Both these players are legends of the game, and would be regarded as two of the best left wingers to grace the game in the past 15 years. With so much talent, both of them excelled to levels beyond their wildest dreams. One of them remainded loyal to his boyhood club and has been playing for them since he signed his Youth contract, whilst the other has played in 3 of the biggest European leagues and for some of the biggest clubs.

Their playing style is somewhat similar, orthodox wingers who stayed on the byline, were assisted by the left backs and came cuttin in after making a surging run, to either set up another player, cross the ball in or score themselves.

With so little between them, it's up to you to debate who you believe to be the better player. Both played on the biggest club stage in the world, whilst International success eluded Ryan Giggs. Both their trophy cabinets are bulking, but who would you take on your team both today and at their peak?





Luis Figo is widely regarded as one of Portugals best ever players. Coming through the ranks at Sporting, people could see with his exquisite flair, pace and will to win he was going to be a special player. Not to far in, he was a Barcelona player and then joined arch rivals Real Madrid. However his performances for both these clubs were absolute world class. His ability to play across the midfield, on either flanks was mesmerising. He was so integral to the success both teams encountered during his time their. Becoming the captain at Barcelona and one of their most recognised players under the tenure of Criujff.

Figo made 172 appearance for Barcelona and scored 30, whilst scoring 36 in 165 appearances.

Despite leaving for Inter Milan in 2005, he never lost his classy touch or his natural ability to beat a player and get the ball in to telling areas.

Figo's main advantage over Giggs is his international success, and it can't be underestimated just how much of a difference Figo made on that said. Regarded as the 'golden generation', he helped Portugal to a final in Euro 2004 where they lost to Greece on home soil. He then lead the team to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2006, but bowed out to France.


Cup of Portugal:
1994/95


La Liga:
1997/98, 1998/99

Copa del Rey:
1996/97, 1997/98

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:
1996/97


La Liga:
2000/01, 2002/03

UEFA Champions League:
2001/02


Serie A:
2005/06, 2006/07

Coppa Italia:
2005/06





Ryan Giggs has been playing for Manchester United since his younger days, coming through the Youth System along with the rest of Fergie's Fledglings. His ability on the ball is second to none, and has often been praised as being one of the best players to wear the United shirt. Not since George Best, many fans remarked, have we seen such a charasmatic left winger grace the Old Trafford pitch.

His on the ball ability, understand of the game coupled with his experience has exalted him to legendary status and is a reason why he is now vying for his 10th Premiership title. Giggs is very much so your orthodox winger, working from the line towards goal, running at defenders with pace whilst also using trickery to get past them. Scoring goals with his left foot is something United fans became used to seeing, none moreso than this weekend where he became the 11th midfielder to reach 100 league goals.

Many, including his team mates believe he is an underrated player. His lack of international success with Wales contributed massively to how Giggs is perceived on the International stage. However, his performances for United both in Europe and the league can not be questioned, his commitment and desire to improve himself has seen him become imperative to Ferguson's success.



FA Premier League - Champion (9):
1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07

FA Cup Winner (4):
1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

UEFA Champions League Winner:
1998-99

Any one liners nonsense will be deleted, this forum is set for intellectual debate, and we should work together to achieve that. Please put some thought in to your post, and give reasons. And please please, try to be as less biased as possible. If you don't feel you can give an evaluated opinion on both these players, then don't. And if someone has a different opinion to you, please respect that, and let's not got into any disagreements about the different leagues of the allegiance of the posters, it's unnecessary and just drags down the discussion.

Who would you regard as the better player over the years, in terms of the difference they made to their respective teams?

Would you say these two are two of the best left wingers off the last 15 years, and hailed as world footballing legends, or only legends in their respective countries?

Giggs accomplished a lot in his carear but Figo is by far the better player. Figo has incredible pace, control and most importantly charecter. I am not saying that Giggs is slow and useless, he just doesn't have the quality of Figo

Giggs is faster and has better close control than Figo. Look at the type of goals they score, more of Giggs' come from brilliant runs and dribbles. Figo isnt even that quick, and Giggs was one of the fastest players I have ever seen. His dribbling at pace is only rivaled by Luis Ronaldo during the 90s.

How does Figo have more character? Please define character as you have used it vaguely.

I think they are closely matched, but Giggs is the better player overall throughout their careers. Of course some of you will say Figo won WPOY, but that award is overrated and that was one point in his career. I am asserting that Giggs is better over their whole careers. Giggs has been doing it at the top level since he was a teenager, whereas Figo didnt come to prominance until he is 24. That doesnt mean Figo is a lesser palyer, it just reaffirms my point that Giggs has been doing it longer. Figo performed on the world stage because he played for Portugal, whereas Giggsy played for Wales and didnt have that chance.

At their peaks:
Dribbling from a standstill: Equal
Dribbling at pace: Giggs
Pace: Giggs
Acceleration: Giggs
Crossing: Giggs
Finishing: Figo
Skill: Equal
Technique: Figo
Touch: Equal
Consistency: Equal
Vision: Equal

All of the above except pace and acceleration are highly debatable, as these two are so evenly matched. I still feel Giggs just nicks it, but not by much.

Figo is a better player. I had no idea that there were people who actually considered Giggs better. Figo is up there with Zidane and Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world of the last decade. Giggs is not.


He won the Ballon D'Or 2000 and the WPOY 2001. He was nominated for the Ballon D'Or pretty much every year from 96 to 05 and made the top 10 several times. The win was not random.

I think you are biased at some points:

At their peaks:
Dribbling from a standstill: Figo (surely)
Dribbling at pace: Figo (with only 1 time trademark? )
Pace: Giggs OK
Acceleration: Giggs OK
Crossing: Giggs? mmm ... Must be Figo
Finishing: Figo
Skill: Figo edges a little bit
Technique: Figo
Touch: Equal ok
Consistency: Equal ok
Vision: Equal ok

Figo is a better player either at peak or overall as a player PERIOD.

I never said the win was random, I said the win highlights one point in his career. Was Giggs not nominated for the Ballon D'Or as often as Figo between those years? (I ask because I can only find top 3, not the nominations). And Figo only made the top 3 once, the year he won.

Why do you feel Figo is better than Giggs? What has he done and what did he do that makes him better? I find them very similar players with not much seperating them. Obviously you feel Figo is in the same class as Ronaldo and Zidane, but Giggs isnt.


I said they are all debatable except when it comes to pace and acceleration...

And by one time trademark, do you mean Giggs' goal vs Arsenal? That is far from one time trademark. He has scored tons of solo dribble goals. Look at any comp of him on youtube and you will see. Although I could be misinterpreting your point..

There you go!

Giggs was nominated 6 times.

#9 (1993)
#28 (1997)
#21 (1999)
#X (2000)
#X (2001)
#X (2002)


Figo was nominated 10 times between 1995 and 2005.

#32 (1995)
#28 (1996)
#14 (1997)
#5 (1999)
#1 (2000)
#6 (2001)
#19 (2002)
#X (2003)
#22 (2004)
#X (2005)


Im going to bed so I dont have time to motivate why I think Figo's a better player, Ill come back here tomorrow if I remember or have time.

Fair enough mate. Thanks for getting that for me.

Giggs has be very good and important player for manchester, but he is not on Figo level for talent and skill and not for understanding of game or touch also no matter what some of you guy say to earn Giggs some of the brownie points. He good of course, but not head and shoulders above rest like some player who will be remember as all time great player ex. Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Henry, Totti. I take Figo both now and at peak in my team.

ehehe, i think only some manchester fan, because they guys is always the best , and maybe some barca fan who still angry at Figo will choose Giggs over Figo.

yes i agree.


sorry, but this pure rubbish and maybe only emotional attachment to Giggs can can make you think this.

How is that pure rubbish? Have you never seen Giggs dribble at pace? Giggs was near unstoppable at his peak when running with the ball. I have seen very few players who can match him with such control at that lightning pace. Have you even seen Giggs play at his peak? (Look at the video Peace posted. Zidane himself states he has only been awed twice, by Giggs and Ronaldo. Figo, Del Piero, etc... all praise Ryan for his qualitties and recognize how amazing he is as a footballer and that he is up there with the very best).

Its silly to assume that people would only choose Giggs over Figo because they are biased. That argument has no weight. Save it for the playground.

I'm sick of reading this 'fan boy' comments from you in every post. Change the record please.

Giggs was a fantastic player at his peak. However, comparing both players in their prime, I'd take Figo. His skill was simply amazing!

i like figo and i love giggs ~ so bet you know whom i'm voting for ~ lol
he's the reason for me to start liking football
he's the red devil who's playing for man utd forever
he's the special winger who can score 100th goal and more
and it might go on forever ~ so i think i'd better stop ~ hahahaha

Giggs is more better of a speedy wing than Figo but overall Figo is the better player, in a closed match if u do not have so much space u must start dribbling from stationary position where Figo's skill is far better than Giggs's one.

Ryan Giggs is by far the better footballer. To be honest if Giggs played for a proper international team he would have surpassed the likes of George Best and Johan cryuff.

So I guess ManU is NOT decent team? You are WRONG from a very beginning with your statement : "proper international team"?

1- First G. Best is EXACTLY same situation as Gigg: as they both played for ManU and they both played for a so-so National team (not that decent) BUT: Best would have TWICE of the skills level out of Giggs (dribble, shooting and vision)

2- Now to compare to Cruijff would be WAY OVERATE Giggs: Giggs has NOTHING to be comparable to the great Cruijff If Cruijff scores a "perfect" 10/10 (as the BEST PLAYER EVER in Europe) then Giggs would "barely" make 8.5/10

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Back on topic:

To compare Giggs with Figo is like tocompare Kaka to Zidane.

Giggs (and Kaka) has more powerful run and good in dribbling, but Figo (and Zidane) is a slightly higher class in termof OVERALL: Skills, vision, Playmaking, passing, leadership and "RAISE" on good ocasions.

JamesB, ArsenalMan said Giggs never played for a 'proper International team', not a club side. Giggs's International side is Wales, they never got to a major tournament which prevented Giggs from showcasing his talent on the world stage, likewise with G Best, he was from Northern Ireland who lacked players of his quality to get to major stages.

is it just me? or is the subtitle a bit confusing?

figo plays on the right. i know he used to switch sides with ronaldo a lot, since ronaldo is a typical right winger aswell, but figo made himself a big name as a right winger, which was why him and becks kinda had trouble toplay at the same time at madrid. he never really played as a typical left winger, as pires or giggs... of course you can still compare them and the way both players always showed biggest respect for the other, i´d say they are or were pretty much on one level. i guess you can always find moments one of them has been better in a certain stage, but i´d say they are very much at the same level. playing wise. figo might be the more sucessful when you look at individual awards, but all in all those two play the same league of worldclass players and soon to be legends.

I knew someone would point that out!

The comparison wasn't to compare Figo the player to Giggs the player, but Figo the left winger to Giggs the left winger. So, when they both played in that position, how they performed and what they subsequently achieved from that. Figo's ability to play with ease on both flanks is what makes him so elite, obviously people will say Giggs was a specialist left winger so could be called a better left winger, but it really is that close.

If I was to compare Figo the player, to Giggs the player, that would mean we would end with threads like Casillas v Messi, comparing the better player, when they really play different positions. Hopefully that makes sense.

oh okay.well, i just read left wingers and realised figo is not, thats why i asked

i guess the others have been confused aswell, because they hardly did that comparison, they compared the player. i mean then i guess we can ignore the posts before, because figo played more on the right than he ever did on the left in his career.
all his clubs used him as a right winger, so from that point of view giggs wins clearly as a left winger, because figo is not , giggsy played most, if not all his career on the left side.
figo won all the awards and records poeple mentioned before as a right winger. he just switched sides if he needed and he hardly did that in the recent past with inter. i doubt you can compare a right winger who switches sides to a left winger really. but anyway.

if it comes to the comparision i will give all credit to figo, because he is the more complete player. giggs is a typical left winger. he hardly plays on the right and just really started to switch sides since the arrival of ronaldo. beckham hardly did play good on the left side, which made his time at madrid harder. giggs was staying put on the left and he is great. better than pirés anyday.
figo probably the overall better winger, because he is able to fill in the position of a left winger, while giggs would fail more or less on the right.

so the next thread should be giggs vs figo, the right wingers giggs would not stand that, so its kinda unfair to expect figo to do any good with a left winger comparison, isn´t it?

Again very closely matched. They are both legends or greats of the game. What i would say is that Figo played in two of the three major leagues and was successful in both. What i would of like to have seen by giggs is how he faired in other leagues (obviously i commend his commitment and loyalty to united though) and perhaps even to see how figo played against english teams (id imagine he'd prob have to stop going to ground as easy as he did during his career lol). I agree that the fact that Figo was lucky enough to play at the international level whereas Giggs didn't would make ppl favour figo. However what i would say is that playing internationals affects you at club level the fact that giggs had summers off would have given him even if only minor, an advantage at club level.... For me its figo but i would understand the arguments for giggs.

I thought Figo was a RW lol...anyways it's pretty obvious Figo is the better player.

EDIT: realized where Peace. was going with this after reading more into the thread hahaha.

Well that's just stupid...It'd be like comparing Ronaldo when he plays RF to Samuel Eto'o at RF

For left winger, you'd have to say Giggs because he's been primarily consistant there for the past decade, while Figo doesn't switch to that flank as often as the Right Wing.