Totally different players, and Makalele was an attacking midfielder for a fair while, then defensive... Both class if you ask me. Which you didn't but there we go.
i hate such debates...where people feel the need to legitimatly condemn one individual... p.s i think this question has been set in a biased environment. they were both different..but both were epic on a football pitch every single player has a positive and negative...it is simple..just watch who you enjoy. Zidane was crap in defence actually Gary Doherty>Zidane
Agree with what your saying here, but you could compare who made a bigger difference to the team by being better in their respective positions.
slightly off topic , but can you imagine how immense a midfeild three (as most top teams play atm) of makelele, vieira and zidane
I'd give it to Vieira - he was as good defensively as Maka but had an offensive turn. He drove his team on. For overall impact it is a no brainer - Vieira was better. That is not to say Maka wasn't one of the best DMs I have seen, but by definition he is tarred. I am from the old school, the school of midfielders being able to do both roles. Anyone can sit back and break up play all game, so this diminishes the accomplishments of Maka in my opinion.