5: Zinedine Zidane: A Brief Biography

 

Zinedine Zidane: A Brief Biography

Zinedine Yazid Zidane, popularly known as “Zizou”, is a former professional French football who played as an attacking midfielder in the juniors teams of the France and eventually in the core national team for a very long period. He also played for the clubs like Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid, and brought laurels for each of them.

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Zinedine Zidane's remarkable blend of elegance, swiftness, and exceptional ball control established him as arguably the finest player of his era. His mastery on the field earned him prestigious honors, including the Legion of Honour from the French Government and the National Order of Merit from the Algerian Government, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the world of football. Zidane's accolades extend beyond his sporting achievements, symbolizing his impact and legacy both on and off the pitch.

 

 

 

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Background

 

Born on June 23, 1972, Zinedine Zidane, of Algerian descent, grew up in Marseille, France. His football journey commenced at age nine when he joined the local club, US Saint Henri. After three years, he moved to SO Septemes-les-Vallons in 1983, where he continued his development in the youth setup. Following this, Zidane was selected to join the youth academy of Cannes, where he spent another three years honing his skills and talents. These formative years in various youth setups laid the foundation for his remarkable career as one of football's greatest talents.

 

 

 

Senior career

 

In 1989, Zizou earned his first professional contract by Cannes and made his debut in the French first division game against Nantes. In his first full season with Cannes, the club secured its first ever European football berth by qualifying for the UEFA Cup after finishing fourth in the league. He made 61 appearances in his first three seasons for the club and scored six goals.

 

In 1992, Zidane became a part of Bordeaux and it was there that he began to attain international recognition. Some of the ecstatic moments of him in the club were, winning the 1995 Intertoto Cup after beating Karlsruhe and finishing runner-up against Bayern Munich in the 1995-96 UEFA Cup. He played in 139 games for Bordeaux and scored 28 goals.

 

In 1996, Zidane was signed by the then current champion of UEFA, Juventus, for a five-year contact. Zidane's impact in Italian club was immediate, as he was oftenly instrumental in the 1996 Serie A title and Intercontinental Cup 1996. He scored seven times in the 32 matches and the club retained their title of Serie A even in the following season. He played in 151 games and scored 24 goals for the club in his tenure. He was twice named Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year.

 

In 2001, Zidane joined Real Madrid for a world record field of 150 billion Italian lire for a four-year contract. In his very first season, Zidane scored the very famous match winning volley hit against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 UEFA Champions League final. The voyage of glory went on in the next season as Madrid won the La-Liga 2003.

 

In 2004, he was declared as the best European footballer in the history of UEFA. In 2006, he scored his maiden hat-trick, against Sevilla, and ended the season as the second highest goal scorer, only after Ronaldo.

 

International career

 

Zinedine Zidane, renowned for his elegance and skill, embarked on his international journey with France in 1988 as part of the U17 team, showcasing promise with a goal in four matches. Progressing through junior ranks until 1994, Zidane's senior debut arrived on August 17, 1994, marking it with a brace in a 2-2 friendly draw against Czech Republic.

However, it was his defining moments in major tournaments that solidified his status. In Euro 1996, his penalty shootout contributions in the quarterfinals and semifinals highlighted his nerve and talent. Yet, it was the 1998 FIFA World Cup where Zidane etched his name into French folklore. His two goals in the final against Brazil catapulted him to national hero status as France clinched the title.

Zidane's influence persisted in subsequent tournaments. He played a pivotal role in France's triumph in Euro 2000, earning the Player of the Tournament accolade for his exceptional performances. Despite challenges in FIFA World Cups 2002 and 2006, Zidane remained the backbone of the French team. His contributions extended to Euro 2004, where his presence continued to inspire his teammates.

Throughout his international career, Zidane's elegance, skill, and moments of brilliance cemented his legacy as one of France's greatest football icons, revered for his leadership and unmatched abilities on the pitch.

 

 

 

Retirement

 

Zinedine Zidane concluded his illustrious professional career with Real Madrid in 2006, playing his final match against Villarreal. In a memorable 3-3 draw, he left his mark by scoring a goal, a fitting tribute to his exceptional career.

However, his international farewell was marred by controversy. In the FIFA 2006 World Cup final against Italy, Zidane displayed his brilliance with an early goal in the 7th minute, giving France a promising start. Yet, the match took a sour turn when he received a red card for a notorious headbutt on Marco Materazzi, ending his international journey on a tumultuous note. Despite his dismissal, France battled on but eventually fell to Italy in the penalty shootout, marking the end of Zidane's international career in a heartbreaking manner.

 

 

 

  

 

 

Post Retirement

In June 2014, Zinedine Zidane began his coaching journey with Real Madrid by taking charge of the club's B team, Real Madrid Castilla, for a two-year stint.

However, his managerial responsibilities escalated in 2016 when he was appointed as the head coach of the senior Real Madrid squad. Under his guidance, the team achieved remarkable success, setting a new record of 16 consecutive La Liga victories. Zidane's tenure also saw triumphs in prestigious tournaments including the 2016 and 2017 UEFA Champions League, the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup, and the 2017 UEFA Super Cup.

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His outstanding managerial achievements led to him being honored as the Best FIFA Men's Coach in 2017, solidifying his status as one of the top coaches in world football.

 

 

 

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