A survey of 2,000 football enthusiasts revealed that 15% were fans of Dutch legends Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, while one in 20 admired the Italian defensive pair of Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro. However, England’s own Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard topped the list as the highest-ranking English duo.
The poll identified a good understanding (65%) and complementing each other well (61%) as key factors for a successful duo, with 36% simply wanting to see a footballing pair having fun together, both on and off the pitch.
A spokesperson for Domino’s, which is launching The Perfect Match IPA beer in collaboration with BrewDog ahead of the Euros, said: “As the top scorer when it comes to pizza, we wanted to create the perfect match for fans this football season. We know what a good partnership needs – Just as our research shows, a good understanding and complimenting each other well are key factors in making it work. Let’s hope our home teams can do the same.”
The study also found that 10% chose the Portuguese duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, while 16% selected Spanish midfield maestros Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
(Image: SWNS)
Furthermore, seven out of 10 respondents believe that any truly great team must have at least one iconic partnership. More than four in 10 (43%) football fans admit they would cancel all other plans to watch their favourite duo play.
The perfect viewing conditions, according to the survey, include a comfortable seat (27%), being surrounded by friends and family (16%), and having a refreshing drink on hand (12%).
Pizza was the top food choice for game day, with 35% of fans preferring it over burgers and fries (31%). Meanwhile, beer was the beverage of choice for 44% of respondents.
The survey also revealed the top 20 international partnerships of all time:
- Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry France.
- Ronaldo and Rivaldo Brazil.
- Pele and Garrincha Brazil.
- Xavi and Andres Iniesta Spain.
- Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit The Netherlands.
- Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard England.
- Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley England.
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes – Portugal.
- Diego Maradona and Jorge Valdano Argentina.
- Patrick Kluivert and Dennis Bergkamp Netherlands.
- Roberto Baggio and Gianfranco Zola Italy.
- Peter Crouch & Jermaine Defoe England.
- Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice England.
- Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe – France.
- Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini Italy.
- Kevin De Bruyne & Romelu Lukaku Belgium.
- Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey Wales.
- Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro Italy.
- Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol – Spain.
- Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic Croatia.