I know what will be on the minds of many.Yes he didn't score too many champions league goals,but he is not a surprise mention.Three time winner of the FIFA best player of the year,a champions league winner with Real madrid in 2002 and a world cup winner with France.Renowned for his elegance,vision and outstanding technique,Zidane was named the best European footballer of the past 50 years in the UEFA golden jubilee poll.Born in 23 june,1972,he had the best of his footballing career with Bordeaux,Juventus and Madrid.He notched up 28 goals in 139 appearances for Bordeaux between 1992 and 1996,24 goals in 151 appearances for Juventus between 1996 and 2001,37 goals in 155 appearances for Real madrid between 2001 and 2006.He scored 31 goals in 108 appearances for his country France.The footballing prowess of Zinedine Zidane need not be described to anyone who watches football.
Greatly remembered for his volley that guided Real madrid to champions league glory against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002,a goal described by many as the best champions league goal ever.From 18 yards out,Zidane watched,waited and adjusted his body accordingly before driving in the winning goal past Hans-Jorge Butt in one smooth movement.
A special player,who creates space where there is none.No matter where he gets the ball or how it comes to him,he can get out of trouble.There is however one unsavoury Zidane story,that is if you had to pick one memorable moment from his illustrious career apart from his volley,it will be the head butting of Marco Materazzi in the 2006 world cup final.While Zidane's final season of club football ended without a trophy,he enjoyed success on a personal note by scoring his first hat trick in his last match for Real madrid.In his farewell match against Villareal,the squad wore commerorative shirts with 'ZIDANE 2001-2006' below the club logo.
The 80,000 fans inside the Santiago Bernabeu held up a banner reading:'Thanks for the Magic'. And for many years to come,he will still be remembered by both his fans and enemies for the magic he peformed with his feet.
He was really a great player and a real legend.
ReplyDeleteNice article. Z.Z is the boss always.
ReplyDeleteNice article. Zidane was my star.
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