Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Gabriel Batistuta: Greatest-ever top-ten list from 1998 Fifa World Player of the Year award as Cristiano Ronaldo set to win Ballon d’Or
Ahead of European football's main award ceremony for 2017, we take a look back at incredible array of talent 19 years ago
CRISTIANO RONALDO is set to equal Lionel Messi’s all-time record of five Ballon d’Or awards.
The pair have had a stronghold on the gong as the honour’s only recipients since 2008.
However, it was a different story throughout the 1990s.
There were ten separate winners of the Ballon d’Or — and nine claimants of the Fifa World Player of the Year award.
And we believe this is the best top ten list of all-time.
Here are the best players in the world in 1998 according to Fifa. And what a list!
10. Lilian Thuram, Parma and France
One of the greatest right-backs of his generation, who saved his goals for the truly big occasions.
Thuram was determined to ensured hosts France made the World Cup final— and netted the only two goals of his international career to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Croatia in the semi-finals.
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He was an ever-present en route to glory, while shining under Carlo Ancelotti at Parma — and would become the world’s most expensive defender when he joined Juventus in 2001.
9. Marcel Desailly, AC Milan/Chelsea and France
A star for France as they won their first-ever World Cup.
Desailly had become a Milan great and was a massive coup for Chelsea, when they signed him in the summer of 1998.
He kept up his staggering levels to become one of the Premier League’s greatest defenders.
8. Edgar Davids, Juventus and Holland
A midfield stalwart for club and country.
Juventus reached a third-consecutive Champions League final, and Davids was an integral part.
While, with Holland, the dreadlocked-midfielder finished fourth at the World Cup, after losing on penalties against Brazil in the semi-finals.
7. Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal and Holland
Dutch master was double Player of the Year in England, as he helped the Gunners win the Premier League and FA Cup.
Bergkamp scored three stunning goals in an unbelievable draw at Leicester, but saved his best moment for that summer’s World Cup.
With the quarter-final against Argentina heading for extra-time, he controlled a long Frank De Boer ball in a way only he could which set up him for a delicate stab past the stricken goalkeeper.
6. Rivaldo, Barcelona and Brazil
It was a year too soon for the talismanic Brazilian, who would win this award a year later.
Rivaldo was the star of a Barcelona side which won back-to-back La Liga titles under Louis van Gaal.
While, at international level, he scored three goals en route to the World Cup final.
5. Gabriel Batistuta, Fiorentina and Argentina
One of the best strikers in the world whose 21 goals helped Fiorentina to a fifth-place finish in Serie A.
That summer, he became the first player to score hat-tricks in two World Cups.
And Batistuta’s sensational start to the 1998-99 season saw La Viola launch a genuine title charge.
4. Michael Owen, Liverpool and England
The Boy Wonder’s breakthrough year.
Owen rose from unheard of 12 months earlier to global star with a sensational solo goal as England drew 2-2 with Argentina in France.
At just 18, he had the world at his feet, and would win the Ballon d’Or three years later.
3. Davor Suker, Real Madrid and Croatia
A Champions League medal and a World Cup Golden Boot after leading unfancied Croatia to third place in their first-ever tournament would guarantee top spot in most seasons.
But not in 1998.
Suker had the year of his life for club and country, but could only finish in third place.
2. Ronaldo, Inter Milan and Brazil
The two-time world’s most expensive player would have been a certainty had it not been for one under par 90 minutes.
Ronaldo scored 25 goals in his first season in Serie A, and added another five as Brazil reached the World Cup final.
However, a reported seizure on the day of the showpiece meant the legendary No.9 was simply not at it and the Samba stars lost 3-0.
1. Zinedine Zidane, Juventus and France
It was his two goals which saw the hosts crowned world champions for the first time in their history.
Zidane’s brace came from two headers and France blew Brazil away in Paris — in a straight shoot-out with Ronaldo for that year’s individual awards.
At club level, he helped Juventus win Serie A and reach the Champions League final.