I received a copy of “O Grande Livro dos Craques” from the publisher Planeta. It is a beautiful book—hardcover, with illustrations of 100 players by Rodrigo Andrade, a gifted graphic artist and children’s book author. The texts, though unsigned, reflect serious research into the essence of each chosen player.
But that is where the book stumbles badly, committing several unforgivable sins. As we all know, any list—on any subject—sparks controversy. Some are impossible to please everyone due to their inherent subjectivity. However, when you list 100 names—books, films, songs—the margin for error inevitably shrinks.
For example: if you pick the 10 greatest footballers of all time, there will certainly be disagreements. My own selection would include Pelé, Garrincha, Didi, Di Stéfano, Maradona, Messi, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Baresi, and Ronaldinho Gaúcho, not necessarily in that order. I accept that others might include Zico, Rivellino, Falcão, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane, and many more among the top 10.
The problem is that this book simply ignores Di Stéfano, Real Madrid’s greatest idol and the most powerful club in the world, as well as Didi, voted best player of the 1958 World Cup. It also overlooks Roberto Rivellino, Gérson, Falcão, Tostão, Nilton Santos, Coutinho, Reinaldo, Rijkaard, Gullit, and Van Basten.
I understand subjectivity, but let me explain further: the book includes names like goalkeepers Dida and Cássio, Tevez, Memphis, Rincón, Mascherano—just to mention six Corinthians players I have great affection for—not to mention Endrick, Özil, Rooney, and others.
In short, it’s a shame. The authors were careful not to explicitly call these the 100 greatest of all time, simply referring to them as “craques” (stars). But let’s be honest: choosing a hundred from at least two hundred implicitly suggests a hierarchy. Leaving out players who rank among the top 10 or 20 of all time is inexcusable.