Zinedine Zidane 'Couldn't Believe' England Ignored Quality of One Player
Zinedine Zidane was 'surprised' when England left out a player who had 'quality' for the 2002 World Cup.
Zidane enjoyed a legendary playing career, having shone at Real Madrid - where he inspired the Spanish giants to Champions League glory in 2002.
He played with some of the best players of his generation, including Ronaldo Nazario and Luis Figo.
Not to mention David Beckham, who, like Zidane, joined as a 'Galactico'.
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Beckham wasn't the only Englishman Zidane played alongside with at Real as he also rubbed shoulders with Steve McManaman, who played in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
McManaman won two Champions League titles during his four-year spell at Real following his move from Liverpool.
Despite his stellar club career, which saw him end his playing days at Manchester City, McManaman earned just 37 international caps.
37 England caps is nothing to be sniffed at but given he played in a star-studded Real side, he probably should have been used more on the international stage.
And that's a sentiment echoed by Zidane, who bemoaned McManaman's omission from England's 2002 World Cup squad.
"I was surprised when McManaman was left out of the last England squad. I couldn't believe they would ignore a player of his quality," Zidane said in 2002, as per Sky Sports.
"Now people are talking about the fact that maybe he will get his chance because David Beckham is injured.
"But McManaman is far better than just being a replacement for Beckham. McManaman should be in the starting line-up anyway."
The Frenchman added: "Picking him now would be a very smart move for Eriksson because McManaman is in the mood to start proving people wrong. If Eriksson gave him the chance he deserves, he could prove to all the people and to Eriksson he should have been there all along.
"I don't think he has really ever had a proper chance under Eriksson but he has proved over the years, for Liverpool, England and Real Madrid, that he is a leading player.
"If England do not pick him, it would be a terrible waste, both for the side and for McManaman. If they don't take him to the World Cup, they'll regret it."
Steven McManaman reveals reaction to 2002 World Cup snub
Even though he featured in the Champions League final months before the 2002 World Cup, McManaman was omitted from Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad for the tournament in Japan and South Korea.
That's despite coming off the bench in England's last World Cup qualifier before the tournament.
"A lot of the reasons that are bandied about are ridiculous," he explained.
"I was involved in the last qualifying game against Greece and everyone was happy. People make their own assumptions but it's very confusing.
"When it was announced I wasn't picked I wasn't cross as I was half expecting it."
Topics: England, Zinedine Zidane, Football
Nasir Jabbar