I judge by a mixture of ability and achievements. Zidane was the best of his own era (late 90s to early 2000s), showed remarkable technique and skills throughout his career, showed up for the majority of big games, outshone multiple challengers to his `best in the world` status in big games such as R9, Figo, Rivaldo and even Ronaldinho when he was 26 yrs old and ZZ was 34 yrs old in WC 06... and he won every major trophy possible as well as every individual award possible. Zidane is top 10 for me.
To a certain extent what you wrote is true, but I would say Zidane's title as the best was completely wrested away from Ronaldinho in from 04 to 06, in particular that 3-0 at the Bernabeu as the symbolic passing of the torch. Zidane did get his revenge in WC06 of course, but he had not been the best in the world for at least the past two and a half years before the tournament.
at club level ... arguably ... but when playing for NT, Zidane did shine better surely! Like Adriano in 2005 and 06 , at his club level he was a better striker than Ronaldo (fat and injured) but when the two got together in same team NT, Ronaldo shone better !
Yes, I acknowledge Ronaldinho took over from Zidane as the best in the world from about 04-06. Zidane had slowed and become inconsistent (which is normal for his age and experience at that time) and Ronnie was bang in his prime by then, that is the reason I was so impressed by Zidane outshining him when France played Brazil in the 06 WC, everybody thought this was Ronaldinho`s time to join the greats, that it would be his WC at age 26... but the 34 year old Zidane showed up as a great player on the biggest stage one last time, it really was beautiful to watch as a big fan of Zidane. I`ll always remember that game, and indeed Zidane`s performances throughout the entire WC 06.
In 2003, Henry scored 11 goals from 14 NT games (assists are not counted). ZZ popularity might eclipsed him but based on actual performance and end products, Henry is as good as ZZ in the France team IMO.
again... those are GOALS stats - Henry was a striker and Zidane a playmaker in MF. Like one say Batistuta (in NT) was also as good as Maradona? His 56goals > 34 of Maradona? PLEEEEZ ================================================ Henry was also a LEGEND. but he is not same breadth of Zidane ... Look at him playing along side Zidane in all occasions: WC98, Euro2000, WC02, Eruo04 and WC06 ... one can CONCLUDE who was better no? WC98: Zidane MoM of Final and in All star team (no Henry) Euro2000: Zidane MvP of tourney > (Henry all star team) Euro04: Zidane in All star team (no Henry) WC06: Goldenball and All star team (> Henry all star team)
@havoc33 I uploaded a video of one of his marquee games, the 3:2 win in 1993 against his former club AC Milan. Because he played actually as a striker here (the on-screen graphics in the video say 'centrocampista' as nominal position but he was clearly a striker in this match), and Sampdoria was hoofing the ball towards him, I also included moments of Brian Laudrup and Savicevic. I know that Gullit played in other Sampdoria games as midfielder or even as sweeper, which would maybe provide a better impression (esp. for his passing/distribution) but, on the other hand, this was one of his most notable matches. It's a pity that he was very much isolated for large stint in the match, and Sampdoria saw no other way as hoofing the ball towards his proximity. I can understand why coach Eriksson used him in this way because he kept the Milan defense busy (also notice some of the fouls), and possibly it was a reason why the possession statistic was about even (at the end of the game it was 51 vs 49 for Sampdoria but in the first half it was the other way around). Of course, he was decisive with an assist (which was really his only cross in the game) and a goal. I hope it is a good addition even though this wasn't really 'vintage Gullit' in the way most ppl would know him.
@PuckVanHeel thanks Puck, that was great to see. I remember watching this game live on TV back in the day. Gullit was indeed very isolated in the first half, but he got it going strong in the second half and he changed the game. Very memorable goal.. you can see how much it meant to him after being benched by Capello for much of the previous year. Some nice moves by Laudrup and Savicevic as well, both great players in their time.
Yes...Zidane was rated as betetr or higher for his consistency and longevity in most leagues and tournaments. But Gullit was surely a more complete player than Zidane *from scoring goals to defense at the back
Well, whether Zidane was significantly better with a higher peak in club football is more doubtful, but without question Zidane did better at tournament football. His best tournament (euro2000) is better as Gullit his best tournament (euro88), even though at that time some commentators compared it favourable to Maradona his 1986 performance (I've the euro88 report/book - with the green cover). Gullit his 2nd best euro tournament is better as Zidane his 2nd best euro tournament, but that's about it. It also helps that Zidane was truly outstanding in a few aspects of his play, while Gullit could do a lot of things well but was only outstanding in a limited amount of things. Gullit was almost certainly a better volley specialist, and had a better long range pass as Zidane (incl. some long range assists) but Zidane had some outstanding aspects. In other words: Gullit could do many things very well (that includes long range balls), but Zidane was outstanding/awesome in some parts.
Gullit was outstanding in headers and one of the best tacklers among creative players of all time. @Puck
agree very much.. thats why i favor gullit.. it all depends on what you like in a player or desire in a player.. but a team of 11 gullits would beat a team with 11 zidanes with quite a large margin (at least 4 goals difference). ofcourse zidane was a beautiful thing to watch his actions.. but players like gullit (willem van hanegem, bryan robson, kenny dalglish, etc etc) are so much more important to a team. like you said they cna do allmost eveythign good where as a guy liek zidane could do a few thigns great
Gullit scored the goal he would later consider his finest: "Playing against Utrecht I went past four defenders and then the goalkeeper, and scored. It was an unforgettable goal for me."[13] Barry Hughes was so impressed with the young Gullit that he described him as the "Dutch Duncan Edwards".[12] Somebody can find this goal ????