About Zinedine Zidane
A former professional football player from France, Zinedine Yazid Zidane, also known as Zizou, was born on June 23, 1972. His estimated net worth is $125 million. Zidane was a midfielder who played in attack. He is one of the most successful managers in the world and is currently in charge of La Liga team Real Madrid.
On the field, Zinedine Zidane frequently behaved in ways that were at odds with his calm demeanor. Zidane will be remembered for both the magnificent and the absurd because he was prone to fits of fury, not least of which was his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi at the 2006 World Cup.
Three-time Fifa World Player of the Year “Zizou” guided Juventus’ play for five seasons before joining Real Madrid in 2001 and became the most expensive player in the world.
He would then play with Ronaldo, Luis Figo, David Beckham, and other A-list athletes in the galacticos project of president Florentino Perez.
Zidane is recognized as one of the greatest players to have ever stepped foot on a soccer field. He is a player of exceptional balance, exquisite talent, and superb vision.
Quick Facts:
- Name: Zinedine Yazid Zidane
- Nationality: French
- Date and Place of Birth: June 23, 1972 in Marseille, France
- Position: Playmaker
- Clubs: Cannes (1988-1992), Bordeaux (1992-1996), Juventus (1996-2001), Real Madrid (2001-2006)
- International Career: 1994-2006 (108 caps, 31 goals)
The formative years
A Cannes scout noticed a 14-year-old Zidane participating in a youth competition. Zidane is the son of Algerian immigrants. Initially invited for a trial, he ended up staying for four years.
He made his debut when he was 17 years old, and on February 8, 1991, he scored his first goal. For this accomplishment, he received a car. He assisted them in that season’s Uefa Cup qualification.
Zidane joined Bordeaux in 1992, and during his tenure there, he helped the team win the 1995 Intertoto Cup and place second in the 1995–96 Uefa Cup. In the first of his four seasons, he scored 10 league goals, followed by six in each of the following three.
Moving to Italy
In 1996, Zidane moved to Turin to play for Champions League champion Juventus, and it was this decision that would propel him into the international spotlight.
He won the Serie A championship in his first two seasons at the Stadio Delle Alpi, and although having only average goal-scoring ability, the Frenchman was crucial to the Old Lady, providing the ammo for players like Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet. Edgar Davids proved to be the ideal counterbalance to Zidane’s class, standing behind him.
The two times Zidane appeared in the Champions League finals without taking home the title will be his biggest regret from his time in Italy. In 1997, Juve was defeated by Borussia Dortmund, and in 1998, future employers Real Madrid (the year Zidane won his first World Player award).
The priciest Galactico
In addition to being the most expensive of Perez’s initial group of galacticos, Zidane became the most expensive player in the world game in 2001 when he moved to Real Madrid for US$64.6 million.
This modest man appeared to be at odds with the extravagant and raucous Bernabeu atmosphere, yet his performances mesmerized Spanish fans as he perfectly assimilated.
One of the best goals ever to win a final was Zidane’s game-winning volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final in Glasgow.
While Ronaldo finished off much of the hard work done by Figo, Beckham, and Claude Makelele in midfield, this was a more impressive team to watch than Zidane’s Juventus. Ronaldo was again supported by a great midfield anchor in Claude Makelele.
He only managed to win one league championship with the Merengues despite the extravagant expenditures, but after a fantastic 2003, he received his third World Player award.
Worldwide Career
In 1995, Zidane succeeded Eric Cantona as the team’s playmaker, and he led France to the Euro 96 semifinals.
Because Les Bleus defeated Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final thanks to Zidane’s two goals, the championship was won by France on home soil.
Prior to the World Cup, there was much discussion about France’s dearth of attacking alternatives. However, they breezed through their group and advanced to the final, where “Zizou” scored his first goals of the competition. Definitely a man for the big moment.
Although he would also contribute to their victory at Euro 2004 in the Netherlands and Belgium, Materazzi’s headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy will live in the memory of many. The large Azzurri defender has a history of stirring up trouble and in Munich, he brought out the worst in Zidane.
Later on in the year, Materazzi made public the words he had used to incite Zidane’s headbutt and consequent dismissal. On the BBC Sport website, he was cited as stating, “I was yanking his shirt, and he responded to me, ‘If you want my shirt so much, I’ll give it to you afterwards.’ I answered that I’d rather his sister.
After a 1-1 draw in the final, France would go on to lose on penalties, but Zidane had a successful campaign overall, scoring three goals (including an outrageous penalty in the final) and putting up some legendary performances. But what a way to go out.
Zizou joined Real Madrid in 2001 for a then-record transfer price of $77.5 million. Zinedine Zidane’s net worth is projected to be $125 million as of 2023.
Zidane switched into coaching following his retirement as a player, starting his tenure as head coach of Real Madrid Castilla from 2016 to 2018. In 2019, he took over as manager of Real Madrid Castilla and led the team to another La Liga and Supercopa de Espaa championship.
