It is none other than the former French footballer, who is one of the great players in the history of football. He is known for his excellent technique, his view, and his real leaders on the field, having won many trophies as a player and, afterwards, as a coach.
Personal information
| Full name | Zinedine Yazid Zidane |
| D.O.B | 23 June 1972 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Nick Name | Zizou |
| Position | Attacking Footballer |
| Nationality | Franc |
Early Life and Family Background
On June 23, 1972, Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille of Algerian immigrants. As a child, Zidane fell in love with football, a sport they played inside the streets of La Castellane, a neighborhood of Marseille.
Introduction to Football
He starts playing football at a very tender age, and his talent was quickly noticed by scout coaches, who in turn enrolled him in local clubs where his skills were picked up by scouts.
Zidane’s Early Football Career
Zidane started his professional career at the age of 17, when he was signed to AS Cannes in 1989. Excellent ball control, individual greatness in dribbling, and common sense on the field eventually made him recognizable as one of the promising up-and-coming talents in French football.
Move to Cannes and Bordeaux
Following this success at Cannes, Zidane moved to Bordeaux in 1992. Here he became one of France’s best midfielders after showings on the UEFA Cup, which attracted several top clubs in Europe.
Transfer to Juventus and Rise in European Football
In 1996, he left AJ Auxerre to join one of Italy’s biggest football clubs, Juventus. He spent a very successful time in Serie A, where his side went as far as the final round in the UEFA Champions League two times and won two Serie A titles.
Zidane’s Success with Juventus
At Juve, Zidane was such a player that stood at the top of the world ranking; within his own style, creativity, and tempo control ability, he was major in his team. In 1998, he received the Ballon d’Or prize and became one of the biggest football stars.
Zidane’s Transfer to Real Madrid
It did not take long to determine that; Zidane then broke the transfer record in 2001 when he moved to Real Madrid for a then-record fee of €77.5 million, where at Madrid, he would shine in leading the club to a trophy victory in the UEFA Champions League in 2002, with a famous volley in the final.
Famous Moments in Zidane’s Career
Zidane will always be remembered for his incredible skills and the potential to perform in the big matches. His volley in the 2002 Champions League final and performances in the 1998 FIFA World Cup are among the biggest moments of his life.
Zidane’s Success with the French National Team
Zidane also proved himself to be a good player for the national teams. He, in fact, managed to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup with France and helped his country win the European Championship of the UEFA Euro 2000. His prominent roles on the international level helped him gain global recognition.
Winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup
One of the greatest contributions made by Zidane is when he led the team of France to win the World Cup for the first time in 1998. His two final goals against Brazil ensured that France held the title for good and required performances throughout the tournament on his part.
UEFA Euro 2000 Victory
He assisted France to win the UEFA Euro 2000 championship, making the team the very first to hold both the World Cup and the European Championship titles simultaneously. Zidane was voted the tournament’s best player.
Zidane’s Role in the 2006 World Cup Final
Zidane once again took France to the final in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. And though France lost to Italy, Zidane played sublime football all through the tournament. The only bad performances were in the final when he was sent off red-carded for headbutting Marco Materazzi.
Zinedine Zidane Stats
Here are Zinedine Zidane’s career statistics as both a club and international player:
Club Career Stats:
1. Cannes (1989–1992):
- Appearances: 61
- Goals: 6
2. Bordeaux (1992–1996):
- Appearances: 139
- Goals: 28
3. Juventus (1996–2001):
- Appearances: 212
- Goals: 31
- Assists: 44
- Major Honors:
- 2x Serie A titles
- 1x Intercontinental Cup
- 1x UEFA Super Cup
4. Real Madrid (2001–2006):
- Appearances: 227
- Goals: 49
- Assists: 68
- Major Honors:
- 1x La Liga title
- 1x UEFA Champions League
- 2x Spanish Super Cup
- 1x UEFA Super Cup
- 1x Intercontinental Cup
International Career Stats (France, 1994–2006):
- Caps: 108
- Goals: 31
- Assists: 25
- Major Honors:
- 1x FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1x UEFA European Championship (2000)
Notable Records and Highlights:
- FIFA World Cup 1998: Scored 2 goals in the final to help France win their first-ever World Cup.
- UEFA Euro 2000: Key player in France’s victory.
- UEFA Champions League 2002: Scored one of the most iconic goals in the competition’s history, a volley in the final for Real Madrid.
Career Totals (All Competitions):
- Appearances: 789
- Goals: 125
- Assists: 114
Zidane’s stats reflect his role as an attacking midfielder, renowned for his playmaking ability, control, and vision rather than being an outright goal scorer
Zinedine Zidane Awards
National Awards
Zinedine Zidane has won numerous individual and team awards throughout his illustrious career, both as a player and as a manager. Below is a breakdown of his major honors:
1998 and 2002 : French Player of the Year
Continental Awards
| 1997-1998 | UEFA Best Midfielder |
| 1998, 2000, 2001, | Onze d’Or |
| 2001, 2002, 2003 | UEFA Team of the Year |
| 2001 – 2002 | UEFA Club Footballer of the Year |
Global Awards
| 1998 | Ballon d’Or |
| 1998, 2000, 2003 | The Best FIFA Men’s Player |
| 1998 | FIFA World Cup All-Star Team |
| 2005, 2006 | FIFA FIFPro World XI |
| 2006 | FIFA World Cup All-Star Team |
| 2006 | FIFA World Cup Golden Ball |
| 2017 | The Best FIFA Men’s Coa |
Zidane’s Retirement from Professional Football
Zidane retired from professional football after the 2006 World Cup. His contributions to his clubs and to the French national team have made him one of the most respected figures in football history.
Zinedine Zidane’s most famous quotes
Here are some of Zinedine Zidane’s most famous quotes, showcasing his wisdom, humility, and approach to football and life:
On Football and Life:
- “I once cried because I had no shoes to play football with my friends, but one day I saw a man who had no feet, and I realized how rich I am.”
- A quote reflecting Zidane’s humility and gratitude for what he has.
- “I was lucky to come from a difficult area. It teaches you not just about football, but life.”
- Zidane on how his upbringing shaped him both as a player and person.
- “You don’t need to speak. You can do it in another way. Football is a universal language.”
- On how football transcends verbal communication.
- “I love football, and I have given my life to it. But I am still one of the people.”
- Zidane expressing his connection to the sport and remaining grounded.
On His Playing Style:
- “Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.”
- Reflecting Zidane’s philosophy of making complex things look effortless on the pitch.
- “It doesn’t matter how many times you win an award, it is always very special.”
- Zidane’s humility and appreciation for his achievements.
- “I have won many awards and I am very happy about this, but I am not the best player in the world.”
- Despite his success, Zidane remained modest about his abilities.
On Leadership:
- “It’s not about coaching players, it’s about managing people.”
- His approach to managing teams, focusing on relationships and understanding individuals.
- “I don’t want to be a star; I want to be a football player.”
- Zidane emphasizing his passion for the game over fame.
- “I have a need to play intensely every day, to fight every match hard.”
- Zidane’s mentality towards competition and giving his all in every game.
These quotes reveal Zidane’s character, his dedication to football, his humility, and his understanding of life beyond the game
Conclusion: Zinedine Zidane’s Legacy in Football
The great skills that Zinedine Zidane has left on the football pitch were coupled with good leadership and international success levels. At the player level, Zidane passed through triumphs in the World Cup, European Championship, and Champions League. He continues to influence football as he moves into a highly successful coaching career at Real Madrid.
Some Quotes about Zinedine Zidane
Here are some notable quotes about Zinedine Zidane from fellow players, coaches, and football legends, highlighting his immense influence and talent:
Fellow Players and Coaches:
- Pele:
- “Zidane is one of the best players I have seen in my life. He gave the World Cup to France, and that is very, very special.”
- Pelé praising Zidane’s performance in leading France to the 1998 World Cup victory.
- Sir Alex Ferguson:
- “Give me Zidane and 10 pieces of wood, and I will win you the Champions League.”
- A testament to how highly Ferguson valued Zidane’s ability to lead a team to victory.
- Franz Beckenbauer:
- “Zidane is the master. Over the last ten years, there’s been no one like him; he has been the best player in the world.”
- Beckenbauer on Zidane’s dominance in world football.
- Thierry Henry:
- “Whenever Zidane stepped onto the pitch, the 10 other guys just got suddenly better. It is that simple.”
- Henry on Zidane’s ability to elevate the performance of his teammates.
- Marco Materazzi (speaking after their infamous 2006 World Cup final incident):
- “I hold no grudge against Zidane. I respect him. As a player, he was the best of the best.”
- Materazzi acknowledging Zidane’s greatness despite their clash.
Football Analysts and Legends:
- Arsène Wenger:
- “He was an artist. You could see he was a special talent. What he did with the ball was an art form, and football will miss a player like Zidane.”
- Wenger highlighting Zidane’s artistry and skill on the ball.
- David Beckham:
- “He was a god on the pitch, but he’s also a very humble man off it. You don’t meet many people like that.”
- Beckham on Zidane’s humility, despite his greatness as a footballer.
- Michel Platini:
- “Technically, I think he is the king of what’s fundamental in the game: control and passing. I don’t think anyone can match him when it comes to controlling or receiving the ball.”
- Platini praising Zidane’s technical mastery, especially in terms of ball control and vision.
- Carlo Ancelotti:
- “Zidane was the greatest talent in football in the last 20 years, and as a coach, he’s just as special.”
- Ancelotti appreciating Zidane’s excellence as both a player and a manager.
FAQs
What are some interesting facts about Zinedine Zidane?
*Zidane led France to their first World Cup win in 1998, scoring twice in the final.
*He won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 and was named FIFA World Player of the Year three times.
*Zidane scored one of the greatest goals in UEFA Champions League history in 2002 with a volley in the final.
*As a coach, he won three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid (2016–2018).
Which club is Zidane coaching now?
As of now, Zidane is not coaching any club. He last managed Real Madrid and left in May 2021.
What is Zidane famous for?
Zidane is famous for his elegant style of play, vision, and technical skill, both as a player and a manager. He is also remembered for his role in France’s 1998 World Cup win and his iconic volley goal in the 2002 Champions League final.
Where is Zinedine Zidane now?
Zidane is currently enjoying a break from management and is involved in various ambassadorial roles. He is often seen at football events and is rumored to be considering future coaching opportunities.
