Zinedine Zidane has every right to be considered the greatest midfielder football has ever seen. The France and Real Madrid legend was elegance personified at his absolute best, winning every major team honour available to him, as well as claiming the highly-prized Ballon d’Or in 1998.

His achievements for club and country have secured his place among football’s immortals, with the two-footed sensation leaving a lasting mark on the global game. Virtually every midfielder who ever crossed paths with him held him in huge esteem. Because of his standing in the sport, praise from Zidane carries enormous weight whenever he chooses to speak glowingly about another player.

That was exactly the case when Zidane described one of England’s finest talents as ‘the best in the world’ back in 2009. Making the compliment even more striking, two of football’s all-time greats – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – were already operating at an extraordinary level at that point.

Zinedine Zidane Believed England Star Was Better Than Messi & Ronaldo

Zidane was referring to Liverpool icon, Steven Gerrard. The all-action midfielder was outstanding as the Reds eliminated Zidane’s former side Real Madrid from the Champions League 5-0 on aggregate in 2009. Later that year, the French great hailed the England international as the best on the planet:

Ronaldo had won football’s biggest individual honour – the Ballon d’Or – the previous year, while Messi went on to collect the prize in 2009. The pair were just beginning a rivalry that would see them battle to be recognised as the greatest player ever for more than a decade, but Zidane still put Gerrard above them, adding:

Expanding on the qualities Gerrard brought to the club he grew up supporting, Zizou added: “He has great passing ability, can tackle and scores goals, but most importantly, he gives the players around him confidence and belief. You can’t learn that – players like him are just born with that presence.”

Gerrard’s Reaction to Zidane’s ‘Best in the World’ Praise

Years after Zidane first delivered that compliment, Gerrard was asked about it during an interview with Rio Ferdinand. When asked if he knew who had said those words about him, he immediately replied: “Zidane, because I’ve read that quote about a million times.

The admiration between the two iconic midfielders is obvious. There was even a possibility that they could have played together at Real Madrid, had Gerrard not remained fiercely loyal to Liverpool during a career that eventually saw him make more than 700 appearances in the famous red shirt.

WWE is considering scrapping an act that has been a major part of the company’s programming since last year, according to a new backstage report.

The relentless nature of the WWE schedule, including weekly episodes of both Raw and SmackDown, means that the creative team, led by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, must constantly try and come up with fresh ideas for the company’s Superstars.

One particular act has proved a struggle to write for in recent months, as injuries have taken their toll, leading to WWE frequently having to change its plans at short notice.

The Vision was formed the day after WrestleMania 41, when Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker officially teamed up with Paul Heyman. Shortly afterwards, Bronson Reed would be added to the mix,

Later additions to the stable would see both Logan Paul and Austin Theory brought in, with Hall of Famer Heyman overseeing everything they did. The group has been a major part of WWE Raw ever since it was formed, but that now appears to be coming to an end.

Top WWE Act Has Struggled Badly With Injuries For Months

The faction worked well, when everyone was healthy and available to perform. However, injuries have blighted the group ever since Seth Rollins hurt his shoulder at last year’s Crown Jewel Premium Live Event.

WWE has done its best to navigate various injuries, but at some point, each of Rollins, Breakker, Reed and Theory have been forced out of action during their time with the group.

When an injury-free Rollins returned to WWE in April of this year, he turned babyface and feuded with Breakker. However, their rivalry came to an end at Night Of Champions earlier this month when Seth defeated Bron in a Steel Cage match.

With Paul and Reed still recovering from injuries, Breakker and Theory are the only healthy members of The Vision who can wrestle matches currently.

Major WWE Act Has ‘Run Its Course’

A recent report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select has revealed that there is now a “split of opinion” whether the group should continue. However, even those that want The Vision to survive acknowledge the need for change, with tweaks needed to the line-up of the group.

Others, though, want the group to disband, arguing that the faction has “run its course” and now it’s about letting “the pieces fall where they may.”

Regardless of the decision made, the report makes it clear that Heyman is expected to remain alongside Breakker, as he is seen as an integral part of his presentation going forward.

The biggest hint yet that WWE is ready to scrap The Vision came on the most recent edition of Raw, when Theory approached Heyman backstage and claimed he had not been returning his calls. Unless the company has a major change of heart, it seems the current version of the stable will shortly be coming to an end.

Manchester United and Liverpool have joined Nottingham Forest in the race for one of Europe’s most highly-regarded midfielders.

Michael Carrick has already been handed one new midfielder in the form of Ederson. The Brazilian will officially join the club after the World Cup, becoming Carrick’s first summer signing.

United were keen on Mateus Fernandes but refused to match Tottenham Hotspur’s £85m bid for the Portuguese star. He has joined the Lilywhites from West Ham United, leaving INEOS to explore alternatives.

Man Utd and Liverpool eyeing Thuram

One of them could be Juventus’ Khephren Thuram, who has emerged as a target for both United and Liverpool. A report from Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) claims that the Old Lady are considering selling the Frenchman.

Forest are also in the mix and reportedly made a “firm approach” for Thuram. All three clubs are said to have expressed their interest in the 25-year-old who has three years left on his contract.

Juve are holding out for around €40-50m for the midfielder, who is the latest name to be linked with Old Trafford. He was a mainstay in the Italians’ midfield last season, featuring 45 times across competitions, registering four goals and five assists.

United and Liverpool can offer the four-cap France international UEFA Champions League football. That might prove an issue for Forest who aren’t participating in Europe next season.

Thuram shouldn’t be a priority for Carrick

via Reuters

Thuram’s box-to-box profile could be a real asset for Carrick, who has moved on from an ageing Casemiro. Replacing the Brazilian is the club’s priority but the Frenchman probably isn’t the solution.

Rather, United may view Thuram as a squad player who can add much-needed depth to Carrick’s squad. There had been much talk ahead of the transfer window about the club looking to sign three new midfielders and the third had been a rotational option.

Should the Red Devils make a concrete move for the Frenchman, they will surely do so, believing they can sign a marquee heir to Casemiro. They remain attentive to Aurelien Tchouameni’s situation at Real Madrid, although Fabrizio Romano claims that the Spaniards haven’t opened the door to a sale and his salary remains an issue.

Even if United do want to bring Thuram, hailed “extraordinary” to Old Trafford, they face competition from Liverpool and Forest. Andoni Iraola is building a squad in his image and might be keen on swooping for the Juve star.