

Simplistically speaking it’s mindset/mentality. If you go through time you will find that every great player has possessed a strong mentality.

If we are to focus on the attacking element of the game, there are so many strands that come together to produce a world class player that it is difficult to pinpoint one aspect. Personally, I have always thought that the difference between good and great players is that great players are able to paint the most vivid pictures in their mind.

Intelligence is an important component. You will have some players who have quick feet but a slow mind, others who have a quick mind but slow feet, and then those who have a quick mind and quick feet. Someone like Iniesta was incredible to watch in his prime, as were Xavi and Bergkamp. These players were not blessed with an inordinate amount of pace that saw them bypass players with relative ease, but their skill and football intelligence meant that they were invariably one step ahead of their opponents. 

There are a few special talents who are able to combine power, pace, skill and football intelligence. As a youngster, the greatest player I ever saw was Ronaldo (O Fenômeno) who completely opened my eyes to what was possible on a football pitch.

Absolutely agree with this....the physical skill in controlling the ball is one thing but the greats have that plus time, awareness, and an utter belief/self confidence in what they are doing. I illustrate this by reference to some great dribblers that wee not greats....the likes of Thomson at Liverpool, Morley at Villa and West Brom, Fairclough at Liverpool.......there were many who would get past the defenders but never had the time to do what the Messi’s, Silva’s and going back what the Giles did.