Zinedine Zidane and 10 Others That Make My Team of the 1990s.

The 90s were one of the most eventful decades in the history of the World Cup. Three World Cups were held in this decade: Italy 1990 (won by West Germany), USA 1994 (won by Brazil) and France 1998 (won by France).

The club competitions were no less exciting, with the European Cup being renamed the UEFA Champions League.

The 90s showed a glimpse of a (hitherto unseen) more glamorous side of football. By 1998, it was the norm of footballers to have other sources of income (Roy Keane with Snickers and Diadora, Ruud Gullit had his own branch of underwear, etc.).

This was also the decade of wage inflation and the rapidly increasing transfer fees became commonplace. The transfer record was broken eight times, the most of any decade before or since.

This was also the decade that the nascent English Premier League became popular outside of England. In fact, those forward-thinking among the FA even proposed a model to the FA to make the Premier League produce more young English talent. Needless to say, this proposal was rejected.

Even in 1998, budding financiers pointed to the Income Gap between the Premier League and the Football League. Notwithstanding, it was clear that the rapidly expanding influence and power of the Premier League signalled a new era of dominance.

However, let it not be forgotten that the 1990s was a great decade in terms of football.

Louis Van Gaal's Ajax played some great football on the road to their fourth European Cup in 1995. Johan Cruyff's Barcelona also showed signs of being expedients of the Total Football strategy that their manager was so famous for. Brazil increased their lead in terms of World Cups won, now being two ahead of their nearest competitor. 

Goalkeeper of the 90s: Peter Schmeichel

The towering Dane won a lot in his tenure as a professional goalkeeper. He was tall and had unbelievable shot-stopping ability. He won Euro 1992 with Denmark (in the greatest moment in Danish football history), with his performances being key to their progression.

He was also solid for Manchester United during his tenure there at the 90s, culminating in their famous European Cup win in 1999 (see picture).

Left Back of the 90s: Paolo Maldini

The Italian has had an amazingly long career. However, it can be argued that "Mr.Milan" hit his peak in the 90s.

He had an amazing run for Italy in the World Cups in 1990 and 1994, making the All-Star team in both cases. He also played a key role in the two European Cup wins in 1990 and 1994.

Centre Back: Marcel Desailly

Marcel Desailly was a French legend. He played an integral role in the French World Cup win in 1998, as well as Milan's two European Cup wins in 1990 and 1994.

Centre Back: Franco Baresi

The Milan legend was an amazing sweeper, winning a European Cup for Milan in 1990, as well as playing an integral part in his country's third place finish at Italia 1990.

Right Back: Lillian Thuram

This right back was arguably the player of the tournament as France won the World Cup. He provided width for the French national team, which played a narrow midfield (Christian Karembeu, Didier Deschamps and Emmanuel Petit all played the holding role) in 1998.

Defensive Midfielder: Dunga

This defensive midfielder hardly fit the stereotype of Joga Bonito, playing a more modern game of diligence and reliability. He played in Brazil's World Cup champion 1994 side, and its 1998 squad that reached the final.

Central Midfielder: Paul Gascoigne

The Geordie genius dazzled all at Italia 1990 with his skill. He provided a previously lackluster England side with a spark of creativity. He was one of the players of the tournament in the World Cup 1990 and Euro 1996.

Central Midfielder: Matthias Sammer

The ginger-haired German was, in my opinion, the best player of the 1992 and 1996 European Championships. He was also great for Borussia Dortmund, leading them to an unlikely Champions League win in the 1996-97 season.

Attacking Midfield: Zinedine Zidane

Zidane was one of the most technically skilled No. 10s of all time. He inspired a France side to World Cup victory on home soil in 1998, and won the Champions League with Juventus in the same decade.

Strikers: Jurgen Klinsmann and Roberto Baggio

Klinsmann won UEFA Cups with both Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. He was also a member of the German national team, winning the World Cup in 1990 and the European Championships in 1996.

Baggio had great performances in all three World Cups of the decade: in 1990 (when he helped Italy reach the semifinal), in 1994 (when he was probably the player of the tournament), and in 1998 (when he took Italy to a quarterfinal loss vs. France).