“He’s similar to Zidane” – Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro hails outstanding 21-year-old star

The Portuguese manager has extensive football experience working at Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Real Madrid, and the Venezuela national team

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has likened the qualities of Benfica youngster Enzo Fernández to those of retired French playmaker Zinedine Zidane.

Argentine dazzler Enzo Fernández has been a revelation for Benfica in the Portuguese top flight since joining from River Plate for €12 million.

 

Fernández’s outstanding contributions have helped Benfica rise to the top of the league table and qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League at the expense of Juventus.

And in a chat with Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola (via El Comentario), Peseiro reveals his admiration for the young attacking midfielder.

Peseiro points out similarities between the way Enzo and French great Zidane played. Peseiro worked with Zidane, the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner, when he was manager Carlos Queiroz’s assistant at Real Madrid during the 2003/2004 season.

According to the Super Eagles tactician, Fernández’s “surprising passes and vision” are “similar to those of Zidane, who sometimes resolved a situation just by how he received the ball.”

Peseiro is stunned by the level, maturity, and quality of Fernández, claiming that the gifted playmaker is “absolutely surprising”, especially considering his young age.

“Enzo is 21 years old? Either it’s a lie, or he’s great!” Peseiro stated.

An indispensable asset at Benfica, Fernández is currently valued at 22 million euros.