The Zinedine Zidane reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Zinedine Zidane

Zinédine Yazid Zidane (June 23, 1972), born in Marseille, France, is an Algerian descent non active muslim French football (soccer) player of Algerian Berber ethnic origin, nicknamed Zizou. He was voted the top player in the 1998 Football World Cup, which France won, scoring two goals in the final against Brazil. Has been elected three times by FIFA members as the best football player of the Year (1998, 2000, 2003).

In 2001 he transferred from Italian team Juventus to Spanish club side Real Madrid in a four-year deal worth US$64.45 million, making him the most expensive player in footballing history. While Zidane initially took a while to settle among the superstars of Madrid, the season culminated in him scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 win over the German side Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001-2002 Champions League Final. Madrid's number "5" has recently renewed his contract for one more year ending in 2005, expressing his love for the club and his desire to continue in the team.

Injuries prevented him from reprising his 1998 performance in the 2002 Football World Cup. France's defence of their trophy was one of the most unsuccessful in World Cup history, the team being eliminated in the First Round without scoring a single goal.

Zidane is often considered to be the best football player in the world, his skills can't be ignored by even the most talented players of all times. An elegant dribbler of the ball, Zidane's passing ability and perfect balance makes him the indiscused predecessor of France´s Michel Platini.

He is married to a French woman of Spanish descent and has two children.

In 2004, he was named to FIFA's List of 100 Greatest Living Soccer Players.

Table of contents

1 Clubs 2 Honors 3 External link

Clubs

• Cannes FC (1988-1992)
• FC Bordeaux (1992-1996)
• Juventus (July 1996 - July 2001)
• Real Madrid (since July 2001)
• French national football team (since August 1994)

Honors

With the French national team:

• FIFA World Cup
  • Winner: 1998
  • Appearances: 1998, 2002
• European Championship winner: Euro 2000

With Juventus:

• European Super Cup: 1996
• Intercontinental Cup: 1996
• Serie A champions: 1996/1997, 1997/1998
• Italian Super Cup: 1997

With Real Madrid:

• UEFA Champions' League: 2001/2002 (scoring in the final one of the best goals in football history)
• European Super Cup: 2002
• Intercontinental Cup: 2002
• Spanish League - La Liga champions: 2002/2003

Personal honors:

• FIFA World Player of the Year: 1998, 2000, 2003
• European Player of the Year (Ballon d'Or): 1998

External link

• zidane.net - official website (in French and Spanish)

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