Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThe play alongside one generational talent is something, but to be team-mates with two is stuff of dreams.But former France international Youri Djorkaeff was able to play alongside two modern-day legends for both club and country.With Les Bleus, Djorkaeff was able to forge a devastating partnership with Zinedine Zidane, but despite everything the pair achieved together, even Zizou does not match up to one of his club team-mates.Djorkaeff on Ronaldo vs ZidaneDjorkaeff and Zidane lined up together 49 times for France, during which time the team won successive international tournaments, as they followed up their historic 1998 World Cup victory on home soil with their European Championship two summers later.He believes that the pair of them were following on from a long French tradition of producing world-class midfield talents, with Zidanes emergence being the final ingredient that turned a talented squad into world champions. You may like Ronaldo and I clicked from the very first touch of the ball. I dont want to compare him against Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, but Il Fenomeno was the best Youri Djorkaeffs verdict on three modern-day legends Zinedine Zidane was supposed to take the corner in the World Cup final, not head it in. But I said, No, let me take this one, you stay in the box Youri Djorkaeff on his part in Frances 1998 World Cup final win I went into Brazils dressing room before the 1998 World Cup final to check Ronaldo was OK after his convulsions I told him, Dont leave me out there playing alone Youri Djorkaeff recalls the troubled build-up to the France vs Brazil final It was extremely easy playing next to Zidane, he tells FourFourTwo. France has always had a tradition of producing elite midfielders.I grew up watching the 1982 generation with Jean Tigana, and then 1986 with Platini and Luis Fernandez. Zidane was the missing piece the organiser the team needed.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Djorkaeff also believes that their partnership flourished because both players understood their respective roles.With his talent and vision, he was the link between the defence and frontline. I was more a final-third player I scored many goals from his assists, he scored quite a few from mine.Our connection was one of the most important partnerships of that era.But for all the success that Djorkaeff had playing alongside Zidane, he does not hesitate when asked to select between his international partner and his former club team-mate at Inter Milan, Ronaldo.Djorkaeff turned out alongside the Brazilian forward 53 times for Inter between 1997 and 1999 and insists that there is a clear winner when it comes to the debate over which player was better.It may sound hard to believe, but the answer is simple: Ronaldo, he claims. He was the best in the world. Even if you ask Zidane, Im sure hed say the same.TOPICSFranceWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
