<P> Many authoritative voices have acclaimed Zidane's skills and importance in the history of football, such as Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who called Zidane "a monster" for his performance and abilities . German coach Franz Beckenbauer stated, "Zidane is one of the greatest players in history, a truly magnificent player ." Italy's manager Marcello Lippi, who has also coached Zidane, opined, "I think Zidane is the greatest talent we've known in football these last twenty years, yet he never played the prima donna . I am honoured to have been his manager ." Former England manager Kevin Keegan said, "You look at Zidane and think' I've never seen a player quite like that .' Diego Maradona was a great player . Johan Cruyff was a great player . They were different--but with similarities . What sets Zidane apart is the way he manipulates a football, buying himself space that isn't there . Add his vision and it makes him very special ." At the 1998 World Cup, Italian manager Cesare Maldini said, "I would give up five players to have Zidane in my squad ." </P> <P> Among his playing peers, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović commented, "Zidane was from another planet . When Zidane stepped onto the pitch, the ten other guys just got suddenly better . It is that simple ." David Beckham has described Zidane as "the greatest of all time", Barcelona star Xavi has stated in a 2010 interview that Zidane was "the' 90s and early 2000s best player", while Brazilian defender and former Madrid teammate Roberto Carlos has said of Zidane, "He is the best player I've seen . Supporters arrived earlier at the Bernabéu just to see him warm - up ." Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho stated, "Zidane is one of the best footballers of all time, one of my idols . He had such elegance and grace, a wonderful touch and superb vision ." Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard believes Zidane is "the best ever". </P> <P> Displaying skills with an array of moves such as his signature La Roulette pirouette, step overs and close ball control, former Brazilian international Rivaldo enjoyed watching Zidane more than any other player, stating, "His elegance of movement on the pitch and his skills are uncanny ." Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso opined, "What he could do with a football is a dream for most of us ." In 2005, upon Zidane's return to the French national team, his teammate Thierry Henry stated, "In France, everybody realized that God exists, and that he is back in the French international team . God is back, there is little left to say ." Zidane has been lauded by sportsmen outside football; having witnessed Zidane's goal against Deportivo La Coruña in January 2002, where he dragged the ball right then left, turning the defender inside out, before scoring with a left foot finish, basketball player Magic Johnson stated, "One of the most inspiring nights of my life . Zidane is a phenomenon ." </P> <P> Zidane has been named FIFA World Player of the Year three times, a feat achieved only by Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo . In 2002, ESPN described Zidane as "the greatest player in the world in the world's biggest game". In a 2002 FIFA poll, Zidane was selected in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team . In 2004, he was voted UEFA Best European Player of the Past 50 Years, and was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players . When uefa.com asked players, journalists and their users to crown the best player in the UEFA Champions League of the past 20 years, in 2011, Zidane topped the poll ahead of Messi . In a 2004 poll conducted by French newspaper Journal du Dimanche, Zidane was voted as "the most popular Frenchman of all time". In 2014, in a poll carried out by French TV channel TF1, Zidane was voted as the best player in the history of the French league ahead of other French football legends, such as Michel Platini and Raymond Kopa . In 2016, in a study led by French newspaper Le Parisien, Zidane was named "best French player of all time". </P>

His left-foot volleyed winner in the 2002 uefa champions league final