Ex-Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek makes bold choice when asked to rank Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane and Diego Maradona
Former Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek was recently asked to rank Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, and Diego Maradona. The English central midfielder is currently playing for AC Milan after joining the Serie A club in 2023.
When asked to choose between the Argentine legends and the French icon in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Loftus-Cheek ranked Maradona third, awarding him bronze. He named Messi for the silver and awarded the gold to Zidane.
Diego Maradona, who played for Argentina for 17 years since he made his debut in 1977, recorded 32 goals and 26 assists in 84 appearances. Lionel Messi, who is currently La Albiceleste captain, has netted 109 goals and provided 58 assists in 187 matches for his nation.
Zinedine Zidane, who played for the France senior national team from 1994 to 2006, has recorded 31 goals and 30 assists in 108 appearances for Les Bleus.
When asked about his opinion on the most legendary 'number tens' in recent Serie A history in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ruben Loftus-Cheek put former Juventus star Alessandro del Piero on third, former Roma icon Francesco Totti on second, and former AC Milan's Roberto Baggio on first.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is set for AC Milan's last pre-season friendly clash against Barcelona on Tuesday, August 6, at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Zinedine Zidane on not getting a chance to play alongside Lionel Messi
Zinedine Zidane spoke up about not getting an opportunity to play with Lionel Messi, referring to the situation as a shame In a special 'When Zinedine Zidane met Lionel Messi' by Adidas in November 2023, the French legend said:
"It's a shame not to have been able to play with you."
Messi felt the same about not getting a chance to play with Zidane. The Argentine recalled playing against the Real Madrid legend and also when he was a manager, and said (via AS):
"I admire you very much. We didn't have the fortune to play together, we only faced each other a little and then later as a coach. Always with respect and admiration for everything you did and continue to do."
Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane have been pitted against each other only once in a 2005-06 El Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu. Barcelona bagged a 3-0 win with a brace from Ronaldinho and the opener from Samuel Eto'o.