Zinedine Zidane names little-known Croatian in his dream five-a-side team as Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed

Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed his ‘dream’ five-a-side team and it includes a player you have probably never heard of.

Zidane himself would be a likely pick for many when it comes to assembling composite teams made up of the best players ever. The Frenchman was known for his mixture of skill and physicality and is widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the game having won the World Cup and Euros with France, along with the Champions League with Real Madrid and La Liga and Serie A titles for added measure.

Since turning his hand to management, he has continued his trophy-winning success. In his two spells as Real Madrid manager, he won two La Liga titles as well as a record-breaking three consecutive Champions League crowns between 2016 and 2018.

The Frenchman is currently without a managerial role but has been persistently linked with a return to club football at Manchester United, where Erik ten Hag finds himself under pressure.

During his wait to return to the dugout, the Frenchman has made occasional media appearances, including his famous meeting with Lionel Messi.

And while speaking with SI Soccer last year on TikTok, he named his all-time five-a-side lineup.

Zidane was quick to name former France teammate Fabien Barthez as his goalkeeper. The pair were part of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning side.

In defence, he went for AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini, who Zidane previously named as one of his toughest-ever opponents.

Zidane then chose compatriot N’Golo Kante as one of his midfielders to add some steel to midfield before his most surprise selection.

Kante's midfield partner in Zidane's team is a little-known Croatian who many fans will not have heard of previously. And he goes by the name of Zvonimir Boban. The Croatian is best known for his 10-year stay at AC Milan between 1991 and 2001, where he won four Serie A titles and the 1993/1994 Champions League.

On the international stage, he was part of the Croatian side that finished third in the 1998 World Cup. He went toe-to-toe with Zidane in the semi-final, with the Frenchman coming out on top after Boban was at fault for France’s equalising goal.

However, fans will have lasting memories of his excellent vision and passing ability rather than that particular mistake. Boban is currently the Chief of Football at UEFA.

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Zidane selected Ronaldo Nazario as his striker. He played with and against the Brazilian during his career and named him as his best-ever teammate.

Even though Cristiano Ronaldo played an integral part in Zidane’s success as a manager, the Frenchman did not pick the Portuguese in his team.

He previously voiced his admiration for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner while he was still his manager in 2017.

“A player could come here, spend 20 years playing in this side and still not achieve what he’s done,” Zidane explained.

Surprisingly, there was no space for any English players despite Zidane previously voicing his thoughts on Steven Gerrard in particular.

“For two or three years, Steven Gerrard was the best midfield player in the world,” he said back in 2013.

However, the fact the pair only played against each other once – at Euro 2004 – may have influenced Zidane’s decision.