Claude Makelele has picked out some of the biggest names in football as he pieced together the best attributes of his former colleagues when he spoke to Squawka this week.
The former France international started his career with spells at Nantes and Marseille, sealing a switch to Celta Vigo in 1998. He then spent three years plying his trade at Real Madrid, winning the La Liga title twice as well as the Champions League.
Makelele then moved to England, where he excelled at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles in his five years at the club, before ending his career at Paris Saint Germain. The midfielder also collected 71 caps for France along the way.
He turned his hand to management after hanging up his boots in 2011, but who were the standout stars from his playing days? Who was the fastest player he played with and in which category did Makelele think he was the standout choice?
Claude Makelele’s ‘perfect footballer’
Left foot
Makelele’s choice for our first category took him all the way back to the early days of his career, at Ligue 1 side Nantes.
“Reynald Pedros,” he replied after pondering for a short period.
“He’s an amazing player. Of course, I progressed and I’ve been to different team. Of course you have a good team and you have a lot of diamonds but from the beginning I knew this guy is brilliant.”
Right foot
“Luis Figo,” was the almost instant response from Makelele.
“I played with him at Real Madrid so I don’t need to give him publicity! But, you know, we talk about Luis Figo and we talk about a genius player.”
Makelele and Figo were a major part of the ‘Galaticos’ at the Bernabeu, lifting the Champions League and the La Liga title together.
Heading
Makelele’s choice here was another former colleague at Real Madrid and an answer we’ve had before from previous professionals.
“I would say Fernando Morientes. I called him ‘the helicopter’ as when he’s jumping, he just stays in the air. He’s incredible, it was amazing to see him jumping.”
Pace
There wasn’t much thinking needed here for Makelele and his answer was almost instantaneous.
“Thierry Henry. This is my boy! When he started running, it was ‘vroom vroom vroom!’ like Mbappe now. This guy just takes the space and it’s bye bye. You’ll never see him again.”
It was clear from his response that Makelele held his French teammate in high regard and was in awe of his ability to use his speed.
Strength
“Lillian Thuram,” said Makelele, picking his old French teammate.
Thuram collected 142 caps for France in a glittering career that saw him lift the Serie A title, European Championships and the World Cup.
“He’s a rock. When you are playing with this kind of defender behind you, you’re happy. You know you never need to turn around because you know he will do the job properly.”
Footballing brain
Makelele had another fairly quick response to this question and it wasn’t a big shock to hear who he selected.
“I played with many of them but I would say Zidane. He’s quite good! The things he could do with a football are incredible.”
Makelele, alongside Zidane, formed part of a glittering generation for France, lifting both the Euro 2000 title and the 1998 World Cup.
Skills
This question made Makelele think a little harder and it’s clear to see why when you look at some of the players he’d shared a pitch with over his career.
Eventually, he settled on Franck Ribery. “He’s so good when he’s dribbling. I played with him for the national team and he was so young but has so much talent. And we see the career he’s has with Bayern Munich and he made a difference every time. He’s an amazing guy.”
Makelele considered Chelsea teammates Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Damian Duff for this category but eventually plumped for his French teammate. He also said he would’ve loved to have considered Arjen Robben but didn’t play in the same team as the Dutchman.
Mentality
This one caused Makelele some trouble and he took some time to really think before making his choice.
“Oh, it’s difficult! You’ve given me a big problem!,” Makelele started before making his choice.
“Myself! When I played, I used my brain for understanding my teammates brain. When I’m playing I need understanding. Be a little bit aggressive. Take the responsibility and leadership. Because in this moment I want to win. That’s it.”
Makelele was known as an elite defensive midfielder and made the position his own, with it affectionately being known as the ‘Makelele role’. His ability to shield the back four, intercept passes and disrupt attacks defined his success.
Claude Makelele was speaking on behalf of bet365 ahead of the UEFA Champions League matches and the bet365 Big Ticket Giveaway