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Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Donadoni plays down tough draw
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni was philosophical about his team being drawn alongside France, Holland and Romania for the Euro 2008 finals.Donadoni admitted the group was tough, but claimed to be unperturbed at the quality of opposition the Azzurri will face in Switzerland and Austria.
"I had a feeling prior to the draw that we would have been drawn in a hard group," admitted Donadoni. "I hoped that we would be fortunate but it's fine as it is.
"Now we face another challenge which we will take in our stride. In life the real worries are others."
The match between Italy and France is bound to rekindle a rivalry which has reached epic proportions over the last 18 months.
There has been no love lost between the two sides, with the Azzurri having finished ahead of France in the Euro 2008 qualifiers - although France had the edge in the head-to-head games.
However, there has been tension between the teams since the World Cup final, won by Italy on penalties.
The bust-up in the final between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi, which led to Zidane's sending-off for headbutting the chest of the Italy defender following verbal provocation, fuelled the bad feeling.
And comments made by France coach Raymond Domenech earlier this season to a newspaper about fixed matches in Italian soccer infuriated the Azzurri camp and earned him a suspension.
However, Donadoni played down any notion of a grudge match, saying: "The fact that we face France again doesn't give me any particular feeling.
"I can only say that in order to avoid any controversies or venom between Italy and France, those who are involved should rely on common sense."
Against Holland, Donadoni will pit his wits against Marco van Basten, his former team-mate in the great AC Milan team of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Donadoni said: "We have not been lucky either. I also had a gut feeling on the way it would turn out but you can not change the rules.
"I spoke to Marco van Basten before the draw and told him I thought we would be playing each other. We've got France again but all past matches are history."
"I had a feeling prior to the draw that we would have been drawn in a hard group," admitted Donadoni. "I hoped that we would be fortunate but it's fine as it is.
"Now we face another challenge which we will take in our stride. In life the real worries are others."
The match between Italy and France is bound to rekindle a rivalry which has reached epic proportions over the last 18 months.
There has been no love lost between the two sides, with the Azzurri having finished ahead of France in the Euro 2008 qualifiers - although France had the edge in the head-to-head games.
However, there has been tension between the teams since the World Cup final, won by Italy on penalties.
The bust-up in the final between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi, which led to Zidane's sending-off for headbutting the chest of the Italy defender following verbal provocation, fuelled the bad feeling.
And comments made by France coach Raymond Domenech earlier this season to a newspaper about fixed matches in Italian soccer infuriated the Azzurri camp and earned him a suspension.
However, Donadoni played down any notion of a grudge match, saying: "The fact that we face France again doesn't give me any particular feeling.
"I can only say that in order to avoid any controversies or venom between Italy and France, those who are involved should rely on common sense."
Against Holland, Donadoni will pit his wits against Marco van Basten, his former team-mate in the great AC Milan team of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Donadoni said: "We have not been lucky either. I also had a gut feeling on the way it would turn out but you can not change the rules.
"I spoke to Marco van Basten before the draw and told him I thought we would be playing each other. We've got France again but all past matches are history."
Champions League - Kaka wins Ballon d'Or
Milan and Brazil playmaker Kaka has been awarded the 2007 Ballon d'Or by France Football magazine.
More StoriesMessage board: Have your say!
Best player in the world? View our poll
The gong, formerly known as the European Player of the Year award, was voted for by 96 journalists from around the world from a shortlist of 50 players.
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo was second with Barcelona's Lionel Messi in third place just ahead of Chelsea's Didier Drogba.
Until last year, when Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro won the award after leading his side to World Cup glory in Germany, 52 European journalists voted for a player from a European club.
For this year's award, 96 journalists from around the world voted and the shortlist of 50 players featured players based in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Qatar.
"The only way you can win this award is being part of a team of fighters. So I thank my team mates, my coach and also my team mates in the Selecao," Kaka said.
"Also, thank you to all those who have been beside me throughout my career."
The elegant Kaka is already the winner of the FIFPro world Player of the Year and UEFA European Club Player of the Year awards and is the big favourite for FIFA's World Player of the Year award to be announced later this month.
His 10 goals in guiding Milan to their seventh European Cup triumph in May set up this flurry of awards in a year without a World Cup or European championship.
Factbox on Kaka:
* Born: April 22, 1982 in Brasilia, Brazil
* Makes an immediate impact for Sao Paulo scoring 12 goals in 27 appearances in the 2001 season.
* Plays just 18 minutes in Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph
* Moves to Milan in 2003 and makes his debut on September 1 in a 2-0 win over Ancona. He goes on to score ten league goals and four Champions League goals in his first season and then spurs Milan to the Italian title in 2004.
* Helps Brazil to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2006, during which he signs a contract extension with Milan which is supposed to keep him at the San Siro until 2011.
* Real Madrid make their interest well-known following the World Cup and Kaka firmly establishes himself as one of the best in the world as he inspires Milan to their seventh European Cup title in 2007.
* Named FIFPro World Player of the Year 2007 and is later awarded the Ballon d'Or. He is also hot favourite for FIFA World Player of the Year gong.
Past winners:
1956 - Stanley Matthews (England)
1957 - Alfredo di Stefano (Spain)
1958 - Raymond Kopa (France)
1959 - Alfredo di Stefano (Spain)
1960 - Luis Suarez (Spain)
1961 - Omar Sivori (Italy)
1962 - Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia)
1963 - Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)
1964 - Denis Law (Scotland)
1965 - Eusebio (Portugal)
1966 - Bobby Charlton (England)
1967 - Florian Albert (Hungary)
1968 - George Best (Northern Ireland)
1969 - Gianni Rivera (Italy)
1970 - Gerd Mueller (West Germany)
1971 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1972 - Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
1973 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1974 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1975 - Oleg Blokhin (Soviet Union)
1976 - Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)
1977 - Allan Simonsen (Denmark)
1978 - Kevin Keegan (England)
1979 - Kevin Keegan (England)
1980 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)
1981 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)
1982 - Paolo Rossi (Italy)
1983 - Michel Platini (France)
1984 - Michel Platini (France)
1985 - Michel Platini (France)
1986 - Igor Belanov (Soviet Union)
1987 - Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)
1988 - Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1989 - Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1990 - Lothar Matthaeus (Germany)
1991 - Jean-Pierre Papin (France)
1992 - Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1993 - Roberto Baggio (Italy)
1994 - Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria)
1995 - George Weah (Liberia)
1996 - Matthias Sammer (Germany)
1997 - Ronaldo (Brazil)
1998 - Zinedine Zidane (France)
1999 - Rivaldo (Brazil)
2000 - Luis Figo (Portugal)
2001 - Michael Owen (England)
2002 - Ronaldo (Brazil)
2003 - Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic)
2004 - Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)
2005 - Ronaldinho (Brazil)
2006 - Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
2007 - Kaka (Brazil)
More StoriesMessage board: Have your say!
Best player in the world? View our poll
The gong, formerly known as the European Player of the Year award, was voted for by 96 journalists from around the world from a shortlist of 50 players.
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo was second with Barcelona's Lionel Messi in third place just ahead of Chelsea's Didier Drogba.
Until last year, when Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro won the award after leading his side to World Cup glory in Germany, 52 European journalists voted for a player from a European club.
For this year's award, 96 journalists from around the world voted and the shortlist of 50 players featured players based in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Qatar.
"The only way you can win this award is being part of a team of fighters. So I thank my team mates, my coach and also my team mates in the Selecao," Kaka said.
"Also, thank you to all those who have been beside me throughout my career."
The elegant Kaka is already the winner of the FIFPro world Player of the Year and UEFA European Club Player of the Year awards and is the big favourite for FIFA's World Player of the Year award to be announced later this month.
His 10 goals in guiding Milan to their seventh European Cup triumph in May set up this flurry of awards in a year without a World Cup or European championship.
Factbox on Kaka:
* Born: April 22, 1982 in Brasilia, Brazil
* Makes an immediate impact for Sao Paulo scoring 12 goals in 27 appearances in the 2001 season.
* Plays just 18 minutes in Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph
* Moves to Milan in 2003 and makes his debut on September 1 in a 2-0 win over Ancona. He goes on to score ten league goals and four Champions League goals in his first season and then spurs Milan to the Italian title in 2004.
* Helps Brazil to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2006, during which he signs a contract extension with Milan which is supposed to keep him at the San Siro until 2011.
* Real Madrid make their interest well-known following the World Cup and Kaka firmly establishes himself as one of the best in the world as he inspires Milan to their seventh European Cup title in 2007.
* Named FIFPro World Player of the Year 2007 and is later awarded the Ballon d'Or. He is also hot favourite for FIFA World Player of the Year gong.
Past winners:
1956 - Stanley Matthews (England)
1957 - Alfredo di Stefano (Spain)
1958 - Raymond Kopa (France)
1959 - Alfredo di Stefano (Spain)
1960 - Luis Suarez (Spain)
1961 - Omar Sivori (Italy)
1962 - Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia)
1963 - Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)
1964 - Denis Law (Scotland)
1965 - Eusebio (Portugal)
1966 - Bobby Charlton (England)
1967 - Florian Albert (Hungary)
1968 - George Best (Northern Ireland)
1969 - Gianni Rivera (Italy)
1970 - Gerd Mueller (West Germany)
1971 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1972 - Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
1973 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1974 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
1975 - Oleg Blokhin (Soviet Union)
1976 - Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)
1977 - Allan Simonsen (Denmark)
1978 - Kevin Keegan (England)
1979 - Kevin Keegan (England)
1980 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)
1981 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany)
1982 - Paolo Rossi (Italy)
1983 - Michel Platini (France)
1984 - Michel Platini (France)
1985 - Michel Platini (France)
1986 - Igor Belanov (Soviet Union)
1987 - Ruud Gullit (Netherlands)
1988 - Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1989 - Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1990 - Lothar Matthaeus (Germany)
1991 - Jean-Pierre Papin (France)
1992 - Marco van Basten (Netherlands)
1993 - Roberto Baggio (Italy)
1994 - Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria)
1995 - George Weah (Liberia)
1996 - Matthias Sammer (Germany)
1997 - Ronaldo (Brazil)
1998 - Zinedine Zidane (France)
1999 - Rivaldo (Brazil)
2000 - Luis Figo (Portugal)
2001 - Michael Owen (England)
2002 - Ronaldo (Brazil)
2003 - Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic)
2004 - Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)
2005 - Ronaldinho (Brazil)
2006 - Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
2007 - Kaka (Brazil)
Premier League - Spurs to appeal Keane red
Tottenham will appeal Robbie Keane's sending-off in Sunday's 3-2 defeat at home to Birmingham City.
More StoriesReport: Larsson stuns Spurs
Referee Phil Dowd showed Keane a straight red card for his challenge in Fabrice Muamba, but appeared to consult with fourth official Uriah Rennie before making his decision.
Dowd insists he was informing Rennie of the impending dismissal, but Spurs feel hard done-by as Keane touched the ball before his momentum took him into Muamba.
Keane had earlier scored twice to give Spurs a 2-1 lead, but they went on to suffer their first defeat under Juande Ramos thanks to Sebastian Larsson's stunning late winner.
"The sending-off was harsh. In this type of incident the referee would normally show a yellow card, it certainly wasn't red," said Ramos.
"The referee was very close by. It was very unfair. I don't know what happened but the closest person to the incident was the referee. Anybody else was a lot further away."
Assistant manager Gus Poyet was more outspoken, saying: "He talked to the fourth official. I didn't know the fourth official was reffing the match.
"I thought it was the job of the referee. A referee on the pitch is in charge and should be making the decisions.
"I didn't know you could ask the fourth official to confirm."
The controversy mirrors that of the 2006 World Cup final, when Zinedine Zidane was sent off for a butt to the chest of Marco Materazzi, seemingly as a result of video evidence.
However, while Zidane's offence was clear, Keane was extremely unlucky to be sent off and Tottenham are confident of having the punishment downgraded to a yellow card.
More StoriesReport: Larsson stuns Spurs
Referee Phil Dowd showed Keane a straight red card for his challenge in Fabrice Muamba, but appeared to consult with fourth official Uriah Rennie before making his decision.
Dowd insists he was informing Rennie of the impending dismissal, but Spurs feel hard done-by as Keane touched the ball before his momentum took him into Muamba.
Keane had earlier scored twice to give Spurs a 2-1 lead, but they went on to suffer their first defeat under Juande Ramos thanks to Sebastian Larsson's stunning late winner.
"The sending-off was harsh. In this type of incident the referee would normally show a yellow card, it certainly wasn't red," said Ramos.
"The referee was very close by. It was very unfair. I don't know what happened but the closest person to the incident was the referee. Anybody else was a lot further away."
Assistant manager Gus Poyet was more outspoken, saying: "He talked to the fourth official. I didn't know the fourth official was reffing the match.
"I thought it was the job of the referee. A referee on the pitch is in charge and should be making the decisions.
"I didn't know you could ask the fourth official to confirm."
The controversy mirrors that of the 2006 World Cup final, when Zinedine Zidane was sent off for a butt to the chest of Marco Materazzi, seemingly as a result of video evidence.
However, while Zidane's offence was clear, Keane was extremely unlucky to be sent off and Tottenham are confident of having the punishment downgraded to a yellow card.
Gunners Linked With Gourcuff Move
Tue 11 Dec, 04:09 PM
Arsenal are reported to be one of a host of clubs keen on signing AC Milan star Yoann Gourcuff.
The France under-21 international was linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 before opting to make the move from Rennes to the San Siro.
However, Gourcuff has not featured regularly for the European champions and the Gunners are preparing a £15million bid for the man touted by many as 'the next Zinedine Zidane', according to Italian daily Gazzeta Dello Sport.
The newspaper claims Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to offload Gourcuff as Brazilian teen sensation Alexandre Pato will be eligible to feature for the first-team from January 3rd after his move from Internacional.
However, Arsenal could face competition from French clubs Lens and Paris St Germain who are keen on signing the midfielder on loan.
Arsenal are reported to be one of a host of clubs keen on signing AC Milan star Yoann Gourcuff.
The France under-21 international was linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 before opting to make the move from Rennes to the San Siro.
However, Gourcuff has not featured regularly for the European champions and the Gunners are preparing a £15million bid for the man touted by many as 'the next Zinedine Zidane', according to Italian daily Gazzeta Dello Sport.
The newspaper claims Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to offload Gourcuff as Brazilian teen sensation Alexandre Pato will be eligible to feature for the first-team from January 3rd after his move from Internacional.
However, Arsenal could face competition from French clubs Lens and Paris St Germain who are keen on signing the midfielder on loan.
Italian soccer club AC Milan not interested in new faces, says Berlusconi
ROME (AFP) - European and world club champions AC Milan will not be tempted into bringing in reinforcements during the winter transfer window, owner Silvio Berlusconi said on Sunday.
Having added the Club World Cup - thanks to their 4-2 victory over Boca Juniors - to their Champions League crown, Milan believe they have all the ingredients despite standing 22 points behind league leaders Inter.
"Our objective is to always be at the forefront in Italy, Europe and the world," Berlusconi told Mediaset TV station.
"The formula is simple: forget quickly when you achieve one goal and find another to occupy you, this way you always remain ambitious."
As for new signings, Berlusconi thinks that Milan have proved that they have enough resources.
"It's strange when you're celebrating the victory of a team which has just confirmed itself as the best in the world and on the day that it's sitting on top of the world, you're thinking about reinforcements," added the former prime minister of Italy.
"I think it is the team that did not succeed, Boca Juniors, that needs to think about strengthening their squad, that's not the case with Milan."
Following Milan legend Paolo Maldini's confirmation on Sunday that he would retire at the end of the season, Berlusconi took a moment to pay tribute to the Milan club captain.
"Some important players will leave us but not everyone is going. In the case of Maldini, who is staying (after he retires from playing), like (Alessandro) Costacurta, like (Franco) Baresi, like many others, he will continue to be a great captain for the Milan family. He will be a captain off the field."
Berlusconi believes Milan have a couple of gems waiting in the wings in Brazilian forward Pato and French midfielder Yohann Gourcuff.
"We have two young men in which we have a lot of faith: one is Gourcuff, who I have dared to describe as the new (Zinedine) Zidane, I really believe in his qualities.
"The other is Pato. I have not seen him play myself but I've seen videos. I was amazed, astounded.
"That same effect only happened to me once before with another video, that of (Marco) Van Basten's goals."
Van Basten was one of the stars of the Milan side from 1987-1995 when he hit 90 career goals.
Having added the Club World Cup - thanks to their 4-2 victory over Boca Juniors - to their Champions League crown, Milan believe they have all the ingredients despite standing 22 points behind league leaders Inter.
"Our objective is to always be at the forefront in Italy, Europe and the world," Berlusconi told Mediaset TV station.
"The formula is simple: forget quickly when you achieve one goal and find another to occupy you, this way you always remain ambitious."
As for new signings, Berlusconi thinks that Milan have proved that they have enough resources.
"It's strange when you're celebrating the victory of a team which has just confirmed itself as the best in the world and on the day that it's sitting on top of the world, you're thinking about reinforcements," added the former prime minister of Italy.
"I think it is the team that did not succeed, Boca Juniors, that needs to think about strengthening their squad, that's not the case with Milan."
Following Milan legend Paolo Maldini's confirmation on Sunday that he would retire at the end of the season, Berlusconi took a moment to pay tribute to the Milan club captain.
"Some important players will leave us but not everyone is going. In the case of Maldini, who is staying (after he retires from playing), like (Alessandro) Costacurta, like (Franco) Baresi, like many others, he will continue to be a great captain for the Milan family. He will be a captain off the field."
Berlusconi believes Milan have a couple of gems waiting in the wings in Brazilian forward Pato and French midfielder Yohann Gourcuff.
"We have two young men in which we have a lot of faith: one is Gourcuff, who I have dared to describe as the new (Zinedine) Zidane, I really believe in his qualities.
"The other is Pato. I have not seen him play myself but I've seen videos. I was amazed, astounded.
"That same effect only happened to me once before with another video, that of (Marco) Van Basten's goals."
Van Basten was one of the stars of the Milan side from 1987-1995 when he hit 90 career goals.
Kaka outstanding footballer of 2007
PARIS (AFP) - Brazil and AC Milan's Kaka has simply been the outstanding footballer of 2007 and proved that claim by winning the FIFA Player of the Year award on Monday to add to his European Footballer of the Year honour.
The 25-year-old Kaka starred in AC Milan's run to the European Champions League title, then the European Super Cup and the recent Club World Cup.
Few fans of Manchester United will forget Kaka's opening goal in the semi-final, second leg at the San Siro, a low drive from 20 metres, which put the tie level at 3-3, but crucially left the Italians ahead on away goals.
Milan went on to win 3-0, and 5-3 on aggregate, before going on to beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Athens final.
Kaka plays in the style of a classic number 10 such as legends Pele, Diego Maradona, Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane, whom so many youngsters dream of emulating.
Kaka, born Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, comes from a comfortably off family in Sao Paulo, not from the slums which have produced so many top Brazilians, and aged just 20 played in his first World Cup in 2002 where Brazil won the title for the fifth time.
At a young age, the diminutive Kaka had high hopes heaped on his shoulders with the Brazilian media saying he would emulate legendary playmakers such as Rivelino and Socrates and it was not a surprise when he joined European giants AC Milan in 2003.
His talent was as obvious as the jokes about his name were numerous and he was a key component of AC Milan's 2003/2004 Italian league winning team which finished 11 points ahead of AS Roma.
Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi is famously said to have commented: "Kaka? We could never sign anyone with a name like that." Of course AC Milan had the last laugh and he went on to become one of the best players in Italy.
He was part of the Brazilian dream team which, for them, did so disastrously to lose to France in the World Cup quarter-finals in 2006, to all appearances because of overconfidence.
Although last season Kaka did not many goals in Serie A, he still managed to set up a lot of scores for his team-mates. However, his strike rate of 10 goals in 13 matches in the Champions League helped AC Milan avenge their defeat to Liverpool in the 2005 final.
As his career has progressed, he has become more fluent in his movement, has continually improved technically and has generally got better and better in all departments.
In an interview published earlier this year, AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi said that "there has never been any possibility" that Milan would sell Kaka, who has been a target of Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.
Real Madrid offered AC Milan 90 million euros (123 million US dollars) for Kaka, Spanish sports daily Marca reported in the summer.
Kaka, the highest earning footballer in Italy, "has never wanted to leave and I believe that he will never do so... Kaka is the symbol of Milan," Berlusconi added.
And Kaka is the highest earning footballer in Italy with an annual salary of six million euros, according to a study published in the Gazzetta dello Sport.
Milan, who have the biggest wages bill at 120 million euros a year, certainly have the financial muscle to handsomely pay for Kaka's huge influence on the team. Kaka is contracted to them till 2011 when he will not even have reached 30.
The 25-year-old Kaka starred in AC Milan's run to the European Champions League title, then the European Super Cup and the recent Club World Cup.
Few fans of Manchester United will forget Kaka's opening goal in the semi-final, second leg at the San Siro, a low drive from 20 metres, which put the tie level at 3-3, but crucially left the Italians ahead on away goals.
Milan went on to win 3-0, and 5-3 on aggregate, before going on to beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Athens final.
Kaka plays in the style of a classic number 10 such as legends Pele, Diego Maradona, Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane, whom so many youngsters dream of emulating.
Kaka, born Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, comes from a comfortably off family in Sao Paulo, not from the slums which have produced so many top Brazilians, and aged just 20 played in his first World Cup in 2002 where Brazil won the title for the fifth time.
At a young age, the diminutive Kaka had high hopes heaped on his shoulders with the Brazilian media saying he would emulate legendary playmakers such as Rivelino and Socrates and it was not a surprise when he joined European giants AC Milan in 2003.
His talent was as obvious as the jokes about his name were numerous and he was a key component of AC Milan's 2003/2004 Italian league winning team which finished 11 points ahead of AS Roma.
Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi is famously said to have commented: "Kaka? We could never sign anyone with a name like that." Of course AC Milan had the last laugh and he went on to become one of the best players in Italy.
He was part of the Brazilian dream team which, for them, did so disastrously to lose to France in the World Cup quarter-finals in 2006, to all appearances because of overconfidence.
Although last season Kaka did not many goals in Serie A, he still managed to set up a lot of scores for his team-mates. However, his strike rate of 10 goals in 13 matches in the Champions League helped AC Milan avenge their defeat to Liverpool in the 2005 final.
As his career has progressed, he has become more fluent in his movement, has continually improved technically and has generally got better and better in all departments.
In an interview published earlier this year, AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi said that "there has never been any possibility" that Milan would sell Kaka, who has been a target of Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.
Real Madrid offered AC Milan 90 million euros (123 million US dollars) for Kaka, Spanish sports daily Marca reported in the summer.
Kaka, the highest earning footballer in Italy, "has never wanted to leave and I believe that he will never do so... Kaka is the symbol of Milan," Berlusconi added.
And Kaka is the highest earning footballer in Italy with an annual salary of six million euros, according to a study published in the Gazzetta dello Sport.
Milan, who have the biggest wages bill at 120 million euros a year, certainly have the financial muscle to handsomely pay for Kaka's huge influence on the team. Kaka is contracted to them till 2011 when he will not even have reached 30.
Queiroz Queries Ronaldo Snub
Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player than Kaka and will soon become the world's greatest sportsman, according to Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz.
Portugal winger Ronaldo, 22, last week finished third behind winner Kaka at FIFA's world player of the year awards.
But Queiroz said in the Sunday Mirror: "During my career, I have worked with some of the world's finest players like (Zinedine) Zidane, Ronaldo of Brazil, Raul, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos.
"Yet, I can honestly say, I have never seen such a football creation like Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Kaka has been named European Footballer of the Year and World Player of the Year, but in my opinion Ronaldo is better.
"The only thing that Kaka has that Cristiano doesn't is a Champions League title."
Queiroz believes Ronaldo, last season's Footballer of the Year in England, will soon bear comparison the all-time sporting greats.
He said: "Cristiano will not only become the biggest sporting attraction in England, but also in Europe and the rest of the world.
"He will be a world star in football like Michael Jordan was in basketball.
"That is because both of these sporting greats share the same skill level in their different fields.
"They have both been blessed with a genius that has never been seen before."
Portugal winger Ronaldo, 22, last week finished third behind winner Kaka at FIFA's world player of the year awards.
But Queiroz said in the Sunday Mirror: "During my career, I have worked with some of the world's finest players like (Zinedine) Zidane, Ronaldo of Brazil, Raul, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos.
"Yet, I can honestly say, I have never seen such a football creation like Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Kaka has been named European Footballer of the Year and World Player of the Year, but in my opinion Ronaldo is better.
"The only thing that Kaka has that Cristiano doesn't is a Champions League title."
Queiroz believes Ronaldo, last season's Footballer of the Year in England, will soon bear comparison the all-time sporting greats.
He said: "Cristiano will not only become the biggest sporting attraction in England, but also in Europe and the rest of the world.
"He will be a world star in football like Michael Jordan was in basketball.
"That is because both of these sporting greats share the same skill level in their different fields.
"They have both been blessed with a genius that has never been seen before."
Zidane spreads cheer in Niger
Niamey - French football legend Zinedine Zidane arrived in Niger on Thursday night ahead of a two-day visit to support a United Nations humanitarian project.
The former France captain, who was born to Algerian parents, will see first-hand the anti-poverty projects in the West African country. He will also visit a football academy and meet with Niger President Mamadou Tandja.
Zidane said: "I'm really enthusiastic about visiting all these activities that are so important.
"I always wanted, after retiring from professional football, to visit this part of Africa and make a contribution, as best I can, paying particular attention to Niger."
Zidane was appointed a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.
"At the moment his trip is private. We will not be in charge of his programme until Saturday, he will then be at the disposal of the UNDP and the Niger government," a UNDP spokesperson told reporters. - Sapa-AFP
The former France captain, who was born to Algerian parents, will see first-hand the anti-poverty projects in the West African country. He will also visit a football academy and meet with Niger President Mamadou Tandja.
Zidane said: "I'm really enthusiastic about visiting all these activities that are so important.
"I always wanted, after retiring from professional football, to visit this part of Africa and make a contribution, as best I can, paying particular attention to Niger."
Zidane was appointed a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.
"At the moment his trip is private. We will not be in charge of his programme until Saturday, he will then be at the disposal of the UNDP and the Niger government," a UNDP spokesperson told reporters. - Sapa-AFP
Zidane to grace Niger
Former FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane will travel to Niger as part of a United Nations humanitarian project.
The 35-year-old French superstar plans to visit Niger President Mamadou Tandja and monitor the development of a football academy in the African country.
The Algerian-born legend will train and coach the aspiring youngsters at the Technical Football Centre in an attempt to harness and unearth undiscovered talent.
"I am really enthusiastic about visiting all these activities that are so important.
"I always wanted, after retiring from professional football, to visit this part of Africa and make a contribution, as best I can, paying particular attention to Niger."
The 35-year-old French superstar plans to visit Niger President Mamadou Tandja and monitor the development of a football academy in the African country.
The Algerian-born legend will train and coach the aspiring youngsters at the Technical Football Centre in an attempt to harness and unearth undiscovered talent.
"I am really enthusiastic about visiting all these activities that are so important.
"I always wanted, after retiring from professional football, to visit this part of Africa and make a contribution, as best I can, paying particular attention to Niger."
Arsenal move for "New Zidane"
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing AC Milan's hot prospect Yoann Gourcuff in January.
Italian magazine La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed that the Gunners are ready to cash £15 million to hire the 21-year old playmaker seen to be the "New Zidane".
Arsene Wenger tried to get him last summer but he opted for AC Milan. But since moving to San Siro he failed to break through to the first team and is considering his options.
The report also revealed that he may get back on-loan to France.
Italian magazine La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed that the Gunners are ready to cash £15 million to hire the 21-year old playmaker seen to be the "New Zidane".
Arsene Wenger tried to get him last summer but he opted for AC Milan. But since moving to San Siro he failed to break through to the first team and is considering his options.
The report also revealed that he may get back on-loan to France.
Echoes of Zidane in Lyon's victory
The French have seen their future in the form of Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa, the young Olympique Lyonnais boys growing up in the post-Zidane era.
The Italians are still struggling to contain the violence that seems inevitable in Rome on a European soccer night, especially when the English are in the city.
These were the portents of Wednesday's final qualifying games in the Champions League. Only Lyon, completing a grand escape to come from bottom to runner-up in its group, and Fenerbahce of Istanbul actually joined the final group of 16 teams that go through to the draw on Friday for the knockout stages of the tournament.
In a sense it seemed less than sensible that 1,200 Manchester United fans journeyed to Rome for a game that was of little consequence - a game drawn, 1-1, with United fielding mainly reserves. It was also odd that, with England about to rely on an Italian coach, Fabio Capello, to reverse the decline of its national side, malevolent fans of Roma and Manchester should meet on the Pont Duca d'Acosta before the game - with the inevitable outcome of five English youths stabbed and six arrested.
Hospital reports suggested that none of the wounded was seriously hurt, so by comparison to the recent past, all the planning, the presence of 60 United stewards, the alcohol ban, tear gas, riot shields and batons, and the deployment of spotter helicopters, was time and money well spent.
Today in Sports
Glasgow's soccer rivals fall silent after player's deathOnce-mighty Florida State can't stop KentuckyWild-card teams setting out on the road to the Super Bowl
But let's hurry back to the future. Of all the clubs in France, Lyon has been the one that has taken over from Auxerre, and to a degree from Marseille, in managing youth.
A few months ago, after Lyon had been soundly beaten in its opening two Champions League games, it appeared that 2007 was the year that finally caught up with its policy of rearing good players and selling them to the highest bidders, be they Real Madrid or Chelsea.
In particular, the 3-0 home defeat to Glasgow Rangers in early October suggested that Lyon was oversold and its five-year span carrying the banner for France was running out of steam.
In Glasgow on Wednesday, the boot was on the other foot. Lyon's players did to the Scots exactly what Rangers had done to them at Stade Gerland.
But if the score, 3-0 to the away team, was the same, the manner of Lyon's victory, the mental boldness, and the style with the ball at the feet of its young players in particular, put the French club way out ahead of Scotland's.
Benzema was involved in everything. He is tall, his stance upright, his head held proud and reminiscent of somebody quite famous, someone compellingly influential on Benzema's generation.
That someone, of course, is Zinédine Zidane.
When Ben Arfa, who is now 20 and who was born in France of Tunisian descent, started the move for the first goal, it was with an astute pass that required somebody on his wavelength to run for it. Benzema was into his stride almost before the ball left Ben Arfa's boot.
It was a run that took Rangers' defense by surprise. Benzema, born in the city of Lyon, of Algerian Kabyle parentage, glided inside the left back and shot with his right foot hard and low. Rangers goalie Allan McGregor couldn't hold the shot, and Sidney Govou scored from point-blank range.
Even with Juninho, the experienced Brazilian who guides the emerging talents, Lyon became tentative, uncertain whether to protect the lead or go for the insurance of another goal. However, Rangers' best opportunity to save the match was squandered by its own Frenchman, Jean-Claude Darcheville, and in the final five minutes Benzema, looking more purposeful and more powerful with every passing minute, drilled holes in the home defense for fun.
He scored once, he scored twice, and at 3-0 the Lyon escapology was complete, the revenge mission accomplished. There was time only for Darcheville, at 32 a Frenchman rather closer to the end of his career than the Lyon duo, to implode.
It was a gamble using Darcheville at all. He came off the bench despite having barely trained after tearing a hamstring. His lack of sharpness in front of goal frustrated him, but nothing could excuse the final act in which he stamped on the ankle of Kim Kallstrom and was red-carded.
The missed opportunity by Darcheville, followed within minutes by Benzema's goals, was identified as the crux of the contest by Lyon's coach, Alain Perrin.
"Often these things can be the turning point," Perrin said. "I really felt Rangers would equalize, but Karim had an incredible match and was decisive at the crucial moments."
The Italians are still struggling to contain the violence that seems inevitable in Rome on a European soccer night, especially when the English are in the city.
These were the portents of Wednesday's final qualifying games in the Champions League. Only Lyon, completing a grand escape to come from bottom to runner-up in its group, and Fenerbahce of Istanbul actually joined the final group of 16 teams that go through to the draw on Friday for the knockout stages of the tournament.
In a sense it seemed less than sensible that 1,200 Manchester United fans journeyed to Rome for a game that was of little consequence - a game drawn, 1-1, with United fielding mainly reserves. It was also odd that, with England about to rely on an Italian coach, Fabio Capello, to reverse the decline of its national side, malevolent fans of Roma and Manchester should meet on the Pont Duca d'Acosta before the game - with the inevitable outcome of five English youths stabbed and six arrested.
Hospital reports suggested that none of the wounded was seriously hurt, so by comparison to the recent past, all the planning, the presence of 60 United stewards, the alcohol ban, tear gas, riot shields and batons, and the deployment of spotter helicopters, was time and money well spent.
Today in Sports
Glasgow's soccer rivals fall silent after player's deathOnce-mighty Florida State can't stop KentuckyWild-card teams setting out on the road to the Super Bowl
But let's hurry back to the future. Of all the clubs in France, Lyon has been the one that has taken over from Auxerre, and to a degree from Marseille, in managing youth.
A few months ago, after Lyon had been soundly beaten in its opening two Champions League games, it appeared that 2007 was the year that finally caught up with its policy of rearing good players and selling them to the highest bidders, be they Real Madrid or Chelsea.
In particular, the 3-0 home defeat to Glasgow Rangers in early October suggested that Lyon was oversold and its five-year span carrying the banner for France was running out of steam.
In Glasgow on Wednesday, the boot was on the other foot. Lyon's players did to the Scots exactly what Rangers had done to them at Stade Gerland.
But if the score, 3-0 to the away team, was the same, the manner of Lyon's victory, the mental boldness, and the style with the ball at the feet of its young players in particular, put the French club way out ahead of Scotland's.
Benzema was involved in everything. He is tall, his stance upright, his head held proud and reminiscent of somebody quite famous, someone compellingly influential on Benzema's generation.
That someone, of course, is Zinédine Zidane.
When Ben Arfa, who is now 20 and who was born in France of Tunisian descent, started the move for the first goal, it was with an astute pass that required somebody on his wavelength to run for it. Benzema was into his stride almost before the ball left Ben Arfa's boot.
It was a run that took Rangers' defense by surprise. Benzema, born in the city of Lyon, of Algerian Kabyle parentage, glided inside the left back and shot with his right foot hard and low. Rangers goalie Allan McGregor couldn't hold the shot, and Sidney Govou scored from point-blank range.
Even with Juninho, the experienced Brazilian who guides the emerging talents, Lyon became tentative, uncertain whether to protect the lead or go for the insurance of another goal. However, Rangers' best opportunity to save the match was squandered by its own Frenchman, Jean-Claude Darcheville, and in the final five minutes Benzema, looking more purposeful and more powerful with every passing minute, drilled holes in the home defense for fun.
He scored once, he scored twice, and at 3-0 the Lyon escapology was complete, the revenge mission accomplished. There was time only for Darcheville, at 32 a Frenchman rather closer to the end of his career than the Lyon duo, to implode.
It was a gamble using Darcheville at all. He came off the bench despite having barely trained after tearing a hamstring. His lack of sharpness in front of goal frustrated him, but nothing could excuse the final act in which he stamped on the ankle of Kim Kallstrom and was red-carded.
The missed opportunity by Darcheville, followed within minutes by Benzema's goals, was identified as the crux of the contest by Lyon's coach, Alain Perrin.
"Often these things can be the turning point," Perrin said. "I really felt Rangers would equalize, but Karim had an incredible match and was decisive at the crucial moments."
Zidane eyes Real return
Zinedine zidane
Former Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he could rejoin Los Merengues in the close future as a coach with the club's youth teams.
Zidane, the biggest legend in French football, stopped his brilliant career after the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin.
The skilful midfielder cancelled the last season of his contract with the Liga giants, but regretted his decision the following summer.
Zizou has not been included in any football project since his sporting retirement, but claims he could work again for La Casa Blanca.
“I did not plan anything but maybe it will become reality,” he told the French press. “I cannot see myself in an office or as a coach.
“For the moment I know what I have to do and I want to profit from what I could not do while I was playing.
“When the moment will come I will be happy to be with the kids and to give back to football what it made me learn.”
Former Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he could rejoin Los Merengues in the close future as a coach with the club's youth teams.
Zidane, the biggest legend in French football, stopped his brilliant career after the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin.
The skilful midfielder cancelled the last season of his contract with the Liga giants, but regretted his decision the following summer.
Zizou has not been included in any football project since his sporting retirement, but claims he could work again for La Casa Blanca.
“I did not plan anything but maybe it will become reality,” he told the French press. “I cannot see myself in an office or as a coach.
“For the moment I know what I have to do and I want to profit from what I could not do while I was playing.
“When the moment will come I will be happy to be with the kids and to give back to football what it made me learn.”
Zidane Talks Of Real Return
French footballing legend Zinedine Zidane believes he could rejoin Real Madrid at some point in the future as a youth team coach.
zoom - galleria Former Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane has spoken of his desire to get back into football once more, sighting a stint as a youth team coach at Los Merengues to be a real possibility.
The Frenchman has kept out of the footballing limelight since retiring at the end of the 2006 World Cup final, in which his country lost to Italy.
And while Zidane has been enjoying his time off from football, and though he has not spoken to Madrid about a future role, he refuses to rule it out.
“I did not plan anything but maybe it will become reality,” he told the French press. “I cannot see myself in an office or as a manager.
"For the moment I want to enjoy things I couldn't do while I was playing. When the moment comes I will be happy to work with the kids and give back to football what it has taught me.”
zoom - galleria Former Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane has spoken of his desire to get back into football once more, sighting a stint as a youth team coach at Los Merengues to be a real possibility.
The Frenchman has kept out of the footballing limelight since retiring at the end of the 2006 World Cup final, in which his country lost to Italy.
And while Zidane has been enjoying his time off from football, and though he has not spoken to Madrid about a future role, he refuses to rule it out.
“I did not plan anything but maybe it will become reality,” he told the French press. “I cannot see myself in an office or as a manager.
"For the moment I want to enjoy things I couldn't do while I was playing. When the moment comes I will be happy to work with the kids and give back to football what it has taught me.”
Zidane wants Real Madrid coaching return
Zinedine Zidane admits he wants to join the Real Madrid coaching staff.
The French legend revealed: "I would like to get into youth football. To teach kids would be the best. I want to give back to football everything that football has given me."
Zizou actually has a son currently playing for one of Real's youth teams.
The French legend revealed: "I would like to get into youth football. To teach kids would be the best. I want to give back to football everything that football has given me."
Zizou actually has a son currently playing for one of Real's youth teams.
Users crown Zidane, question Capello
The most deserving men's and women's winners at of the FIFA World Player of the Year awards and Fabio Capello's appointment as England coach were the latest subjects FIFA.com opened for debate, and while users crowned their top all-time Gala winners, they were unable to reach a consensus on the Italian's arrival in the Three Lions hot-seat.
FIFA.com reflects on the latest in our gripping line of Have Your Say topics.
Zizou and Marta lead the way
It was the mercurial Zinedine Zidane, crowned the world's best in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and the reigning two-time women's queen Marta that FIFA.com users elected the most deserving winners of the men's and women's FIFA World Player of the Year awards respectively. The iconic Frenchman got the nod ahead of Brazilian striker Ronaldo, whose compatriot Kaka also received significant applause.
As his username suggests, Malaysia's ZidaneKaka had loyalties to two winners. He was, however, able to split the pair. "Kaka is my favourite player but to me, the best player would still be Zinedine Zidane."
Gofrance1998 of Canada agreed: "Although all of these players are very good, Zinedine Zidane rises above the rest. The fact that he won it three times says it all in himself," while Zizzouu of Pakistan also pointed to the fact that the legendary playmaker was a multiple recipient of the honour. "The fact that Zinedine Zidane won this award three times, was a European champion, won the World Cup for France and almost won another one, makes him not just the greatest winner of this prestigious award, but also one of the greatest players of all time."
Zidane's former Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo came in a close second. "I'm not a Brazilian fanatic, but I would certainly think that Ronaldo and Marta are the greatest winners of all time," opined Liberia's thelegendali, whose countryman George Weah won the men's award in 1995.
And a majority of users agreed with him over the greatest ever female winner at the Gala, with Marta pipping USA's 2001 and 2002 champions Mia Hamm to first place.
Jury out on Capello
FIFA.com users were divided on whether Fabio Capello, who recently succeeded Steve McClaren for his first stint as an international football head coach, was the right man to take England forward, with some casting doubt on his appointment and others relaying confidence that the Italian would deliver success.
"Capello was the best choice England had," declared Afghanistan's Olefreestyle in support. "Capello is a great coach and WILL bring success to England." Another user was equally adamant: "I think Capello can do wonders with the England team. Just look at his record," wrote facemelter of Canada.
South of the border in the USA, the verdict was split. "I am not sure that Fabio is a good fit for English style of play. There is no doubts that he is a very talented coach but he has no experince coaching bunch of Englishmen and this can pose a huge problem, opined NYREDDEVIL. Carlosdcosta apopted a more artistic approach to get his point acorss: "I see Capello to England, kind of like going to buy a really nice pair of sneakers that everyone is talking about, trying them on and not fitting to well. They might look good, but they sure don't fit good and feel well at all, and then come to find out they are not for everyone."
The final word went to ZDUDE. "Only a Martian would not see the benefit Capello brings to England. Capello will bring back pride to the English team."
Only time will tell if he will. In the meantime, be sure to enter into our latest Have Your Say debate: Who has the most attractive kits in the world?
FIFA.com reflects on the latest in our gripping line of Have Your Say topics.
Zizou and Marta lead the way
It was the mercurial Zinedine Zidane, crowned the world's best in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and the reigning two-time women's queen Marta that FIFA.com users elected the most deserving winners of the men's and women's FIFA World Player of the Year awards respectively. The iconic Frenchman got the nod ahead of Brazilian striker Ronaldo, whose compatriot Kaka also received significant applause.
As his username suggests, Malaysia's ZidaneKaka had loyalties to two winners. He was, however, able to split the pair. "Kaka is my favourite player but to me, the best player would still be Zinedine Zidane."
Gofrance1998 of Canada agreed: "Although all of these players are very good, Zinedine Zidane rises above the rest. The fact that he won it three times says it all in himself," while Zizzouu of Pakistan also pointed to the fact that the legendary playmaker was a multiple recipient of the honour. "The fact that Zinedine Zidane won this award three times, was a European champion, won the World Cup for France and almost won another one, makes him not just the greatest winner of this prestigious award, but also one of the greatest players of all time."
Zidane's former Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo came in a close second. "I'm not a Brazilian fanatic, but I would certainly think that Ronaldo and Marta are the greatest winners of all time," opined Liberia's thelegendali, whose countryman George Weah won the men's award in 1995.
And a majority of users agreed with him over the greatest ever female winner at the Gala, with Marta pipping USA's 2001 and 2002 champions Mia Hamm to first place.
Jury out on Capello
FIFA.com users were divided on whether Fabio Capello, who recently succeeded Steve McClaren for his first stint as an international football head coach, was the right man to take England forward, with some casting doubt on his appointment and others relaying confidence that the Italian would deliver success.
"Capello was the best choice England had," declared Afghanistan's Olefreestyle in support. "Capello is a great coach and WILL bring success to England." Another user was equally adamant: "I think Capello can do wonders with the England team. Just look at his record," wrote facemelter of Canada.
South of the border in the USA, the verdict was split. "I am not sure that Fabio is a good fit for English style of play. There is no doubts that he is a very talented coach but he has no experince coaching bunch of Englishmen and this can pose a huge problem, opined NYREDDEVIL. Carlosdcosta apopted a more artistic approach to get his point acorss: "I see Capello to England, kind of like going to buy a really nice pair of sneakers that everyone is talking about, trying them on and not fitting to well. They might look good, but they sure don't fit good and feel well at all, and then come to find out they are not for everyone."
The final word went to ZDUDE. "Only a Martian would not see the benefit Capello brings to England. Capello will bring back pride to the English team."
Only time will tell if he will. In the meantime, be sure to enter into our latest Have Your Say debate: Who has the most attractive kits in the world?
Bio - Fast Facst- Zinedine Zidane
Nicknamed "Zizou"
Born in Marseilles, France, of Algerian parents
Scored his first goal professionally in 1991; the president of the Cannes football club gifted him with a car.
In his first international game (playing for France against the Czech Republic) in 1994, he scored two goals in 17 minutes
Won Golden Ball — European MVP award for leading France to victory in 1998 World Cup
FIFA Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006
Became football's most expensive player in 2001, when Real Madrid acquired him for £46 million (roughly $66 million)
Christian Dior's first male model
After being sidelined several times with injuries, he announced he would retire after 2006 World Cup games in Germany
Captained the French team in World Cup 2006 games; they lost to Italy
Headbutted opponent Marco Materazzi after a brief altercation in the 100th minute of the World Cup Final game. Zidane was red-carded, banished from the field.
Still won 2006 FIFA Golden Ball
Is featured as a LEGO minifigure, included in some of the soccer playsets
"Quotes"
"I have won many awards and I am very happy about this, but I am not the best player in the world." — Zinedine Zidane
"It doesn't matter how many times you win an award, it is always very special." — Zinedine Zidane
"When we don't know what to do, we just give the ball to Zizou and he works something out
People > Who2 Biography
Zinedine Zidane, Soccer Player
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Born: 23 June 1972
Birthplace: Marseille, France
Best Known As: The MVP of World Cup 1998
A flashy midfielder, Zinedine Zidane won the Golden Ball as the most valuable player in the World Cups of 1998 and 2006. Zidane played his first professional First Division game for Cannes in 1991 and quickly rose through the professional ranks. He sealed his reputation by scoring two goals in the World Cup finals of 1998, helping France defeat Brazil to claim its first-ever World Cup championship. Zidane played for professional powerhouse Juventus from 1996 until 2001, when he was acquired by Real Madrid for 46 million pounds, a record fee. (By 2003 his teammates on Real Madrid included superstars David Beckham, Luis Figo and Ronaldo, among others.) Zidane was named FIFA player of the year in 1998, 2000, and 2003. He retired from professional soccer after leading France to the finals of the 2006 World Cup.
Zidane's nickname is "Zizou"... In his final game, the 2006 World Cup final against Italy, Zidane was red-carded out of the game for a bizarre headbutt to the chest of Italy's Marco Materazzi. Italy won the game and the World Cup on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. However, Zidane was still named the tournament's most outstanding player. He claimed he hit Materazzi in retaliation for insults made about Zidane's mother and sister; in September 2006 Materazzi said he had grabbed Zidane's shirt during play, causing Zidane to remark that he would give him the shirt if he liked it so much, in turn prompting Materazzi to respond, "I'd rather have your sister." Materazzi further claimed he didn't know Zidane had a sister until after the incident.
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People > Columbia
Zidane, Zinédine, 1972–, French soccer player. The son of Algerian immigrants, Zidane, nicknamed Zizou, was an attacking midfielder and one of the finest contemporary footballers. He played for France's Cannes (1987–92) and Girondins (1992–96), Italy's Juventus (1996–2001), and Spain's Real Madrid (2001–6), racking up major championships and cups with each squad. European footballer of the year in 1998, he also was a four-time world footballer of the year (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006). Zidane joined (1994) the French national team and in 1998 led them to World Cup victory, winning the Golden Ball. In 2000 he was a key factor in France's capture of the European Cup. In the 2006 World Cup final (which France lost), Zidane was ejected for head-butting Italy's Marco Materazzi, who had made a personally insulting remark, but he was again awarded the Golden Ball.
Zinedine Zidane Detailed Biography
Zinédine Yazid Zidane (born June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France), nicknamed Zizou, is a French football player for Real Madrid and France, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the world. He is a Muslim of Algerian Kabyle Berber ethnic origin. Through his status as a prominent Frenchman of Maghrebi descent, he promotes racial and religious tolerance, especially among the young and in his personal life he has married a woman of Christian origin. Zidane is often considered to be the best footballer in the world still playing, and perhaps one of the most talented players of all time. An elegant dribbler of the ball, Zidane's amazing vision and passing ability as a midfielder has earned him the nickname of 'genius' and 'magician' by the world's sport media (Luis Omar Tapia from ESPN calls him 'Harry Potter'[1] in reverence of his 'magical' abilities). Zidane's perfect balance make him one of the game's finest artists and the natural successor of France's Michel Platini. Though being born in Marseille, Zidane has never played for them, so it was rumored that he might want to finish his career there. Zidane has now declared that he will end his career after the 2006 World Cup in Germany, one year before his contract with Madrid runs out. His time in the French league was spent with Bordeaux, before he was snapped up by Juventus for £3 million. Zidane was a member of the French football team in 1998 World Cup, which France won, scoring two headed goals in the final against Brazil. Two years later, he led his country to a second major championship, winning Euro 2000. He has been elected three times as FIFA World Player of the Year (1998, 2000, 2003). In 2001 Zidane transferred from Italian team Juventus to Spanish club side Real Madrid on a four-year contract. The transfer fee was £47 million(approx. $66 million US), making him the most expensive player in football history. While Zidane initially took a while to settle in among his fellow 'Galacticos' at Madrid like Raul, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos, he was undoubtedly the biggest name of the lot by reputation alone, and as the season progressed his form just got better, culminating in him helping Madrid and scoring the winning goal with a fantastic volley in a 2-1 win over the German team Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001-2002 Champions League Final in Glasgow's Hampden Park. Injuries prevented him from performing at his best in the 2002 World Cup. France's defence of their trophy was one of the most unsuccessful in World Cup history; the team was eliminated in the First Round without scoring a single goal. Without Zidane's creativity and vision France looked lost. Zidane rushed back from his injury in time to play in France's last game, but to anyone who had ever previously watched him perform, it was apparent that he was just not himself. On August 12, 2004, after the Euro 2004 display of France, the team getting knocked out in the quarter-final by later winners Greece, Zidane retired from international football. He announced on February 4, 2005 that he would retire from the game at the end of his current contract with Real Madrid, at the end of the 2006/07 season. After France experienced serious problems in attempting to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Zidane announced on August 3, 2005 to come out of international retirement to make a comeback for Les Bleus. He stated on his official website: "I have gone back on my decision, one year after I said it was categorical." On the same day French teammate and Chelsea midfielder Claude Makélélé, who also quit the French team following Euro 2004, said he wanted to come out of international retirement as well. The same week, Lilian Thuram announced he would come back as well. The trio made their competitive return in the 3-0 World Cup qualifier win against the Faroe Islands on September 3rd, and France would go on to win their qualifying group. Zidane is one of the soccer icons of his generation and is known to be modest, quiet and self-admittedly shy. He is married to a French woman of Spanish descent, Véronique, a former model and together they have four sons, Enzo, Théo, Lucas and Elyas. As a Guardian feature article says, however, Zidane has also occasional flashes of aggression on the pitch. Such a display of aggression, Zidane showed when he was red carded for headbutting Jochen Kientz in a 2000/2001 Champions League match for Juventus against Hamburger SV. In 2004, Zidane was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations. In 2004, he was also voted the best European player for the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll. When Zidane came back from retirement, in August 2005, he was reinstated as captain of the French national team, where he wears squad number 10. At Real Madrid he wears squad number 5. In an interview he declared that when he was a teenager, Zidane admired Olympique de Marseille's Uruguayan playmaker Enzo Francescoli (whom he named his eldest son after). He once was a ballboy at a match with Francescoli and thus saw him up close. He was an Athens 2004 Torchbearer. In 2004, Zinédine Zidane was appointed as "Chevalier" (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur by French President Jacques Chirac. Zidane was sponsored by LEGO for a while and wore their logo. He was the official endorser of their Soccer/Football line (name varied to "correct" one depending on the country it was being marketed in), and was also immortalised in plastic in the form of a LEGO minifigure of himself, available in several of the sets.
Zinedine Zidane
Zidane
Zidane" redirects here. For other uses, see Zidane (disambiguation).
Zinedine Zidane
Personal information
Full name Zinedine Yazid Zidane
Date of birth 23 June 1972 (1972-06-23) (age 35)
Place of birth Marseille, France
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Youth clubs
1982-1983
1983-1987
1987-1988
US Saint-Henri
SO Septèmes-les-Vallons
AS Cannes
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1988-1992
1992-1996
1996-2001
2001-2006 AS Cannes
Girondins Bordeaux
Juventus
Real Madrid 061 0(6)
135 (28)
151 (24)
155 (37)[1]
National team
1994-2006 France 108 (31)[2]
1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)
Zinedine Yazid Zidane (pronounced [ˌzineˈdin jaziːd ziˈdan]; born 23 June 1972 in Marseille), popularly nicknamed Zizou, is a French former professional footballer of Algerian Kabyle descent. A midfielder, he was a member and later captain of the French national team that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000, and was also the recipient of the Golden Ball as he captained the French side to the 2006 World Cup final, a match that saw his career end in controversy after he was sent off for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi.
He played for four European clubs, including Juventus and Real Madrid, with whom he won Serie A and La Liga championships, including lifting the 2002 UEFA Champions League trophy with Real after scoring the match-winning goal. One of only two three-time FIFA World Player of the Year winners (Ronaldo the other), he also finished in the top three an additional three occasions, and was also named European Footballer of the Year in 1998. In 2004, fans voted him atop UEFA's fiftieth-anniversary Golden Jubilee Poll, and he was included in Pelé's selection of the 125 greatest living footballers.
Zidane retired from professional football after the 2006 FIFA World Cup. [3]
Early career, Cannes and Bordeaux (1988–1996)
Zidane got an early start in football when he joined the junior team of US Saint-Henri, a local club in the La Castellane district of Marseille. At the age of fourteen, he left Septemes and participated in the first-year junior selection for the league championship, where he caught the attention of AS Cannes scout Jean Varraud. He went to Cannes for a six-week stay, but ended up remaining at the club for four years to play at the professional level. Zidane played his first Ligue 1 match at seventeen, and scored his first goal on 8 February 1991, for which he received a car as a gift from the team president. His first season with Cannes eventually culminated in a UEFA Cup berth. The next season, he met his future wife Veronique, a Spanish dancer.[4]
Zidane transferred to FC Girondins de Bordeaux for the 1992-93 season, winning the 1995 Intertoto Cup and finishing runner-up in the 1995-96 UEFA Cup in four years with the club. He played a set of midfield combinations with Bixente Lizarazu and Christophe Dugarry, which would become the trademark of both Bordeaux and the 1998 French national team. In 1995, Blackburn Rovers coach Kenny Dalglish had expressed interest in signing both Zidane and Dugarry, to which team owner Jack Walker reportedly replied, "Why do you want to sign Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?" [1]
Juventus (1996–2001)
In 1996, Zidane moved to Champions League winners Juventus F.C. for a fee of £3 million. Zidane served as the top playmaker in Marcello Lippi's team as Juventus won the 1996-97 Scudetto and the Intercontinental Cup with a 1-0 win over River Plate. He also reached the 1997 UEFA Champions League final, which Juventus lost 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund.
He netted 7 goals in 32 matches to help Juventus retain the Scudetto the following season and make their second consecutive UEFA Champions League final appearance, losing 1-0 to Real Madrid. In the 2000-01 Serie A season Juventus finished second, two points behind champions AS Roma. In total, he scored 24 league goals over five seasons for Juventus, winning an Intercontinental Cup, the 1999 Intertoto Cup, in addition to the two Scudetti.
Zinedine Zidane playing for Real Madrid
Real Madrid (2001–2006)
Zinedine Zidane playing for Real MadridIn 2001, Zidane joined Real Madrid for €76 million, the most expensive transfer fee in football history, and signed a four-year contract.
He enjoyed a steady run of success on the individual and team fronts, beginning with a spectacular winning volley in a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final in Glasgow. The next season, Real Madrid won the European Super Cup, and in addition to winning the 2003 Spanish Super Cup, Zidane was named the 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year for the third time, joining Ronaldo and Birgit Prinz as the only three-time winners of the award.
Despite scoring his first-ever hat-trick in 4-2 win over Sevilla FC, Zidane's final season of club football was less fruitful, as Madrid were eliminated early from the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, and finished the league 12 points behind champions FC Barcelona.
On May 7, 2006, Zidane, who had announced his impending retirement the month before, played his last home match at the Bernabéu, scoring in a 3-3 draw with Villarreal CF. His teammates wore commemorative jerseys with "ZIDANE 2001–2006" stitched below the club logo. The home fans cheered Zidane throughout the match, after which he swapped jerseys with Villarreal midfielder Juan Román Riquelme and was then given an ovation with the audience chanting "merci", which left him in tears.[5]
International career
Zidane holds dual citizenship in both France and Algeria, and therefore was eligible to play for the Algerian national team, but coach Abdelhamid Kermali allegedly denied him a position because he felt the young midfielder was not fast enough.[6] Zidane dismissed the rumour in a 2005 interview, saying that playing for Algeria was out of the question since he had already suited up for France.[7]
He earned his first cap with France after coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute of a friendly against the Czech Republic on 17 August 1994. The match ended in a 2-2 draw after Zidane scored twice to help France erase a 2-0 deficit.
European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or) awarded to Zidane in 1998At that time, manager Aimé Jacquet had planned to position the team's formation around Manchester United star Eric Cantona, but after Cantona was handed a year-long suspension in January 1995 after assaulting a fan, Jacquet re-arranged the team and positioned Zidane as playmaker. Despite criticism from fans and pundits regarding the choice of players, France made it to the Euro 1996 semifinals, where France were eliminated in a penalty shootout by the Czech Republic after the match ended 0-0 in extra time.
European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or) awarded to Zidane in 1998
A Zidane shirt, number 10 in France
2000 European Championship
A Zidane shirt, number 10 in FranceZidane helped his team reach the Euro 2000 final with inspired play and important goals. He scored a direct free kick in the quarter-final against Spain, along with a controversial golden goal penalty in the semi-finals against Portugal. France went on to defeat Italy in the final, thus becoming the first team to hold both the World Cup and the European Championship since West Germany in 1974. Subsequently, France were ranked first in the world by FIFA.
Injuries, retirement, and comeback (2002–2006)A thigh injury prevented Zidane from playing in France's first two matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He rushed back prematurely for the third game despite not being fully fit, but could not prevent France from being ignominiously eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal.[8]
Going into Euro 2004 as defending champions and heavy favourites, Zidane and his team started strongly as he scored a free kick and penalty in injury-time to defeat England 2-1 in the group stage. On 12 June 2004, after France were eliminated by eventual surprise winners Greece 1-0 in the quarter-finals, Zidane retired from international football.[9] However, prompted by manager Raymond Domenech and seeing France struggle to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Zidane announced on 3 August 2005 that he was coming out of retirement. He was immediately reinstated as team captain.[10] He made his competitive return in a 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands on 3 September 2005, as France went on to win their qualifying group.[11] However, on 25 April 2006, after an injury-plagued season at Real Madrid, Zidane announced that he would retire from professional football altogether after the 2006 World Cup.[12]
On 27 May 2006, Zidane earned his 100th cap for France in a 1-0 friendly win over Mexico at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. It was his last match in the stadium, and he became the fourth player in history after Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps and Lilian Thuram to earn 100 caps. He was substituted early in the second half.[13]
2006 World CupFrance began the tournament in similar fashion to their dismal performance in Korea/Japan, frustrated to a 0-0 draw against Switzerland. In the closing minutes of France's second match of the group stage, against South Korea, Zidane was yellow-carded after pushing an opposing defender, which was his second booking of the tournament and resulted in his suspension from the final match of the group stage.[14] France nonetheless advanced to the knockout round after beating Togo 2-0.[15] Zidane returned to action in the second round match against Spain, setting up Patrick Vieira for a goal by sending a free kick into the penalty area, and scoring one himself in the 91st minute after going down the left wing then firing the ball past Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The victory sent France into the quarter-final against defending champions Brazil in a rematch of the 1998 final. As France held Brazil to just one shot on goal for the entire match, Zidane's free kick led to a goal by Thierry Henry, sealing a 1-0 win. Zidane was named "Budweiser Man of the Match" by FIFA.[16] In the semi-final against Portugal four days later, Zidane netted a penalty for the only goal of the match that saw France through to the final against Italy on 9 July, in what would be his career finale.
After scoring a 7th-minute penalty with a chip shot that hit the crossbar and narrowly crossed the goal line, Zidane became only the fourth player in World Cup history to score in two different finals, along with Pelé, Paul Breitner, and Vavá, in addition to being tied for first place with Vavá, Pelé and Geoff Hurst with three WC final goals apiece. However, he was sent off (see below) in the 110th minute with the match tied 1-1, and did not participate in the penalty shootout, which Italy won 5-3. Despite his red card and the subsequent controversy that followed, Zidane was nonetheless awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the competition.[17]
Discipline
Zidane was also well-known for his short temper on the pitch, as he was sent off fourteen times throughout his career. On top of his World Cup send-offs in 1998 and 2006, he was red-carded for headbutting Jochen Kientz while playing for Juventus in a 2000-01 Champions League match against Hamburger SV. One of only four players to have been sent off during a World Cup final, Zidane also joined Cameroon's Rigobert Song as the only two players ever to be red-carded during two separate World Cup tournaments,[18] in addition to his being the first and only player ever to be sent off during extra time of a World Cup final.[19]
Confrontation with Marco MaterazziAs Zidane and Materazzi were jogging up the pitch in close proximity of each other, they briefly exchanged words after Materazzi was seen tugging at Zidane's jersey before Zidane began to walk away from him. Moments later, Zidane suddenly stopped, turned around and rammed his head into Materazzi's chest, knocking him to the ground. Although play was halted, referee Horacio Elizondo did not appear to have seen the confrontation. According to match officials' reports, fourth official Luis Medina Cantalejo informed Elizondo of the incident through his headset.[20] After consulting his assistants, Elizondo issued Zidane a red card. [21]
ProvocationAfter video evidence suggested that Materazzi had verbally provoked Zidane, British media newspapers claimed to have hired lip readers to determine what Materazzi had said, with The Times claiming that Materazzi called Zidane "the son of a terrorist whore."[22] In his first public comments since the incident, Zidane only partly explained that repeated harsh insults about his mother and sister had caused him to react.[22] Materazzi admitted insulting Zidane, but argued that Zidane's behaviour had been very arrogant and that the remarks were trivial.[23][24]
Materazzi also insisted that he did not insult Zidane's mother (who was ill at the time), claiming, "I didn't talk about his mother, either. I lost my mother when I was 15, and even now I still get emotional talking about her." Zidane replied that Materazzi had seriously and repeatedly insulted his mother and his sister, adding that he would "rather have taken a blow to the face than hear that". He also apologized to viewers, particularly children and educators, but said that he did not regret his offense because he felt that this would condone Materazzi's actions.[25] Two months later, in continuing to assert the triviality of his comments, Materazzi publicly refused to apologize to Zidane, but stated his desire for reconciliation. He also offered his version of events, claiming that after he had grabbed Zidane's jersey, Zidane offered it to him sarcastically, and that he in turn replied to Zidane that he would prefer his sister.[26] Materazzi later confirmed in an interview that his precise words to Zidane were: "I prefer the whore that is your sister."[27]
ReactionsAfter the final, France president Jacques Chirac hailed Zidane as a national hero and called him a "man of heart and conviction".[28] Chirac later added that he found the offense to be unacceptable, but he understood that Zidane had been provoked.[29] Algeria President Abdelaziz Bouteflika expressed his solidarity with Zidane in a letter of support.[30] However, French newspaper Le Figaro called the headbutt "odious" and "unacceptable".[31] The editor-in-chief of French sports daily L'Équipe compared Zidane's greatness to that of Muhammad Ali, but added that Ali, Jesse Owens, and Pelé had never "broken the most elementary rules of sport" as Zidane had. He questioned how Zidane could explain the offense to "millions of children around the world", but apologized for his comments the following day.[32] Time magazine regarded the incident as a symbol for Europe's "grappling with multi-culturalism".[33] Despite the ongoing furor, Zidane's sponsors announced that they would stick with him.[34]
The incident was extensively lampooned on the Internet and in popular culture. In addition to becoming a staple of parody via numerous videos posted on YouTube, a novelty song titled Coup de Boule ("Headbutt") reached the top of the French charts. It was also parodied in the Family Guy episode titled "Saving Private Brian", and referenced in The Simpsons episode "Marge Gamer."
FIFA investigation
In light of Zidane's statements, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings to investigate the incident.[35] FIFA also affirmed the legality of Elizondo's decision to send Zidane off, rejecting claims that Cantalejo had illegally relied on video transmission to make a decision about handling Zidane's misconduct.[36] On the grounds that both players had stressed that Materazzi's comments, while defamatory, were not of a racist nature, FIFA issued a CHF5,000 fine and a two-match ban against Materazzi, while Zidane received a three-match ban and a CHF7,500 fine. Since Zidane had already retired, he voluntarily served three days of community service on FIFA's behalf as a substitute for the match ban.[37]
Charity activitiesOn 24 February 2007, before a crowd of 10,000 fans at a match in northern Thailand for the Keuydaroon children's AIDS charity, Zidane scored the first goal and set up the second for a Malaysian teammate as the match ended 2-2. The event raised ฿260,000 ($7,750).[38]
On 19 November 2007, Zidane took part in the fifth annual Match Against Poverty in Malaga, Spain, which also ended in a 2-2 draw; Zidane went scoreless, but set up his team’s third goal in the 70th minute. He and former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo, who collaborated in conceiving the yearly event to benefit the United Nations Development Programme, regularly captain their respective teams consisting of active footballers, other professional athletes and celebrities. Zidane, a U.N. goodwill ambassador since 2001,[39] stated before the game that “everyone can do something to make the world a better place.”
Awards, honours, and appointments
In 2004, Forbes magazine named him the 42nd-highest paid athlete in the world, with earnings of US$15.8 million a year.[40] Zidane is the President for Life for Nouvelle Vague, a club in Marseille coached by his brother Farid.[41] Since 2000, Zidane has been consistently voted one of the most popular French personalities in newspaper polls. He was voted most popular in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2006, second most popular in 2005, and fourth most popular in 2001 and in 2002.[42]
In November 2006, Zidane toured Bangladesh as the guest of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, and befriended UK-born Bangladeshi rapper Naz Haque Attack. Zidane has said in interviews that Haque's first touch is as good as his. He also visited the Algerian birthplace of his parents, and met personally with president Abdel Bouteflika.[43][44]
SponsorshipsZidane has had endorsements with many companies, including: Adidas, Lego, France Télécom, Orange, Audi, and Christian Dior. These sponsorship deals earned him €8.6 million on top of his €6.4 million Real Madrid salary in his final season, making him the sixth-highest paid football player.[45]
Honours
Club Girondins de Bordeaux
UEFA Cup
Runners Up: 1995-1996
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1995
Juventus F.C.
Serie A: 1996-1997, 1997-1998
European Super Cup: 1996
Intercontinental Cup: 1996
Italian Super Cup: 1997
UEFA Champions League
Runners Up: 1996-1997, 1997-1998
Real Madrid
La Liga: 2002-2003
UEFA Champions League: 2001/2002
Intercontinental Cup: 2002
European Super Cup: 2002
Country
France
FIFA World Cup: 1998
Runner Up: 2006
European Championship: 2000
IndividualUEFA Club Football Awards, Best Midfielder: 1997/1998
World Soccer Player of the Year: 1998
FIFA World Player of the Year: 1998, 2000, 2003
FIFA Silver World Player of the Year: 2006
FIFA Bronze World Player of the Year: 1997, 2002
European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or): 1998
UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player: 2001/2002
UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll (Best European player of the past 50 years): 2004
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball Award: 2006
FIFPro World XI Team: 2005, 2006
Onze d'Or: 1998, 2000, 2001
UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament: 2000
FIFA All-Star Team: 1998, 2006
UEFA BEST XI: 2001, 2002, 2003
Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur: since 1998[46]
Torchbearer for the 2004 Summer Olympics
Prince of Asturias Awards nomination in the Sports category, 2006.[47]
Preceded by
new creation Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year
1997 Succeeded by
Ronaldo
Preceded by
Inaugural Winner UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder
1997-98 Succeeded by
David Beckham
Preceded by
Ronaldo World Soccer Player of the Year
1998 Succeeded by
Rivaldo
Preceded by
Ronaldo European Footballer of the Year
1998 Succeeded by
Rivaldo
Preceded by
Ronaldo FIFA World Player of the Year
1998 Succeeded by
Rivaldo
Preceded by
Rivaldo FIFA World Player of the Year
2000 Succeeded by
Luís Figo
Preceded by
Francesco Totti Serie A Footballer of the Year
2001 Succeeded by
David Trezeguet
Preceded by
Andriy Shevchenko Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year
2001 Succeeded by
David Trezeguet
Preceded by
Stefan Effenberg UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player
2001-02 Succeeded by
Gianluigi Buffon
Preceded by
Ronaldo FIFA World Player of the Year
2003 Succeeded by
Ronaldinho
Preceded by
Oliver Kahn FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
2006 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Marcel Desailly France captain
2004–2006 Succeeded by
Patrick Vieira
See alsoZidane: A 21st Century Portrait
Notes and references
^ Zinedine ZIDANE Profile. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany - Player Profile Page - ZIDANE Zinédine - France. FIFA. Retrieved on 2006-07-10.
^ "Zidane to retire after World Cup", BBC Sport, 2006-04-25. Retrieved on 2006-07-07.
^
^ "Zidane's last show at Bernabeu", People's Daily Online, 2006-05-09. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.
^ The scarred French messiah
^ Le Buteur magazine May 7th, 2005
^ Brewin, John. "Arrogant approach finishes favourites", ESPNsoccernet, 2002-06-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane quits French national team", CNN International, 2004-08-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane & Makélélé back for France", BBC Sport, 2005-08-03. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "France 3-0 Faroe Islands: Cisse double strike", ESPNsoccernet, 2005-09-03. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane to retire after FIFA World Cup™", Reuters, 2006-04-25. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ Pugmire, Jerome. "Malouda leads France past Mexico", Associated Press, 2006-05-27. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ FRANCE 1-1 KOREA REPUBLIC. FIFA (2006-06-18). Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ TOGO 0-2 FRANCE. FIFA (2006-06-18). Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ Man of the Match: Stage 2. FIFA (2006-07-01). Retrieved on 2006-07-02.
^ "Zidane wins Golden Ball award", Reuters UK, 10 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
^ Buckingham, Mark. "1998 World Cup - France", Sky Sports. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane sent off in extra time for head butt", ESPNsoccernet, 9 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Fourth Official: I saw Zidane's Headbutt", ESPNsoccernet, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ Williams, Richard. "Zidane exits the stage with a walk of shame", Guardian Unlimited, 10 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-10.
^ a b Hughes, Matt. "Read my lips: the taunt that made Zidane snap", The Times, 2006-07-10. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Materazzi admits to insulting Zidane", ESPNsoccernet, 2006-07-11. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ See:
"Zidanes agent: Det var provokation med ord", Politiken, 2006-07-10. Retrieved on 2006-07-10. (Danish)
Kent, Paul. "Insult was to Zidane's wife", Fox Sports (Australia), 2006-07-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
"Mondiali 2006: Materazzi, Mai Insultato Madre Zidane", ADN Kronos, 2006-07-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-12. (Italian)
^ See:
"Zidane se livre", 2006-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
"Zidane explains", BBC Sport, 2006-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
"Zidane: Materazzi insulted my mother and sister", ESPNsoccernet, 2006-07-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
"Zidane s'excuse mais ne regrette pas son geste", Tribune de Genève, 2006-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
^ "Materazzi reveals details of Zidane World Cup slur", Reuters, 5 September 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-05.
^ And Materazzi's exact words to Zidane were.... Guardian Unlimited (18 August 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
^ Boyle, Jon. "French fans praise Zidane despite red card", The Washington Post, 9 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Chirac calls Zidane head-butt 'unacceptable'", MSNBC, 14 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
^ "Algerian president backs Zidane over head-butth", Reuters UK, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "French media condemns Zidane", UTV, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "France baffled by Zidane's folly", BBC, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
^ "The Head Butt Furor: A Window on Europe's Identity Crisis", Time, 13 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
^ "Sponsors stick with Zidane despite head-butt", USA Today, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ FIFA (2006-07-13). "FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Marco Materazzi". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
^ FIFA (2006-07-11). "FIFA to review dramatic World Cup final". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane and Materazzi fined and banned by FIFA", Reuters, 20 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-20.
^ Zidane big fan of Celtic star Nakamura
^ United Nations Information Service Vienna (7 March 2001). "French Soccer Champion Zinédine Zidane to Be Appointed". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-07-20.
^ "The Best Paid Athletes", Forbes.com, 2004-06-24. Retrieved on 2006-07-19.
^ "The grace of a dancer, the grimace of a serial killer", The Sunday Times, 9 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-19.
^ See:
"Zidane arcs over Noah in French hearts", Agence France-Presse (AFP), 12 August 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-12.
IFOP (Institut français d'opinion publique) (August 2005). "Le Top 50 des personnalités" (in French). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
^ "Bangladesh hails 'messiah' Zidane", BBC, 7 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. (English)
^ "News on Zidane in Bangladesh", RTV, 12 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. (Bengali)
^ See:
Stehli, Jean-Sébastien. "Icône malgré lui", L'Express, 8 June 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11. (French)
Berthold, Von Norbert. "Warum verdienen Fußballspieler so viel Geld?", FAZ.net, 2006-07-10. Retrieved on 2006-07-11. (German)
^ "France honors World Cup winners - Government gives Legion of Honor to players, coaches", CNN/SI, 1 September 1998. Retrieved on 2006-07-20.
^ "Zidane, candidato al Príncipe de Asturias", El Mundo (Spain), 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
Zidane" redirects here. For other uses, see Zidane (disambiguation).
Zinedine Zidane
Personal information
Full name Zinedine Yazid Zidane
Date of birth 23 June 1972 (1972-06-23) (age 35)
Place of birth Marseille, France
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Youth clubs
1982-1983
1983-1987
1987-1988
US Saint-Henri
SO Septèmes-les-Vallons
AS Cannes
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1988-1992
1992-1996
1996-2001
2001-2006 AS Cannes
Girondins Bordeaux
Juventus
Real Madrid 061 0(6)
135 (28)
151 (24)
155 (37)[1]
National team
1994-2006 France 108 (31)[2]
1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)
Zinedine Yazid Zidane (pronounced [ˌzineˈdin jaziːd ziˈdan]; born 23 June 1972 in Marseille), popularly nicknamed Zizou, is a French former professional footballer of Algerian Kabyle descent. A midfielder, he was a member and later captain of the French national team that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000, and was also the recipient of the Golden Ball as he captained the French side to the 2006 World Cup final, a match that saw his career end in controversy after he was sent off for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi.
He played for four European clubs, including Juventus and Real Madrid, with whom he won Serie A and La Liga championships, including lifting the 2002 UEFA Champions League trophy with Real after scoring the match-winning goal. One of only two three-time FIFA World Player of the Year winners (Ronaldo the other), he also finished in the top three an additional three occasions, and was also named European Footballer of the Year in 1998. In 2004, fans voted him atop UEFA's fiftieth-anniversary Golden Jubilee Poll, and he was included in Pelé's selection of the 125 greatest living footballers.
Zidane retired from professional football after the 2006 FIFA World Cup. [3]
Early career, Cannes and Bordeaux (1988–1996)
Zidane got an early start in football when he joined the junior team of US Saint-Henri, a local club in the La Castellane district of Marseille. At the age of fourteen, he left Septemes and participated in the first-year junior selection for the league championship, where he caught the attention of AS Cannes scout Jean Varraud. He went to Cannes for a six-week stay, but ended up remaining at the club for four years to play at the professional level. Zidane played his first Ligue 1 match at seventeen, and scored his first goal on 8 February 1991, for which he received a car as a gift from the team president. His first season with Cannes eventually culminated in a UEFA Cup berth. The next season, he met his future wife Veronique, a Spanish dancer.[4]
Zidane transferred to FC Girondins de Bordeaux for the 1992-93 season, winning the 1995 Intertoto Cup and finishing runner-up in the 1995-96 UEFA Cup in four years with the club. He played a set of midfield combinations with Bixente Lizarazu and Christophe Dugarry, which would become the trademark of both Bordeaux and the 1998 French national team. In 1995, Blackburn Rovers coach Kenny Dalglish had expressed interest in signing both Zidane and Dugarry, to which team owner Jack Walker reportedly replied, "Why do you want to sign Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?" [1]
Juventus (1996–2001)
In 1996, Zidane moved to Champions League winners Juventus F.C. for a fee of £3 million. Zidane served as the top playmaker in Marcello Lippi's team as Juventus won the 1996-97 Scudetto and the Intercontinental Cup with a 1-0 win over River Plate. He also reached the 1997 UEFA Champions League final, which Juventus lost 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund.
He netted 7 goals in 32 matches to help Juventus retain the Scudetto the following season and make their second consecutive UEFA Champions League final appearance, losing 1-0 to Real Madrid. In the 2000-01 Serie A season Juventus finished second, two points behind champions AS Roma. In total, he scored 24 league goals over five seasons for Juventus, winning an Intercontinental Cup, the 1999 Intertoto Cup, in addition to the two Scudetti.
Zinedine Zidane playing for Real Madrid
Real Madrid (2001–2006)
Zinedine Zidane playing for Real MadridIn 2001, Zidane joined Real Madrid for €76 million, the most expensive transfer fee in football history, and signed a four-year contract.
He enjoyed a steady run of success on the individual and team fronts, beginning with a spectacular winning volley in a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final in Glasgow. The next season, Real Madrid won the European Super Cup, and in addition to winning the 2003 Spanish Super Cup, Zidane was named the 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year for the third time, joining Ronaldo and Birgit Prinz as the only three-time winners of the award.
Despite scoring his first-ever hat-trick in 4-2 win over Sevilla FC, Zidane's final season of club football was less fruitful, as Madrid were eliminated early from the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, and finished the league 12 points behind champions FC Barcelona.
On May 7, 2006, Zidane, who had announced his impending retirement the month before, played his last home match at the Bernabéu, scoring in a 3-3 draw with Villarreal CF. His teammates wore commemorative jerseys with "ZIDANE 2001–2006" stitched below the club logo. The home fans cheered Zidane throughout the match, after which he swapped jerseys with Villarreal midfielder Juan Román Riquelme and was then given an ovation with the audience chanting "merci", which left him in tears.[5]
International career
Zidane holds dual citizenship in both France and Algeria, and therefore was eligible to play for the Algerian national team, but coach Abdelhamid Kermali allegedly denied him a position because he felt the young midfielder was not fast enough.[6] Zidane dismissed the rumour in a 2005 interview, saying that playing for Algeria was out of the question since he had already suited up for France.[7]
He earned his first cap with France after coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute of a friendly against the Czech Republic on 17 August 1994. The match ended in a 2-2 draw after Zidane scored twice to help France erase a 2-0 deficit.
European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or) awarded to Zidane in 1998At that time, manager Aimé Jacquet had planned to position the team's formation around Manchester United star Eric Cantona, but after Cantona was handed a year-long suspension in January 1995 after assaulting a fan, Jacquet re-arranged the team and positioned Zidane as playmaker. Despite criticism from fans and pundits regarding the choice of players, France made it to the Euro 1996 semifinals, where France were eliminated in a penalty shootout by the Czech Republic after the match ended 0-0 in extra time.
European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or) awarded to Zidane in 1998
A Zidane shirt, number 10 in France
2000 European Championship
A Zidane shirt, number 10 in FranceZidane helped his team reach the Euro 2000 final with inspired play and important goals. He scored a direct free kick in the quarter-final against Spain, along with a controversial golden goal penalty in the semi-finals against Portugal. France went on to defeat Italy in the final, thus becoming the first team to hold both the World Cup and the European Championship since West Germany in 1974. Subsequently, France were ranked first in the world by FIFA.
Injuries, retirement, and comeback (2002–2006)A thigh injury prevented Zidane from playing in France's first two matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He rushed back prematurely for the third game despite not being fully fit, but could not prevent France from being ignominiously eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal.[8]
Going into Euro 2004 as defending champions and heavy favourites, Zidane and his team started strongly as he scored a free kick and penalty in injury-time to defeat England 2-1 in the group stage. On 12 June 2004, after France were eliminated by eventual surprise winners Greece 1-0 in the quarter-finals, Zidane retired from international football.[9] However, prompted by manager Raymond Domenech and seeing France struggle to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Zidane announced on 3 August 2005 that he was coming out of retirement. He was immediately reinstated as team captain.[10] He made his competitive return in a 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands on 3 September 2005, as France went on to win their qualifying group.[11] However, on 25 April 2006, after an injury-plagued season at Real Madrid, Zidane announced that he would retire from professional football altogether after the 2006 World Cup.[12]
On 27 May 2006, Zidane earned his 100th cap for France in a 1-0 friendly win over Mexico at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. It was his last match in the stadium, and he became the fourth player in history after Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps and Lilian Thuram to earn 100 caps. He was substituted early in the second half.[13]
2006 World CupFrance began the tournament in similar fashion to their dismal performance in Korea/Japan, frustrated to a 0-0 draw against Switzerland. In the closing minutes of France's second match of the group stage, against South Korea, Zidane was yellow-carded after pushing an opposing defender, which was his second booking of the tournament and resulted in his suspension from the final match of the group stage.[14] France nonetheless advanced to the knockout round after beating Togo 2-0.[15] Zidane returned to action in the second round match against Spain, setting up Patrick Vieira for a goal by sending a free kick into the penalty area, and scoring one himself in the 91st minute after going down the left wing then firing the ball past Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The victory sent France into the quarter-final against defending champions Brazil in a rematch of the 1998 final. As France held Brazil to just one shot on goal for the entire match, Zidane's free kick led to a goal by Thierry Henry, sealing a 1-0 win. Zidane was named "Budweiser Man of the Match" by FIFA.[16] In the semi-final against Portugal four days later, Zidane netted a penalty for the only goal of the match that saw France through to the final against Italy on 9 July, in what would be his career finale.
After scoring a 7th-minute penalty with a chip shot that hit the crossbar and narrowly crossed the goal line, Zidane became only the fourth player in World Cup history to score in two different finals, along with Pelé, Paul Breitner, and Vavá, in addition to being tied for first place with Vavá, Pelé and Geoff Hurst with three WC final goals apiece. However, he was sent off (see below) in the 110th minute with the match tied 1-1, and did not participate in the penalty shootout, which Italy won 5-3. Despite his red card and the subsequent controversy that followed, Zidane was nonetheless awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the competition.[17]
Discipline
Zidane was also well-known for his short temper on the pitch, as he was sent off fourteen times throughout his career. On top of his World Cup send-offs in 1998 and 2006, he was red-carded for headbutting Jochen Kientz while playing for Juventus in a 2000-01 Champions League match against Hamburger SV. One of only four players to have been sent off during a World Cup final, Zidane also joined Cameroon's Rigobert Song as the only two players ever to be red-carded during two separate World Cup tournaments,[18] in addition to his being the first and only player ever to be sent off during extra time of a World Cup final.[19]
Confrontation with Marco MaterazziAs Zidane and Materazzi were jogging up the pitch in close proximity of each other, they briefly exchanged words after Materazzi was seen tugging at Zidane's jersey before Zidane began to walk away from him. Moments later, Zidane suddenly stopped, turned around and rammed his head into Materazzi's chest, knocking him to the ground. Although play was halted, referee Horacio Elizondo did not appear to have seen the confrontation. According to match officials' reports, fourth official Luis Medina Cantalejo informed Elizondo of the incident through his headset.[20] After consulting his assistants, Elizondo issued Zidane a red card. [21]
ProvocationAfter video evidence suggested that Materazzi had verbally provoked Zidane, British media newspapers claimed to have hired lip readers to determine what Materazzi had said, with The Times claiming that Materazzi called Zidane "the son of a terrorist whore."[22] In his first public comments since the incident, Zidane only partly explained that repeated harsh insults about his mother and sister had caused him to react.[22] Materazzi admitted insulting Zidane, but argued that Zidane's behaviour had been very arrogant and that the remarks were trivial.[23][24]
Materazzi also insisted that he did not insult Zidane's mother (who was ill at the time), claiming, "I didn't talk about his mother, either. I lost my mother when I was 15, and even now I still get emotional talking about her." Zidane replied that Materazzi had seriously and repeatedly insulted his mother and his sister, adding that he would "rather have taken a blow to the face than hear that". He also apologized to viewers, particularly children and educators, but said that he did not regret his offense because he felt that this would condone Materazzi's actions.[25] Two months later, in continuing to assert the triviality of his comments, Materazzi publicly refused to apologize to Zidane, but stated his desire for reconciliation. He also offered his version of events, claiming that after he had grabbed Zidane's jersey, Zidane offered it to him sarcastically, and that he in turn replied to Zidane that he would prefer his sister.[26] Materazzi later confirmed in an interview that his precise words to Zidane were: "I prefer the whore that is your sister."[27]
ReactionsAfter the final, France president Jacques Chirac hailed Zidane as a national hero and called him a "man of heart and conviction".[28] Chirac later added that he found the offense to be unacceptable, but he understood that Zidane had been provoked.[29] Algeria President Abdelaziz Bouteflika expressed his solidarity with Zidane in a letter of support.[30] However, French newspaper Le Figaro called the headbutt "odious" and "unacceptable".[31] The editor-in-chief of French sports daily L'Équipe compared Zidane's greatness to that of Muhammad Ali, but added that Ali, Jesse Owens, and Pelé had never "broken the most elementary rules of sport" as Zidane had. He questioned how Zidane could explain the offense to "millions of children around the world", but apologized for his comments the following day.[32] Time magazine regarded the incident as a symbol for Europe's "grappling with multi-culturalism".[33] Despite the ongoing furor, Zidane's sponsors announced that they would stick with him.[34]
The incident was extensively lampooned on the Internet and in popular culture. In addition to becoming a staple of parody via numerous videos posted on YouTube, a novelty song titled Coup de Boule ("Headbutt") reached the top of the French charts. It was also parodied in the Family Guy episode titled "Saving Private Brian", and referenced in The Simpsons episode "Marge Gamer."
FIFA investigation
In light of Zidane's statements, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings to investigate the incident.[35] FIFA also affirmed the legality of Elizondo's decision to send Zidane off, rejecting claims that Cantalejo had illegally relied on video transmission to make a decision about handling Zidane's misconduct.[36] On the grounds that both players had stressed that Materazzi's comments, while defamatory, were not of a racist nature, FIFA issued a CHF5,000 fine and a two-match ban against Materazzi, while Zidane received a three-match ban and a CHF7,500 fine. Since Zidane had already retired, he voluntarily served three days of community service on FIFA's behalf as a substitute for the match ban.[37]
Charity activitiesOn 24 February 2007, before a crowd of 10,000 fans at a match in northern Thailand for the Keuydaroon children's AIDS charity, Zidane scored the first goal and set up the second for a Malaysian teammate as the match ended 2-2. The event raised ฿260,000 ($7,750).[38]
On 19 November 2007, Zidane took part in the fifth annual Match Against Poverty in Malaga, Spain, which also ended in a 2-2 draw; Zidane went scoreless, but set up his team’s third goal in the 70th minute. He and former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo, who collaborated in conceiving the yearly event to benefit the United Nations Development Programme, regularly captain their respective teams consisting of active footballers, other professional athletes and celebrities. Zidane, a U.N. goodwill ambassador since 2001,[39] stated before the game that “everyone can do something to make the world a better place.”
Awards, honours, and appointments
In 2004, Forbes magazine named him the 42nd-highest paid athlete in the world, with earnings of US$15.8 million a year.[40] Zidane is the President for Life for Nouvelle Vague, a club in Marseille coached by his brother Farid.[41] Since 2000, Zidane has been consistently voted one of the most popular French personalities in newspaper polls. He was voted most popular in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2006, second most popular in 2005, and fourth most popular in 2001 and in 2002.[42]
In November 2006, Zidane toured Bangladesh as the guest of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, and befriended UK-born Bangladeshi rapper Naz Haque Attack. Zidane has said in interviews that Haque's first touch is as good as his. He also visited the Algerian birthplace of his parents, and met personally with president Abdel Bouteflika.[43][44]
SponsorshipsZidane has had endorsements with many companies, including: Adidas, Lego, France Télécom, Orange, Audi, and Christian Dior. These sponsorship deals earned him €8.6 million on top of his €6.4 million Real Madrid salary in his final season, making him the sixth-highest paid football player.[45]
Honours
Club Girondins de Bordeaux
UEFA Cup
Runners Up: 1995-1996
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1995
Juventus F.C.
Serie A: 1996-1997, 1997-1998
European Super Cup: 1996
Intercontinental Cup: 1996
Italian Super Cup: 1997
UEFA Champions League
Runners Up: 1996-1997, 1997-1998
Real Madrid
La Liga: 2002-2003
UEFA Champions League: 2001/2002
Intercontinental Cup: 2002
European Super Cup: 2002
Country
France
FIFA World Cup: 1998
Runner Up: 2006
European Championship: 2000
IndividualUEFA Club Football Awards, Best Midfielder: 1997/1998
World Soccer Player of the Year: 1998
FIFA World Player of the Year: 1998, 2000, 2003
FIFA Silver World Player of the Year: 2006
FIFA Bronze World Player of the Year: 1997, 2002
European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or): 1998
UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player: 2001/2002
UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll (Best European player of the past 50 years): 2004
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball Award: 2006
FIFPro World XI Team: 2005, 2006
Onze d'Or: 1998, 2000, 2001
UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament: 2000
FIFA All-Star Team: 1998, 2006
UEFA BEST XI: 2001, 2002, 2003
Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur: since 1998[46]
Torchbearer for the 2004 Summer Olympics
Prince of Asturias Awards nomination in the Sports category, 2006.[47]
Preceded by
new creation Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year
1997 Succeeded by
Ronaldo
Preceded by
Inaugural Winner UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder
1997-98 Succeeded by
David Beckham
Preceded by
Ronaldo World Soccer Player of the Year
1998 Succeeded by
Rivaldo
Preceded by
Ronaldo European Footballer of the Year
1998 Succeeded by
Rivaldo
Preceded by
Ronaldo FIFA World Player of the Year
1998 Succeeded by
Rivaldo
Preceded by
Rivaldo FIFA World Player of the Year
2000 Succeeded by
Luís Figo
Preceded by
Francesco Totti Serie A Footballer of the Year
2001 Succeeded by
David Trezeguet
Preceded by
Andriy Shevchenko Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year
2001 Succeeded by
David Trezeguet
Preceded by
Stefan Effenberg UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player
2001-02 Succeeded by
Gianluigi Buffon
Preceded by
Ronaldo FIFA World Player of the Year
2003 Succeeded by
Ronaldinho
Preceded by
Oliver Kahn FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
2006 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Marcel Desailly France captain
2004–2006 Succeeded by
Patrick Vieira
See alsoZidane: A 21st Century Portrait
Notes and references
^ Zinedine ZIDANE Profile. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany - Player Profile Page - ZIDANE Zinédine - France. FIFA. Retrieved on 2006-07-10.
^ "Zidane to retire after World Cup", BBC Sport, 2006-04-25. Retrieved on 2006-07-07.
^
^ "Zidane's last show at Bernabeu", People's Daily Online, 2006-05-09. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.
^ The scarred French messiah
^ Le Buteur magazine May 7th, 2005
^ Brewin, John. "Arrogant approach finishes favourites", ESPNsoccernet, 2002-06-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane quits French national team", CNN International, 2004-08-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane & Makélélé back for France", BBC Sport, 2005-08-03. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "France 3-0 Faroe Islands: Cisse double strike", ESPNsoccernet, 2005-09-03. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane to retire after FIFA World Cup™", Reuters, 2006-04-25. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ Pugmire, Jerome. "Malouda leads France past Mexico", Associated Press, 2006-05-27. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ FRANCE 1-1 KOREA REPUBLIC. FIFA (2006-06-18). Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ TOGO 0-2 FRANCE. FIFA (2006-06-18). Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ Man of the Match: Stage 2. FIFA (2006-07-01). Retrieved on 2006-07-02.
^ "Zidane wins Golden Ball award", Reuters UK, 10 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
^ Buckingham, Mark. "1998 World Cup - France", Sky Sports. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane sent off in extra time for head butt", ESPNsoccernet, 9 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Fourth Official: I saw Zidane's Headbutt", ESPNsoccernet, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ Williams, Richard. "Zidane exits the stage with a walk of shame", Guardian Unlimited, 10 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-10.
^ a b Hughes, Matt. "Read my lips: the taunt that made Zidane snap", The Times, 2006-07-10. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Materazzi admits to insulting Zidane", ESPNsoccernet, 2006-07-11. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ See:
"Zidanes agent: Det var provokation med ord", Politiken, 2006-07-10. Retrieved on 2006-07-10. (Danish)
Kent, Paul. "Insult was to Zidane's wife", Fox Sports (Australia), 2006-07-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
"Mondiali 2006: Materazzi, Mai Insultato Madre Zidane", ADN Kronos, 2006-07-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-12. (Italian)
^ See:
"Zidane se livre", 2006-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
"Zidane explains", BBC Sport, 2006-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
"Zidane: Materazzi insulted my mother and sister", ESPNsoccernet, 2006-07-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
"Zidane s'excuse mais ne regrette pas son geste", Tribune de Genève, 2006-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
^ "Materazzi reveals details of Zidane World Cup slur", Reuters, 5 September 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-05.
^ And Materazzi's exact words to Zidane were.... Guardian Unlimited (18 August 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
^ Boyle, Jon. "French fans praise Zidane despite red card", The Washington Post, 9 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Chirac calls Zidane head-butt 'unacceptable'", MSNBC, 14 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
^ "Algerian president backs Zidane over head-butth", Reuters UK, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "French media condemns Zidane", UTV, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "France baffled by Zidane's folly", BBC, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
^ "The Head Butt Furor: A Window on Europe's Identity Crisis", Time, 13 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
^ "Sponsors stick with Zidane despite head-butt", USA Today, 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ FIFA (2006-07-13). "FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Marco Materazzi". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.
^ FIFA (2006-07-11). "FIFA to review dramatic World Cup final". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
^ "Zidane and Materazzi fined and banned by FIFA", Reuters, 20 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-20.
^ Zidane big fan of Celtic star Nakamura
^ United Nations Information Service Vienna (7 March 2001). "French Soccer Champion Zinédine Zidane to Be Appointed". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-07-20.
^ "The Best Paid Athletes", Forbes.com, 2004-06-24. Retrieved on 2006-07-19.
^ "The grace of a dancer, the grimace of a serial killer", The Sunday Times, 9 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-19.
^ See:
"Zidane arcs over Noah in French hearts", Agence France-Presse (AFP), 12 August 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-12.
IFOP (Institut français d'opinion publique) (August 2005). "Le Top 50 des personnalités" (in French). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
^ "Bangladesh hails 'messiah' Zidane", BBC, 7 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. (English)
^ "News on Zidane in Bangladesh", RTV, 12 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. (Bengali)
^ See:
Stehli, Jean-Sébastien. "Icône malgré lui", L'Express, 8 June 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-11. (French)
Berthold, Von Norbert. "Warum verdienen Fußballspieler so viel Geld?", FAZ.net, 2006-07-10. Retrieved on 2006-07-11. (German)
^ "France honors World Cup winners - Government gives Legion of Honor to players, coaches", CNN/SI, 1 September 1998. Retrieved on 2006-07-20.
^ "Zidane, candidato al Príncipe de Asturias", El Mundo (Spain), 11 July 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
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