Player Duels: Zinedine Zidane Vs Michel Platini

Player Duels is back again! This is the seventh instalment of this series in which I compare two players and ask all readers to leave a comment and vote who you think was the better player.

You can find links to the others at the bottom of this page, where voting is still open.

Today's duel sees two of the greatest midfielders of all time go head to head, and France'a two best players ever: Zinedine Zidane v Michel Platini.

Both could do anything on a football pitch. Be that produce a 70 yard pass, a 35 yard shot, a magical free-kick or a piece of jaw-dropping skill. Platini put France as a major force in world football, Zidane restored that and picked up where Platini left off.

Zinedine Zidane

Quite simply, a genius. One of the most elegant and skillful players to have ever played the game, "Zizou" could literally do anything. He remains the most expensive player of all time when he moved to Real Madrid in 2001.

His greatest moment, however, came in 1998 when, in the World Cup final in France, he scored two headers in a 3-1 win over Brazil, giving France their first ever World Cup. However, perhaps his lowest moment came in another World Cup final when, in his very last action in professional football, he headbutted Marco Materazzi and received a red card.

His overall career statistics are 144 goals in 731 appearances. He played for four clubs in his career—Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid.

He also won 108 France caps, scoring 31 goals. He is one of only two players to have won the World Footballer of the Year award three times.

Michel Platini

Another elegant and skillful player, and another genius on the pitch, Platini was an expert at free-kicks, and was a deadly finisher. He almost single-handedly raised France to a major international footballing force.

His highest point was the 1984 European Championships where he dominated. He was named top scorer, best player, and France won their first major trophy. Platini is a three time Ballon d'Or winner, only one of three to have achieved that feat.

His overall career stas are 312 goals in 580 games, over a career including three clubs—Nancy, St. Etienne and Juventus. For France he appeared 72 times, scoring 41 goals.

So, ladies and gentlemen, who is your pick? Zinedine Zidane or Michel Platini? Remember anyone can vote, just leave a comment saying who you have picked.

Click here to see more duels by this author.