Zinedine Zidane has shared the field with some of the most extraordinary talents to ever play the game, yet the Frenchman once singled out a Premier League legend as the player he most regretted not playing alongside.
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A Ballon d’Or winner, Zidane was part of one of the most dominant national teams in history and also enjoyed success in domestic and European competitions with Juventus and Real Madrid. ..Continue Reading
During his illustrious career, Zidane had the chance to share the dressing room with icons such as Thierry Henry, Ronaldo Nazario, and Patrick Vieira.
However, in 2010, the greatest player of the 1990s revealed that he wished he had the opportunity to control the midfield with a player he described as “the complete footballer.”
According to the Daily Mail, Zidane was asked whether England should attempt to bring Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes out of international retirement ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Not only did Zidane believe that Scholes’ return would be a significant boost for the Three Lions, but he also spoke highly of the playmaker and expressed his regrets for not having played alongside him during his career.
“It’s only natural to want to select your best players and there is no doubt for me that Paul Scholes is still in a class of his own. He’s almost untouchable in what he does. I never tire of watching him play.
“You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get. One of my regrets is that the opportunity to play alongside him never presented itself during my career. He is the type of player you want on your side, not in opposition because he could do so much damage. ”
Zidane went on to commend the United star’s defensive skills and prowess in possession, an area where Scholes had often faced criticism.
In recent years, it’s evident that the admiration is mutual. The former Manchester United midfielder, now a pundit for TNT Sport, has also acknowledged that Zidane was the most challenging opponent he ever faced.
