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Zinedine Zidane: The Soccer Legend

Zinedine Zidane was a French soccer player born in 1972 in Marseille, France. He led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup where he scored twice in the final against Brazil, and helped France win the European Championship in 2000. Zidane played professionally in France, Italy, and Spain, winning league titles with Juventus and Real Madrid. His career ended in controversial fashion when he headbutted an opponent in the 2006 World Cup final, for which he was ejected, and France lost in penalties. Zidane is considered one of soccer's all-time greats.

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168 views

Zinedine Zidane: The Soccer Legend

Zinedine Zidane was a French soccer player born in 1972 in Marseille, France. He led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup where he scored twice in the final against Brazil, and helped France win the European Championship in 2000. Zidane played professionally in France, Italy, and Spain, winning league titles with Juventus and Real Madrid. His career ended in controversial fashion when he headbutted an opponent in the 2006 World Cup final, for which he was ejected, and France lost in penalties. Zidane is considered one of soccer's all-time greats.

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gian
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Zinedine zidane

The soccer legend


Zinedine Zidane was born on June 23, 1972, in Marseille,
France. A three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Zidane led
France to victory in the 1998 World Cup and starred for clubs
in France, Italy and Spain. His career ended in shocking fashion
when he was expelled from the 2006 World Cup final for
headbutting an opponent, but he is nonetheless regarded as
one of soccer's all-time greats.
Childhood
Zinedine Yazid Zidane was born on
June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France.
The son of Algerian immigrants, Zidane
learned to play soccer in the streets of
La Castellane, a rough section of
Marseille. After starring for local youth
clubs, 14-year-old Zidane was
discovered at a French Football
Federation training camp by AS Cannes
recruiter Jean Varraud, and spent the
next three years honing his skills in
Cannes' youth division.
Professional Career
Zidane made his first professional appearance for
Cannes at 17, scoring a goal in his debut. He
transferred to Bordeaux in 1992, and in ensuing
years the attacking midfielder earned renown for
his sterling all-around play. Prone to the occasional
flash of temper, Zidane otherwise was the
embodiment of control with the ball at his feet,
seemingly knowing when to maneuver through the
defense, find a teammate with a pinpoint pass or
rocket a shot at the goal.
Zidane transferred to Juventus F.C. in
Italy's prestigious Series A League in
1996. The move brought a marked
increase in visibility and expectations, but
Zidane proved he was up to the challenge
by steering Juventus to an Italian Super
Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, an
Intercontinental Cup and a pair of Series
A titles over the next two seasons.
France 1998
At his peak when France hosted
the 1998 World Cup, Zidane
spearheaded Les Bleus' march
through the tournament with his
crisp passing and dribbling, and
then scored twice as France shut
down Brazil in the final, 3-0, to
become a national hero. Two years
later, Zidane again was the linchpin
of the French team's run to
international glory, which
culminated with a 2-1 win over
Italy for the European
Championship.
In 2001, Zidane signed
with Spanish club Real
Madrid for a world-record
transfer fee of more than
$66 million. The
investment paid immediate
dividends, as the French
import helped Real Madrid
win the coveted UEFA
Champions League title in
his first year and La Liga
the following season.
Germany 2006
Zidane had indicated he would retire
after the 2006 World Cup in Germany,
and it appeared his career was heading
for a storybook finish when France
advanced to the final against Italy.
Instead, it ended in shocking fashion
when, enraged by opponent Marco
Materazzi's comments to him in extra
time, he slammed his head into the
Italian player's chest. Zidane was
thrown out of the game, and France
subsequently lost on penalty kicks.
Post-Playing
• Zidane joined Real Madrid's front
office as an adviser and was named
the club's sporting director in 2011.
The following year, it was
announced the French soccer
legend would begin coaching at
Real Madrid's youth academy, the
first step in a new career of calling
the shots from the sidelines of his
beloved game.

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