Zidane’s Response to Ferguson Saying Gerrard Wasn’t a ‘Top, Top Player’

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Zinedine Zidane jumped to the defence of Steven Gerrard after Sir Alex Ferguson surprisingly claimed the former Liverpool captain was never a “top, top player” during his career.

Gerrard came through the ranks at Anfield and shone for the Reds.

He became captain and is now widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever players – if not *the* best.

There are few, if any, Liverpool players past or present who are as beloved as Gerrard is to the Anfield faithful.

He famously guided the team to Champions League glory in 2005, lighting the spark that saw the Reds come from 3-0 down against AC Milan to lift the European Cup.

He also won multiple FA Cups and League Cups during his time on Merseyside. His goal against West Ham United in the 2006 FA Cup final will always be remembered as one of English football’s greatest strikes.

Gerrard was compared to Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes throughout his career, two other English midfielders operating at the top of the Premier League.

There’s still a raging debate as to which of the trio was the best player. Many professionals, both old and new, have had their say and while many believe Gerrard was number one, Ferguson once claimed he was never a top player.

Zidane, arguably the greatest midfielder of all time, had something to say about that.

A deeper statistical dive into three of the greatest Premier League midfielders of all time to see who comes out on top.

Zidane Called Gerrard ‘One of the Best Players in the World’

He also labelled Ferguson’s comments as ‘strange’

During his career, there were few players quite as impressive as Zidane. The former Real Madrid man was elegance personified on the football pitch. Not many players got the better of him, and he dominated games like no other.

If anyone knows a thing or two about special midfielders, it’s the Frenchman – and he was quick to disagree with Ferguson after the manager claimed Gerrard was never a top player.

Zidane, who went on to become a hugely successful manager in his own right, thought the ex-Liverpool star was one of the best players in the world during his peak.

The football icon may have only played against Gerrard once and got the better of him on that day, but he couldn’t understand where Ferguson was coming from with his eyebrow-raising comments. Per The Mirror, Zidane said at the time:

“For two or three years, Steven Gerrard was the best midfield player in the world. Gerrard has been loyal to Liverpool throughout his career – which is great for them – but if he had wanted to leave four or five years ago, then every top club in Europe would have.

“Alex Ferguson is obviously one of the most successful coaches the game has ever had. But I did find his comments about Steven Gerrard very strange.

“To say he is not a top player is wrong.”

A firm statement from Zidane. It’s easy to see how highly he rated the Englishman. Ferguson wasn’t on the same page, though.Steven Gerrard’s Premier League stats

Appearances 504

Goals 120

Assists 92

Wins 255

Losses 119

Player of the Month Awards 6