Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid, Champions League, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard
Josh Lawless
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid, Champions League, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard
Zinedine Zidane did not hesitate when naming the England legend he regrets not being able to play alongside in his glittering career.
Zidane, winner of the coveted Ballon d'Or award in 1998, played with some of the very best for club and country but has a tinge of frustration over the fact he was never able to play in the same side as a player who he calls "as close as you can get" to "the complete footballer".
The Frenchman has regularly talked up former Liverpool and England skipper Gerrard, who he claims was "the best in the world at one stage.
He also praised Lampard and called him a "leader" ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
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However, it is Manchester United legend Paul Scholes who Zidane appears to speak about most fondly. In 2010, there were rumours that then-England boss Fabio Capello was trying to tempt Scholes out of retirement to play for his country at the World Cup in South Africa.
Zidane made that decision himself, making a comeback for the 2006 showpiece which saw him end his career with a red card after he headbutted Italy's Matteo Materazzi in a defeat on penalties in the final
Scholes ultimately opted against it but speaking before the tournament, Zidane waxed lyrical about how gifted a player he was, calling him "almost untouchable" and lamenting the fact they never linked up.
"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," Zidane told The Mirror in 2010.
"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 was an extremely tough opponent to play against. You didn't get any time on the ball when he was around. He would close you down and make your life terribly uncomfortable.
"He is the type of player you want on your side, not in opposition because he could do so much damage.
"He is very gifted. He makes the game look easy because he's so much natural ability."
Scholes spent the entirety of his career at United, making 718 appearances and scoring 155 times before retiring from football in 2013.
Many players with ties Barcelona are also huge admirers of Scholes, with the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Pep Guardiola and Andres Iniesta talking about the wonderful way in which he played the game.