Patrick Vieira has named Zinedine Zidane, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry as the best three players he played with during his illustrious playing career.
Vieira, who is now the manager of Crystal Palace, was one of the best midfielders of his generation. His honours include three Premier League titles, four Serie A titles, five FA Cups, the World Cup, Euros, Confederation Cup and Italian Cup.
The 45-year-old is best known for his time Arsenal, captaining Arsene Wenger's iconic team to the 2003-04 Premier League title. The Gunners didn't lose a single league game that season, becoming the first English team to achieve the feat since Preston in 1888-89.
Vieira played alongside some world class players during his career and found it difficult to reveal the very best when asked by Sky Sports. "It is a really difficult [question], but two players come in - or three players - I would say," admitted the ex-midfielder.
"The best two... at international level it's Zinedine Zidane because he makes everything look so easy and you always give him the ball. Sometimes it can be a really bad ball, but it became a good ball because of his technical ability... it's unbelievable.
"And of course Dennis Bergkamp. I have to mention Dennis - I have to mention Thierry. And of course when I was at Juventus with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and I was at Inter Milan with Luis Figo. I was pleased because I played with some of the best players in the game."
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When pressed to cut down his shortlist, Vieira said: "It's really difficult to pick one player... but if I have to choose one or two players it'll be Dennis Bergkamp, Zinedine Zidane and I have to put Thierry there because Thierry is [a top player]."
Vieira was also asked to name his toughest opponents. Many fans will remember his iconic battles with former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane between 1996 and 2005... and Vieira unsurprisingly named the Irishman as his toughest rival at club level.
"In England I would say Roy Keane because I believe that he's one of the best," he added. "At international level, Edgar Davis was really tough to play against. When we play a couple of games against each other for France-Holland, he was a tough one to play against."
Vieira, who won 107 senior caps for France, retired from playing in July 2011 and has since moved into management. Following spells at New York City and Nice, he was appointed Palace manager last summer and has impressed at Selhurst Park.
Many pundits and journalists predicted Palace to struggle near the bottom of the table due to Vieira's lack of managerial experience in England. There were also concerns about the quality of the squad after finishing 14th two years in-a-row under Roy Hodgson.
But the Eagles are 10th in the Premier League and on course for their highest league finish since 1991-92. Vieira also guided his team to the semi-finals of the FA Cup - beating Millwall, Hartlepool, Stoke and Everton on their way to Wembley.
