Zidane {R}

[Excape Goat]

People talked about Ronaldo making a big step toward the Maradona/Pele/Di Stefano zone after this WC Finals. Obviously, he failed. No one will believe Zidane to be near the Maradona/Pele/Di Stefano zone. But have he make it to the top 5 or 6 in the world? Can he beat out Platini????


Meanwhile, it was just dramatic that Zidane's farewell tour went through Raul, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo. Now, he will face Figo.

[ForeverRed]

If he manages to lead France to another WC, he should be considered one of the best along hte lines of Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, Beckenbauer etc. I don't see why not.

Making it this far at his age is a great accomplishment in itself, especially with all the criticism and doubt the team was faced with before and at the beginning of this tournament.

[IncaEnclave]

So is Zidane now considered France's greatest player? I wonder if he was given that title as early as 98 as he was able to bring a World Cup, something Platini could not do. So I'd pose this question to you, Zidane or Platini (in a Playground pickem a la Jose +10 Adidas commercial). I was too young to see Platini although he guided France to a Euro Championship, did well at the club level and led France to semifinal finishes in 82 and 86. I guess Zidane could even further cement his greatness by doing another thing that Platini could not do, beat Germany in the World Cup Final in Germany.

[BamBam]

I guess Zidane could even further cement his greatness by doing another thing that Platini could not do, beat Germany in the World Cup Final in Germany.

I was rooting for Brasil, the last tream from the Americas, but Zidane's elegant play was taking me away from Brasil. When France was struggling through WC qualification AND Zidane came out of retirement, Henry was asked about Zi Zou's return to international play and his reply was "God is back." Today we saw why he said that. He is the player of the finals, what an awesome display of technique and determination. Truly a reminder of why we call it the beautiful game.

Having said that, we don't have to worry about Zidane pulling off what Platini could not beacause they'll be playing Italia;)

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Not this crap again. Zidane isn't the best French player ever, he was not key for Juventus/Real Madrid/France, he only showed up for a few finals, has questionable end product, only spent two or three seasons at the top, isn't a lock for top 20...

It's just typical that Zidane does ******** all for three years and then bothers to play a good game or two near the end, just to appease the fanboys.

*yawn*

[Auriaprottu]

If Zidane was a drunken thug who tossed away his enormous talent in favor of being an intimidating thug or almost ending an opponent's career because they claimed he was faking an injury, I'm sure he'd have at least one more fanboy than he does now.

As it is, he simply plays an elegant game, posesses incredible vision and can lift his teams to a greater level on the most important stage in the Game.

This is not NFL football.

[bsas]

Zidane is one of the great ones. He has achieved this status in his younger years, and has shown that he still has part of this magic in him, even at this "old" age.

[dogface]

Not this crap again. Zidane isn't the best French player ever, he was not key for Juventus/Real Madrid/France, he only showed up for a few finals, has questionable end product, only spent two or three seasons at the top, isn't a lock for top 20...

It's just typical that Zidane does ******** all for three years and then bothers to play a good game or two near the end, just to appease the fanboys.

*yawn*
So who's the best French player then? Platini?

You're not offering any alternatives. Zidane has got to be one of the best, if not the best.

And explain to me how ZZ was not "key for France?" in 98? Or Real Madrid when they won the Champs League?

[Serpico_73]

Not this crap again. Zidane isn't the best French player ever, he was not key for Juventus/Real Madrid/France, he only showed up for a few finals, has questionable end product, only spent two or three seasons at the top, isn't a lock for top 20...

It's just typical that Zidane does ******** all for three years and then bothers to play a good game or two near the end, just to appease the fanboys.

*yawn*

Go and drink your Johnny Walker now. :)

[bojendyk]

Not this crap again. Zidane isn't the best French player ever, he was not key for Juventus/Real Madrid/France, he only showed up for a few finals, has questionable end product, only spent two or three seasons at the top, isn't a lock for top 20...

It's just typical that Zidane does ******** all for three years and then bothers to play a good game or two near the end, just to appease the fanboys.

*yawn*

Right. And Maradona is overrated on the basis of his lackluster showings for Barcelona.

You know, Teso, if Zidane had played for Manchester United, you would be his biggest fan. Instead, you tout Ruud van Nistelrooy as some kind of genius, even though all he's done is manage to get lots of tap-ins for Man United, and even that modest ability dried up a season or two ago. You also exploded at me once for noting the pretty obvious fact that Rooney is a petulant thug, even though I also stated that he's one of the most talented and exciting players in the game right now. Far be it for me to suggest that someone who plays for Manchester United has some kind of shortcoming.

On Sunday, Zidane did more than show off his tricks. He absolutely dominated the game, and every play moved through him. It wasn't just a good performance for the fan boys: it was one of the greatest performances I've ever seen.

[bojendyk]

So who's the best French player then? Platini?

He's a deeply closted Man United fan, so he's probably going to make the ridiculous claim that Eric Cantona was the best-ever French player. Second and third place will go to Saha and Silvestre, respectively.

[ilovefotball]

Zidane is the best player i have seen playing after Maradona. He is the one and only player that can actually be compared to Maradona/Pele. i don't think he is as good as those 2 but if there is anyone who desserves to be there then it is Zidane. great player.

[evanpemsocr]

He's a deeply closted Man United fan, so he's probably going to make the ridiculous claim that Eric Cantona was the best-ever French player. Second and third place will go to Saha and Silvestre, respectively.

4 and 5 will go to Blanc and Barthez, respectively. Teso makes me laugh.

[bojendyk]

4 and 5 will go to Blanc and Barthez, respectively. Teso makes me laugh.

Teso may be wrong about nearly everything, but I think even he wouldn't rate Barthez that highly. (Actually, I think Barthez is a generally a good keeper, but he's also prone to real howlers.)

Blanc, heh heh.

[evanpemsocr]

Teso may be wrong about nearly everything, but I think even he wouldn't rate Barthez that highly. (Actually, I think Barthez is a generally a good keeper, but he's also prone to real howlers.)

Blanc, heh heh.

I dont see why France went with Fabien, Coupet is much better imo. As my father told me after France beat Brazil, if France lose to Portugal it will be because of Bartez, he is one of the worst keepers ive ever seen.

[ZZ10]

Zidane is a genius. He was the true brazilian player on saturday night whereas the self-proclaimed genius Ronaldiho was only a pale shadow of the player he can be.
Thank you Zizou, I have so much cryied your name in the stadium on saturday that I can barely speak. No problem as long as I can write.

[gazzad_5]

i wuldnt listen to anything 'teso da bitch' says about zidane.
he has it in for him, and says silly things. ignore his comments on the great man.
those who put zidane down i sometimes can see their reasoning even tho i love zidane, this guy however, talks out of his A-hole

[stevieg987]

About to make this same thread but saw it and was wondering about this before the game vs. Brazil. He is so respected by everyone andhe truly is a magician. I was thinking before this World Cup he was Top 20 and if he leads france to do the unthinkable then he has to be put in top 5. What a way to end a career as well and no better player to do it then Zizou. Hopefully he will lift that trophy sunday and cement his place as a top 5 player of all time.

[lucarne]

....Bartez, he is one of the worst keepers ive ever seen.

Because you have only watch hockey and TV. We're talking about football. Ok, Barthez was better in the past, but he's still a good goalie.

[lanman]

As it is, he simply plays an elegant game, posesses incredible vision and can lift his teams to a greater level on the most important stage in the Game.

I would argue that it's a two way thing - France play well as a team and that gives Zidane the chance to shine, from that France play even better. If the French as a team aren't playing particularly well then Zidane also doesn't (see Group games 1 & 2).