Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week: Michel Platini.

Once France’s icon of beautiful soccer, French star Michel Platini dominated Ligue 1 with Nancy and St. Etienne before moving on to Juventus. He captained the French national team and led them to the semi-final of the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Platini’s play was marked by defense-splitting passes with the outside of his right foot; off-the-ball runs that began deep and continued into the box; clever flicks over his opponents; and the ability to shoot with both feet—especially from free kicks. Currently President of UEFA, Platini has led the drive to promote financial fair play in order to preserve the quality of domestic leagues and prevent excessive spending.

Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week: Edgar Davids

Suriname-born Edgar Davids played for the world’s super clubs from an early age, leading Ajax to three title before moving on to Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona, and on and on. A bullish left footed midfielder with quick feet, Davids could endlessly beat players with a sharp inside-outside dribble (the opposite of Ronaldinho’s signature move.) Davids has been credited with the resurgence of Barcelona under Frank Rijkaard, which continues unto this day.

Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week: George Best

George Best became Manchester United’s talisman at the young age of seventeen. An attacking midfielder, he could play with both feet and innovated as the play demanded with sharp cuts and clever touches of the ball. These skills, combined with speed and a hard-driving shot, made him almost unstoppable. Best went on to lead United to a European Cup, but failed to achieve any great success for his native Northern Ireland, one of many players over the years who was unable to shine at the World Cup. Geordie would eventually play in South Africa and the United States, but his hard drinking took a toll on his liver, eventually leading to his death at age 59.

Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week: Diego Maradona

Soccer writers claim that Diego Maradona was the only player who single-handedly won his country a World Cup trophy. For a decade, the short, stocky Argentine sliced through opposing defenses with incredible strength and close control. Off the field, he became embroiled in drugs scandals, underwent gastric bypass surgery, and hosted a tango show before coaching Argentina to a World Cup quarterfinal in 2010. Was Diego the best player of all time?

Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week: David Silva

Spanish attacking midfielder David Silva began his career at Valencia FC before transferring to Manchester City in 2010. A notable performer at the Euro 2008 soccer championships for the Spanish national side, Silva has brought creativity and flair to City and has been an instrumental player in their top-of-the-table run for the Premier League title.

You can purchase prints of this cartoon and other cartoons from Graeme Bandeira.

Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week: Johan Cruyff

Dutchmen Johan Cruyff (or Cruijff) is credited with having co-invented Total Football, the ability of any player on a team to play any position. The wiry player led Ajax to European glory but never won the World Cup. With his concern for maximizing space on the field, soccer historians believe he helped invent Barcelona’s current beautiful style of play and one Dutch sociologist even claimed that Cruyff was “the most important, rebel, icon, and symbol of the 1960s.” (Not the game, the entire decade.) The next Bandeira cartoon of Cruyff might have to add a halo.

Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week #4: Sepp Blatter

Graeme Bandeira on his inspiration for drawing the FIFA president: “I drew Sepp as a request for @fourfourtom who decided he would try and use the image on t-shirts because his twitter avatar was very popular. It seems quite apt to portray him as a clown because of the ridiculous statements he keeps coming out with.”

Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week #3: Ronaldinho

Remember the first time that you saw Ronaldinho play? For me it was during a qualifying match against Uruguay in 1999, when the then teenager spun on the ball in the box to evade four defenders. Ronaldinho singlehandedly raised the level of footskills expected of professional players with his dazzling moves, tricky passing, and raw power. He went on to win the World Cup (2002), the UEFA Champions League (2006), the Ballon d’Or, and World Footballer of the Year. Pundits believe his off-field partying led to the loss of his form, yet the 32 year-old Ronaldino is still good enough to dazzle. When did you first see Ronaldinho play?

Bandeira soccer cartoon of the week #2: Lionel Messi. If Lionel Messi retired today, he would already pass into legend. It’s not just the over 200 goals he has scored for Barcelona. It’s his close control, his strength, and his trickery. Anyone who has seen him play will never forget it. The Argentine is truly gifted—and only 24 years old.

Bandeira Soccer Cartoon of the Week #1: Pelé

Our first work by cartoonist Graeme Bandeira features Pelé. For many of us, Pelé unfortunately played before our time so we did not get to watch his performances from multiple angles like we can with today’s players. But Brazil’s perennial captain had it all: power, elegance, creativity, and an enduring love for what he called ‘the beautiful game.’