Batistuta

[KevieG]

I've genuinely never seen anyone fill the exact role Zidane did, people have tried but never pulled it off with the same degree of effectiveness. He was like a self-contained midfield, his direct attacking threat was less than many of the players around back then, in terms of out and out goal danger - but it was everything else, the way he would pull defenders out of position, land a ball on a sixpence from 50 yards away, work the space and put strikers through on goal, all while taking a severe kicking from Italian defenders. Peerless in the way he combined strength, skill and brains - probably the most intelligent footballer who's ever played the game IMO.

 

At the risk of sounding like a footy snob, I think you have to appreciate the game more to see just how good he was. There were a lot of Zidane fans come lately who saw him at France 98 or score 'that' goal for Madrid, but that was just showbiz - anyone who'd watched him for years, quietly using little more than spatial awareness and movement to dismantle teams knew they were watching something special. He wasn't the lead guitarist he was a conductor. You wouldn't jump out of your seat as much as if you were watching someone like Ronaldo, but you'd spend virtually the whole 90 minutes, nodding quietly but approvingly like a randy grandfather who's grandson has just brought home a Palyboy bunny.

 

Great post.

 

I remember him at old trafford in some champions league game for Juve in the mid 90's, just as he was coming to prominence. He was muscling Keane off the ball, controling the tempo of the game, playing brilliant passes.

 

Phenomenal player.

[Trumo]

No your thinking of Mark Viduka, they looked similar

 

Simeone was good as was Ravenelli.

 

You're either fishing or having a 'mare Toothy. If it's the latter, then I should point out that I've heard Vieri speaking English in interviews. He could easily have just walked off the set of Neighbours such is his accent, having grown up in Australia. By 'Simeone' I presume you mean Marco Simone, who played for Milan and PSG. 'Simeone' would be the combative midfielder for Inter and Lazio, Diego Simeone. The same one Beckham kicked at the World Cup.

[VladimirIlyich]

Simone Perotta being born in Ashton Under Lyne cracks me up.

[Phoenix]

Wasn't that Christian Vieri? He prefered cricket!

 

It might be Vieri aswell.

 

But there was an interview with Batistuta ages ago where he said that he just saw it as a job. He wouldnt ever watch any other football apart from the match he played.

[Red Banjo]

Cracking post that Mark, and brilliant video that Byrnie. Zidane was indeed the maestro, you worry that a player so immense might not ever grace the game again, and it makes you a little sad. To make football look so effortless is what set's Zidane apart from everyone else, he was the best player on the pitch when he was in 3rd gear - regardless of who the opposition or his team mates were 90% of the time. A truly sublime talent, and quite possibly the best ever. Way, way, way ahead of Baggio.

[Tj hooker]

Cracking post that Mark, and brilliant video that Byrnie. Zidane was indeed the maestro, you worry that a player so immense might not ever grace the game again, and it makes you a little sad. To make football look so effortless is what set's Zidane apart from everyone else, he was the best player on the pitch when he was in 3rd gear - regardless of who the opposition or his team mates were 90% of the time. A truly sublime talent, and quite possibly the best ever. Way, way, way ahead of Baggio.

 

He is also a crackin quiz question as the 1st welsh speaker 2 score at the Millennium Stadium he is from Patagonia a fluent welsh speaking community