The Top 10 Players Of France 98

Jonathan Wilson looks at the legends who lit up the World Cup in France.

10 - 9 8 - 7 6 - 5 4 - 3 2 - 1

10. ZINEDINE ZIDANE, France

His two goals in the final, both headed from corners, have led to the impression this was Zidane’s tournament, but although he was good, he was far, far better at Euro 2000.
Here, his corner set up Christophe Dugarry in France’s opener against South Africa, and he then spun brilliantly out of a challenge and flicked a pass out for Bixente Lizarazu to set up Thierry Henry’s opener against Saudi Arabia. A red card for a stamp on Fuad Amin rather soured that match, though, and he was subdued in both quarter-final and semi before bursting back to life against Brazil.

9. DUNGA, Brazil

It's not fashionable to praise Dunga – for who watches football for diligence and intelligence rather than flamboyance? – but his impact was again immense. This was not his tournament in the way 1994 had been, but he was still vital to Brazil’s well-being, particularly in the semi-final against the Dutch as all about him seemed to be losing their heads.
And for those who claimed he couldn’t actually kick a ball, he yet again kept his nerve to score a penalty in a high-pressure shoot-out. A self-sacrificing player and a first-class captain who, frankly, deserves a little more respect.