Zidane was born 23 June 1972, in Marseille. He has played for Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, and currently Real Madrid. His move to Real Madrid was for a world record transfer fee of £46m.
Zidane's debut for France was back in August 1994, since when he has won 93 caps and scored 26 goals.
When, in August 2004 Zinedine Zidane (nicknamed Zizou) announced his decision to retire from international football, the French media were unstinting in their praise. Le Monde said his announcement "left millions of admirers in mourning". Liberation referred to Zidane as the "most loved player of his generation."
With France, he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
There is no doubting that Zidane is a footballing genius - a view confimed by his being made World player of the year in 1998, 2000 and 2003; and European player of the year in 1998.
A testimony of Zidane's key role to the French national team are the words of defender Bixente Lizarazu: "When we don't know what to do, we just give the ball to Zizou and he works something out."
In Euro 2004 we were treated to a curiousity when just before taking the French penalty kick in their defeat of England, he was spotted by the cameras throwing up by the side of the penalty spot. It was right at the end of the game so the players didn't have to go out of their way during play to avoid the mess! |