Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane:

Zinedine Yazid Zidane (born 23 June 1972) is a French former professional footballer. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Zidane played for club teams in France, Italy and Spain, and was a member of the French national team. His career accomplishments include helping France win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000, in addition to winning the 2002 UEFA Champions League as a galactico with Real Madrid.

One of only two three-time FIFA World Player of the Year winners along with Ronaldo, Zidane was also named the European Footballer of the Year in 1998. His abilities were further recognized in 2004 when he was included in Pelé's choice list of
the world's greatest footballers. He retired from professional football after the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Personal information

Full name Zinédine Yazid Zidane
Date of birth 23 June 1972 (1972-06-23) (age 37)
Place of birth Marseille, France
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder (retired)

Youth career
1982–1983 US Saint-Henri
1983–1987 SO Septèmes-les-Vallons
1987–1988 Cannes

Senior career*
Years Club Apps† (Gls)†
1988–1992 Cannes 61 (6)
1992–1996 Bordeaux 139 (28)
1996–2001 Juventus 151 (24)
2001–2006 Real Madrid 155 (37)
Total 506 (95)

National team
1994–2006 France 108 (31

2006 World Cup

Zidane during the 2006 World Cup final.After being suspended on yellow cards from the final match of the group stage, Zidane set up a goal for Patrick Vieira and
scored one himself in the 91st minute of the second round match against Spain. As France held Brazil to just one shot on goal in the rematch of the 1998 final, Zidane's free kick led to Thierry Henry's deciding goal, sealing a 1-0 win. Zidane was named Man of the Match by FIFA.[ Before the final match, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the competition.

2006 FIFA World Cup Final

By scoring a 7th minute penalty in the final, 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 World Cup final goals apiece. Zidane was sent off in extra time after headbutting Marco Materazzi following verbal taunts from the Italian player, and so did not participate in the penalty shootout, which Italy won 5–3.He
kept the Golden Ball award.

Post-retirement

On June 1, 2009, Zidane was announced as the Advisor to the President as Florentino Perez was named President of Real Madrid for the second time. He also regularly plays for Real Madrid Veterans team.He along with Jorge Valdano, General
Director, and Miguel Pardeza, Sporting Director, will be the key decision makers on the sporting side of the club.

Honours

Bordeaux

* UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1995

Juventus

* Serie A: 1996-97, 1997-98
* Italian Super Cup: 1997
* European Super Cup: 1996
* Intercontinental Cup: 1996
* UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999

Real Madrid

* La Liga: 2002-03
* Spanish Super Cup: 2001, 2003
* UEFA Champions League: 2001-02
* European Super Cup: 2002
* Intercontinental Cup: 2002

International

* FIFA World Cup: 1998
* UEFA European Championship: 2000

Individual
* Ligue 1 Best Young Player - 1994
* Ligue 1 Best Player - 1996
* UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder - 1998
* Ballon D'or - 1998
* UEFA Euro Player of the Tournament - 2000
* Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year - 1997, 2001
* Serie A Footballer of the Year - 2001
* Onze d'Or - 1998, 2000, 2001
* French Player of the Year - 1998, 2002
* UEFA Club Footballer of the Year - 2002
* Don Balón Award Foreign Player of the year in La Liga - 2002
* UEFA Team of the Year - 2001, 2002, 2003
* FIFA World Player of the Year - 1998, 2000, 2003
* UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll - 2004
* FIFA 100
* UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament - 2000, 2004
* FIFA World Cup Golden Ball - 2006
* FIFA World Cup All-Star Team - 1998, 2006
* FIFPro World XI All-Star Team - 2005, 2006