Zinedine Zidane
French playmaker and former manager of Real Madrid, World Cup and Champions League winner.
Zinedine Yazid Zidane, known as Zizou, is a French professional football manager and former player who played as an attacking midfielder. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and previously served as head coach of Real Madrid, not the France national team.
- born
- 23 June 1972
- field
- Football (soccer)
- nationality
- French
- known_for
- Playmaker renowned for elegance, vision, passing, and ball control; FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003; 1998 Ballon d'Or winner; headbutt in 2006 World Cup final
Lore & Background
Zinedine Zidane was born on 23 June 1972 in La Castellane, Marseille, to Algerian parents. He began playing football at age five and joined Cannes at 14, making his professional debut in 1989. He later moved to Bordeaux, winning the 1995 Intertoto Cup, and then to Juventus in 1996, where he won two Serie A titles and played in consecutive Champions League finals. In 2001, he transferred to Real Madrid for a world-record fee of €75 million, scoring a left-foot volleyed winner in the 2002 Champions League final, considered one of the greatest goals in history. He was named in Real Madrid's and Juventus's greatest XI of all time.
Reader's Guide
Zidane's significance lies in his extraordinary playing career and subsequent managerial success. As a player, he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup, scoring a brace in the final, and UEFA Euro 2000, where he was Player of the Tournament. He received the Golden Ball at the 2006 World Cup despite a sending-off for headbutting Marco Materazzi. He is one of eleven players to have won the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or. As a manager, he led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles (2016–2018), a feat no other coach has achieved, and won multiple domestic trophies. He returned to coaching in 2026 as head coach of the France national team. His legacy includes being named best European footballer of the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll and inclusion in the FIFA 100.
Did You Know?
- Zidane was given a car by Cannes chairman Alain Pedretti after scoring his first goal for the club.
- He served as an ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after the tournament was awarded.
- Zidane is the only coach to win the Champions League three consecutive times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zinedine Zidane?
Zinedine Yazid Zidane, widely known as Zizou, is a French former attacking midfielder and current head coach of the France national team. Born on 23 June 1972, he is frequently cited as one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport.
What made Zidane so special on the pitch?
Zidane was revered for his silky ball control, extraordinary spatial vision, and an almost effortless ability to dictate the rhythm of a match. His elegant passing and composure as a playmaker set a standard that very few midfielders have matched.
What happened in the 2006 World Cup final?
In the 2006 FIFA World Cup final against Italy, Zidane struck Marco Materazzi with a headbutt during extra time, earning a red card and forcing his immediate exit from the tournament. That moment became the dramatic and controversial curtain call to his playing career.
What major trophies and individual awards did Zidane collect?
Zidane won the 1998 FIFA World Cup with France, the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, and the 1998 Ballon d'Or. He was also named FIFA World Player of the Year three separate times, in 1998, 2000, and 2003.
What is Zidane doing in football now?
After retiring as a player, Zidane moved into management and famously guided Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles. He currently holds the role of head coach of the France national team.
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