The word legend can often be used on too many occasions by avid sports fans to help describe their favourite players, but when you mention the name Zinedine Zidane the word certainly applies.
A player that had the technical ability to match any other star that has graced the game with their presence, as well as making the difficult game look so easy. The way he ended his career is some what a shame, but nothing will take away the things he has done while playing for Juventus, Real Madrid and France.
If examples of his technique are under question then cast your mind back to the Champions League Final in 2002, between Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, when he scored a wonderfully hit volley on his weaker left foot to put his side 2-1 up just before half time.
It was a true mark of beauty from a man in his first season in Madrid colours. The ball knocked miles in the air by Roberto Carlos and just centre metres inside the box is where the Frenchman waited for the ball to drop. He set himself, watched the ball come all the way down to his foot, distributed his weight perfectly, swivelled and the rest goes down in Champions League history as one, if not the, best goal scored in a final.
Despite his lack of any real pace to threaten defenders, the playmaker continuously managed to get out of the smallest gaps thanks to his touch, reading of the game and all round footballing brain. His legendary step overs and his favoured roulette move saw him take apart defensive and midfield lines and allowed him to use his wide range of passing.
Born in Marseille in France, Zidane made his professional debut for Cannes in 1991 aged 17 years old and helped the side qualify for the UEFA Cup in that season. He then moved to Bordeaux in 1992 and showed his worth time and time again helping the club win the 1995 Intertoto Cup. It was clear to see the Frenchman was destined for bigger things and he moved to the very competitive Serie A league.
Zidane joined Champions League winners Juventus in 1996, who gave him the opportunity to show his French flair and passion on a stage where the world was watching. Playing alongside the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Edgar Davids, Zidane and his teammates were able to capture an Italian Super Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and two Serie A titles but failed to win the Champions League after two attempts in the finals in 1997 and 1998.
While at the Italian club he was considered to be at his peak and won his first World Player of the year award, being recognised as a talent that couldn’t be stopped.
His introduction to the French national team came in 1994 and he quickly became a key piece of a very successful national team, after Eric Cantona was handed a year long suspension in 1995. The 1998 World Cup was hosted by his nation and was the first World Cup the expressive midfielder had played in. On home turf, Les Bleus made the finals against favourites Brazil and Zidane went down as an instant hero when he headed in two goals to help his country win their first ever World Cup with a 3-0 win.
Two years later at the European Championships of 2000 France become the first team to hold both the World Cup and the European Championship since 1974 when West Germany completed the task. Zidane’s footballing brilliance was clear to see as he was later named player of the tournament by UEFA.
After showing his touch, finishing, ability to handle pressure and pull the strings at international level as well as club level, Zizou moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid for a record breaking 75 million euros. While at the club he lifted his first Champions League and La Liga titles but much more was expected from the Galacticos.
During his career the passionate playmaker won everything a player wants to win and Zidane gave footballing fans many magically moments. Tributes of his silky skills and devastating dribbling have hit YouTube and Sky Sports Football Greatest, but the humble Frenchman continues not to talk much and allow people to think what they want about his time in the game.
Winning individual awards became second nature for the midfielder without even trying, including FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award in 2006, La Liga Best Foreign Player in 2002 and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year in 2002 just to name a few in a very long list.
Despite retiring in 2006, he was named best European soccer player of the past 50 years by the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll and in my eyes is one of the best footballers of his generation. Even in his retirement Zidane has been pictured and videoed in training camps and it’s clear that he hasn’t lost his touch, skill or class.
Even now when you watch the tribute videos it’s amazing to see what this special player could do with a ball at his feet, and with him racking up 681 appearances, he will be remembered for many years as one of the greatest players of all time.
@MediaJB
Image provided by rsepulveda via Flikcr
