Zidane or Riquelme?

[Iaquinta]

I would much rather have Riquelme on my team than Zidane.

[Kerkrade]

Riquelme

[Perú FC]

Zidane by far.

[Wolfbeatseagle]

In terms of who will be remembered for their ability, Zidane wins especially since he made his mark at one of the clubs where what you do is louder than anywhere else. However, Riquelme's ability to distribute and be a menace on set pieces and long range shots was more than Zidane had to offer in that aspect. I struggle to look past Riquelmes questionable off the ball movement though, Zidane played well whether or not the ball was being played through him because he got open for his teammates. Riquelme struggles with this at times.

Passing-Riquelme
Movement-Zidane
Dribbling-Zidane
Making Space for self and others-Zidane
Set Piece-Riquelme
Shooting-Riquelme
Aerial-Zidane
Big games- Riquelme hasn't seen a big game to the scale of Zidane yet.

[bosterosoy]

Passing-Riquelme
Movement-Zidane
Dribbling-Zidane
Making Space for self and others-Zidane
Set Piece-Riquelme
Shooting-Riquelme
Aerial-Zidane
Big games- Riquelme hasn't seen a big game to the scale of Zidane yet.

That list pretty much sums it up EXCEPT

I believe Riquelme is a better dribbler than Zidane hands down.
I also think that big games is a toss up but can see why some people would choose Zidane. remember Riquelme has won many big games with Boca Juniors. Especially a huge win against a certain team that you mentioned earlier in this same post (Real Madrid)

[drahnier]

Clearly Zidane is the greater player not because he has obviously superior ability, but because of Riquelmes unreliability, compared to Zidanes solid performance over many years in different world class teams.

I won't say whether Riquelme at his very best is better than Zidane at his very best, but it's certainly not an obvious answer.
They both completely dominate games.

Making Space for self and others-Zidane
This is the main one, much more so than their dribbling.

Zidanes ability to always make space for himself, he usually had at least 2 players tightly marking him whenever he got the ball, and he still slipped away.

[bosterosoy]

This is the main one, much more so than their dribbling.

Zidanes ability to always make space for himself, he usually had at least 2 players tightly marking him whenever he got the ball, and he still slipped away.

But Riquelme can do that as well
That's the main part of being a playmaker. If you can't do that then your not a good playmaker

[Moishe]

Clearly Zidane is the greater player not because he has obviously superior ability, but because of Riquelmes unreliability, compared to Zidanes solid performance over many years in different world class teams.

Nothing is clear nor obvious. You also questioned Riquelmes unreliability to Zizous solid peformance over many years in different world class teams. Can you provide some examples of this unreliability you claim. I'm also more interested in what Zizou did without world class players. I'd say that last sentence would be a greater barometer of the better or more influential player.



This is the main one, much more so than their dribbling.

Zidanes ability to always make space for himself, he usually had at least 2 players tightly marking him whenever he got the ball, and he still slipped away.

I'm sorry but I would have to say you've had a very limited experience in watching Riquelme play. Romans off the ball movement was and is every bit as sublime as that of Zidane.

[Argentine Futbol]

are you kidding me??? Zidane all the way. Until Riquelme wins us a world Cup and than loses another final than we can talk..

THREAD CLOSED...

[Spartak]

are you kidding me??? Zidane all the way. Until Riquelme wins us a world Cup and than loses another final than we can talk..

THREAD CLOSED...
I guess Zidane is better than Cruyff and Di Stefano then?

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Cue the usual Zidane myths and eulogies... :rolleyes:

The only good thing is it highlights who clearly knows little about either player or football in general.

[Perú FC]

I guess Zidane is better than Cruyff and Di Stefano then?
I think not better than them, but very close after 4th Cruyff.

Riquelme is a very good player with a great ability, but I believes in a comparison with Zidane don't have opportunity.

[bosterosoy]

I think not better than them, but very close after 4th Cruyff.
He's not even close to Cryuff
He's not even the best Frenchman ever. Platini was better

[TKORL]

Nothing is clear nor obvious. You also questioned Riquelmes unreliability to Zizous solid peformance over many years in different world class teams. Can you provide some examples of this unreliability you claim. I'm also more interested in what Zizou did without world class players. I'd say that last sentence would be a greater barometer of the better or more influential player.





I'm sorry but I would have to say you've had a very limited experience in watching Riquelme play. Romans off the ball movement was and is every bit as sublime as that of Zidane.
Is it Zidane's fault that he played with world class players? Zidane's off the ball movement was clearly better, but Riquelme has the better distribution.

[Perú FC]

He's not even close to Cryuff
He's not even the best Frenchman ever. Platini was better
He's and he's in my opinion (about Platini comparison definitely).

[Moishe]

Is it Zidane's fault that he played with world class players? Zidane's off the ball movement was clearly better, but Riquelme has the better distribution.

Clearly huh? The point is Zizou has had some very fine performances if not brilliant at times but he's never truly carried a team, not through an entire season nor an entire tournament. To each their own I guess.

[comme]

Cue the usual Zidane myths and eulogies... :rolleyes:

The only good thing is it highlights who clearly knows little about either player or football in general.

Good to see you have rediscovered this thread Teso, something worth breaking my ignore for.

Now remember in this thread when I asked you why you rated Di Stefano?

Would you care to answer?

[argentine soccer fan]

He's not even the best Frenchman ever. Platini was better

What about Raymond Kopa?

[TKORL]

Cue the usual Zidane myths and eulogies... :rolleyes:

The only good thing is it highlights who clearly knows little about either player or football in general.
What Zidane myths? I'll agree with you that he's overrated, but most of your posts are relentless Zidane-bashing. The reality is that Zidane was still one of the top CAMs of his generation, and that's good enough to consider him a great player.

[drahnier]

He's not even close to Cryuff
He's not even the best Frenchman ever. Platini was better
Sigh.

Oh yeah, everyone who played 20 or 30 years ago was better than every player today, right?

It's human nature to glorify the past and remember it as more positive than it actually was at the time.

I'm sorry but I would have to say you've had a very limited experience in watching Riquelme play. Romans off the ball movement was and is every bit as sublime as that of Zidane.
Not just off the ball, i meant that when he got the ball he always managed to make space for himself because his skill in small spaces was amazing, even though he was constantly surrounded by opponents.

And Riquelme does this too.

Can you provide some examples of this unreliability you claim.
Well he wasn't great at Barcelona, was he?

And the whole Villareal problem.