Zidane didn't have to compete with Messi and Ronaldo. If he did, he wouldn't have those awards. Not to mention the Ballon d'or was a separate award, which now it isn't.
As for the best European player in the last 50 years Uefa award, it was done in 2004, at the last stages of Zidane's career whilst Iniesta had broken through yet.
Even so, Iniesta has:
FIFA Ballon d'Or: 2nd place 2010, 4th Place 2011, 3rd Place 2012
I am watching football since middle of the 90's, and all I can say that the same story (with different names) is repeating all the time.
Till 1995, the best player EVER; the GOAT of everything was Maradona.
Nobody was close too him.
But then again, he played only 5-10 years before that, lol.
So, you see, the best player was the guy who was the best CLOSEST to that period of time.
Then, a young Il Phenomeno emerged, and suddenly, guess what:
= he was the best player who ever walked on Earth
Suddenly, after only 1 year in Barca, 99% of world's press were saying: Ronaldo is an alien, and he is better than Maradona.
He is the greatest player who has ever touched the ball.
Unfortunately, he got injured later and his career was in troubles.
But, the point is, every new and current player is always hyped by media as the best ever.
Then, Zidane came around 98-99-2000, and guess what, he was the best player who ever played.
He was equal or better than Maradona.
Then, in 2005-06, Ronaldinho's legend was born, and guess what? We had a new best player ever.
Nobody was ever played that "beautiful and efficient". Joga bonita was born.
Everyone forgot Zidane in a short period and Ronnie was the No1 for the whole world.
Then, young Messi emerged, and of course, he is the one and only, the Goat.
Ok, I agree that Messi is the best ever, but people are saying that CR7 is the best ever and imo, that is a total crap.
I watched as a kid both Brasilian Ronaldo, Zidane, Ronaldinho and CR7.
And even though current fans will say that this is the rankings of all time:
1. Messi
2. CR7
3. Maradona
4. Pele
5. Ronaldinho
6. Zidane
My ranking would be:
1. Messi
2. Ronaldo (Brasilian)
Then a lot of blank space....
3. then Ronaldinho
4. then Zidane
5. then CR7
Saying that CR7 is better than the "original" Ronaldo or Ronaldinho can say only a fan who never watched the original Ronaldo or Ronaldinho.
Anyway, my point is, I am not buying those stories: Iniesta had to fight with Messi and CR7.
He had to fight only with Messi. CR7 is a player like aa lot of other during years (he is NOT better than Rivaldo, Romario and other guys).
-- again, La liga is now a 2-horse-race, so this is why Ronaldo has better stats
-- if La liga would have been as crappy as today, crazy Brasilian Ronaldo would have scored 100 Goals in only one Season back then.
Cristina is nowhere near the original Ronaldo
Reading this, I just wondered, do you agree with me or not?
I think we both agree that Zidane will be perceived to be the greater player by the public. But that is a result of circumstances beyond the player's talent and performance.
It is hard to tell.
Times were different.
Zidane won titles in Seria A who was extremely strong back then.
With his NT team and in a tougher La liga.
Iniesta, he won titles "only" alongside Messi in much weaker La Liga.
Plus, he won titles with Spain, with Spain's best generation ever.
It is hard to tell.
I am a Barca fan, but I was slightly more impressed with Zidane.
I extremely hated him back then, because they were always winning against us in that Gaspart's period.
I don't know, maybe my pain from that era exaggerated Zidane's abilities :/
Anyway, for the end, (the original) Ronaldo in Barca:
-- if any player ever (in terms of talent) was close to Messi, it was Brasilian Ronaldo before horrible injuries, and not this currently hype players like CR7.
Don't believe the hype
(And lol, these goals are only from one Season, from a 20 year old boy, lol)
