Shinji Ono (Japan)

At the age of 18, Shinji Ono began his professional career with Urawa Red Diamonds and in his first season he beat many established names to be voted Japanese Footballer of the Year and the J-League Rookie of the Year. After that meteoric rise, Ono continued to improve the following year in 1998 and the midfielder’s ability to distribute, finish and defend earned him the coveted title of Asian Player of the Year.In each of those first two seasons he scored 11 goals and was instrumental in setting up his team-mates on countless occasions.

Zinedine Zidane (France)

Zinedine Zidane’s full blossoming as an international took place during the 1995/96 season, which was followed by the European Championship in England. Courtesy of some majestic performances both for club and for country, Zidane was soon being courted by a clutch of Europe’s top clubs. In 1996, with Juventus, he picked up his first silverware when ‘the Old Lady’ defeated River Plate to lift the Intercontinental Cup. Zizou added the ultimate prize to his honours list when he inspired France to their 1998 FIFA World Cup triumph in front of home fans in Paris.