I always get people saying he is nothing compared to Messi, let me tell you something, the best defender in the world today is probably Godin or Silva, possibly Kompany. Zidane was gliding past players such as Cannavaro, Thuram, Nesta, Puyol and so on who are far superior defenders compared to todays bunch of players. Messi wasn't even the best in his early days being overshadowed by Xavi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho for example, Zidane was still considered the best real Madrid player even with Casillas, Raul and Ronaldo in the side.