AMSTERDAM, June 26 (Reuters) - Wednesday's Euro2000 semifinal between France and Portugal will pit two of the best players in the world against each other.

France's playmaker Zinedine Zidane and versatile Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo will meet in Brussels in what promises to be another feast of exciting soccer.

In the days of celebrity football, both players have managed to keep themselves to themselves despite enjoying their success in the tournament so far.

Barcelona's Figo, showing the short dribbles, bursts of speed and technique that have made him the spearhead of Portuguese attacks, was instrumental in the two goals Portugal scored against Turkey on Saturday, earning him the man-of-the-match award.

His precision crossing helped Nuno Gomes score his first, while he battled through to deliver another easy ball for Nuno Gomes to knock in Portugal's second.

A veteran of Portugal's 'golden generation' side that twice lifted the World Youth Cup, Figo also showed his mettle against England in the opening game, helping Portugal grab a 3-2 victory after trailing 2-0.

A quiet personality, he plays with a languid fluidity and is full of innovation. He recently shrugged off comments that some people thought him the best player in the world at the moment. 'Who are these people?' he asked with characteristic Figo modesty.

Former England manager Bobby Robson, who worked with the 27-year-old at Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona described him as 'every manager's dream.'

'He is hard working and has great individual talents. He is a marvellously unselfish player, a class act and nothing else.'

But Zidane too is undoubtedly another class act. The balding Frenchman sparkled in the World Cup finals two years ago and has got better since.

'I'm 28 and at the peak of my powers. I'm feeling really good. Let's hope it will continue,' he said after the French beat Spain 2-1 in their quarter-final.

The Juventus player was at the heart of Sunday's game, scoring France's first goal - his first of the tournament - and mastering much of the play for the rest of the match.

Fellow players have nothing but compliments for the shy son of North African immigrants, who became a French national hero after scoring twice in the France 98 final.

'He is really exceptional. Sometimes you want to stop playing just to watch him,' said friend and team mate Christophe Dugarry.

European footballer of the year in 1998, Zidane may well be on target to clinch the award again this year if France make it to the final.

But if Wednesday's game goes Portugal's way, then it could well be Figo's name on the trophy.