Zinedine Zidane revealed his all-time Premier League XI, notably excluding some major stars from his lineup.

Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has selected his all-time greatest Premier League XI, a lineup that is sure to spark debate among fans.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history, Zidane enjoyed a glittering career, winning multiple trophies and a Ballon d’Or. However, despite his illustrious achievements, the French maestro never graced the Premier League, spending his prime years at Juventus and Real Madrid.

Even so, Zidane has always admired English football’s top flight and, in a 2016 interview with Shortlist via The Mirror, he revealed his ultimate Premier League XI. His choices highlight a particular fondness for Manchester United players.

In goal, Zidane chose Peter Schmeichel, crediting the Dane’s 128 Premier League clean sheets. The defense predominantly features Manchester United icons, with Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, and Jaap Stam forming three-quarters of the backline, joined by Ashley Cole as the sole non-United player in defense.

Zidane’s midfield includes two of his French compatriots, Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele, alongside Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard. Notably, Gerrard is the only Liverpool representative in the lineup.

For the attack, Zidane selected Cristiano Ronaldo, a player he coached at Real Madrid, and Thierry Henry, his former France teammate. Their combined Premier League records of 278 goals, 111 assists, three Golden Boots, and five league titles make their inclusion unsurprising.

Given Zidane’s history of facing Manchester United and Arsenal during his playing days, it’s not shocking that his lineup heavily features players from these clubs. His selection includes six Manchester United players, three Arsenal stars, and just one each from Chelsea and Liverpool.