Iconic Manchester United midfielders Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt were both in agreement as to who the best player of the generation was.
The two talked about European evenings, the notorious away game at Galatasaray, and their October 2000 journey to Brazil when they first met on the Football’s Greatest pod.
In addition to discussing the best player of their time, Scholes and Butt faced some well-known players during a period when Manchester United dominated both domestic and continental competition under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Scholes then asked Butt a challenging question: “Who do you think was the best?”
Ronaldo was “of a different planet”
“For me personally, the player that I played against and I went ‘Oh my God!'” Butt responded, praising former Barcelona, Inter, and Brazil striker Ronaldo without hesitation. “It’s from a different planet,” Ronaldo, R9, said.
Some of his former activities. Recall that we faced him in games against England, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. Do you recall that he had been injured for an incredible eighteen months?
Butt, a midfielder by trade, chose another player in his position as the best opponent he had ever faced rather than facing striker Ronaldo directly.
“But because I wasn’t up against him, thankfully, I wouldn’t pick him, but he’s my favourite player,” Butt continued.
Zidane was the best
“The best player I’ve ever played against, and the best team in that time, was definitely [Zinedine] Zidane in that Juventus team.
“I remember the manager said to me once, the first game I played against him, he said: ‘He’s passed it, he’s too old now, get against him, run off him.’
“And I swear to God, I was up next to him, and he’s about six foot two; I thought ‘right well, I’m gonna outrun you’. He beat me in a race. And then I’m just gonna get against him and tackle him. He just elbowed me out the way
“And then when he got the ball, it was just like a genius.”
Zidane went on to enjoy great success for both club and country, including a 1998 World Cup win, where holders France beat Brazil in the final.
The Frenchman also shone as a manager, enjoy two-trophy laden spells as Real Madrid head coach.
Zidane set for return to management?
Although there have been rumors that Zidane may return to management, the former midfield player has not found a new position since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in May 2021.
According to reports, Zidane is being considered to take Didier Deschamps’ place as France’s manager when the former head coach of Juventus and Marseille steps down after the 2026 World Cup.
With goals from Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise just before halftime on Friday, France defeated Ukraine 2-0 to start their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Leave a Reply