TLDR: Nedved was incredible, especially for his first 2 years in Juve which was his absolute prime. But there have been all time great midfielders with similar stats who’ve had the same impact on their squad, similar stats, and in some cases, even more silverware. (Pirlo, Deco, Xavi, Bergkamp, Raul, Iniesta for example) and NEVER won the award. And Juventus nearly beat AC Milan in the final WITHOUT Nedved. Don’t forget, they also had Buffon, Del Piero, Trezeguet, Conte, Edgar Davids, they were NOT a bad team at all. What Henry did was just too big of a difference in individual stats AND historic enough to never be repeated even 20 years later.

Ironically, you’ve convinced me that Nedved derserved it lol 😂

Nobody even questioned it in 2003, Nedved was that guy

One thing worth mentioning is at the time, italian Serie A was still the the top league along with Spain, while premier league, who usually didnt perform well in UEFA leagues, was somwwhat a distant third in quality. Nedved, being crucial in both domestic league and Champions gave him the edge.

In 2003 everyone believed nedved won,so i think the problem is nedved has been forgotten leaving henry fans to be like "who's this nedved guy and how did he win over henry"

I read that "Henry deserved it over Nedved" like 50 times in the last couple of weeks, in the 20 years before that I heard it like once, how

31 direct goal involvements is a Phenomenal return for a midfielder

90% of the people saying nedved didn't deserve clearly never followed his season when he was unplayable

Nedved did not just replace Zidane at Juve, he overshadowed him and won everything he participated in (missed the final in CL). He was just the best in 2003.

20yrs from now Raymar's son will probably be making this exact same video but for Modric

Nedved got to the UCL final. Won the league. Won the Supercopa Italia. Henry, in contrast, won the FA Cup and confederations cup. Trophies do matter.

Nedved is my favourite player of all time. Pure class, tenacity, amazing at playing with both feet, vision and commitment.

Nedved deserved it. He was the engine that kept Juve running that year. Without him, we had the Juve in the UCL final that just didn't have the drive. Without him, Juve would probably be a B-tier team. He was very impactful. Had Henry won it, I wouldn't complain though. Hard to pick between the two, they were both great that year.

I came here to support Henry, after watching this Nedved deserved the trophy. His Goals/Assists for a midfielder are top notch. Especially in Seria A. His team success sealed it for me.

As someone who lived through that season and was 18, so probably old enought to have a wider perspective on things, Nedved was hands down the best player. Henry wasn’t even in consideration for mine. Stats are all well and good but the influence Nedved had on games went much deeper than mere goals and assists. Throw on top of it that the EPL was still a pretty average league at the time and there you have it, no contest.

Not stolen. Sure, Henry was amazing, but I remember being more mesmerised by Nedved.

Nedved that year was the best player in the best team (despite the loss in the UCL final, that they would have won with him on the pitch), the title was super deserved

The problem I see is that, people are comparing the g/a of a midfielder with a striker to say that it is a robbery.

It's not a consensus robbery at all. This is pure revisionism by Arsenal fans, at the time Nedved was the candidate since May and he won it and nobody thought it was controversial. Only modern Arsenal fans who didn't even watch Nedved play came with this robbery thing. He was the best player in Serie A and in Champions League.

Nedved deserved it. In 2003 the Serie A was still the best league in the world, Premier League was nowhere near the stature it is today. Trophies does matter. Also judging player abilities just based on goals and assists, especially back then was a huge mistake.

From 1992 on it was Czech Republik, not Czechoslovakia anymore. Nedved was indeed amazing and fully deserved the win. His impact in important matches, against big teams was enormous. Also he played magnificently for the national team which obviously was not on the France level

Come on i have being watching the game for almost 3 decades now. I still believe Nedved deserve the award that year.

The main people who keep complaining about Henry losing to nedved are premier league biased.

LOL Chat GPT said Henry was a good candidate, NOT that he deserved it more

I wouldn't consider he robbed Henry here's why: 1 The Prem wasn't the strongest league and the Serie A was so Henry's achievements were seen as domestic. 2 Nedved was Goated that year and replaced Zidane in a way nobody has done and actually bested him most Juve fans would say he was better than him for their club. 3 Nedved was more a winger/Left sided midfielder so saying Henry had more goal contributions even tho he was much more attacking minded and positioned isn't fair. Overall all the years where people think Henry should've won you can find arguments to justify him losing ( I will admit all the winners were very controversial at the time looking back at it)tho yeah Henry deserved one for his stellar career.

Nedved was a special player. He was the closest to replacing Zidane, which that alone makes you special, and his prime years were amazing, not better than Henry that season, but due to the team success, Henry didn't win it. Great video Raymar, love from Fluiad ❤❤❤

Seriously? Humble and hardworking Nedved with strong both left and right foot, being a motor for Juve, running the whole game, offense and defense, getting them in the UCL final, (and most likely would win it if not for the yellow card). And not even mentioning being the powerhouse for the best European national team at that time... Come on, fully deserved for Nedved.

Nedved was one of the best mids in the 2000s and was so graceful to see. I miss watching him play

We should stop always comparing goals and assist. Even for offensive players. Quality of passes, opportunity created, serenity preserve, impact on the game etc... are also vital to get the W.

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My father loved France, Arsenal and Zidane. We watched every Serie A, UCL and Premier League game that season (Some using DVR). I can't state enough how influential Nedved was to that Juventus team. My father thought Zidane was irreplaceable, but when Nedved stepped up to replace him, even he conceded that Zidane may be more talented but Nedved was a total footballer, his consistency across 90m was unmatched, game after game. He didn't like that Henry was snubbed but he understood why it happened. The PL back then was mostly a two horse race with ManU & Arsenal leading the has beens, who were leading the rest. Italy by contrast was far more competitive. So many football legends are from that era of Serie A and Nedved stood out that season amongst them. I wish we had the stats we have now for ball recoveries, successful ball carry, passes into the box, tackles made etc... in that era, then perhaps the stats would tell people more of the story.

Nedved Was On A Different Level That Season And An Actual Midfielder So It Makes Less Sense For Us To Compare Them With Stats Only. Also Serie A Was Probably The Best League At That Time

Nedved was the truth , he reached the champions league final with juve in 2004 . That’s why he won the ballon dor . He was inspirational for juventus

Never disappoints

I used to love Nedved. Unbelievably talented footballer. That early 2000's Juve team was just crazy.

I always thought Henry was robbed but now knowing Arsenal were knocked out at the UCL group stage I don't think its that much of a robbery.

I think Nedved deserved it due to team success and the fact that serie A was a better league that year and nedved was the better player in the league….

You can just pick another tittle and thumbnails. Even if goals is the most criteria for the award, then that year just give it to Mateja Kezman or Roy Makaay. Nedved take Juve to final UCL, score at quarter and semis.

Nedved had way more impact than Henry. Nedved was a beast. Only in Engeland people think Henry was robbed.

I'm sorry raymar I always appreciate your opinions on football but it's so clear that you're biased for this video. I love henry but Nedved is such an underappreciated gem that made juve fans forget about zidane. He's a czech legend of the game and his impact in juve's 2002/03 run is matched only by buffon. He destroyed galacticos real madrid in that cl run which had ronaldo, zidane, casillas, roberto carlos, raul exc.. Both Henry and Nedved probably deserved the award that season

Nedved deserved it. Its bitter Arsenal fans who over hype Henry. Henry was just another ordinary average striker at best

For those who are saying nedved deserved it because of his position Kdb deserve this year according to that. Kf not, you are delusional

Love your videos raymar

Henry is a very beautiful player, especially in reels but everyone who watched football then know that he was behind the best of his generation, because he choked outside of Arsenal, and in crucial matches - when opposition gave a fight.

Nedved deserved it

I love Henry, but Nedved deserved it! Btw. comparing how good players are based on goals, when one is a striker and the other CM is an absolute nonsense...

Great timing ;)

I don't like how raymar just conisder stats and have so much bias for attackers i mean there are alot of time also when defender has given The perfect performances and they still gets robbed by attackers but nobody talks about it but when a midfielder win it everyone calls it robbery The ATTACKERS bias is unreal 😢

Henry was truly out of this world that year but you so was nedved .. i re-watched some of his matches from that year and he one eye candy

Though I hate football stats, I believe you shouldn’t downplay those 14 goals. That’s a good season for most strikers!

After seeing this I really believe that Nedved deserved it, I mean, his individual performance helped Juventus achieve so much at the time, and as good as Henry might have been, his exceptional performances led Arsenal pretty much nowhere that season. Deserved

If he was a midfielder you can't compare based in numbers simple as that

Nedved deserve it. He absolutely monster in his prime. Back then, seria A was extremely strong, brutal, aggressive and elite league than priemier league. - Juventus - ac milan - inter milan - as roma - napoli - lazio

This man is a juve legend for a reason, he did a bit of everything just because he was doing it all, and stats dint cover all that u do in the field.

Don't know if it is just me but this video makes Nedved look underrated 😂

Even though Nedved had impact on the pitch that couldn't be seen through stats, Thierry Henry's goalscoring and assisting was a direct contribution to the team success... and the award is for the best player of the year, so I don't see why accolades account for so much...

Nobody I know, who had any clue of football, at that time doubted Nedved.

Although i didnt watch nedved play for long, but that man was fantastic

Interesting way to frame the video- great video...both players are incredible

that other player played in serie a the best league at the time

Nedved was Mad Bro He was one of the best ever

I RECall that season, Nedved was incredible.

I don't really think the wins of Nedved and Modric are comparable.

The beginning of the video implies that everyone agrees Henry should've won. The comments suggest otherwise.

The serie A was the best league back at the day, and Nedved was so skillful so magical, he outshined Zidane and took his country to the TOP just like Modric did, I guess you were too young to appreciate it, sorry but I disagree he was the fair winner. ❤

Bro i seriously need ur bg music!!

I´d say, Nedved was more influential as a midfielder, than Henry as a forward,,,And that year, they said to themselves "this year we HAVE to give the price to a midfielder, because we always give it solely to forwards and strikers". How many midfielders have won the price in the last 20 years ???

u said Modric was solely not responsible for croatia's world cup run as u pointed out rakitic and mandzukic as 2 other star players... can we then not put the same logic that real madrid won the champions league not just due to cr goals but the squad being star studded in every positions including having players like bale at the bench?

Such a bias header.. football is not about individual, individual’s stats for a striker or forward can be important, but it should not undermine the role of other positions.. Nedved was exceptionally talented player who could control and dictate the game..when Juve lost Zidane, he was the replacement says it all..

Nedved was for Juventus and Czechia,what Modric is for Real Madrid and Croatia

Getting Grouped in CL and statpading in weak PL, against a Big game player A Cm with impressive number in a most toughest and defensive league (by far the best era of football). Playing in serie A was not easy that's why henry flopped in juve.

Griezmann reminds me of Nedved as a jack of all trades, do you guys agree?

can u do update on this

Compzaring goals and assists even though nedved won the important trophies and got to ucl final so clearly henry's goals didnt amount to much

I'd still give it to Nedved based on his team that year. They won the league and made the final were Arsenal didn't win the title and didn't play at the highest level with not playing in the UCL knockouts. Biggest controversy for me is still Sneijder not getting it in 2010

Man keep this good work🐐🏅 U will reach 1M soon💖✨

My takeaway from this is that Nedved is both underrated and overrated

Imagine getting knocked out of the group stages of the CL and complaining about a robbery 😂😂

Preach about the 2018 Balondor

Pavel Nedved forever one of the greats 💯

Thank you for breaking everything down and contextualizing this. My position has changed and I completely understand why Nedved deserved the award. I think the Modric win is much more controversial since the only difference in team achievement between Ronaldo and Modric that year was that Croatia finished 2nd in the WC. Individually however, the gulf in impact was ridiculous. Ronaldo: - 1st player in history to score in all 6 group stage games of the CL. - 1st and only player to score in 11 consecutive CL matches - 15 goals & 3 assists in 13 UCL matches. - Directly involved in EVERY goal (scored or assisted) in the UCL Ro16 vs PSG. (Both legs) - Directly involved in EVERY goal (scored or assisted) in the UCL QF vs Juventus including the last minute winner (Both legs) - Scored the only 2 goals in the Club WC including a late winner in the final vs Gremio - Scored in the SuperCoppa win vs Barcelona - 26G & 5A in 27 La liga games - Saved Real Madrid's la liga season. Spent the first month without a goal and still managed to secure third place by the end of the season - most match points won by an individual player across Europe's top 5 leagues Ronaldo not winning was beyond a robbery...it killed the integrity of the award. (Messi also had a fantastic individual year and placed 5th. That whole ceremony was a shambles)

29 years old was still considered peak age back then, not sure where you have got that opinion from. Also Nedved in 1996 after the Euros and Lazio was definitely considered a superstar, certainly in England

Raymar best football KZfaqr 💯💯

The premier league wasn't that competitive at the time. U had manchester united and arsenal and that's about it. Henry was showing brilliance against weaker players but in europe he couldn't carry his team. Meanwhile nedved was playinh in the hardest league, which btw wasn't dominated by speed merchants like the pl is now, everything was tight and u had to have proper dribbling skills to get past players and he was thriving in that league and he wasn't just a component of juventus, he was the engine for the team and as good that juventus team was, he carried them and it shpwed in the final where he missed it. Nedved deserved it easily

Nedved was scoring and assisting outside of the box and did a lot defensively, so I think he deserved it. Also, he had cool hair!

u gotta make a second channel with this same type of commentary but not on soccer, your video commentary is highly entertaining and you could catch a lot of attention of non soccer people

I agree with Modric thing😊

Nedved in 2003 was absolutely the best Evryboody loved him and his footbal Was full of power,grinta ,class Scored amayzing decizive goals Instead Thierry Henry was simply a kind of Superior in Premier ligue

Hi Raymar I'm from South Africa I'd love it if u made a video about the soccer player Kaizer Motaung

And the thing is this wasnt the first time a ballondor was robbed

Gols doesn't translate to performance imo. Disagree with you on this one. This is why only fowards usually won.

Let me ask a question.. Did you see Nedved play on live, on tv Or you just see compilation on youtube and check his stat..? I see the match nedved play in his time on lazio to juventus.. And I can say he is briliant and make juventus forget about Zidane..

If you know ball you know how good nedved really was

They should change the criteria and only use the individual performance as a criteria. Messi was individually clear the best player in 2016 and 2018, but CR7 and Modric won bcs they won the bigger trophies

Lets not forget that Luciano Moggi was a football mafia

His eyes are really close together.

Nedved looks like Football Version of Seann William Scott

Stats dont tell the full story

Nedved deserve it

Imagine if raymar made the video about messi☠️☠️