Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game. Starring most notably for Real Madrid and France, he won it all – from World Cups to Champions Leagues, as well as the 1998 Ballon d'Or.
He was known for being a particularly intelligent footballer, and that is backed up by his success as a manager after hanging up his boots in 2006. With that in mind, when the Frenchman speaks, it would be wise to listen.
However, when he offered some words of wisdom about English football way back in 2002, he was seemingly ignored.
Zidane Urged Three Lions to Play McManaman
"If England do not pick him, it would be a terrible waste"
Steve McManaman joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in 1999 and made an instant impact in his debut season, scoring an iconic volley as Los Blancos won the Champions League final against Valencia.
During his time in the Spanish capital, he would win another European trophy, La Liga twice as well as the UEFA Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana once each. Evidentally having made a huge impression on Zidane, the Frenchman spoke with great fondness for McManaman.
As quoted in Sky Sports, he urged England to lean into the qualities of his Real Madrid teammate, instead of simply viewing him as a squad player. In 2002, Zidane said: "I was surprised when McManaman was left out of the last England squad. I couldn't believe they would ignore a player of his quality.
"Now people are talking about the fact that maybe he will get his chance because David Beckham is injured. But McManaman is far better than just being a replacement for Beckham. McManaman should be in the starting line-up anyway.
"Picking him now would be a very smart move for [Sven-Goran] Eriksson because McManaman is in the mood to start proving people wrong. If Eriksson gave him the chance he deserves, he could prove to all the people and to Eriksson he should have been there all along.
"I don't think he has really ever had a proper chance under Eriksson but he has proved over the years, for Liverpool, England and Real Madrid, that he is a leading player. If England do not pick him, it would be a terrible waste, both for the side and for McManaman. If they don't take him to the World Cup, they'll regret it."
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McManaman Snubbed for 2002 World Cup
Never played for England again
England's Steve McManaman lays on the pitch with a damaged knee during their Group A European Championship match against Portugal
As it happened, England and Sven-Goran Eriksson opted to snub McManaman for the 2002 World Cup. What's more, they probably did miss his quality as they made it to the quarter-finals, but lacked the attacking firepower to beat Brazil, losing 2-1 despite taking a lead in the game.
Steve McManaman England Stats
Games
Goals
Assists
Debut
Final game
Not only was McManaman left out of the England squad for that summer tournament, but he actually never played for the Three Lions again after Zidane's praise. His last ever international game came as a substitute against Greece, in which fellow Galactico David Beckham bagged his famous freekick to secure Englan'ds qualification into the 2002 World Cup.
He actually received a message from Eriksson on his mobile phone informing him of his snub. Speaking about it later to BBC 5 Live, McManaman explained: "A lot of the reasons that are bandied about are ridiculous.
"I was involved in the last qualifying game against Greece and everyone was happy. People make their own assumptions but it's very confusing. When it was announced I wasn't picked I wasn't cross as I was half expecting it."
As of one the finest British footballers to ever play overseas, McManaman's know-how and experience perhaps could have helped the Three Lions achieve more than they did in the era.
Stats via Transfermarkt