Brazil midfielder Juninho has warned the World Cup quarter-final clash with France should not be seen as a personal battle between Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
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Juninho: Issued warning.
Zidane and Ronaldo have been the emblematic figures of the previous two World Cups with Zidane's two goals in the 1998 final helping France beat Brazil 3-0 on a day when Ronaldo, touted before the tournament as the likely star player, suffered a fit and played the game in an apparent daze.
In 2002, the roles were reversed with Zidane missing two of France's group games through injury and then playing when clearly unfit in the final match of the group phase as the French were eliminated.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, was the player of the tournament with eight goals including both in the 2-0 final win over Germany.
Both men have three times been named FIFA world player of the year and have been team-mates at Real Madrid although Zidane last month ended his club career.
Juninho, who looks likely to start in place of Kaka against France, said: 'This is not a match between Zidane and Ronaldo but a game between France and Brazil.
'Zidane's generation are playing in their last World Cup which is not a surprise because it's the third time for them.
'Ronaldo still has time to play in one more World Cup as he is younger while Zidane has announced he will quit. That's a pity because I think he could still play on if he wanted to because he has the ability.'
Kaka's injured knee looks set to keep him out of Saturday's match while midfield hardman Emerson is also doubtful with a similar injury and both Juninho and Gilberto Silva played in the starting roles in training at Bergisch Gladbach.
Juninho, who is well acquainted with French football as he plays for Lyon for whom he has scored no fewer than 29 free-kicks, has no truck with suggestions Zidane is past his best.
'Zidane is a player who we must never lose sight of,' said Juninho. 'We will have to mark him tightly when he has the ball because he is the sort of player who can make the difference on his own or find a forward in a good position.'
