His brace against Barcelona in the 1998 World Cup? Did I hear wrong?

I do love videos like this, you do have a way of telling a story. After this weekend I'd love to see a video like this about Sergio Aguero and the impact he's made in the premiership but that might just be me

what made the quarter final vs brazil in 2006 so memorable and so impressive was all the other world class players on the pitch....viera, henry, ronaldo, ronaldinho, carlos, cafu, kaka etc and zidane stood head and shoulders above all of them, he showed that he was the best of the best.

My fave thing about Zidane was how effortless he made everything look. Also his volley technique and first touch were sublime remember trying to emulate them as a kid.

You ever thought about doing Podcasts? Id love a weekly podcast where you just talk about football

This debate about Zidane's abilities (or performances) shows something about his very own way of playing. Lots of rational arguments tend to put him away from the very top of the football pyramid, yet at the same time he definitely comes to mind when we talk about the greatest. I think it is because of his way of moving on the pitch, he had a very distinctive grace that made his greatest moments even more beautiful and noteworthy. His playstyle magnified what was one of the most excellent player of his generation and makes us judge him on other notions than we would tend to use on other players.

He was class but just wasn’t consistent at club level. Still an absolute legend.

His brace against Barcelona in the 1998 World Cup Final. I didnt know Barcelona was a country.

If player is judged by performance when it matters most, then why nobody is talking about Miroslav Klose. Record WC goal scorer of all time

You should do this more often, looks like a good idea for future videos.

Zidane is highly regarded because he was a big game player. His best performances were in the latter stages of World Cups and in finals. In standard league games, he wasn't much of a feature.

I’m a few days or weeks older than you and Zidane was a joy to watch growing up especially his performance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup

I think Ronaldinho also deserves a video like this since for some reason many football fans have a much higher opinion of him than what I believe he deserves. Also, make a video comparing Pelé and Messi since you consider them the 2 GoAT candidates.

Players from the late 90’s and early 2000’s seem the quite overrated in general. I’m guessing it’s because that generation of fans was the first one to be able to watch all leagues on TV and therefore they look back on those players very fondly.

Form is temporary, class is permanent

I really like these kind of longer essay like videos. Loved to see more

“World Cup final against Barcelona”

People need to look at the pre assist stat thats real playmaking

I enjoyed the composition of this video in terms of your narrative. Only a true fan can write a critique so damning and spot on. Consider expanding this into an article if you haven't already. Great job!

I came here 8 monthes ago and am back again, just shows how the quality of your content is magnifying

Do a video on Del Piero. Criminally underrated.

Insightful video! I learned a lot

He was basically the ultimate prime time player, when everybody is watching then he would play he's best game in the champions league, world cups, euros and great derbys, not against relegation threaten teams, newly promoted, average team or lower league teams in cup competitions.

Whoever says Zidane is not a goat contender has to hook me up with their weed dealer.

Make a video about Di Stefano

I'm 27, and growing up I absolutely idolized Zidane, copied his style(even looks), collected his merchandise, crazily consumed all videos of him, etc. Only a few years back did I actually come out of the Zizou trance and rationalized the picture of him. I can still safely say that he is still in my top 5.

I get that he wasn't as consistent at scoring/assisting as some other greats, but Zizou just made other great players look like kids at times. Nobody could deal with him when he was on form. I think in terms of absolute peak form, I'd take him over almost anyone. He was definitely my favourite player ever to watch.

Zizou was the one who made me fall in love woth football!! ⚽️❤

you should do a "how good was _________ actually" series.

I'm Brazilian : Zidane made us cry twice while beating our Selecao twice in World Cups. (And I can't recall any other player doing that).

I enjoy those pieces quite a bit. You should consider doing a podcast like someone else in the comments suggested. I think that format would benefit those essays.

Please may you do one about Adriano; his rise and fall? And also more historical videos?

I don't even agree that Zidane was greater than Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.

This video proves why Barcelona is the greatest club ever. They played in the world cup final while other clubs can't even qualify for wc.

I’m glad to to see a big account like yours finally say this. Zidane, although an absolute legend, is rated ridiculously high by people who don’t really look too deep into the history of football and seriously factor in things like consistency. I don’t see him as a top 20 player at all. great video

Alfie, what would you consider to be an all time great in football terms, the top 100 to 150 of all time and who would say is the last player to make the cut of point as an all time great? I've always found it a hard term to define and what would you say is the difference between a football legend and an all time great?

Can you do a video on Fernando Redondo? Thanks

For so many legends 2006 was their last World Cup

When you started talking about the volley Vs Leverkusen I had to pause the video to go and appreciate it again

Great video!! Never understood how people could compare him to likes of Messi, Cruyff etc

I think it was his grace and fluid movement that marks him out. Longevity of greatness and impressive stats can move people up the GOAT list, but there has to be room for some unquantifiable dynamic, the capacity for godliness, that players like Zidane possessed. They even made a film about him: A 20th century portrait

zidane is a legend because he played well in big games

Kids who play FIFA and watch highlight reels overhype him so much, he isn’t the greatest French player and he isn’t close to being the greatest midfielder.

All the fanboys are disliking because you spoke the truth. Sad...

You know what you convinced me . I’ve always admired Zidane and till recently as of 2014 maybe I thought Ronaldo and Messi have overtaken him as the all time greatest but I’d put him third . Now that I’ve seen this video I think you made multiple good points and successfully changed my mind . Zidane was a great player but he doesn’t make it to top 5 players of all times

i was waiting for a video like this for a long time and thank you for spreading the facts

You’re absolutely AT IT.

True that I still remember his aura and how he affected the opposing players unfortunately I just saw highlights of their most remarkable moments and yes you are right we will have this bias towards zizou because we remember his aura also something all fifa games can't capture the aura of the great players

His goal return was shockingly low at Juventus. It does help that watching Juventus were difficult to watch and most just remember those France performances and love him for that

9:50 didn't know Barca played in the 1998 WC final

Great video and I agree. But its the way he plays...its pure poetry

Thanks that's actually a really brave opinion to share these days. Young people now seem to overrate a lot of retired footballers just because they watched youtube videos of him or because they heard people talking about them. Zidane is one of those guys who regularly gets over praised by kids who have never even watched a single game of him. And he's not the only one. Players like Kaká and Drogba are seen as some of the best footballers of all time just because the young community thinks it's cool to hate on current players and say that they will never reach the feats of those so called legends. I'm not hating on Kaká or Drogba or Zidane or other players that feature on this category but I just think it's super disrespectful for people who have never seen those "untouchable legends" play to say that they are miles ahead of certain other players. Sure these 3 that I mentioned were world class but they aren't even near Ronaldo or Messi and other greats of the game. One example of this is a pole that I saw in the other day about who was the best striker of this decade. Some of the nominees were Suarez, Lewandowski, Aguero and also... Drogba. A guy who in 10 years only played 3 seasons in a top 5 league (not to mention that he didn't do that great since he was already old). And who do you think won the poll? Of course fucking Didier won it with like 65% of the votes. It's actually insane to kids these days to think that he was better than some of the top strikers of this generation. Sure he had that amazing final and he was an outstanding player but I don't think he would even make a top 30 list of best strikers of all time. Nowadays we can all watch those youtube videos and think that those retired players were perfect since there aren't any videos showing their flaws. With current players we can all watch them live on TV and see an occasional bad game or mistakes that they make and thing to ourselves: "These guys aren't even near the level of the goats of the past". And it's super annoying to argue with someone about this since they will call you a kid that knows nothing about football.

Agree with pretty much all of that (I'm 32 and watched regular football since '94). Thank you for a great video. Only criticism, how did he score twice against Barcelona in a world cup final? 😜

Sergio Aguero rise would be good vid , I remember watching him on channel 5 when they showed Argentine football he was ripping defences apart at 15/16 for Indepndite (I think their called) and always wanted him in Europe, I remember I sent Wenger an email to sign him 😂 if only

I guess we can now judge Messi as well since he walked in most of his games. Took PKs in World Cup to win the Ballon Dor. There are so many ways to judge a player. At the end, Zindane will remain as of the greats regardless of some of low performance games.

All time lists are always difficult because comparing players from different eras is basically impossible.

Hi Alfie could you do a similar video on maradonna and why you consider him to be a goat as I’m not yet convinced

I'm a major Zizou fan but this video just had to be made and i agree entirely even though it feels strange to me as he was such a genius

Rating the best players by decade would an educational video.

Majestic! Honestly don't care about him being included in that or this list. All I know is he won the WC for France, and the CL for Real Madrid. Didn't have the greatest ending of playing careers, but definitely started his coaching one with a bang!

You had me till you said he should be more in the conversation for someone like Iniesta

3:50 Alfie did a Vsauce here and my day has been made xD

Nicely put....

Zidane was world class but he wouldn't even come close to being considered among the top 15 G.O.A.Ts in football

I prefer people who show up in big games over consistency playing in irrelevant games tbh. Zidane won every important trophy there is to win and he still has more World Cup knockout goals than Messi and Ronaldo combined.

Never heard anyone call Zidane the GOAT he always seems to get rated where he should be as Top 15 player.

My only skepticism is, how do you know how consistent were Púskas or Di Stefano? You can only judge a players consistency if you watch them week in week out. I love the vid anyways!

I love videos like this

Hes not only a GOAT candidate as a player, he is already a GOAT candidate as a manager.

Could you do one of these types of videos for football in the 90s I think it had so many gr8t players that just seem to be overlooked like Baggio, Laudrup, Figo, Hagi, Romario, Rui Costa, Davids,Del Piero amongst many many others

I really like your videos but you do bloody go on in your intros 😂

video idea: longest commutes in football. (Perth Glory to Wellington Phoenix)

I think the problem is that unlike other attacking midfielders his primary role was not to finish or to assist but to create attacks meaning he was not the one that scored (ridiculous by the way to criticise that he hasn´t scored too often) but the one who initiated attacks by overcoming the defensive midfielders of the opposite teams. (Not a good comparison but I´d say the role of an 8 instead of a 10 in modern teams) Knowing that his tactical role was a significant other than the one of let´s say Cruyff or Maradona and of course despite his abilities with the ball less spectacular what you say in the vid is just not right. Of course you can argue if he his among the top 10 of greatest players of all times but you can not compare apples with pears and in order to fairly judge him you have to take his tactical role especially in the Real years into consideration.

I think Platini is the best French player ever

I don't even know where to start. First of all you criticize ZZ on his consticency at club level, arguing he never scored more than 12 goals in a campaign. I'm sure you know this but ZZ was a Midfielder, offensively minded it is true, but he was a true midfielder that would have to cover all the pitch in all the teams in which he played (a part for France, which is why he was so prolific). In Juventus and in Real Madrid, he never played as an actual number 10. He created goals for his attacking team mates which were spectacular at the time so he wasn't asked from his coaches to dribble the last defender 1 on 1 or -to make runs in the back of the defense to create space as midfielders would do nowadays. Now I can't argue he would be the GOAT, considering Messi and Ronaldo brought the game to a whole new level. But Zizou would EASILY be in the top 10 players of all time. He did win the Champions League, the Euro, the World Cup almost twice !! (being 36 years old and achieving some of the best perfomances ever seen in football) Oh and yes, ZZ would have won 3 ballon d'ors, in 2000 and in 2006 if it wasn't for stupid red cards that made journalists vote for Figo and Cannavaro.

I have a dream That someday i could explain any specific issue(s) from my footballing perspective, as good and comprehensive as you, young man. Or should i say, master.... send my hello from Lombok island, Indonesia.

Know this has no relevance but ea have prime icon zidane 96 cruyff 94.😑😑😑At d most should be 93...sorry for putting fifa into this conversation 😅😅

9:50 His Brace against Barcelona in the World Cup Final XD

He played in an era of football from 95 to 2010 that had a depth of world class players spread throughout European clubs and international teams that makes today's game look poor. Every European countries top clubs from then would beat today's sides. Yet he was head and shoulders better than anyone. Rivaldo figo costa Scholes totti del piero nedved Ronaldinho guti berkamp Ibrahimovic giggs pirlo okocha pls feel free to add to this list yet at his best he made them all look ordinary. Federer isn't the most decorated tennis player ever o'sullivan wasn't until recently the most decorated snooker player Ali isn't the most decorated boxer and Zidane isn't the most decorated footballer but every name i just mentioned was simply the best most natural beautiful master of what they did and do . Stats pfff its the thing you can see but cant touch with you hands. If football was 1 on 1 as the other sports i mentioned Zidane wins against anyone at football. Im nearly 50 and I've never seen before or since better.

There was a movie called little zizou You should watch it.. I think it's time for top 7 football movies , include documentary as well if you want.. I will watch them

HITC has put more thought into his opinion than i bet most fanboys have. i always saw zidane as one of those players who shines for country but not as much for club. one of the all-time greats, but not the all-time greatest.

Totally agreed as a France and Real Madrid fan. He disappeared a lot in games it was insane even for the NT. In 98 he wasn't his best and even got reds but shows up against Brazil with x2 headers to win the WC. In 2006 disciplinary issues again in group stages and final. He made a career off 3 things. Elegance in style of play, few big game goals and NT exploits. He could easily be replaced by many other CAMs of his generation to the same effect. This is why Madrid did ok with Sneijder and Guti after and Juve with Nedved after his sale.

9:52. Barcelona in the world cup 😭😂. Love the content tho. Keep it up 👍👍👍

I just started this video but Im hoping Dennis Bergkamp will get a mention ( not saying he's better than Zidane or Ronaldo, the biggest stars of that time)

Youre crazy. No player has won every single accolade possible. name me one. I dont think you understand football, He has a story book career, you couldnt write a better film. He has won stuff even Messi or C ronaldo hasn't his career supercedes legends of today. His performance in France 98 final is the best Ive ever seen in a WC final

7:45 -7:51 that sounds like an assessment of Zidane's current Real Madrid team

A Legend 💚💚

That monologue goes on forever

Totally agree with but I still don't think that only attacking players can be considered a GOAT

He was definitely not one of the best players ever, but his influence on the team was incredible. When Zidane played he somehow made everyone look better.

He would be one of my top picks and I would not question it for a second.

when Alfie said about players scoring when it mattered most, as a chelsea fan i instantly thought of drogbas record in finals, id love a list of seven best or highest scoring players in finals. lol i put that before he showed the vid he already made, TY alfiie

Goals and Assist ratio arent stand-out for primarily an attacking midfielder.

Growing up in the late 90's early 00's, Zidane, R9, Henry & Ronaldinho made me fall in love with the game. Iniesta maybe have won more, Ozil maybe assisted more, Ronaldinho maybe had 2 outstanding seasons in barca outperforming in numbers for a season, Totti had outstanding loyalty and goalscoring ability, Wesley Sneijder had a Fantastic 10/11 season, Juninho had the outstanding freekicks and riquelme what can i say El Ultimo 10. But even with all these great number 10's to play the beautiful game in my life time, i can only say that Zizou is by far the best number 10 i ever watched.

A sensible analysis

Wow, a brace against Barcelona in the 1998 World cup final, incredible

Bro, I cant even bother answering seriously

HITC is one of the best KZfaq channels out there and I enjoy the content very much but I wholly disagree with this view on Zidane. He deserves to be considered one of the best because he out perform all others in the apex competition of football. Whether it be the Champions League, the Euros, the World Cup, La Liga or Serie A, Zidane's impact was there for all to see. He, alongside Ronaldo Nazario were the best players of their generation. At club level he didn't win a glut of trophies like Messi and Ronaldo because these two players are simply freaks of nature and they have achieved feats unthought of previously. Zidane is definitely not the GOAT but he cannot be denied his rightful place in the discussion of all time greats. Remember he was one headbutt away from winning a second World Cup in a tournament where he was definitely the best player.

This video just settled an argument in an 18 member WhatsApp group. May your hot takes continue for decades to come, good sir.

Fair enough!!