Legendary Soccer Icon: Zinedine Zidane's Impact on the Game

Bowing out of the game heartbreakingly with a red card during a World Cup final loss doesn't tell the story of the career Zidane had at the very top. Even in that game, he showed his brilliance with a panenka to put his side in the lead against Italy. Many regard the powerful and skilful midfielder as the best to have ever played the position and this list goes some way to proving that as the consensus. His top-ten finish on this list makes Zidane the greatest central midfielder to have stepped onto a football pitch. To also be the highest-ranked French player in history is an extremely impressive feat, ranking higher than the likes of Thierry Henry - who doesn't even make the list.

Team	Years	Appearances	Goals	Assists
Cannes	1989 - 1992	71	6	Unknown
Bordeaux	1992 - 1996	179	39	23
Juventus	1996 - 2001	212	31	50
Real Madrid	2001 - 2006	227	49	68
France	1994 - 2006	108	31	30