Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane, born 23 June 1972), nicknamed "Zizou", is a French retired footballer and current manager of Real Madrid. He played as an attacking midfielder for the France national team, Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid. Renowned for his elegance, vision, ball control and technique, Zidane was named the best European footballer of the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth23 June 1972
CityMarseille, France
CountryFrance
I would not have come back otherwise. I did not only do it so we would qualify but because this team has the players who are capable of achieving something.
I have won many awards and I am very happy about this, but I am not the best player in the world.
I have no doubt ? our players play for some of the best clubs in Europe. I am convinced that our players are only just a little short of what is needed to carry us a long way. We have to do everything we can to achieve that because it will be the last chance for players like me.
I came out of retirement not just to help qualification but also because this team has the players who can do something.
I have six months or one year left, that's true. I am closer to the end than the start. I want to make the most of my last moments as a football player and experience them at 100%. I know that otherwise after I retire I will regret all those times.
Zidane is unique. The ball flows with him. He is more like a dancer than a football player.
Zidane is one of the greatest players in history, a truly magnificent player.
It's only natural to want to select your best players and there is no doubt for me that Paul Scholes is still in a class of his own. He's almost untouchable in what he does. I never tire of watching him play.
Zidane is the master. Over the past 10 years, there's been no-one like him, he has been the best player in the world.
Zidane is probably the best player there has been in the past 20 years ... France have recovered the best Zidane and they have progressively grown throughout this tournament.
The door can never be closed for good to any player.
I am supposed to set an example to young players.
All of us at Juventus agreed Manchester United were the best side we met in the Champions League. They have so many talented young players and can only get better and better. Giggs is truly world class
Ronaldinho is total class - a very, very great player. He is quick, powerful, and has extraordinary technical qualities. He is a dribbler but is also a player who can make the play for his teammates. He's not really a No.10, a true organizer. He's more a second attacker who can score goals and has the vision to make them.