ARSENAL, Cazorla: "Zidane was the best I ever played against"

Santi Cazorla believes Zinedine Zidane is the best player he has ever faced - and says it was a pleasure to test himself against the legendary Frenchman.

Arsenal’s new signing has come up against Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on numerous occasions in La Liga, and is an admirer of both.

However, the 27-year-old maintains that World Cup winner Zidane has the edge as the finest player he has seen over the course of his career.

“During your life you always have different players that you like. When I was a child, because my dad liked the ‘Dream Team’, I liked Michael Laudrup,” Cazorla told the Official Arsenal Magazine.

“But I have always said the best player I have played against, and the most elegant player, was Zinedine Zidane. There’s [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, but I still think being lucky enough to play against Zidane, and see him play, was amazing. He is still the best.

“He had it all as a player. He was elegant, he had quality, he was strong and he was tall. He looked like he was going to be clumsy because of his height but then you realised he was so skilful and gifted with the ball.

“I really enjoyed watching him play, it was a pleasure. I would highlight everything about him, because he had everything to be the best player.”