Best French Player of All-Time

[lfc till i die]

zidane for me, best player ever

[Mefisto]

its allways interesting to compare players but the judgement will never be fair

i have seen some old footage of pele but honostly i dont have any feeling for players not playing in my lifetime. not to diminish their achievements or any thing- What pele did was amazing.

however i have followed the likes of platini, zidane, laudrup, van basten, Romario, maradona in games i did not no the score beforehand and therefore have much more feelings/interest invested

I remember euro 1984 as a kid and i can tell you that alot of danish kids were "platini" on the field- even though he did score against denmark.

In these modern tv times where every game from every one of the big leagues is easily available i have of course followed Zidane more than platini. Denmark have also had a few encounters with Zidane so i have followed him very closely when he has played for the french national team. With Frances return in this WC as a great football power we have truely seen the importance of a healthy Zidane for FNT. WC Japorea was a failure for france because Zidane was injured. with him healthy you would have had 2 world cups by now- but that day may soon come ;)

I say Zidane but i admit im biased- i love watching every second when he has the ball and his retirement saddens me

saddens me almost as much as when Michael Laudrup retired :(

[sl7vk]

Sorry for jumping back into this and I'm surprised no-one has done so since Zidane decided to bother playing in the last couple of games. Regardless, his two performances haven't chanced my mind about him. What I am interested is in the top 5 that the poster above is referring to. In my mind Zidane isn't even guaranteed a place in the top 20. I'd be very interested to see what established legends he decides to snub...

Zidane not in the top 20? Ok you're done.

[roxbury]

There is One : The Maestro de Football ->

http://wall.by.ru/zip/player800/z/zidane/03.jpg

[guignol]

Sorry for jumping back into this and I'm surprised no-one has done so since Zidane decided to bother playing in the last couple of games. Regardless, his two performances haven't chanced my mind about him. What I am interested is in the top 5 that the poster above is referring to. In my mind Zidane isn't even guaranteed a place in the top 20. I'd be very interested to see what established legends he decides to snub...

we all owe TdB for resurrecting this thread himself and warning us not to fall into error. he's so right. hands down best of all time is graeme souness, zidane's not a patch on him. :rolleyes:

[Serpico_73]

Best French player of All-Time (+ in All-Time top 5) is


Zinedine Yazid Zidane !


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6126488538092092005&q=zidane

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5741014082521598113&q=zidane

[Nikogfrog]

It is rather difficult not to be biased. It was a different time with different players. Had Platini been a football players nowadays, how would he cope with strong, physical, fast players? He would have compete for sure, he would have improved his form up to the required level. What if France had played with a better strategy in 1982 and 1986, with better substitutes??? I am convinced they would have won the world cup in either of the two tournaments. Platini was not as good as dribbling as Zidane is but his vision of the game was unique, the best I have aver seen. And he was a better scorer than Zidane. But Zidane's influence on the game is huge and he is one of the best dribbler I have ever seen. All in all, they are on a par with each other IMO.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

You've responded to just about every thread that is remotely complimentary to Zidane.

I know there are some discrepencies about his consistency in the last couple of seasons.

That's not it at all. What I am tired of reading about is how Zidane was the best player in tournament a-b-c and key for team x-y-z. He gets far too much credit when in reality he didn't do a great deal in quite a few of those tournaments, save for a few goals in finals and aside from a two year stint with Real Madrid, was never really the key player for anyone. Credit to him for the goals he did score and his Euro 2000 displays before the final but please, let's not give him credit that he doesn't deserve. All too often people post about Zidane being responsible for single handedly winning everything he has achieved, when we should really all know better. Of course he has been one of the better players over the last 10 years but really, better than Platini and top 5 ever?

Zidane not in the top 20? Ok you're done.

I don't think so. There are far too many legends and greats that have simply made more of an impact or had more talent. That's one reason I asked the poster for clarification on his rankings. Where would you rate Zidane against a player like Zico or Charlton? Zidane definitely isn't in the top 10 of playmakers. Now consider his place in a ranking that involves every position...

[Teso Dos Bichos]

It is rather difficult not to be biased. It was a different time with different players. Had Platini been a football players nowadays...

That's why you need to look at players in terms of their overall impact to the time period they played in. Platini was clearly one of the very, very best. Can we really rank Zidane much higher than the likes of Laudrup, Hagi and Rivaldo? Rivaldo is all but forgotten in all of these debates, yet he has achieved more, had a greater impact on his teams and had a season that far surpasses anything Zidane has done.

[ForeverRed]

That's not it at all. What I am tired of reading about is how Zidane was the best player in tournament a-b-c and key for team x-y-z. He gets far too much credit when in reality he didn't do a great deal in quite a few of those tournaments, save for a few goals in finals and aside from a two year stint with Real Madrid, was never really the key player for anyone. Credit to him for the goals he did score and his Euro 2000 displays before the final but please, let's not give him credit that he doesn't deserve. All too often people post about Zidane being responsible for single handedly winning everything he has achieved, when we should really all know better. Of course he has been one of the better players over the last 10 years but really, better than Platini and top 5 ever?





I know what you mean. I just think he inspires the team more than many other players. He didn't have such a presence in France's first two games but France started to pick up as Zidane started playing more organized in midfield. Suddenly there was more of a coherence with the team and everyone just worked harder.

I wasn't around for Platini's entire career but I know of the shortcomings in French football. I think Zidane is being regarded so highly for being around when France was able to win the WC.

And about the top 5 reference...who knows, a lot of that is relative and could be argued although there are a few that are "set in stone" so to speak.

[guignol]

Laudrup, Hagi and Rivaldo? :confused:

TdB, saying ZZ isn't the best of all time is a very defendable argument. but you're quickly losing the far from negligeable credibility you had in my eyes. you're being just plain silly and contrary now.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Not at all. Why don't you remember how poor Zidane was in France 98 (pre-final) or how he did nothing all season long, except score that great goal against Leverkusen in the final of the CL? Zidane has had the fortune of doing great things on great stages and it makes people forget about how invisible he had previously been. I'm not saying he isn't a great player but people need some perspective. Like France, he was woeful in the early games and has only played well in two (Spain/Brazil). Yet somehow that is enough for people to be saying that he is 'back', better than Ronaldinho, player of the tournament, etc. The hype surrounding him is unreal at times. I mentioned those other players for a reason. Check out their careers and impact, then contrast that Zidane.

[sl7vk]

Laudrop greater then Zidane.... You're killing me Teso. It this isn't the definition of trolling I don't know what is!

[FARFAN 17]

Not at all. Why don't you remember how poor Zidane was in France 98 (pre-final) or how he did nothing all season long, except score that great goal against Leverkusen in the final of the CL? Zidane has had the fortune of doing great things on great stages and it makes people forget about how invisible he had previously been. I'm not saying he isn't a great player but people need some perspective. Like France, he was woeful in the early games and has only played well in two (Spain/Brazil). Yet somehow that is enough for people to be saying that he is 'back', better than Ronaldinho, player of the tournament, etc. The hype surrounding him is unreal at times. I mentioned those other players for a reason. Check out their careers and impact, then contrast that Zidane.


Well, you made a point in favor of Zidane one way or another. He shows up when it matters, whether it be in the Final against Brasil in 98, the Finale of the Champions League against Leverkusen, or more recently an awe-inspiring performance against Brasil at the age of 34. He has won it all, and if he wins the WC this year, and plays in a similar fashion than I hope that he gets labeled as an all-time great. He already is in my book, but apparently not every one agrees. But thats fine, in the end its a matter of opinion, and its not like anyone saying he is a terrible player. :cool:

[ilv2]

relax gents, the guy has it in for zidane and makes it his personal mission to go to every single board and make his opinion known. Maybe he feels obligated as he is the only one that agrees with his particular view. In any case, this discussion has been played out a million times on most of the other boards, so it's quite clear that no progress shall be made here either.

[cristiano_007]

As well his record for juventus is better than zidane's 68 goals in 147 games i very good for a midfielder especially in italy.He has also won three European player of the year awards only Cryuff have also done that.

[nutbar]

Zidane writing possibly greatest world cup story ever told

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2080164,00.html

[hors-jeu]

As of Monday morning, two things will separate Zidane from Platini: two world cup wins. That's a huge difference, any way you cut it.

Zidane and Platini aren't directly comparable, they play the same position but are very different and have had very different teams. Platini had one of the best midfields in the history of the game with Tigana and Giresse, but also talents like Bathenay and Michel in the lesser known early era. Look at the go-ahead goal vs portugal in the Euro 84, Tigana had a fantastic run through the wing and served Platini on a platter. Vieira, Makelele or Malouda could never put up such a run. (Ribery might down the road.)

While Zidane holds the ball and keeps possession, proding and moving forward, Platini distributes the ball within a very fluid attacking midfield. Platini is smaller (by 6cm), and 7 Kg lighter. Both players had god-like touches. Zidane has a more physical and street-like dueling and dribbling style, Platini was a bit more graceful.

Ultimately, both players are technically even. What separates them is that Zidane is stronger mentally, he is able to rise to the occasion, inspire his teammates and will his team to victory.

As far as I'm concerned, after leading his country to its second world cup, he will be the greatest football player ever.

[allezlesbleusno1]

Very wisely said and I strongly agree. I really think that Zidane is mentally stronger than Platini. If we get this second world cup there is no shroud of doubt in my mind that Zidane is the greatest of all time. For that matter Zidane could very well be the greatest footballer of all time and nobody can contest this notion.
As of Monday morning, two things will separate Zidane from Platini: two world cup wins. That's a huge difference, any way you cut it.

Zidane and Platini aren't directly comparable, they play the same position but are very different and have had very different teams. Platini had one of the best midfields in the history of the game with Tigana and Giresse, but also talents like Bathenay and Michel in the lesser known early era. Look at the go-ahead goal vs portugal in the Euro 84, Tigana had a fantastic run through the wing and served Platini on a platter. Vieira, Makelele or Malouda could never put up such a run. (Ribery might down the road.)

While Zidane holds the ball and keeps possession, proding and moving forward, Platini distributes the ball within a very fluid attacking midfield. Platini is smaller (by 6cm), and 7 Kg lighter. Both players had god-like touches. Zidane has a more physical and street-like dueling and dribbling style, Platini was a bit more graceful.

Ultimately, both players are technically even. What separates them is that Zidane is stronger mentally, he is able to rise to the occasion, inspire his teammates and will his team to victory.

As far as I'm concerned, after leading his country to its second world cup, he will be the greatest football player ever.

[krln99]

Zidane responds the best when France is the underdog. WC Final 98 and in this tourney against Spain and Brazil. Most are saying the Italians are favored, so look for him to have a huge final, especially because this is IT for him. There are no more games for Zidane after this. As a result, I think the entire team will bring their "A" game. I hope he can hit a FK in the Final. In this tourney, he's had a pair of beautiful assists, one goal from free play, and one from the spot. Now we need to see a trademark FK.