'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwT/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAJHPSo//xAAeEAABBAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEEQAFBhYxcv/aAAgBAQABPwDlW5k6WJHXAQwh5kNtF4oJWoEih7QTQqs7XuT7Pfv7Of/EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMx/9oACAECAQE/ALlhcP/EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAEDAQE/AK//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane once labeled a unique accomplishment as the "best thing ever" in their footballing careers. Messi and Zidane are considered two of the greatest players in their respective generations and have spent their careers playing at the highest level for the best clubs in Europe.
In November 2023, the two sat down to discuss their illustrious careers in a special meeting organized by Adidas. They were asked to choose between scoring in the World Cup final or the Champions League final. Both Messi and Zidane picked the former as football's greatest accomplishment.
"It is always special to score both in European competitions as well as in the World Cup, but obviously, scoring in a World Cup is always more special due to the context, for what it means. But, well, it depends on the match. Maybe it's your moment to score a goal in the Champions League final," Messi told Zidane.
Trending
The Frenchman interjected saying:
"I can also answer that for you, Leo, because you have done that recently with Argentina, in the final."
In response, Messi described the moment when he scored in the 2022 World Cup final for Argentina.
"That one, obviously. That goal was the best... Yes, scoring a goal in the World Cup final I think is the best thing ever, right? Both of us can say that."
That's right. There is nothing," agreed Zidane.
Both Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane have scored for their respective countries in the FIFA World Cup final. The Argentine maestro scored twice against France in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final, helping them win their first World Cup since 1986. He also scored in two Champions League final wins for Barcelona - in 2008/09 and 2010/11, both against Manchester United.
Zinedine Zidane scored twice in the FIFA World Cup 1998 final as Les Bleus beat Brazil 3-0. In the Champions League 2002 final, the Frenchman netted one of the most iconic goals, firing home an inch-perfect volley to help Real Madrid defeat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.
"You were three seconds ahead of the rest" - Zinedine Zidane on Lionel Messi
In the special interview organized by Adidas, Zinedine Zidane lavished praise on Lionel Messi, claiming that the Argentine was doing things never seen on a football pitch before.
"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," Zidane explained.
The pair have faced each other just once in their playing careers. A young Lionel Messi shared the pitch with Zinedine Zidane during a 2005-06 El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Catalan giants won the match 3-0 with Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o scoring the goals.
