The Unlikely Snub: Zizou’s Ultimate Real Madrid Stars
It’s no secret that Zinedine Zidane had an illustrious career as a player and manager at Real Madrid. But, when it comes to naming the players who impressed him most, you might be surprised to find that Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t make the cut. In an interview with Canal+, Zidane revealed that he was impressed by Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema during his time at the helm of Los Blancos.
These three players have been stalwarts for the club, with Kroos retiring this summer after 465 games, Benzema departing in the summer of 2023, and Modric still going strong at 39. As Zidane noted, "When you see them playing for you for an hour without losing a single ball, that is football." Kroos netted 28 goals, Benzema scored 354, and Modric has 39 goals in 547 games for Real Madrid.
So, who made the cut, and why didn’t CR7 make the list? In his own words, Zidane praised the trio’s tireless work rate and ability to maintain possession, highlighting their impressive displays in midfield. While Ronaldo, of course, had an incredible goal-scoring record during his time at the Bernabeu, he didn’t quite match the trio’s midfield wizardry.
This got us thinking – what other Real Madrid greats have been overlooked or underrated over the years? The answer, of course, is many. As wechat with the football gods to bring you more insights and debates, make sure to follow us on all social media platforms for the latest updates and discussions!
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Real Madrid, Toni Kroos, Zinedine Zidane, Football