Personal Details
Name : Zinedine Yazid Zidane
Date of Birth : 23 June 1972
Place of Birth : Marseille, Frane
Height : 1.85m / 6ft 1in
Position : Playmaker
Nationality : French

Zidane wasn't exactly a high profile signing for European Champions Juventus when he arrived for a modest fee in 1996 but he quickly established himself in a stand-out midfield which also featured the tireless running of Angelo Di Livio, the mercurial Yugoslav Vladimir Jugovic and Zidane's captain at international level, Didier Deschamps. Despite domestic success Zidane gained a reputation as a big game bottler following non descript performances in three successive European finals, the 1996 UEFA Cup final with Bordeaux and 1997 and 1998 European Cup finals with Juventus.

In 1998 French sought to end their long, ill fated wait for World Cup glory on home soil and the nation's hoped rested on Zidane's shoulders. He was THE poster boy of the new, multi national (born in Marseille to Algerian parents) France. For Zidane a tournament which started with the ignominy of a red card in a group game against Saudi Arabia ended in absolute triumph, he scored two headed goals in a stunning 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final.

France added the European Championship two years later. Zidane was outstanding in a quarter-final victory over Spain and his extra time penalty proved decisive in an ill tempered semi-final defeat of Portugal.

After three fruitless seasons at Juventus Zidane joined the Galactico revolution at Real Madrid for a then World record fee of £47 million (€59 million). Ten months later he wrote himself into Real Madrid folklore. His stunning left football volley sealed a 2-1 European Cup final victory over Leverkusen. The Spanish league title followed a year later.

Zidane announced the 2005-2006 season would be his last and in a cruel twist of irony the scene of his greatest triumph, the World Cup, would also prove to be the scene of his greatest failure. Zidane, now captain, was at his enchanting best in a sparking 3-1 victory over Spain in the last 16, scoring a magnificent individual goal. Equally impressive against Brazil in the last eight, his free kick provided the solitary assist for Thierry Henry's match winning goal. A Zidane penalty eliminated Portugal in the semi-final stages of a major tournament for a second time and after he converted a fortuitous sixth minute spot kick against Italy in the final, his career appeared set for a fairytale ending.

With penalties looming Zidane reacted to provocation from Italian defender Marco Materazzi, who had scored Italy's equaliser, with a firm head butt to the chest in one of the most infamous incidents in World Cup history. The referee, after viewing a replay on a monitor, dismissed Zidane who watched from the bench as Italy triumphed in the ensuing shoot-out.

Zidane was equally dangerous off either foot, strong in the air and possessed a chilling shot. A languid, powerfully built man who belied his lack of pace with incredible balance and close control so bewitching it was as if he played football in slow motion.

Key Attributes : Flair, balance, close control

Mohammed Baybars Mehdi