While I am not going to compare him to Zidane I am surprised that how many have an almost mythical wonderment for Zidane.He was glorious no doubt but he was extremely inconsistent to the point that in the italian league for most of the times he was average/below average.
Iniesta - Is there another? | Announces retirement
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I think that Zidane's top level was still better than Iniesta at the moment, however it's not ridiculous to say that Iniesta may not be able to considered near him in years to come.
Zidane has the edge because during he's been able to score some absolute wonder goals and using so frequently and ruthlessly his roulette.Those flashy moments leave a mark in most people's brains.
They won't remember the inconsistency and the bad performances, one roulette,step-overs or volley and it's like a new beginning.Zidane had scored in his career some phenomenal goals that Iniesta hasn't
They won't remember the inconsistency and the bad performances, one roulette,step-overs or volley and it's like a new beginning.Zidane had scored in his career some phenomenal goals that Iniesta hasn't
Zidane was the master of snatching the big moment and headline all the time. That is what gives him the edge.
Iniesta's career isn't over yet but that goal in the world cup final and THAT goal vs Chelsea isn't bad to have as some of his 'moments' either. Then you look at his performance in the CL final against us, he didn't score but was incredible, despite carrying an injury.
Harsh to say he'll never be on the same level as Zidane.
Harsh to say he'll never be on the same level as Zidane.
So has Iniesta done so far, no?
WC Final, 2009 CL final.
Surely these are some phenomenal performances he has given in the biggest of matches.
I can agree when someone mentioned above that Zidane's ceiling was higher ever so slightly even but if Iniesta can continue or even better this for the next 4-5 years he for me would have surpassed Zidane.
Compare that to scoring the 2 goals in a world cup final. That wonder goal to win his first Champions league title. What he did at world cup 2006, especially in that Brazil game as a retired pro. The 2 goals to snatch France a win out of nothing vs England at the Euro's. Zidane's headline stealing was unrivaled in the modern era of world football IMO.
He'd always raise himself for the big occasion to steal the main headline. Iniesta in comparison is usually the unsung hero. Save for his world cup final goal and the semi final goal vs Chelsea. In the champion's league final, Messi stole the headlines.
I've lost count of the number of times he has been literally the best player on the pitch for Barcelona and it has gone un noticed. It's like how Seedorf had been consistently fantastic at Milan yet others like Kaka always stole the headlines.
I would say in 2009 against you guys he was as good if not better than Messi and if he doesn't get the headlines isn't that because of Messi?
I bet Messi wouldn't let Zidane get the headlines also because he is just better but does that mean we cannot judge Zidane's performance separately?
Media perception plays a part but talking about them individually I feel Iniesta has done a lot at his age on the biggest of stages and I feel will keep on doing so, do remember he still has someway to go before he retires.
Zidane of course has also performed and for me right now I place him above Iniesta but again I repeat myself that if Iniesta can continue this then to me he would be better than Zidane.The difference is not that great in my eyes.
Iniesta is a more technical player than Zidane was. When Zidane's technique failed him, he could rely on his physical attributes and trickery however. Iniesta can't. He is pure technique. His close control and touch is even better than Messi's I'd say. I've never seen anyone dribble at high speed like that with the ball practically glued to his feet and ghosting past players without using any trickery like stepovers or bodyfaints (shoulder dropping like Messi for example) or pure strenght. He just walks past people because he can keep the ball so close to his feet at high speed. It looks kinda unspectacular compared to a roulette but a roulette is something even Puyol can pull off. It's a trick you can learn.
Having the close control of Iniesta is something you can't learn.
"Iniesta vs. Zidane" is a pointless comparison however. You couldn't get much better than Zidane. You can't get much better than Iniesta either. Both have their own strenghts and weaknesses. Zidane was more of a goal threat. Iniesta is more versatile, can play in DM, CM and on the wings and is more consistent. Zidane was a hothead at times, getting sent off in 2 World Cups whereas Iniesta is the nicest person on the planet. Iniesta is a bit unlucky to play alongside Messi though, the greatest of all time.
Iniesta remains the most skilful player I've ever seen nevertheless:
Having the close control of Iniesta is something you can't learn.
"Iniesta vs. Zidane" is a pointless comparison however. You couldn't get much better than Zidane. You can't get much better than Iniesta either. Both have their own strenghts and weaknesses. Zidane was more of a goal threat. Iniesta is more versatile, can play in DM, CM and on the wings and is more consistent. Zidane was a hothead at times, getting sent off in 2 World Cups whereas Iniesta is the nicest person on the planet. Iniesta is a bit unlucky to play alongside Messi though, the greatest of all time.
Iniesta remains the most skilful player I've ever seen nevertheless:The best bit of that Puyol video is the way Messi drops his shoulder and leaves that defender for dead.
Remember Kaka doing it in 2007 CL final and then Alonso copying him.
Good point.
Depends what this 'edge' is though, really. If you mean in the eyes of public or in terms of anything to do with people's perception of players, then maybe so.
Still, that's not a valid case for Zidane over Iniesta when it comes to ability and actual performance. Performing in the big games is important when it comes to rating a player, but people's perception of a player in terms of them being 'headline' players is irrelevant. Iniesta's consistency is something Zidane has never achieved, and he's one of the vital players in one of the greatest teams of all time. This is obviously not to forget that Iniesta is no stranger to big game performances also.
For me, Iniesta is a better dribbler, a better passer and a better retainer of the football, although Zidane also has certain attributes that are comparatively superior. Zidane was an amazing player but, as others have said on here, the way people talk about him, you'd think he was dominating game in game out on a consistent basis.
There's not much in it when they're both at their best, but I think arguing for Zidane as the better player of the two is difficult.
Iniesta has probably scored that core of players two most important goals in that dynasty.....being the WC winner and CL goal vs Chelsea.....
Yeah he comes up big, and he's injured more than Zidane was. One of my favourite players, not just for his football though, love his off field demeanour, classy guy.
Yeah he comes up big, and he's injured more than Zidane was. One of my favourite players, not just for his football though, love his off field demeanour, classy guy.
Much of that is bollocks unsurprisingly.
Iniestas no unsung hero, hes been getting high praise around the world for a few years now.
The guys top class and always delivers in the big games. Much like Zidane he didnt have an earth shattering game in the WC final but did nab the winner. He was probably the best player on the pitch in Rome 2009 too.
He was excellent for Juventus. Sure you could argue he was inconsistent for Real at times, but still world class.
No matter how well Iniesta plays he is never going to be considered better because older players are always better no matter what eh?
Yes. It's always been like that with pretty much everything - music, cars, movies. The past is always better.
Yep.
Or it could just be down to the fact, that at their very best, Zidane was simply a more talented player and that's what will be remembered. Zidane was also easier to watch, not saying Iniesta is not brilliant to watch, of course he is but Zidane made the game look effortless, whereas Iniesta is more industrious.
Zidane could lose a marker in an instant and ghost past 3-4 players without barely moving. He'd drop his shoulder and waltz past you before you even knew where the ball was. Iniesta, of course is capable of all that but Zidane was the master and IMO did it with more grace. Somebody said it before, but there's nothing better than watching a lazy genious.
Zidane also had more to his game set-piece wise and shooting from long range, I'd say his passing was better too but not by much.
Zidane vs Iniesta is up for debate and most saying Zidane won't be wrong Problem with Iniesta is that he won't garner as much attention as Zidane.But I would have him in my team instead.
And I was just pointing out that older players are always "considered" to be better.
ther'es no contest zidane in his prime was only edged by Ronaldo 9, Iniesta has some of the best players in the world next to him in spain and Barca, Zidane sometimes had to do it all himself (e.g. against Leverkusen)
Your Having a laugh if u are trying to compare iniesta to Zidane.
Yeah, some will be remembered a little to fondly, granted. However, I don't think Zidane comes into that category.
The standard of the game is higher these days, with your 2nd and 3rd tier players being a lot more accomplished than their counterparts from days gone by, so some Players stood out a lot more in their day, than they would today.
Again though, modern legends like Zidane, Ronaldo Lima etc. and obvioulsy the true greats would walk into any team these days and be the best player and yes, I'm including C.Ronaldo and Mess in this part.
"All by himself" like in being surrounded by the best French generation of players since Platini, Giresse and Tigana on international level and Perez' Galactico project (Ronaldo, Raul, Figo, Guti, Mekelele, Carlos, Hierro) on club level? I see.
Funny how people remember that volley strike against Leverkusen but not that Real Madrid was actually getting outplayed throughout the 90 minutes and Leverkusen deserved the win. Funny how Iniesta dominated one of Fergies greatest Manchester United sides that won the CL the year before and had the first Ballon d'Or winner since George Best playing upfront for them and that with half a leg and 2 defenders being suspended (Abidal, Alves) and 20 year old Busquets in his debut season supporting him in midfield.
Funny how the guy above me says that Ronaldo 9 would be the best player in Barcelona if he played today, including Messi, but at the same time Iniesta comes second to Zidane because Iniesta is surrounded by ... players like Messi, while Zidane was surrounded by Ronaldo 9. *badum tish*
Funny how people remember that volley strike against Leverkusen but not that Real Madrid was actually getting outplayed throughout the 90 minutes and Leverkusen deserved the win. Funny how Iniesta dominated one of Fergies greatest Manchester United sides that won the CL the year before and had the first Ballon d'Or winner since George Best playing upfront for them and that with half a leg and 2 defenders being suspended (Abidal, Alves) and 20 year old Busquets in his debut season supporting him in midfield.
SAF said:
Iniesta said:
Funny how the guy above me says that Ronaldo 9 would be the best player in Barcelona if he played today, including Messi, but at the same time Iniesta comes second to Zidane because Iniesta is surrounded by ... players like Messi, while Zidane was surrounded by Ronaldo 9. *badum tish*
He was excellent for Juventus. Sure you could argue he was inconsistent for Real at times, but still world class.
He was inconsistently brilliant for Juventus or at least that is how i remember it.
That is exactly what I mean. Zidane has more head line grabbing moments.
Zidane never needed Iniesta's outstanding consistency. Because he consistently grabbed the headlines at the biggest stage. The embodiment of a big game/moment player.
Consistency wise, natural flair wise and all round wise Iniesta is streets ahead of Zizou. But Zizou's headline grabbing is unrivaled. A thing he used to do on purpose I believe. That is why he simply has to be placed ahead of Iniesta. Consistent headline grabbing is a mark of legends strictly.
You clearly haven't a clue about anything..... Why do you open your brains to pour out filth before you grasp what a person is saying?
Let me make is simple for you. 2009 champions league final. Ineista was by fair the best player on pitch. Messi got all the headlines.
I hope you get it this time...
Context matters. It's easier to be consistent for Manchester United and BArcelona, two of the most successful and consistent clubs over the last few decades. Harder to be consistent for the galacticos who, as it happens when you bunch great players together, can be brilliant and laughable in equal measure. He'd have that consistent in a consistent team like Barcelona. I mean, can anyone see Zidane struggling for consistency in that set up? He'd do better than Iniesta. He was a more influential and inspirational player.
I'd agree with a lot of what you're saying here. Iniesta is a magnificent player who when he retires, will be able to be compared with Zidane no doubt, but what makes me prefer Zidane is that his top level was just a level above Iniesta. Like you say, he just had the ability to make the game look effortless at times.
Sure, he may have had consistency problems, but some people here are exaggerrating them to be honest. They were generally minor ones and he was a top player for most of his career. It wasn't to the level of a Ronaldinho type player for example, as Zidane didn't just hit his prime for a couple of years and then suddenly fade away.
This is just silly seeing as it's exactly what Iniesta does all the time and constantly gets praised for.
Iniesta is still only 28 amol, this is when most midfielders start to actually peak, and look at how good he's been already. To say it's easier to perform in that Barca team is harsh seeing as he IS one of the main reasons that Barca team are so good. I actually think they look worse for wear (usually) when Iniesta is not in the team as opposed to Messi. Same with Spain to an even larger degree.
I don't think it's fair either to say ZIdane would do better than Iniesta in that team given just how ridiculously good Iniesta has been in that team. Let's not forget how good the Juve team was that Zidane was in, probably when he was actually at his most consistent but still not overly so. Zidane was actually at his most consistent in France's dominant era but even then he was surrounded by ridiculous talent, I'd say that French team was every bit as good as this Spain team is.
People can argue that Zidanes top level is higher (disagree) but surely it's about how often you show your top level too, and that's something Iniesta has done far more up to now than Zidane did up to 28. I won't say he's the better of the 2 yet, not until we see what he's like at 33/34 anyway, but it's a bit daft to dismiss that when he's not even hit his best years yet.
I think I'm always impressed with Iniesta's strength too, just seems to shield the ball well and doesn't get pushed around.
How on earth is Iniesta a more 'industrious' player than Zidane..what bollocks. Iniesta is arguably the smoothest player out there today. Watch enough of the player in question before throwing about statements that they're 'industrious'.
Some of the recent comments here are bewildering. I don't remember Zidane toying with the best team in the world the way Iniesta did aged 23/24. Iniesta has done far more than Zidane dreamed of when he was 27.
He's a special special player, against Italy the other day with about 7 world class midfielders on show even a casual football fan could tell he looked a level above every single one of them.
He'll never be as good as Zidane? give me a fecking break. If he continues in this path he will easily be remembered as a better player. Hell, there are arguments for him being a better bloody player already!
He's a special special player, against Italy the other day with about 7 world class midfielders on show even a casual football fan could tell he looked a level above every single one of them.
He'll never be as good as Zidane? give me a fecking break. If he continues in this path he will easily be remembered as a better player. Hell, there are arguments for him being a better bloody player already!
Why do you open your brains to pour out filth before you grasp what a person is saying?
Let me make is simple for you. 2009 champions league final. Ineista was by fair the best player on pitch. Messi got all the headlines.
I hope you get it this time...
instead of trying to talk about football you should stick to quoting others with 'Correct' and 'Wrong'
you are just lost reallyinstead of trying to talk about football you should stick to quoting others with 'Correct' and 'Wrong'
If Spain do go on to win another European Championship or World Cup, with him being a key player and knowing his penchant for hugely important contributions, to think it's completely unfathomable that he could go down as a better player than Zidane is a bit silly, IMO. He's without question one of Spain's three most influential players, I'd say he's definitely top two, and if he helps them go on to dominate the international stage in a way that not even the great Brazil team(s) did, then of course he'll have a claim as being one of the best midfielders to play the game just like Zidane. I don't think he will be considered better in the end but it's wrong to completely rule it out, IMO.
He was a genius, he is a great...there's no denying this. Part of me thought that the legend of Zidane had become so big because a) he finished his career on such a high note, headbutting aside b) he's one of the few recent greats, so many people of the recent generation feel like he's their great and thus hype him up even more and c) he had so many highlight career moments in the bigger games, and so many lower points in the smaller ones that much fewer watched. So yeah, I actually agree with the chief that Zidane will probably be remembered more fondly simply because of those highlight moments that he specialised in.
When France won the World Cup in '98 it was Zizou who won it for them, that's the lasting memory, while when Spain won in 2010 it was because they assembled one of the greatest international sides of all-time, not because Iniesta won it for them. Despite Thuram winning their player of the tournament, it's still seen as one of the defining moments of Zidane's career. Iniesta just seen as someone who played his part in a great team. I'd argue Iniesta was roughly as good in 2010 as Zidane was in 1998.
He was a genius, he is a great...there's no denying this. Part of me thought that the legend of Zidane had become so big because a) he finished his career on such a high note, headbutting aside b) he's one of the few recent greats, so many people of the recent generation feel like he's their great and thus hype him up even more and c) he had so many highlight career moments in the bigger games, and so many lower points in the smaller ones that much fewer watched. So yeah, I actually agree with the chief that Zidane will probably be remembered more fondly simply because of those highlight moments that he specialised in.
When France won the World Cup in '98 it was Zizou who won it for them, that's the lasting memory, while when Spain won in 2010 it was because they assembled one of the greatest international sides of all-time, not because Iniesta won it for them. Despite Thuram winning their player of the tournament, it's still seen as one of the defining moments of Zidane's career. Iniesta just seen as someone who played his part in a great team. I'd argue Iniesta was roughly as good in 2010 as Zidane was in 1998.