Zinedine Zidane
The elegant playmaker who conquered the world as a player and a coach.
via Wikipedia: Zinedine Zidane · see source
Zinedine Yazid Zidane (born 23 June 1972), popularly known as Zizou, is a French professional football manager and former player who played as an attacking midfielder. He is the head coach of the France national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Zidane was a playmaker renowned for his elegance, vision, passing, and ball control. He received many individual accolades as a player, including being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and winning the 1998 Ballon d'Or. He coached his former club Real Madrid in two separate stints between 2016 and 2021, winning multiple domestic and international club trophies.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Zinedine Yazid Zidane
- Born
- 23 June 1972
- Birthplace
- Marseille, France
- Height
- 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in
- Position
- Attacking midfielder
- Current club
- France (head coach)
- Total caps
- 506
- Total goals
- 95
Lore & Background
Zinedine Yazid Zidane was born on 23 June 1972 in La Castellane, a neighbourhood in the northwestern edge of Marseille, in Southern France. He is the youngest of five siblings born to Algerian parents Smaïl and Malika. He started his career at Cannes before establishing himself at Bordeaux. In 1996, he moved to Juventus, winning two Serie A titles and playing in consecutive UEFA Champions League finals in 1997 and 1998. He moved to Real Madrid for a world-record fee of €77.5 million in 2001. In the 2002 Champions League final, he scored a left-foot volleyed winner. Capped 108 times by France, he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, scoring a brace in the final, and UEFA Euro 2000. He received the Golden Ball at the 2006 World Cup despite his sending off for headbutting Marco Materazzi. He retired as the fourth-most capped player in French history. After retiring, he began coaching at Real Madrid Castilla, then managed the first team in 2016, winning the Champions League three consecutive times. He resigned in 2018, returned in 2019, and left again in 2021. In 2026, he succeeded Didier Deschamps as head coach of the France national team.
Reader's Guide
Zidane is one of eleven players to have won the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d'Or. He was named in the FIFA 100 in 2004 and was named the best European footballer of the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll. He was the ambassador for Qatar's successful bid to stage the 2022 World Cup.
Did You Know?
- Zidane received the Legion of Honour in 1998 after winning the World Cup.
- He was named Best FIFA Men's Coach in 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zinedine Zidane?
Zinedine Zidane is a retired French football icon celebrated as one of the greatest players in history for his elegance and technical brilliance. He enjoyed a stellar career with clubs like Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid before leading France to major international glory.
What role did Zidane play on the field?
Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder or forward, Zidane was known for his exceptional vision and ability to control the tempo of the game. His mastery allowed him to create scoring opportunities while delivering stunning goals himself.
How did Zidane's playing career end?
Zidane retired from professional football in 2006 after a dramatic final match at the World Cup where he was sent off for headbutting an opponent. This controversial moment marked the conclusion of a legendary journey that saw him vanish from the pitch under intense scrutiny.
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