"May Football Always Remain an Adventure"

Original article from France Football, published in 2023.

History

"I Had a Sort of Gift, Something Innate"

"Did you always want to be a professional footballer?

Yes, for as long as I can remember. I come from a family of footballers; four of my uncles were professionals, and so was a cousin. More importantly, for a young man in the northeast of England, the future was either working in the mines or the shipyards. Otherwise, you had to join the army or be good enough at football. I have to be honest, I always found the game easy. When I started playing, I sometimes couldn't understand why others struggled to control a ball or make a decent pass. It was clear I had a sort of gift, something innate.

What are your earliest memories of football?

My first pair of boots. A pair of pigskin boots with leather studs that had to be hammered in. And after a while, you could feel the studs digging into your feet.

When did you realise you wanted to turn professional?

I played for my school, then I was selected for the town, the county, and finally the national under-15 team. I was used to playing on small, poor-quality pitches, almost in fields, and this match was at Wembley. In front of 93,000 people! We drew 3-3 against Wales, and I scored two goals. I couldn't believe we were allowed to play on such a perfect pitch. It was too good. I thought to myself, "Wow! I want more of this kind of football. This is what I want to do.

Did you feel that sense of ease throughout your entire career?

Yes. The only thing I really had to work on was my physical fitness, and I think I was probably quite naive tactically. But instinctively, I always felt I was good enough to play in any situation, at any level.

Ballon d'Or

"It's on Display at the Manchester United Museum"

When did you first hear about the Ballon d'Or?

Max Urbini was the editor-in-chief of France Football. I used to see him often across Europe. It was Max who explained the details to me. France Football was one of the first magazines to cover European news. It was unique, and I believe Max had a lot to do with that.

Was it a source of pride to follow in the footsteps of your compatriot Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d'Or winner, ten years later?

Of course. His name was known across borders, even without television. He was a fantastic player. When I was a boy of 9 or 10, my brother and I would go to the stadium in Newcastle. The football wasn't great, but we saw good players. And Stanley Matthews, with Stoke City and then Blackpool, was one of the greatest, especially in terms of charisma. Today, he would have been a bigger star than David Beckham. He was a hero. I tried to understand how he always managed to find space and time to play. It seemed so simple.

In 1966, was it your turn to be a hero?

It was strange. We were coming back from a match in Sheffield that we had lost. The radio announced that I had been voted European Player of the Year. I really didn't feel like that player at that moment. It was a day of disappointment. But all the other players congratulated me, told me it was fantastic; they were delighted.

Was winning it a goal for you?

No, the biggest goal of my career was to win the World Cup. (In 1966, it was held in England.) Whatever came after that didn't matter.

Do you remember the Ballon d'Or ceremony?

Yes, it was here at Old Trafford. I have a photo with Max. I wasn't in my kit, so I wasn't playing that day. I might have been injured.

It's on display at the Manchester United museum.

Who was your main rival in 1966?

Eusebio (the Portuguese forward and top scorer at the 1966 World Cup). Beckenbauer (the West German defender and finalist) was also a strong contender. He was young, bold, fast—very fast. He had a sense of adventure; he loved to push forward and create an overload. He was the individual we feared the most.

Looking at the list of Ballon d'Or winners since 1956, who do you consider the greatest?

Di Stéfano. The first time I saw him, I couldn't believe a player could influence his team's game so much. It was in 1957, a European Cup semi-final that Manchester lost 3-1 in Madrid. I wasn't playing; I was high up in the stands. I kept wondering, "Who is this player?" He did everything.

And who else stands out?

Beckenbauer. Johan Cruyff was also wonderful; he could create danger out of nothing. Ferenc Puskas was the greatest finisher in history. In a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he never gave them a chance.

He never won the Ballon d'Or (2nd in 1960, 4th in 1956, 5th in 1961, 7th in 1959)...

He was at his peak two years too early, in 1954. (Hungary lost the World Cup final to West Germany.) Then there's my friend George Best (winner in 1968). His Ballon d'Or was one of pure enjoyment, for the crowd, for glamour. His dribbling was extraordinary; he would try crazy things and often pull them off. A sensational player.

What about contemporary players?

Marco van Basten, the best centre-forward. He was a player who not only scored goals but could also control and hold up the ball high up the pitch under pressure, giving his teammates time. Otherwise, I would mention Michel Platini: he embodied precision and intelligence. In a very tight space, he always managed to make the right decision and execute it. Plus, he scored goals.

Money in football

"A business that wouldn't exist without the players"

Did you earn more money from winning the Ballon d'Or?

No. I always knew that when I stopped playing, I would have to work. And I'm still working today...

Did you feel you earned enough money back then?

Yes. I loved playing, and that's what mattered. When it came to money, I just wanted people to be fair with me. I felt that here in Manchester. The national team, on the other hand, didn't pay much. (The bonus for winning the World Cup was £1,000.)

What do you think about the sums of money players earn today?

We are in the football business, and in this business, you need... footballers. It's only right that the key players receive a large share of the money generated by their activity. Football is the number one sport, it interests people all over the planet, and it will always attract money, sponsors, and television networks. People might think players earn too much, but again, it's a business that wouldn't exist without the players. And they have to be paid.

The game

"The 4-3-3 gave us a more solid foundation"

In 1966, you were 28. Were you at the peak of your career?

Yes, I was at my physical peak, and for a season or two, I had been playing in a central role, the position where I thrived the most. I hated watching the game, being a spectator; I always wanted to be at the heart of the action. When you're on the wing, your involvement depends on others. In the middle, I could go anywhere, get the ball, look up, make decisions, and create. From 1963, Alf Ramsey (the national team manager) had established the 4-3-3 for England. We no longer played with wingers. Ramsey placed great importance on defending well. Culturally, the English always push forward as quickly as possible. The 4-3-3 gave us a more solid foundation. We had three midfielders tasked with both attacking and defending. It was a very physical role. But I had a good engine.

In your opinion, what has been the biggest tactical evolution of the last fifty years?

I believe the 4-3-3 had a huge influence. After the World Cup, everyone started using it. But the evolution has been less about the game itself and more about the environment: the pitches, the balls, the scientific approach to fitness, the boots... And now, football is accepted as the universal sport; all the spotlights are on it. Today, players don't have to worry about their future. I used to think that if I was lucky enough to play until I was 32, I would then have to start a second life. I even wanted to buy a grocery shop. When I signed my first contract, I calculated that by saving £100 a year for twenty years, I could raise the £2,000 I needed...

Message

"Punish players who dive"

What rules would you change in football if you had the chance?

Well, I would severely punish players who dive to deceive the referee. And in the penalty area, the shirt-pulling is terrible. It's awful; they're practically grabbing each other around the waist.

What message would you like to leave for the players, directors, and coaches in football?

I don't have any specific advice for them; they all have their own methods for developing and improving players. FIFA, for its part, has a very difficult job. Along with Michel Platini and Pelé, we had the opportunity to share ideas and bring our perspective as footballers to the governing bodies. Football is a game, and it must remain one. We all have a responsibility to ensure that football stays an adventure."