Zidane or Riquelme?

[jpick]

get a room!

:p

[phil80]

So you are willing to ignorantly only consider what achievements a player has (which is an awful way to compare players and has little to do with player quality) and what hacks have to say?
did you choose not to watch any soccer from 1998-2003, when zidane dominated the game? when has riquelme done that? I rest my case.

[Moishe]

get a room!

:p

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[Moishe]

did you choose not to watch any soccer from 1998-2003, when zidane dominated the game? when has riquelme done that? I rest my case.

Those were no doubt great years for Zidane, but dominate the game is a bit over the top when you consider the sides he's featured on and the players on those teams.

[phil80]

well riquelme's argentina team this past world cup was not too shabby either. in my opinion, more talented than zidanes, but who was more effective in the world cup and led his team further? no question zidane

[Moishe]

well riquelme's argentina team this past world cup was not too shabby either. in my opinion, more talented than zidanes, but who was more effective in the world cup and led his team further? no question zidane

Our world cup team wasn't too shabby at all but let's not focus on the national teams so much as club play. Since you touched on it though, Roman clearly had the better world cup as a player than Zidane did in 2006 you can try to dispute this all you want. If you really watched the match against Germany, you'd know like everyone else that his getting subbed as well as Pato getting taken out were the two most pivotal moments in our getting ousted. Riquelme stays in and we likely advance. Again you can dispute that but I think you'll find most people outside of German fans will agree. No offense to the Germans but bias is bias.

Moving onto club play, when did Zidane carry a roster like Villarreals to the semi-finals of a CL? Like I said, Zidane is no doubt great and when you have the likes of Nedveds, Figo's et al sorrounding you, no doubt you'll look even better.

[phil80]

I respect your opinion, but i completely disagree. Though riquelme played well against germany, his performance overall in wc 2006 was not up to his potential, and thats part of the reason he (and his mother) got so much grief for it. Let me remind you, zidane came out of retirment right before the world cup because France was having trouble in the qualifying rounds. (as soon as he joined they ended up winning their group if i remember correctly). zidane dominated the all star studded brazil team (by many sources one of the best all around performances by a single player in a wc game, while riquelme couldnt get anything going with argentinas amazing squad versus more or less brazils b team in copa america. in regards to clubs, riquelme had that incredible season with villareal but that was just one season and eventhough he's dominating with boca, he still needs to do it consistently in europe to be compared to zidane. Dont forget, riquelme was more or less a failure with barca (so he had his chance with a strong team). I dont even see how these two players can even be compared.

[Koby7STAR]

I zidane dominated the all star studded brazil team (by many sources one of the best all around performances by a single player in a wc game, .

This game was in my opnion one of the best Zidane has played, if not the best, he did something magical almost every time he touched the ball.

If Riquelme is given a few more years then maybe he can be compared with Zidane, but i feel that players cant really be compared until both thier careers are complete.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

did you choose not to watch any soccer from 1998-2003, when zidane dominated the game? when has riquelme done that? I rest my case.

Zidane did not dominate that time period. He had a good spell of a couple of years but that was it. Others did better throughout that time period and had better individual seasons. Rivaldo is but one example.

[Koby7STAR]

Zidane did not dominate that time period. He had a good spell of a couple of years but that was it. Others did better throughout that time period and had better individual seasons. Rivaldo is but one example.

True, Rivaldo and Zidane were two of the major stars, but 02-03 was dominated by Ronaldo for Madrid and Brazil.

[Moishe]

I respect your opinion, but i completely disagree. Though riquelme played well against germany, his performance overall in wc 2006 was not up to his potential, and thats part of the reason he (and his mother) got so much grief for it. Let me remind you, zidane came out of retirment right before the world cup because France was having trouble in the qualifying rounds. (as soon as he joined they ended up winning their group if i remember correctly). zidane dominated the all star studded brazil team (by many sources one of the best all around performances by a single player in a wc game, while riquelme couldnt get anything going with argentinas amazing squad versus more or less brazils b team in copa america. in regards to clubs, riquelme had that incredible season with villareal but that was just one season and eventhough he's dominating with boca, he still needs to do it consistently in europe to be compared to zidane. Dont forget, riquelme was more or less a failure with barca (so he had his chance with a strong team). I dont even see how these two players can even be compared.

I want to touch on this part the most as it shows how little you know about the Riquelme/Barca saga. First Riquelme was used as a winger and only a winger. Most of us that follow the game know that Riquelme never was nor will he ever be a winger. More importantly, his transfer was against VanGaals wishes and purely done by the board. As you should know, VanGaal prefered a system over an individuals talents. Riquelme never fit into VanGaals modus operandi nor was he ever going to. Now to the last part about that Barca side being a strong one, they finished sixth in the 2002/3 season that Riquelme was there and fourth the previous two years. By a lot of peoples accounts, that was a bad spell for Barca so how exactly were they a strong side? Good names on the roster, but strong?

[phil80]

I want to touch on this part the most as it shows how little you know about the Riquelme/Barca saga. First Riquelme was used as a winger and only a winger. Most of us that follow the game know that Riquelme never was nor will he ever be a winger. More importantly, his transfer was against VanGaals wishes and purely done by the board. As you should know, VanGaal prefered a system over an individuals talents. Riquelme never fit into VanGaals modus operandi nor was he ever going to. Now to the last part about that Barca side being a strong one, they finished sixth in the 2002/3 season that Riquelme was there and fourth the previous two years. By a lot of peoples accounts, that was a bad spell for Barca so how exactly were they a strong side? Good names on the roster, but strong?
did you watch him those games? even when he did drift to the middle, he was ineffective. and what about zidanes underachieving french team during 2005? they were struggling til zidane joined and ended up leading them to wc 2006 final. Plus, this is a statement from Ath. Madrid's sports director saying he rejected riquelme http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=55244. Tell me, how many teams would've rejected zidane when he was in his late twenties (forget them being a team like A. Madrid whom are not amongst the top 10 clubs in europe)?

[phil80]

Zidane did not dominate that time period. He had a good spell of a couple of years but that was it. Others did better throughout that time period and had better individual seasons. Rivaldo is but one example.
Others did better during that period?? is that a joke?? rivaldo had a couple solid years (99-2000) but he didnt consistently put out solid performances from 98-03 the way zidane did. if you disagree with that it just shows how little you know about world football, which has been a constant theme in most of your posts. And do try to stay focused here teso, i asked you when has riquelme done the same over a similar time period? Dont try to avoid the question and then make a ridiculous claim.

[Moishe]

did you watch him those games? even when he did drift to the middle, he was ineffective. and what about zidanes underachieving french team during 2005? they were struggling til zidane joined and ended up leading them to wc 2006 final. Plus, this is a statement from Ath. Madrid's sports director saying he rejected riquelme http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=55244. Tell me, how many teams would've rejected zidane when he was in his late twenties (forget them being a team like A. Madrid whom are not amongst the top 10 clubs in europe)?

I watched a fair amount of those games as I tend to follow the players I like. He actually played his best when he did drift to the middle. That's where his goals came from anyways.

In 2005 France also didn't benefit from Thuram and Makelele coming back when things got ugly? It was Zizou and only Zizou that got them over the hump? Whatever you say mate.

Thanks for the link. When transfers don't work out, I usually take the sound bites with a grain of salt. If what he says is true then kudos for making a great decision in the best interests of the team. But like I said, I'm sure Roig, Pellegrini, Macri....will all at some point have something else to say about the Riquelme transfer saga.

[phil80]

Riquelme always plays best when he drifts to the middle, but at barca even when he drifted inwards he was largely ineffective.
Without a doubt, Zidane had the greatest effect in getting his team to turnaround, and the fact that anybody can say riquelme had a better world cup than zidane is beyond baffling.
No team (especially the size of Ath. Madrid) would've rejected zidane during riquelme's age which is what the link is for. Everyone knows how much of a difference-maker zidane is no matter what team it is, riquelme is just not on that level yet and most likely will never be.

[tjbirdsfan]

How many times was Riquelme voted Fifa World player of the year? That's right never, to compare him to Zidane to me is insane. This is worse than the Zidane vs. Totti thread at least Totti is close to Zidane. I know that Riquelme has done well at international play recently and that he led Boca to win Copa Lib. last year but give me a break. And if Riquelme is so good why did he play for Boca last year and why is he now back at Villareal. If he was as good as you all claim someone certainly would be willing to break the transfer fee record Zidane was worth at 45.6 million pounds.

[TKORL]

In the other thread you listed Ballack as one of the 50 best, did you not? And left out Zidane
I gots to agree with the Ballack > Zidane claims.

[TKORL]

Unproven… HAAHAHA. Get real yank. Go google it. So Seedorf who won 4 CL’s and so is the best player ever (great player but not even close to that)? You don’t need to win something to be better then Zidane who just got lucky *(brilliant) on the right times.
Seedorf is a great player, and another member in the group of players who have never gotten the recognition they deserve.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Others did better during that period?? is that a joke?? rivaldo had a couple solid years (99-2000) but he didnt consistently put out solid performances from 98-03 the way zidane did. if you disagree with that it just shows how little you know about world football, which has been a constant theme in most of your posts. And do try to stay focused here teso, i asked you when has riquelme done the same over a similar time period? Dont try to avoid the question and then make a ridiculous claim.

Not a joke at all and anyone who actually watched football during that period of time would know exactly what I am talking about. Go away and look into Rivaldo's career, as it is clear you know little about him. Then do similar for Riquleme. Try Mendieta as well. Honestly phil80, still sticking to topics that you at least know something about.

How many times was Riquelme voted Fifa World player of the year? That's right never, to compare him to Zidane to me is insane. This is worse than the Zidane vs. Totti thread at least Totti is close to Zidane. I know that Riquelme has done well at international play recently and that he led Boca to win Copa Lib. last year but give me a break. And if Riquelme is so good why did he play for Boca last year and why is he now back at Villareal. If he was as good as you all claim someone certainly would be willing to break the transfer fee record Zidane was worth at 45.6 million pounds.

1. Awards are a crock and irrelevant
2. Transfer fees are a crock and irrelevant
3. You clearly know very little about Riquelme

I gots to agree with the Ballack > Zidane claims.

You do realise that phil80 will now try to use that against you in every single thread you post on... ;)

[phil80]

Not a joke at all and anyone who actually watched football during that period of time would know exactly what I am talking about. Go away and look into Rivaldo's career, as it is clear you know little about him. Then do similar for Riquleme. Try Mendieta as well. Honestly phil80, still sticking to topics that you at least know something about.



1. Awards are a crock and irrelevant
2. Transfer fees are a crock and irrelevant
3. You clearly know very little about Riquelme



You do realise that phil80 will now try to use that against you in every single thread you post on... ;)
You never fail to amuse me with your ridiculous posts. You're saying that rivaldo and mendieta had better years consecutively from 98-03 than zidane? You must be either delusional or confuse your video games with real football matches. Go look up zidane's career and start from 1997, and then come back with an intelligent post. Its claims like these, Teso, that validate why people should never take you seriously.
And for TKORL, people can have different opinions on players, but its when trolls like Teso that attack people for their statements and then make horrid claims themselves is when i call them out on it.