Zinedine Zidane

Biography

Zinedine Zidane moved like a dancer who happened to be exceptional at football. Everything was smooth - the first touch that killed any ball, the turns that left defenders wrong-footed, the passes weighted to perfection. Two headers in the 1998 World Cup final made him a French icon; the 2002 Champions League final volley, struck on his weaker foot from the edge of the box, may be the greatest goal ever scored in that competition. His career ended in infamy - a headbutt to Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final - but that shouldn't obscure the artistry that preceded it. He then became one of football's great managers, winning three consecutive Champions Leagues with Real Madrid. The elegance transferred from playing to coaching.

Career Highlights

• 1 FIFA World Cup (1998)
• 1 UEFA Euro (2000)
• 1 UEFA Champions League
• 3 Champions League titles as manager
• FIFA World Player of the Year 3x

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