More Technical Zidane vs Ronaldinho

[jrod69]

Zidane at his prime vs ronaldinho right now who is the more tecnhical player

[DaPrince84]

Zidane... but its close... Ronaldinho can out trick u, but he has great technical ability... he's a genius... but Zidane has got him, imo...

[jcsd]

Ronaldinho has go faster feet, but Zidane has got a better mind.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Given that Zidane wasn't that great, Ronaldinho.

[divinocodino1018]

Given that Zidane wasn't that great, Ronaldinho.

you must be joking...yeah...you're joking

[Teso Dos Bichos]

I'm not.

Yes, Zidane had skill, was 'elegant' and could pirouette a few times. Woo hoo! Ronaldinho has more to his game and has simply done more in his career. I think it's fairly clear that he is a more technical player, by my definition of technical at least.

[kotto_bass]

I will go with Zidane. Had a smoother touch. Played with so much finesse and beauty. Had a good vision of the game. Stepped up on big occasions - WC final and CL final. Ronaldinho is farster, dribbles better, and has a trademark split pass. Zidane made the game look so easy.

[schafer]

In terms of just technique, I would say Zidane, given that he doesn't have the same physical attributes of Ronaldinho (strength, pace).

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Yet Ronaldinho can not only do just about everything Zidane could, he actually does more. Surely that makes him the better technical player?

[schafer]

Yet Ronaldinho can not only do just about everything Zidane could, he actually does more. Surely that makes him the better technical player?

Maybe, but it would seem that Zidane would have to be so much more precise with the ball given that he has to rely entirely on his technique, whereas Ronaldinho, if he misses a touch or knocks the ball too far ahead, he can compensate with his pace. On the other hand, Ronaldinho doesn't always rely on his pace, so I really don't know.

Edit: In terms of technique in the past several years, I would say that this discussion shouldn't be limited to these two, a guy like Bergkamp, although not as flashy, could be considered as well.

[Omideyi]

i notice a pattern in on these boards. someone asks to compare Player A v Player B, then almost everyone automatically selects the older player without giving proper consideration

there is not one element of the game that Zidane was better at than Ronaldinho....vision, passing, balance, set pieces, shooting, dribbling, you name it Ronaldinho is at least equal if not better

also anyone saying Zidane doesn't have strength is kidding themselves, and you can't say he's better cos he has to work without pace. that's like saying a short basketballer is a better player than a taller one, because he's much shorter

[kotto_bass]

i notice a pattern in on these boards. someone asks to compare Player A v Player B, then almost everyone automatically selects the older player without giving proper consideration

there is not one element of the game that Zidane was better at than Ronaldinho....vision, passing, balance, set pieces, shooting, dribbling, you name it Ronaldinho is at least equal if not better

also anyone saying Zidane doesn't have strength is kidding themselves, and you can't say he's better cos he has to work without pace. that's like saying a short basketballer is a better player than a taller one, because he's much shorter
You must be very young and not have seen many older players play. Ronaldinho may be a better passer, with more strength and pace but Zidane had a better vision for the game. Watching Zidane play for Juve, it was normal for him to split open defenses, and provide the crucial assists, or score as well. He also had a better and more precise shooting ability than Ronaldinho. Dribbling without pace and strength adds more finesse and elegance into your game.

[Bertje]

For a very long time Zidane didn't do enough, though. He really started in '98. Before that he was often criticised for being 'away' during matches.

[Omideyi]

You must be very young and not have seen many older players play. Ronaldinho may be a better passer, with more strength and pace but Zidane had a better vision for the game. Watching Zidane play for Juve, it was normal for him to split open defenses, and provide the crucial assists, or score as well. He also had a better and more precise shooting ability than Ronaldinho. Dribbling without pace and strength adds more finesse and elegance into your game.

i'm old enough to have been watching football from before Zidane emerged, and it is my considered opinion that while he was great, Ronaldinho matches him in every department

you say he splits open defences and provides crucial assists, but doesn't Ronaldinho do this nearly every week also?

you say Zidane has a better shooting ability? so how come Ronaldinho has already scored almost as many goals as Zidane managed in his entire career? don't tell me.....Ronaldinho had it easier because of the golden boots Nike made for him

and dribbling at very high speed usually indicates a better control and technique

[benni...]

Some people say that you can only really appreciate how good Zidane is, when you see him in person. Ive heard it so many times, and I believe it. Too bad I cant really see him in person for myself.

[jameseyla]

theres a difference between technique and skill. Technique, for example, is being able to stirke a ball with proper form to get the most efficient and accurate kick. Skill is the ability to improvise, like doing a tricky heel pass when surrouned by defenders.

Not that their levels differ by much, but I'd say Zidane has better technique, and Ronaldinho has better skill. Zidane's side volley in the Champions League final against Leyverkusen is an example of perfect technique that I don't think Ronaldinho could do. Ronaldinho's amazing toe poke goal in the Champions league against Chelsea last season (04-05) is something I don't think Zidane could do.

[Omideyi]

Ronaldinho's goal required a high degree of both skill AND technique

[kotto_bass]

you say he splits open defences and provides crucial assists, but doesn't Ronaldinho do this nearly every week also?

When comparing 2 players of that level, you have to understand that they will be almost equal in most departments. I just happen to appreciate Zidane more in that department.

you say Zidane has a better shooting ability? so how come Ronaldinho has already scored almost as many goals as Zidane managed in his entire career?

Ronaldinho takes many more shots on goal than Zidane. Check out his shots on goal, shots wide, etc in this year's CL (uefa.com). He takes virtually all the set pieces and penalties for Barca. What do you expect? Plus, Zidane normally steps up when it counts (WC finals against Brazil, CL finals against Leverkeusen). Ronaldinho was disappointing in his standards against Arsenal. Maybe there's more to come for him.

Ronaldinho had it easier because of the golden boots Nike made for him and dribbling at very high speed usually indicates a better control and technique
I am not a fan of players who dribble at very high speed. Low speed dribbling indicates more skills to me. Just more beauty and elegance. They make it look so easy.

[Omideyi]

When comparing 2 players of that level, you have to understand that they will be almost equal in most departments. I just happen to appreciate Zidane more in that department.

Ronaldinho takes many more shots on goal than Zidane. Check out his shots on goal, shots wide, etc in this year's CL (uefa.com). He takes virtually all the set pieces and penalties for Barca. What do you expect? Plus, Zidane normally steps up when it counts (WC finals against Brazil, CL finals against Leverkeusen). Ronaldinho was disappointing in his standards against Arsenal. Maybe there's more to come for him.

I am not a fan of players who dribble at very high speed. Low speed dribbling indicates more skills to me. Just more beauty and elegance. They make it look so easy.

oh yes i forgot, Zidane never took any penalties or set pieces for his teams. in fact, even though he only shot a few times, whenever he shot, it always resulted in a goal. thank you for clearing that up for me

also, stepping up in finals has nothing to do with technique, so when you bring that up, it is irrelevant, but just to address that issue, does anyone remember ZZ "stepping up" in the CL Finals in '97 and '98? i definitely don't

also, if you can't appreciate that to dribble like Ronaldinho is MUCH more difficult than to dribble like Zidane, then no matter how old you are, you can't know too much about football. you are also making the assumption that Ronaldinho isn't able to dribble at the speed of Zidane, or with the same elegance

[JuveFE]

both are world class.
both players can dominate any game.
both have won on the big stage.
both players have tremendous skill, can distribute, shoot and see the field unlike a majority of players that have played. (i'm talking about zidane in his prime)

but imo, when its all said and done and both have hung up there boots. i think ronaldinho has the better career.