One of the most well-known French football players of all time, Zinedine Zidane, is widely recognized as a master of the game's principles and tactics.
He is renowned for his superior ball handling and control abilities, magic ball touch, laser-focused vision, and outstanding leadership qualities. Players during his years in soccer would only be able to match how he handled and received the ball.
Zidane’s Personal Life
Smaal and Malika gave birth to Zinedine Zidane on June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France. His older siblings are number four. His family lived in the La Castellane neighborhood of northern Marseille and was of Algerian Kabyle Berber heritage.
His mother was a housewife, while his father worked as a warehouseman. The Zidane family was a respected family who led a relatively comfortable life in contrast to other residents of the area who were unemployed and engaged in high crime.
At the infant age of five, young Zidane was exposed to football. He participated in the game at Place Tartane, the complex's central square, with the kids from the neighborhood.
Zidane was influenced early in his career by Olympique Marseille players he looked up to, including Blaz Sliskovic, Enzo Francescoli, and Jean-Pierre Papin.
His Career
At 17, Zidane made his professional debut for Cannes and scored a goal. In the years that followed, the attacking midfielder gained notoriety for his superb all-around play after moving to Bordeaux in 1992.
Zidane was prone to the occasional rage, but when he had the ball in his hands, he was the picture of composure, appearing to know when to get past the defense, find a teammate with a precise pass, or rip a shot at the goal.
In 1996, Zidane moved to Juventus F.C. in Italy's illustrious Series A-League. Zidane demonstrated he was up to the task by leading Juventus to an Italian Super Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, and two Series A titles over the following two seasons. The move brought a dramatic increase in exposure and expectations.
When France hosted the 1998 World Cup, Zidane was at the top of his game. He led Les Bleus' ascent through the competition with his elegant passing and dribbling. He then scored twice as France defeated Brazil in the final, 3-0, to become a hero for his country.
The French team's run to international success culminated with a 2-1 victory over Italy for the European Championship two years later, and Zidane was once more the driving force behind it.
Zidane joined the Spanish club Real Madrid in 2001 for a then-record-breaking transfer fee of around $66 million. The investment quickly paid off as the French newcomer assisted Real Madrid in capturing La Liga and the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy in his debut season.
After saying he would retire after the 2006 World Cup in Germany, it seemed Zidane's career was headed for a fairytale conclusion when France defeated Italy in the championship game. Instead, it ended when he rammed his head into opponent Marco Materazzi's chest in response to the Italian player's remarks to him during extra time.