Zinedine Zidane's illustrious career ends with an act of madness

2006-07-10

Zinedine Zidane, the son of Algerian immigrants, capped an illustrious World Cup campaign and international career with France by scoring in the championship game against Italy. Unfortunately, he was ejected in overtime after a head butt and his team lost in the penalty kick shootout.

[Getty Images] Zidane celebrates after scoring the first goal for his team against Italy

While many people did not expect much from Zinedine Zidane in this year's World Cup because of his age and retirement plans, the French-Algerian proved once again he is one of the best players of his generation.

The player, nicknamed "Zizou", led the French team to an unexpected championship match in Germany. He was impeccable all along in controlling the ball, passing and shooting. He performed brilliantly until the last 108th minute of his final international match against Italy.

Zidane is most remembered for leading France to a memorable 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final in Paris. He scored two of the goals with headers. He also led France to the European Championship final in 2000.

This year's World Cup started inauspiciously for France with lackluster draws against Switzerland and Korea

The veteran French team, which was considered by many to be well past its prime, redeemed itself by beating Togo to qualify for the second round. Zidane did not play in the match because he had collected two yellow cards.

In the next two matches, an impeccable Zidane led the French past Spain and favourite Brazil. He dispatched Portugal in the semi-final with a coolly-executed penalty kick, the only goal of the match.

French fans smelled another World Cup in the seventh minute of Sunday's (9 July) final after "Zizou" scored on a penalty kick to give his team a 1-0 lead over Italy. The Italians soon tied the game and both sides battled into overtime.

In the 108th minute, everything went terribly wrong for the French and their superstar captain. Around 20 minutes before the end of the match, referee Horacio Elizondo ejected "Zizou" with a red card after consulting with linesman Dario Garcia. Television replays saw the Frenchman viciously head butt Italian defender Marco Materazzi. The final curtain fell on a remarkable career with utter disappointment.

[Getty Images] A message reading "We love you Zizou" is projected on the Arc of Triumph on the Champs Elysee in Paris after the match

The shaken French put up quite a fight and even came close to scoring, but in the penalty shootout they missed one opportunity to yield the World Cup to the Italians. It was a sad end for "Zizou", but few believe his act was unprovoked.

Fans cheered Zidane in the stadium and thousands stood silent and sympathetic on the Champs Elysee in Paris. Some French media called the foul a moment of madness or disgrace, but the incident will probably remain a mere footmark in the history of football.

"I don't know what happened, why he was punished. But I would like to express all the respect that I have for a man who represents at the same time all the most beautiful values of sport, the greatest human qualities one can imagine, and who has honoured French sport and, simply, France," French President Jacques Chirac said after the match, which he attended.

Zidane's story began more than 40 years ago when his Algerian parents Smail and Malica left their small village of Aguemoun to seek a better life in Paris and then Marseille. "Zizou" was born 34 years ago in Marseille and spent his childhood playing football in the street and watching his idol Enzo Francescolli of Uruguay. He would play against his idol in the 1996 Intercontinental Cup. Zidane named his first son after Francescolli.

Zidane's club career took off under Luis Fernandez in Cannes before his 17th birthday. After a spell in Bordeaux, Zidane moved to Juventus. In Italy, he won the European Super Cup, two Intercontinental Cups and two Italian championships. After helping France win the 2000 European Championship, he moved to Real Madrid for a record 75m euros, helping the team win the Champions League.

Zidane, who was FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000 and 2003, made his debut for France in a friendly match against the Czech Republic on 17 August 1994. He scored goals in his very first and very last matches wearing the French jersey. In international competitions, he has scored in 108 caps.