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Everybody knows how fantastic both these players are, however Zidane hasnt had his previous form for about 18 months.

But My question is: AT THEIR PEAK, who would you prefer in your own team and who was the better player.

I know Ronaldhino is fantastic and easy on the eye with all his silky skills and tricks, but I would much rather have Zidane at his peak. Ronaldhino goes mssing in a lot of games IMO and Zidane was far more effective in big games. I think I might be in the minority in this one- it is easier to remember players recently than from 6-8 years ago(when zidane was at his peak)

who would you have??

Just watched an Hour show on Zidane's career on player TV. You forget how good he actually was and he has won everything there is to be won at both club and international level.

Zidane is technically the greatest footballer ever. I rate him higher that Ronaldinho.

Thats Easy     Zinedine Zidane   The best all rounder.

Zidane is/was the best footballer of all time IMO

wow surprising replies as everyone I speak to seems to think Ronaldhino is the better of the 2

See how many goals Ronaldinho has scored with his left foot. Zidane in Euro 2000 was immense, especially the S/F against Portugal.

Zidane at his peak was unbelievable. He had every attribute. I honestly cant think of one weakness in his game when he was at top fitness. So from that standpoint he was better.

Ronaldinho is a scarey guy of 24 though. He was better than Zidane was at this age and so could potentially be better in the future.

I think Ronaldinho has the potential to be remebered like a Pele/Maradona.  I think Zidane, while amazing, for some reason has not captured the imagination and will be seen as a tier 2 superstar, with the likes of Rossi, Ronaldo, Zico, Socrates etc 

I don't agree.


Maradona is the greatest footballer of all time so don't talk daft.


I'd have Zidane by the way but it's close.

Zidane was to France what Maradona was to Argentina.

2002 World Cup?

ACE - I think we need more than I dont agree/dont talk daft before your opinion can carry any weight. 

Why do you think this Pokerron?

Zidane has won every trophy, both international and Domestic. The most expensive player of all time and of his generation, 100 caps for France, World and European player of the year winner.

Zidane is one of the football icons of his generation and is known to be modest, quiet and self-admittedly shy. As a Guardian feature article says, however, Zidane has also occasional flashes of aggression on the pitch. Such a display of aggression, Zidane showed when he was red carded for headbutting Jochen Kientz in a 2000/2001 Champions League match for Juventus against Hamburger SV.

In 2004, Zidane was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations. In 2004, he was also voted the best European player for the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll.

In the final stages of his career, many pundits and fans alike already identify him as the most important player of his generation and his name is regularly mentioned alongside former greats such as Di Stéfano, Pele, Cruyff and Maradona. Sadly, Zidane will retire after the 2006 World Cup.

With the French national team:

    * FIFA World Cup
          o Winner: 1998
          o Appearances: 1998, 2002
    * European Championship
          o Winner: 2000
          o Appearances: 1996, 2000, 2004

With Juventus F.C.:

    * European Super Cup: 1996
    * Intercontinental Cup: 1996
    * Serie A champions: 1996/1997, 1997/1998
    * Italian Super Cup: 1997

With Real Madrid:

    * UEFA Champions League: 2001/2002
    * Intercontinental Cup: 2002
    * Spanish League - La Liga champions: 2002/2003
    * European Super Cup: 2002
    * Spanish Super Cup: 2001, 2003

Personal honours:

    * FIFA World Player of the Year: 1998, 2000, 2003
    * European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or): 1998

MOST VAULABLE PLAYER:

    * 1997-98 Ronaldo (Internazionale)
    * 1998-99 David Beckham (Manchester United)
    * 1999-00 Fernando Redondo (Real Madrid)
    * 2000-01 Stefan Effenberg (Bayern Munich)
    * 2001-02 Zinédine Zidane (Real Madrid)
    * 2002-03 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
    * 2003-04 Deco (FC Porto)
    * 2004-05 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Your quote is missing one MAJOR piece of information. Zidane has not captured the imagination and will be seen as a 2nd tier superstar IN ENGLAND. If he was English he'd be considered the greatest ever - I'm sue of that.

Look at the list at the end of your quote. Mostly Brazilians. Us Brits (like many other countries) take Brazil to our hearts because of the way they play. Generally we don't talk about an Argentinian (who was into drugs and cheated) being the greatest of all time. (In my opinion he was the 2nd greatest of all time to Pele but you take my point.) In some countries (like Spain and France) Maradona WAS the greatest ever. We never gave Platini the credit some other nations did and I feel we sell Zidane short too.

Ronaldinho has a lot to do to come close to what Zidane achieved, and Zidane (with the exception of Madrid) generally played for weaker teams than "little Ronald" plays for and achieved a lot more (so far). Time will tell if Ronaldinho gets better than Zidane was but for right now? No.

Zidane played for Juventus. Hardly a "weak" team.

Not the Barcelona mould though.

Nem has taken the words out of my mouth. Seriously though very good post nem.

It takes me to long to compose in depth posts so i tend not to. Zidane was an absolute joy to watch and was widely talked about as one of the greatest players ever by people with a much higher standing than anyone who may post here. Zidane's defining quality for me was the fact he played like no one before or since, his style was new, he was smooth, strong, incredibly skillfull, graceful and a brilliant leader.

One quote i recall was from the time of Real Madrids heyday with the various galacticos was 'We know we are good players but whenever the opportunity arises we give it to Zidane because he is something else'

Maradona said that "If Zidane was the same size as me he would be undoubtedly be the greatest player of all time." He size was a hindrance, when dribbling.

I disagree. I think Zidane redefined the central midfield wizard much like Henry has redefined the striker.

He did more than most midfield wizards in terms of defending, getting stuck in etc because of his size. He was also good in the air because of it, a real tough guy to handle in the box. I've never seen Zidane bulllied out of a game like Pele/Maradona had been.

For someone of his size to go past people like Maradona/Ronaldinho does surely that makes him even better?

I don't think he did go past players like Ron/Maradona.

Lol - did anyone go past people like Maradona?? What was that game where he did 6 Bulgarians/Hungarians? LOL!

He could beat a man with a million tricks is what I'm saying. For a guy his size that's awesome.

I would say that they are impossible to compare with each other.  The reason why is that Zidane is now just a world cup away from retirement and ronaldinho hasn't reached his peak yet.

Once ronaldinho has retired we could then compare the two players but not now,

Remember Zidane only became a household name when he got transfered to Juventus (from Bordeaux if i'm not mistaken) and he was 26 at the time.  Ronaldinho is 24 and is already a 2 time world player of the year. 

However if i had to pick, i would pick......................Steven Gerrard!!!!!!

Amen.

I watched an interview with Steven Gerrard and he talked about Zidane and said he regularly stood up and applauded his brilliant play. Steven Gerrard is god, make him england captain for god sake sven.

I've always thought it difficult to say someone is / was the best player, purely because football is a team sport.  I think it's more value to name a best ever team, as without their teams, the likes of ronaldinho / zidane would not have been as great as they were / are.  Therefore I've listed my best team below...

1. Gazza  2. Gazza  3. Gazza  4. Gazza  5. Gazza  6. Gazza  7. Gazza  8. Gazza  9. Gazza  10. Gazza  11. Gazza  

 :D

I think Ronaldinho and Zidane are on a par. They are both just about qualified to lace Larssons boots.

LMAO. Now that is funny.

No, the funny thing is, that a majority of deluded Celtic fans think that this is true. LOL

Zidane for me.  The bigger the game the better his performance, seemed to always produce when it mattered

The goal against England has to be one of the best ever world cup goals if not THE best.

The 2nd wasn't bad either  :D ;) ;D

Sandy

Agreed 100% although the Brazil 40 odd passes goal wasn't bad either!

I thought the Maradona run was the 2nd goal?

It was, hence the smiley's!

Duh!

The penny drops! :blonde:

Like tonight.  Different class

Zidane by a mile...ive only been watchin footy for 15 odd years...but he is by far and away the best footballer i have ever seen...hes got the best first touch...i jus wish i got to see him live.

Ronaldhino is more of a showboater...zizou taught ronaldinho a few lessons tonight.