Figo and Zidane Turn Back the Clock
Before the World Cup kicked off, much attention was paid to the young players who were expected to make a name during the competition. While some have lived up to their hype and some have fizzled, it is two grizzled veterans who are left to battle it out in today’s semifinal between Portugal and France.
It is almost hard to remember a time when the names Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane weren’t a part of world football.
Figo made his senior international debut back in 1991, when England’s Theo Walcott was a mere two years old. Zidane entered the scene for France in 1994. Since then, both have been named FIFA World Football Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year, enjoying success at both the international and club level.
There is no denying that both have lost a step or three over the past few years but that has hardly mattered this World Cup. Zidane has dipped into the fountain of youth to deliver a couple of masterful games when his country most needed it. Figo has evolved his game to create more for his teammates and to provide steady leadership for a Portugal team that relies a lot on youth.
Tonight’s game will decide which player fittingly end his international career in a World Cup final and which will have one last moment in the Third Place game. The real winners will be all of us who get to see the old timers play a kid’s game one last time against each other.
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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 26 comments.
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By Smelly Cat | July 5th, 2006 at 11:58 am 
Bob and Luis
Just to give you congratulations of your nice work.
Hope that between this two kings of modern football, Figo can finish with a bigger smile.
15 – 0
Posted from 
Portugal
By Pedro P | July 5th, 2006 at 12:15 pm He surelly deserves it, so does POR for all the efford and “no-give-up” spirit, and naturally, all the “press-mind-game terrorism and provocations” POR has been facing. Just like all the violence CRonaldo has been submited since day 1 (or Figo, who got a boot in his face against Iran, maybe cos he’s a violent and evil person, dunno…), that everybody seem to want to turn upside down… Anyway…
Maybe it’s just POR’s lack of experience in media warfare, but it sure means they are scared… 
FRA… Very, very, very difficult. NOT IMPOSSIBLE and well within our reach. Would just love to see Nuno Gomes come in from the pitch and score AGAIN against the french (this time without a french goal afterwards), especially today being his birthday… 
If we beat FRA tonight, POR becomes a stronger contender than Italy to the final win.
If not, well…, it’s been good guys…
FORCA PORTUGAL!!! A FINAL!!! VITORIA TOTAL!!!
Posted from 
Netherlands
By Matt | July 5th, 2006 at 12:33 pm I hope Zidane’ll play his best football !
And moreover, I hope we see a great football game, with fair play and nice moves… and goals if possible… Let’s remember that no matter who we support, we all love the game here !
Allez Zizou ! Allez les Bleus ! 
Posted from 
France
By Ricardo | July 5th, 2006 at 1:03 pm Força Portugal
Posted from Portugal
By Diane | July 5th, 2006 at 1:04 pm All the best France, lets see Zidane at his best (as always) go get em guys,
Posted from 
Japan
By Ricardo | July 5th, 2006 at 1:06 pm não sei se ganhamos
tou confiante na vitória
Força Portugal
Posted from Portugal
By Monica | July 5th, 2006 at 1:17 pm Forca Portugal!!! Vamos vencer!!!!!! So pra’ frente.
Posted from 
United States
By Pedro P | July 5th, 2006 at 2:00 pm By Gerard | July 5th, 2006 at 2:53 pm Its not Portugal vs France but Portugal vs Zidane.
And the one man army Zidane is going to beat the crap outta them with a little help from the rest).
You will see how one ageing balding man can utterly humiliate a team.
That winker Ronaldo should learn from Zidane how to showboat his tricks for the benefit of a team and not for self glory.
France 3 – 1 Portugal
Posted from 
India
By Streaks on the Line during Portugal and France Semifinal - FIFA World Cup 2006 - World Cup 2006 Blog | July 5th, 2006 at 2:55 pm [...] Other World Cup Stuff World Cup Store World Cup Betting Mobile Phone World Cup World Cup Photos World Cup Videos World Cup Marketplace World Cup Tickets Travel to Germany Add this blog to: MyYahoo, Google, Bloglines, Home » World Cup 2006, Semifinals « Figo and Zidane Turn Back the Clock | Home | [...]
Posted from United States
By Seb | July 5th, 2006 at 3:56 pm Pedro P
Sorry, even if you beat us tonight, I’d still think ITA will be favorite to win it.
They’ve allowed one goal in 6 games and it was an own goal !!!
Posted from France
By Smelly Cat | July 5th, 2006 at 4:05 pm Just Mexico scored a goal to us too. The other goal happened on the panalties for England.
Almost the same.
Posted from Portugal
By Ceasar Lourenco | July 5th, 2006 at 4:08 pm It sure would be nice to see those 2 legends play at their best and of course Portugal coming out on top in the end.
Posted from 
Canada
By Pedro P | July 5th, 2006 at 4:21 pm Italy has the best defense in the world and some of the players in action. Of course it must be respected. Just like FRA, favourites for tonight. But hey, I can still hope POR wins, or not…? POR sure has enough arguments to fight with FRA for a place in the final!
Posted from Netherlands
By Seb | July 5th, 2006 at 4:31 pm Smelly
Yes but Italy has played one more game
Posted from France
By Smelly Cat | July 5th, 2006 at 4:35 pm Correct (I hope can say it after)
Posted from Portugal
By ETucker | July 5th, 2006 at 6:06 pm I’m very excited to see Deco play, he is one of my favorites.
I hope he and Zidane play good games and both teams exhibit flowing, beautiful football.
However, playing with 4-5-1, I actually expect a 0-0 borefest.
Posted from 
Dominican Republic
By jak | July 5th, 2006 at 6:32 pm If Portugal beats France this title is given to Italy there’s no two ways about it!! Italy has never allowed one gool from another team the U.S gool was own gool that’s not gool! they’ll easily win this WC if France is beaten by Portugal remember italy can dive too if Portugal can Italy is the master of diving!!
Posted from United States
By mohan | July 5th, 2006 at 7:19 pm Will power matters as much in sport as in any other human endeavour. You are only as old as you think.
Posted from India
By redheart | July 5th, 2006 at 7:37 pm I like Figo but i like zidane the same way, specially when figo played with barça shirt and zidane with juve shirt.
Posted from Portugal
By Joe_For_Portugal | July 5th, 2006 at 7:39 pm Looks like the US team was better than everyone though as the outplayed the Italians and should have won.
Portugal will revenge USA world cup boot.
By Sana | July 13th, 2006 at 7:05 pm Zidane,
You have truly inspired me and moved me,I have seen you as a fantastic, but what I see in you is beyond just your talent as a superb player; a man of integrity,strength and strong character.I wish i could meet you one day and tell you this in person. Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life. God bless
Posted from 
Pakistan
By Sana | July 13th, 2006 at 7:07 pm Zidane,
You have truly inspired me and moved me,I have seen you as a fantastic player, but what I see in you is beyond just your talent as a superb player; a man of integrity,strength and strong character.I wish i could meet you one day and tell you this in person. Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life. God bless
Posted from Pakistan
By Sana | July 13th, 2006 at 7:11 pm Zidane,
I hope you read this.I want you to know what an inspiration you have been to me.Not only do i see you as a fantastic football player, but a man of integrity,strenght and character. I truly repsect you and wish I could have the pleasure of meeting you. All my love.God Bless
Sana, Pakistan
Posted from Pakistan
By john | April 2nd, 2008 at 5:02 am zidane 1 of the most incredible footballer the world has ever seen
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