Sports

Lionel Messi Lauds Zinedine Zidane, Calls Him ‘One Of The Greatest Players In History’

Argentina and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi showered praise on legendary French footballer Zinedine Zidane in a recent interview.

Zidane is widely regarded as one of the finest players to grace the football field. The Frenchman was known for his immaculate playmaking skills, dribbling ability, and elegance on the ball.

Advertisement

Zidane won 13 major titles for club and country, including the FIFA World Cup (1998) and the UEFA Champions League (2001-02), during a 17-year-long senior career.

The 1998 Ballon d’Or winner made over 200 appearances each for Juventus and Real Madrid before hanging up his boots in 2006.

Advertisement

Messi recently sat down with the 51-year-old Frenchman for an interview put in place by Adidas Football. The Argentine superstar lauded Zidane and called him ‘one of the greatest players in history’.

Messi said (h/t @AlbicelesteTalk on X):

Advertisement

I am not saying this because he is here, but I have said it several times before. Zidane is one of the greatest players in history, and I have always admired and loved him. I used to follow him a lot in Madrid and I also suffered from him a lot because I am from Barcelona. Zidane is elegance, art, magic and everything.”

I have many memories of him, including his goal against Leverkusen in the Champions League final, his goals against Brazil in the World Cup final, the iconic spinning move he used to do, and the famous Valencia goal.”

Advertisement

Like Messi, Zidane played in two FIFA World Cup finals — losing and winning one each. He scored a brace in the 1998 edition when France beat Brazil 3-0 in the final and also got his name on the scoresheet in the 2006 final against Italy. However, He was sent off for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi, with Les Bleus losing the final on penalties.

 I have not regretted anything in my career, but the 2014 World Cup final is still stuck in my mind, although I can forget it a little with this World Cup...”

Advertisement

Messi scored four goals and provided an assist in six 2014 FIFA World Cup matches before the final against Germany. But the former Barcelona superstar was largely kept quiet by the German’s solid backline.Mario Gotze came on in extra time to score the winner and hand Germany their fourth FIFA World Cup title. Eight and a half years later, Messi finally got his hands on the coveted trophy when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties (3-3 A.E.T).

Advertisement
citynews

Recent Posts

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2024

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2024. *PUNCH* Gombe begins N28bn Assembly, high court complexes…

1 minute ago

My husband assaulted me, ruined my career – Olajumoke Onibread

Former bread seller turned model, Olajumoke Orisaguna, popularly known as Olajumoke Onibread, has opened up…

2 hours ago

“I did not punch Akpabio” – Senator Bamidele speaks on alleged fight with Senate President

Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele has denies reports that he was involved in a fight…

3 hours ago

Speaker Obasa Clarifies Negative Perceptions As Sanwo-Olu Presents 2025 Budget

– says lawmakers united to meet yearnings of Lagosians – accuses detractors of peddling news…

3 hours ago

2027: “No vacancy for non-indigenes in Alausa” – Lagos youths tell Seyi Tinubu

The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths has rejected the recent endorsement of Mr Seyi Tinubu,…

3 hours ago

Biafra Activist Simon Ekpa Arrested in Finland Over Terrorism

Biafra activist Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland over terrorism. Newsone Nigeria reports that the self-acclaimed leader of…

3 hours ago