Zinedine Zidane Names His Three Favorite Players in World Football

Football legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed his three favorite players in the world right now, singling out Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal and Paris Saint-Germain duo João Neves and Vitinha as the talents who most excite him.

Speaking at the Festival dello Sport di Trento, the former Real Madrid player and coach praised Yamal despite the fierce rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, admitting the young Spaniard gives him “chills” whenever he’s on the ball.

“Beyond his position on the pitch, a player who gives me chills whenever he touches the ball is [Lamine Yamal],” Zidane said. “Against Inter Milan last season in the Champions League at San Siro, he did everything — on his own.”

Zidane also lauded PSG’s Portuguese midfielders, noting their composure and technical precision.

“I really like PSG’s two Portuguese midfielders, João Neves and Vitinha — they never lose the ball,” he added.

Yamal Continues to Earn Global Praise

Zidane joins a growing list of football icons praising Lamine Yamal, who was recently crowned the best player under 21 in the world for the second consecutive year.

Former teammate David Beckham also hailed the Barcelona prodigy earlier this year, suggesting Yamal could one day rival Lionel Messi’s greatness.

“You can’t compare anyone to Messi, but he’s the closest thing I’ve seen. Players like that come along once every 20 or 30 years,” Beckham said in May.

At the same event, Zlatan Ibrahimović said that if it were up to him, he would have awarded Yamal the Ballon d’Or, citing the youngster’s ability to “make a difference individually.”

Though Yamal ultimately finished second to Ousmane Dembélé for the Kopa Trophy, he made history as the first player ever to win the award twice in a row.

Zidane Hints at Return to Coaching

Beyond his admiration for rising stars, Zidane made waves at the festival by confirming that he plans to return to management soon — with his eyes set on the France national team job.

“I will surely return to coaching,” Zidane said. “I don’t know when, but I feel like I can do something with the national team. That’s what I’d like to do one day.”

Current France boss Didier Deschamps has already announced he will step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, potentially paving the way for Zidane to take over the reins of Les Bleus.

“In 2026 it will be over,” Deschamps told TF1 earlier this year. “I’ve done my time with the same passion and desire, but 2026 is the right time to stop.”

If Zidane does succeed Deschamps, it would mark a new chapter in the career of one of football’s most revered figures — a man now inspired by the next generation of global stars he once helped shape.