After Sir Alex Ferguson unexpectedly asserted that the former captain of Liverpool was never a “top, top player” during his career, Zinedine Zidane immediately defended Steven Gerrard. Gerrard excelled for the Reds after rising through the ranks at Anfield. He rose to the position of captain and is today considered to be among the club’s finest players, if not *the* greatest.
Few, if any, Liverpool players from the past or present are as adored by the Anfield supporters as Gerrard. In 2005, he led the squad to Champions League glory and ignited the spark that allowed the Reds to win the European Cup after falling down 3-0 against AC Milan. During his tenure on Merseyside, he also won numerous FA Cups and League Cups. His goal in the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham United will go down as one of the finest goals in English football history.
Zinedine Zidane supported Steven Gerrard right away after Sir Alex Ferguson made the shocking claim that the former Liverpool captain was never a “top, top player” during his career. After advancing through the ranks at Anfield, Gerrard performed admirably for the Reds. He eventually became captain and is now regarded as one of the team’s best players, if not *the* best.
Gerrard is more beloved by the Anfield crowd than most Liverpool players, both current and former. He guided the team to Champions League success in 2005 and sparked the comeback that helped the Reds defeat AC Milan 3-0 and win the European Cup. He also won multiple FA Cups and League Cups while he was on Merseyside. His goal against West Ham United in the 2006 FA Cup final will be remembered as one of the best goals in English football history.
Zidane Called Gerrard ‘One of the Best Players in the World’
He also labelled Ferguson’s comments as ‘strange’
Zidane was one of the most impressive players of his career. On the football ground, the former Real Madrid player was the epitome of style. He dominated games like no other, and few players were able to defeat him. The Frenchman is one of the best experts on special midfielders, and he quickly refuted Ferguson’s assertion that Gerrard was never a great player.
When the former Liverpool player was at the top of his game, Zidane, who later became a very successful manager in his own right, believed he was among the finest in the world. Even though the legendary football player had only faced Gerrard once and lost that match, he was unable to comprehend Ferguson’s motivations behind his provocative remarks. Zidane stated at the time, according to The Mirror:
“Steven Gerrard was the world’s top midfield midfielder for two or three years. Although Gerrard has remained faithful to Liverpool throughout his career, which is fantastic for them, any elite team in Europe would have done the same if he had decided to go four or five years ago.
“Alex Ferguson is undoubtedly among the most prosperous coaches in the history of the game. However, I thought his remarks against Steven Gerrard were really odd.
“To say he is not a top player is wrong.”
Zidane made a solid remark. It’s clear that he thought the Englishman was excellent. But Ferguson was not in agreement.
Premier League statistics for Steven Gerrard
Looks
504
Objectives
120
Helps
92
Gains
255
Losses
119
Awards for Player of the Month
6.
Ferguson’s Original Comments About Gerrard
The Scot spoke about him in his book
Ferguson’s book, Alex Ferguson: My Biography, was published in 2013. The book offered some insight into the career and psyche of the greatest football manager in history, along with a number of eye-opening stories. His feud with Jaap Stam, which resulted in the defender’s departure from Manchester United, was one of the intriguing stories.
Ferguson also discussed Gerrard in the book, and he wasn’t exactly flattering of the current Al-Ettifaq manager. Fergie wrote the following in reference to the Premier League legend:
“I’m one of the few who felt Gerrard was not a top, top player.”
It’s difficult to disagree with many of Ferguson’s views given what he achieved in his managerial tenure. Zidane and most of the world cannot agree with this take, even if the man has seen and done it all in football.
