The 10 best football statues In South America, in London, or facing the North Sea

For a footballer, becoming an important figure for a club means going beyond being a simple sportman.  To receive a statue of his own, a footballer doesn't have to be strong and that's it. He must have been able first of all to accomplish something epic, fundamental in the history of society, and then, but not because it matters less, also to be an icon off the field. If not, companies of other industries - and football clubs are totally a companies - would also have to build statues of their best employees, of those who make their mark - and indeed, many do: Steve Jobs has one inside the Apple center in Cupertino (California).

According to Bleacher Report authoritative ranking, Pelé is the seventh most appreciated sportsman in history and has a statue of his own in front of the Brazilian football museum: not in front of a stadium, icon of a single club, but in front of a museum, icon of an entire country. This is because Pelé - and many others like him - have spent so much not only on football, but also on society, for others, that it is eternalized with a monument. Just as the majestic representations of the great characters of history are important - Admiral Nelson in London, Giuseppe Garibaldi in Rome, Abraham Lincoln in Washington - sport, even with a minor historical impact, has its eternal protagonists and celebrated by a statue. nss sports has chosen the top ten.

Thierry Henry 

Known ad "Headbutt", it was unveiled in Italy, in Pietrasanta (Tuscany), and then transferred to Lake Geneva, but theoretically, it is at home in front of the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The statue depicting the most famous warhead in history is five meters high and made by the Algerian artist Abdel Abdessemed. The work is very disturbing given the majestic size and dark hue of the material with which it was painted. In addition, it has caused a great much controversy because - of course - it represents a clear unsportsmanlike gesture and therefore a public exhibition is not suitable. Yet, on tv or on display, it is a gesture seen by everyone.