Zidane’s Fountain of Youth

Zidane was definately player of the match.. I have a lot of respect for him, he’s not like Henry who dives and plays like crap (even though he scored the goal he was boring IMHO)

Zinedine Zidane is the greatest player that is playing now. He is an inpiration to all of us. Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Kaka look like amateurs infront of this Master Magician’s mastery – and what more his humility puts five stars in his already impressive persona.
The one and only true Grandmaster of football: Zinedine Zidane.
May you live long.

Zidane I hope your best days will come this this week

I grew up watching Zizou, circa his Juventus days. And I still remember that fateful night in Paris when he led the French on a 3-0 victory over the formidable Brasillians. I admire him because even though he’s the backbone of his team, he’s not afraid to pass the ball to his teammates. He’s never tries to be the primadonna, the attention-grabber, the show-stealer. Even when he does his trademark artful dribbling and sends opposing teams’ bodies across the fields, he does it out of the necessity of protecting the ball, rather than to show off his skills.

With Zizou, you always get the feeling that there is a *team* playing, unlike some *other* football superstars who know they’re good.

J’aime beaucoup Zizou. I watched the Brasil-France match at the international centre at my university, and some Brasil fans were telling me they were “so sorry” for me for favouring the French over the Brasillians. Apparently they haven’t seen Zidane in action, or they’ve forgotten 1998.

Zizou is our santa claus. Hope this year Christmas will on the 9th of July…
Football is easy with him…

legend

Zizou is one of the greatest players of all time. I just hope he has two more marvelous games left in the tank.

Wow.

Zizou is a LEGEND. Nike can do as many commercials as they want with Ronaldinho portraying him as some sort of LEGEND. He is not Zizou, nor will he ever be. Zizou plays football intelligently while Ronaldinho and the Brasilians play football with POINTLESS flair. Trtty said it best that he used his moves to maintain possession not for pointless flair. J’aime beaucoup Zizou. On July 9 the French will be holding the TROPHY and the world will be saying good-bye to this generations greatest footballer!

Zidane is largely responsible for my own WC mania. In ‘98 I was in France when they won the cup and seeing the celebrations that his play brought upon the nation I fell permnanently and totally in love with “The Beauitful Game” after that.

if you look up the word ‘teammate’ in the dictionary, zidane’s photo should be right there. as an american who agonizingly watches our baseball and basketball all stars get destroyed in international competition, it was an absolute joy watching one of the world’s biggest superstars do everything in his power (and that power includes dazzling talent) to help his TEAM win a TEAM game. What a superstar to watch!

Am I a Brazil fan? Yes, my dad is from there. Was I rooting for them to win? Yes, up to about halftime, if that. I then switched to root for the French because they were actually PLAYING and TRYING to win whereas Brazil was just boring. I hope for Germnay, France and Portugal to have a shot for the final because all three of those teams have played some fun soccer to watch, with exception of some early games:)

Here’s to an entertaining final between 2 teams!

yeah, i gotta say — i’m a HUGE Brazil fan, and I think Zidane pretty much pwned the seleção.

i just wish i could bring myself to root for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo just turns my stomach.

I am not a fan of the French. I am an avid USA fan, so I am therefore somewhat disapointed. But after the show that Zidane put on last Saturday I would have to say he is without a dought one of the best Fooballer’s ever to play the game. He also has to be one of the Best athletes to ever play any sport. Years age I wathched Michael Jordan play in an NBA final game with the flu and a fever of 105 degrees F and he out played everyone else on the court. It was amazing to watch. As was Zizou.

The first video showing Zidane’s magic against Brazil are all long-distance shots. Here is an alternative video showing him much closer against Brazil – now you can appreciate this his magic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OOWTTV5dRU

What is the name of the song in the second video compilation?….

Zizou RULES! He is the reason I am still so crazy about this WC! The previous comments said well, he shows the true sportmanship! He is the mind (MAN) behind every play!

go all the way and win the cup france!!!!

Zizou!! Time’s on your side buddy! while many other teams and players in this tournement cry, whine, throw each other slaps and then eventually go home, Zizou keeps his ultimate cool and gets the job done. Cheers to the most inspiring player of this year’s World Cup.

A BEAUTIFUL game. Majestic Zidane.

zidane proved he was the french team’s true captain at the long-awaited rematch with brazil. honestly, my heart belongs to the brazil team, but zidane (and ribery!) showed us how real passion for the beautiful game transcends everything else.

Canadianhoser, the song is an adaptation of “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”.

We should all count ourselves lucky to witness Zizou’s magic and artistry before he finally calls it quits. He is truly one of the best players to have ever played the game.

If Zizou can win this world cup for France, I would put him in the same ranks as Diego Maradona, if not above him.

I am a fully commited supporter of Korean football and I was full of joy when Park Ji Sung tied the game against France even though I thought it was the end of Zidane. I hate to admit it but a little bit of me is smiling to see my own country get knocked out just so we could all witness one of the greatest inspirations I have ever witnessed in sports. DO IT ZIDANE!! you are undoubtedly the true magician of the football era.

My love for soccer started at the age of 7 watching Maradona’s magic in 1986 world cup. Zidane refreshed my soccer appetite in 1998…and now Zizou has made WC 2006 so much more exciting.

His skillful display against Brasil equals Maradona’s against England in 1986. I hope Zizou signs-off from the game on a high by lifting the cup. If that happens he’ll definitely be remembered on par with Pele and Maradona, if not more.

As lot of folks have rightly said he doesn’t indulge in pointless flair to grab attention but plays for his team. Three cheers to the best player of World Cup 2006 – period!

Although I think soccer is a great game, I haven’t followed it that closely until this World Cup. But, you don’t have to be a passionate fan of the game to realize Zidane is a special, special player. These are the best soccer players in the world and he looks like a man among boys. I’ve watched a lot of soccer this World Cup and his skills and mental approach to the game are the best since Pele. I’m pulling, big time, for France.

[...] 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. [...]

[...] 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. [...]

Wow! It was truly inspirational to watch Zidane in action! Notwithstanding the comments that he’s crossed the age limit, he has continously amazed everyone with his relentless energy and play! Here’s to one of Football’s best, go ahead Zidane! Can’t wait for the Finals!

Does anyone know how I can find a copy of the song playing in “Zidane Compilation”? Thanks.

It was so beautiful to watch Zidane play football! He is so inspirational to his team and football fans!!!! He played as a team member! Always giving his all to the game! Hoping that he and his team get the cup!

Zizou how can you do this to me…….What happened?? T_____T

Zidane is certainly my best football player. he deserves to win multible world cups and to be nemed the best player. i think that the italian player insulted Zidane on purpose because he knew that Zidane would react back the way he did. i am just proud of Zidane.

What happened last night was only human. We all have our moments. His greatness is not defined or ruined by one moment or one incident. If this is a tactic of Italians, it only proves that they have use something else other playing the games honestly to win.

Zidane remain the greatest player of our times.

you are simply fantabulous…..playing for the love of the game.inspiring ZIZOULIANS fans world over….zidane u r the best.

Thanks Zizou and once the dust settles you will be remembered for the awe inspiring captain of the French team.
I am an England fan but we have no-one of uour stature.

I am sure whatever happened you were provoked and the red mist set in…BUT NO ONE can take away the fact that like in 98 you were the man of the tournament.

It was my absolute privilege and honour to wtch you play – I found myself wanting the French to win because of the sheer class of your football.

Raise your head and keep it high – you graced the pitch and took France where they could not have gone.

You are always a credit to football and will be very sadly missed.

I hope we will see you in the form of a coach at some point.

I refuse to condemn a hero who has done so much for football.

If indeed it was a racist slur then FIFA needs to get tough and start banning racist players for LIFE.

On the world’s stage there is never a excuse for such despicable insults – a racist has no place in the world cup competition – FIFA better get tough.

Adieu mon grande ami Zizou

Zidane is the best football player in this world cup

People who have not experienced racism do not know how difficult it is to control oneself once you are provoked. Its typical of Italians and its sad this also occurs at the Worldcup. I support Zidane 100%. France may have lost the worldcup but stood strong against racism.

I liked the title
((Zidane’s Fountain of Youth))
SO COOL
even though they didn’t win, but he is still the BEST. ^_^

I LOVE ZIZOU!!!! I THINK REGARDLESS OF THE INCIDENT IN THE FINAL, HE IS THE BEST PLAYER IN FOOTBALL AND HIS MAGIC WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!! HE HAS SHOWN HIMSELF TO BE A LEADER ON AND OFF OF THE FIELD UNLIKE MANY OTHER PLAYERS. HE IS A GENTLEMAN THROUGH AND THROUGH!! ZIZOU, YOU ARE A CHAMPION IN THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS.

Zinedine Zidane is the best midlefield footbal player ever seen. He deserved the golden ball. I’m you’r fan and I tell you, the italian’s fear you while are in the game. You did well with Materazzi, that bastard! La coupe du monde est di France, Zizou, your’s.

If it’s proven that it was a racist slur against Zidane’s mother the Italian responsible should never be allowed to play at ANY international level.

What a mockery this makes of FIFA’s no racism in football position…FIFA need to act abd be seen to do the right thing.

What othr forums are there – post the link to your friends let’s get Materazzi’s winner’s medal revoked.

Zidane simply best no body can touch him

asfddasffds

My love for soccer just started after watching Zidane’s game and saw some moves over the internet. He is a true humble man despite what happened in the 2006 FIFA final match. Materazzi should be punished for his act because he provoked him FIRST with very strong offensive remarks especially around the last 12 minutes of the game. It was a very crucial moment for France and winning the WprldCup

hey people..wuzzup….hello hi salam namaste sasriakal…itz so gr8 to read to ur commentzZz…im luvin it…keep it up..i supported italy in the final…but sorry italy..ma favorite playaa is Zidane…cannavaro is no where close to get the golden ball award..despite the headbutttt…itz a game where temper wobblez on ur chest…one last thing…keep it up…keep submittin ur commentz…plzz..luv u all…bklyn ny fanzzz…

Poor our Zizou, it was all because of that crazy Materrazi that he was sent off :((
But after all, he’s just the best – the greatest football player of all time. Zizou I love you!!!!!!!

Propper Behavior in any Sport pitch has to be followed for both parts… The Zidane’s reaction just followed after a planned and directed provocation, after the frustration, The Italians could not control Zidane by playing, Obviosly Matterazzi acted as instructed, consistently several times,until got it. We all have a limit !! .Italians used to Play football it’s a shame what is happening to “Calcio” in Italy. Matearazzi: Mother is sacred, You Should Know this,Do not say it now, its too late, You Should have restraint of saying it before. Zidane, we are with you in this situation and You will be remembered as the best soccer player, You have the best recognition, Ours !!

Zidane is obviously the greatest football player of all time.He has brought a whole new dimension of football into the world. There has never been a player of his stature in the football world before. The fact that he reacted the way he did in the final does not mean I should love him less. Zidane is my idol. He is simply the best.

Zinedine Zidane is a perfect maestro. I have never seen anything like him before. No player, not even David Beckham, Ronaldinho, Figo, Raul, Thierry Henry, Roberto Carlos or even the great Ronaldo can compare themselves to the legendary Zidane. He has been the best from the beginning to the end.

Zidane is better than Pele and Maradona and yet some people argue than Ronaldinho can match Zidane. Yes, Ronaldinho does more tricks and fancy stuff than Zizou but the latter does only what’s required to win a game. He can orchestrate a game. He rise on great occasions, unlike Henry who was just a shadow of himself at the world cup. ONLY ZIDANE performs the same at either domestic or international level. Zidane should be nomitated at this years FIFA world player of the year and win it. We’ve already seen a duel between Ronaldinho and Zidane. The latter won that duel. who deserves the FIFA accolade then?

ZZ was and still is a great player, One of the very best ever. No doubt about it.
But some here are stating that he was better than Pele or Maradona.
Now that’s a bit overboard to me.
Just look at their stats.
Sorry to rain on your parade but let’s be a bit more objective when it comes to publish information

I agree, to place Zidane in the same class as Maradonna, Baggio and Pele is a bit of a stretch.

I’d like to thank you very much for this blog. I wish you could moderate out the inevitable hateful messages that will be posted here but nevertheless it is still wonderful to see someone posting a blog on Zizou. I have been watching international football since the 70s and every World Cup since then. I have been upset with many results in the past but have always gotten over them very quickly.

However, that is not the case with this World Cup. Over a month after the final, and I am still reeling from Zizou’s exit. I am still in a kind of mourning for him.

I look at Zidane this way: Pele dominated football as the world’s finest player from the late 50s into the early 70s, when he was in decline. No one could touch him then. Maradona dominated football as the world’s finest player in the 80s, no one could touch him then. By the time Maradona came around, the game had changed dramatically from the one that was played during Pele’s day.

The years in between Pele’s and Maradona’s domination of the game had some brilliant players known around the world as well but none came quite close to either one of them as being iconic of their era.

Years after Maradona went into decline, again, there was no one really to replace him as being iconic, showing us genius, beauty and art on the pitch that surpassed anyone else.

That is, until Zizou showed up. I can’t say that Zizou is “better” than Pele or Maradona because you can’t compare them. Zizou was a midfielder after all. Zizou played in a very different football era than the ones Maradona and Pele played in. The game changed again significantly by the time Zizou came on the world stage.

So for his generation, for his era, Zidane is quite simply the most iconic, the finest light on the football pitch, surpassing anyone else. I love a lot of other players of his generation but no one created the same magic, no one was as much of a mesmerizing genius as he was. Watching him play at his top level is one of the greatest joys any real football fan can have. Even when he was subpar, you saw incredible moments of magic that other players just didn’t have.

Now we’re in a period again where there really is no one to match him. I like Ronaldinho just fine, I think he’s brilliant. I enjoy watching him. But he does not possess the elegance, the sheer grace of Zizou. Some pundits call Zizou majestic on the pitch, and I agree.

I am not interested in defending Zizou for his actions on the pitch on July 9. I can choose to remember ONLY that moment or not. But because I am someone who genuinely loves the game, I cannot dismiss the power, skill and gifts that Zizou brought to the football pitch. To remember his violent act against Materazzi and only that is to mark you as someone who is not a true lover of the game.

Nor can I forget how graciously he always behaved off the pitch; nor what all those who played with him, his coaches, all those who know him professionally and personally have always said about him — including Marcello Lippi and many Italian players who were his teammates at Juventus. I recognize his dark side but that is only part of the reality of Zizou. The other reality is his well known modesty, his generosity with other players, and the immense respect and affection he generated among all those who worked with him.

I admit that I am heartbroken at Zizou passing from the football scene. There is no one like him today. It is true that in the last couple of years, he was not his old brilliant self. But now that he is truly gone, the game is very much the lesser for it.

If you want to indulge in the sheer joy of Zizou, aside from the many wonderful videos available on youtube, try to see if you can find a copy of his Champions League finals in his early years at Real Madrid, before that club’s decline began. The game with Bayern Leverkeusen and the game with Manuchester United — where Zizou plays unbelievable, extraordinary football along with a top-form Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo & Raul — are the highest level football I’ve ever seen in recent years. It makes for extraordinary viewing. The English, Spanish and Italian commentators at those games are left speechless (I have those games with all 3 commentaries). And Zidane’s almost supernatural goal against Bayern Leverkeusen ranks as among the game’s most memorable, spectacular goals EVER — in the game’s entire history.

I hope Zizou’s next chapter in his life will be fulfilling and creative for him. I hope we will at least see him pop up once in a while.

I have so much much more to say about this genius, this remarkable, flawed man but this is far too long as it is.
So, as the French say so graciously and simply: Merci, Zizou, merci.

Nice post, Elydia.
It shows all the true love you feel for the great Z.
And he deserves every bit of it…

Hello,

And thank you for all your objective and beautiful comments (especially Elydia.

Yes, I am sad too that Zidane (and France) didn’t win another one. At some point I would cheer more for Zidane playing in foreign clubs than at the French ones that competed against Juve or real. Just how to let you know I liked him as a player.

I am French but lived a long time in the US (90s). The first match I saw of ZZ was actually his worst (semi against the CZch Rep in 96) and said: get him out!!!

I didn’t know he had a car accident before the tournament and exclaimed: I long for another Platini to come back. Let’s not forget how Michel was great and still acclaimed as one of the very best ever by an entire generation (even Pelé himself and Maradona!!!). He came so close to win the supreme title because of arbitral stupidity and perhaps a lack of pragmatism.

But Zidane, what a career!!! Semi in EC 96 (so close to win a first major competition; a great team badly prepared and exhausted in 2002 and perhaps overstreched and mentally tired in 2004)

And like Napoleon who comes back from retirement in the 100 days so did Zidane to show another dazzling and stunning display of skills and nearly succeeded at winning another cup. Italy was tired and with 10 more minutes to play anything was possible with ZZ. I am thinking about his head kick not against Materrazzi but the one just before against Buffon: 1 more meter a bit to the left and its over!!! So painful!!!

Italy can thank France for getting Brazil out because as we have seen before Italy can hardly do so especially in world cup finals!!

In those days of technical prowess, reaching 2 world cup finals is just amazing. This generation brought to France what other countries would hope to get in a century. Of course it is the result OF AN ENTIRE GENERATION (without Thuram in 98, no ZZ in the final…)

So where does he stand? Technically he ranks definitely along with Pelé and Maradona. But what set him apart is the whole new set of “moves” and “gestures” and “controls” that he invented or in which he innovated. In that regard, on the “creative” side for me he is the best ever but one day we could see someone bringing even more creativity.

Now Overall, I can’t say that he is better than Pelé or Maradona but he ranks along with them. The thing is that though Zidane is magical, if competing teams knew how to block him he sometimes appeared absent from the game (luckily it was very rare) and France usually won by a personal prowess from someone else.

This didn’t seem to happen with Platini, Pelé or Maradona perhaps because ZZ is a bit more timid or shy as a forward. Of course nobody is perfect.

He guys, let us not also forget the extraordinary DI Stefano who in my opinion was perhaps the most dangerous scorer the world has ever known in front of a goal keeper. Too bad he couldn’t play a world cup! what a shame!

Nevertheless, we see that every generation brings a fantastic player and though I think Zizou is unique I can’t wait to see the next one.

how many goals has raul score in uefa campions league.

ZIZOU….Will You Come Back Once Again????!!!!……

We Miss You..So Much…

zizou is easily the best maetro of this generation,when pele played you could score a goal keeper from 70yards,now it can never happen,thank GOD ronaldinho was with the star-studded brazil where the the old war horse proved he just have to be remembered.no doubt i respect the likes of george best,garincha,romario,pele ,maradonna, i think zidane is the most comlpete player ever ,won with france in france in 98 world cup, since he was injured in 2002 world cup, france crashed out,came out of retirement in 2006, to help france take great brazil to the cleaners,that was arguably the most star-studded brazil squard ever.lets give kudos to a living legend,his artistic header could have sealed the game against italy in the final,check out the penalty against the best keeper in the world,buffon ,we can go more and more.

Since Zizou is retired, I never watch football again. I just think the game is not as excited as it was when ZZ used to step on the pitch. It’s like I’m in love with Zidane.

I LOOOOOOOVEEEEEE ZIZOUUUUU!!!!!!!! HE IS THE BEST!!!!!!! FUCKEN ITALIANS ARE IDIOTS!

OH,I FORGOT… GEORGIANS WHO LOVE ZIZOU ARE B E S T!!!!!!!! anthony and kobby!!!dzmebi xart raaaaaaa!!!!!

I am so happy. After 06, France seems to have rebuilt an outstanding team. This is perhaps due to those “centres de formation” that spot quickly talents.

To the world I claim this: watch out for Nasri, a potential Platini or Zidane is arriving!!! 19 years old and already so decisive…and influential!!!

It seems that France now is producing players that are able to maintain a very good national level while lapses occur in the past.

I can’t wait to see the game against Italy in Sept. Revenge? may be or just to see the so called world champions not being able to qualify for a EURO 08!!! What a shame it would be…

Yet I like Buffon, nice and sympathetic guy.

CIAO

VIVE LA FRANCE

My 2 cents…

Like most of you, I loved watching Zidane play. He displayed phenominal skills with equally phenominal grace. His touch of the ball made me happy. He seemed slow physically, yet his mind and moves were always one or two steps ahead of the defenders. He was a true genius ! In addition to ball handling skills, he controled the pace, or tempo, of the game better than anyone in the history of the game. I believe Beckenbauer said the same thing. He scored some of the most beautiful goals and rearely missed a makeable goal. Has he ever missed a penalty ? How about the way he took the penalty in the WC final against Italy ? He was simply devine. I bet at the point he was about to take the penalty kick, the entire world watching him was more nervous than he was. Zidane surpassed beckenbauer in grace, Pele and Maradona in ball handling skills – see “Zidane amazing skill compilation” in youtube.com and he was slower than all of them. Noone ever controled the pace of a game better than Zidane. Any time his team wanted to take a break, he gets the ball and lets everyone rest, while toying with the opposition. He nearly won two world cups with a country that never won one in the past. Brazil never won against France when zidane played. The best team in the world never won a game agaisnt Zidane. And that should say it all…

Azzar.

i will never forget that minutes when marco materazzi went out on substitution against georgian team in tbilisi (georgia-italy euro 2008)when hole georgioan croud was shoutinG for 5 minute ZIZOU ZIZOU ZIZOU! we show our love and respect to a man not only to a big sportsmann! he was e greatesf sportsman of our time and he is the man of our time! simply the best!

I WANT TO TAKE ZIDANE AS MY FRIEND