“If I thought one second ahead, you were three seconds ahead” - When Zidane regretted not being able to play with Lionel Messi
France legend Zinedine Zidane has played with the best of his generation but has admitted that it was a shame he never got to play with Lionel Messi. The Frenchman claimed that he was awestruck by the Argentine's skills.
In a special 'When Zinedine Zidane met Lionel Messi' by Adidas in November 2023, the two legends of the game sat down to discuss their careers and other footballers.
Speaking about Messi, Zidane was quick to admit that he wished to have played on the same team as the Barcelona icon.
"It's a shame not to have been able to play with you," he said.
Messi swiftly replied with his admiration for the Frenchman and also regretted not playing with him. However, he recalled playing against the Real Madrid legend and also when he was a coach, saying (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 faced off just once on the pitch. The two met in a 2005-06 El Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu, which Barcelona won 3-0 thanks to a brace from Ronaldinho and the opener from Samuel Eto'o.
Zinedine Zidane heaped praise on Lionel Messi
Zinedine Zidane praised Lionel Messi in the Adidas video and stated that the Argentine was doing things never seen before. He added that the Inter Miami superstar was thinking three seconds ahead of everyone else.
"I may have seen things before the other players, but if I thought one second ahead, you were three seconds ahead of the rest. For all the people who like football, these kind of players are different. They exist but there are few of them, but like him there are none. Leo is an example for everyone, his life is family and football. Thinking about what he can do on the field makes people dream. When he is on the field the others have confidence. Before he gets the ball he already knows what he is going to do," he explained.
Lionel Messi won the Copa America on Sunday, July 14, as Argentina beat Colombia 1-0. But he got injured in the final. The extent of his ankle injury is unknown but Inter Miami will hope he returns to action soon.