Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane is a French former professional footballer and current coach, born on June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers and coaches of all time. Zidane began his professional career with AS Cannes before moving to Girondins de Bordeaux, where he made his mark in French football. He then moved to Juventus and later Real Madrid, where he won multiple titles, including the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League, both as a player and a coach.

Zidane is known for his incredible ball control, vision, and his ability to score goals. He has won numerous individual awards, including the FIFA World Player of the Year three times and the Ballon d'Or once.

Off the field, Zidane is also recognized for his philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

AS Cannes

• Early Career: Zidane began his professional career at AS Cannes, making his first-team debut in 1989.

Girondins de Bordeaux

• Rise to Prominence: Zidane moved to Girondins de Bordeaux in 1992, where he became recognized as one of the best players in the French league.

Juventus

• International Success: Zidane transferred to Juventus in 1996, where he won two Serie A titles and reached the UEFA Champions League final twice.

Real Madrid

• Greatest Success: In 2001, Zidane moved to Real Madrid for what was then a world-record fee. During his time at the club, he won the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, among other titles. He also scored what is considered one of the greatest goals in Champions League history in the 2002 final. 

Coaching Career

• Success as a Coach: After retiring as a player, Zidane embarked on a coaching career. He returned to Real Madrid as a coach in 2016, leading the team to three consecutive Champions League titles.

France National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for France in 1994.

Achievements:

• FIFA World Cup: Winner in 1998.
• UEFA European Championship: Winner in 2000.
• Zidane is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the French national team.

• Position: Primarily an attacking midfielder, but also excelled as a forward.
• Skills: Known for his incredible ball control, vision, creativity, and goal-scoring ability. Zidane is celebrated for his versatility, ability to dictate the pace of the game, and his elegance on the ball.

• Family: Zidane is married to Veronique Zidane and they have four children.
• Philanthropy: Zidane is involved in various charitable activities and has participated in numerous charity football matches and events to raise funds for different causes.

• Zinedine Zidane is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his impact as a player and a coach. His influence on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the pitch, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

FIFA World Player of the Year:

• Three times winner

Ballon d'Or:

• Winner in 1998

UEFA Best European Player in the Past 50 Years:

• Winner in 2004

FIFA World Cup Golden Ball:

• Winner in 2006

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Books

• Zidane, Z. (2006) Zidane: The Biography. Paris: Editions de la Martinière.
• Platini, M. (2004) Zidane: A New Biography. Paris: Flammarion.

Websites

• FIFA: Information about Zinedine Zidane’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fifa.com
• Juventus: Details about Zidane’s career at Juventus. Available at: https://www.juventus.com
• Real Madrid: Official site with updates on Zidane’s performance and records at Real Madrid. Available at: https://www.realmadrid.com
• UEFA: Updates and records of Zidane in UEFA competitions. Available at: https://www.uefa.com

Articles

• BBC Sport: Zinedine Zidane: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48839800
• The Guardian: Zinedine Zidane’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/zinedine-zidane

Interviews and Documentaries

• Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (2006): Directed by Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno. This documentary provides a detailed look at Zidane’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Zinedine Zidane, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com