Zinedine Zidane facts for kids
Zidane in 2017
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Zinedine Yazid Zidane | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 23 June 1972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Marseille, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981–1982 | AS Foresta | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1982–1983 | US Saint-Henri | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1983–1987 | SO Septèmes-les-Vallons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1989 | Cannes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989–1992 | Cannes | 61 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1996 | Bordeaux | 139 | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2001 | Juventus | 151 | (24) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2006 | Real Madrid | 155 | (37) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 506 | (95) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1988 | France U16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988–1989 | France U17 | 4 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989–1990 | France U18 | 6 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1994 | France U21 | 20 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–2006 | France | 108 | (31) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2016 | Real Madrid Castilla | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2018 | Real Madrid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2021 | Real Madrid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zinedine Yazid Zidane (born 23 June 1972), often called Zizou, is a famous French football manager and former player. He played as an attacking midfielder. Many people think he is one of the greatest football players of all time. Zidane was known for his elegant style, great vision, excellent passing, and amazing ball control.
He won many awards as a player. These include being named FIFA World Player of the Year three times (in 1998, 2000, and 2003). He also won the Ballon d'Or in 1998.
Zidane started his career at Cannes in France. He then became one of the best players in the French league at Bordeaux. In 1996, he moved to the Italian club Juventus, where he won several trophies, including two Serie A titles.
In 2001, Zidane joined Real Madrid for a world-record fee at the time. He won many trophies in Spain, including a La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League. In the 2002 Champions League final, he scored an incredible goal that is still considered one of the best in football history.
Zidane played 108 times for the French national team. He helped France win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, scoring two goals in the final match. This made him a national hero. He also won UEFA Euro 2000 and was named the best player of that tournament. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he won the Golden Ball as the best player, even though he was sent off in the final.
After retiring as a player, Zidane became a coach. He started with Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid's B team. In 2016, he became the head coach of the main Real Madrid team. He made history by winning the Champions League three times in a row. He also won other titles like the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and a La Liga title. He was named Best FIFA Men's Coach in 2017. He left Real Madrid in 2018 but returned in 2019, winning another La Liga title before leaving again in 2021.
Contents
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Zinedine Yazid Zidane was born on 23 June 1972 in La Castellane, Marseille, in Southern France. He is the youngest of five children. His parents, Smaïl and Malika, came to France from Algeria in 1953. The family settled in a tough area of Marseille.
Zidane started playing football at age five in his neighborhood. He joined a local club called US Saint-Henri when he was ten. Later, he moved to SO Septèmes-les-Vallons. At 14, he was noticed by a scout from AS Cannes and joined their training center.
Club Career Highlights
Playing for Cannes
Zidane joined Cannes at 14 and stayed for four years. He made his professional debut on 18 May 1989. He scored his first goal for the club in 1991. Zidane showed amazing skill with the ball, which hinted at his future success. In his first full season, Cannes qualified for the UEFA Cup.
Time at Bordeaux
In 1992, Zidane moved to Girondins de Bordeaux. He won the Intertoto Cup in 1995 and was a runner-up in the UEFA Cup in 1996. He played well with teammates Bixente Lizarazu and Christophe Dugarry. In 1996, he was named the best player in the French league.
Success with Juventus
After his great performances, Zidane joined UEFA Champions League winners Juventus in Italy in 1996. He quickly made an impact, winning the 1996–97 Serie A title and the 1996 Intercontinental Cup. He was named the best foreign player in Serie A in his first season.
Zidane played as a playmaker, helping his team score. He helped Juventus win another Serie A title in 1998. Juventus reached the UEFA Champions League Final three times in a row but lost in 1997 and 1998. In 1998, Zidane won the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or.
Becoming a Galáctico at Real Madrid
In 2001, Zidane joined Real Madrid for a world-record fee. He was part of the "Galácticos" era, where Real Madrid signed many global football stars. In his first season, he scored a famous winning goal in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final. This goal, a volley with his left foot, is considered one of the greatest in Champions League history.
The next season, Zidane helped Real Madrid win the 2002–03 La Liga title. He was named the FIFA World Player of the Year for the third time in 2003. In 2004, fans voted him the best European footballer of the past 50 years.
Zidane's final season as a player was in 2005–06. He scored his first hat-trick (three goals in one game) in January 2006. On 7 May 2006, he played his last club match, scoring in a 3–3 draw. Fans held up a banner saying, "Thanks for the magic."
International Career for France
Zidane played for France's youth teams before joining the senior national team. He made his debut for France on 17 August 1994, scoring two goals in a 2–2 draw.
Euro 1996 Performance
France reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1996. Zidane scored in the penalty shootouts in both the quarter-final and semi-final matches. France was eventually knocked out by the Czech Republic.
Winning the 1998 World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup was held in France. Zidane helped his team win all their group games. He was sent off in one match, becoming the first French player to get a red card in a World Cup Finals game. France still managed to reach the final.
In the final against Brazil, Zidane scored two goals with his head from corner kicks. France won 3–0, securing their first World Cup title. Zidane was named man of the match and became a national hero.
Euro 2000 Victory
Two years later, France won UEFA Euro 2000, becoming the first team to hold both the World Cup and the European Championship at the same time since West Germany in 1974. Zidane scored two goals, including a golden goal penalty in the semi-final against Portugal. He was named the best player of the tournament.
2002 and 2004 European Championships
France entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup as favorites, but Zidane was injured and missed the first two matches. Without him, France struggled and was eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal.
At UEFA Euro 2004, Zidane scored a free kick and a penalty in stoppage time to help France beat England 2–1. France topped their group but were surprisingly knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Greece. After this, Zidane announced his retirement from international football.
The 2006 World Cup Final
Zidane came out of retirement to help France qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was made team captain. France had a slow start but improved. Zidane scored a goal against Spain and a penalty against Portugal to send France to the final.
In the 2006 World Cup final against Italy, Zidane scored an early penalty kick. He almost scored another goal in extra time, but the Italian goalkeeper saved it. Later in the game, Zidane was sent off for a headbutt. Italy went on to win the match in a penalty shootout. Despite the red card, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.
After the final, Zidane retired from professional football. He was given community service for the red card.
Life After Playing
Since retiring, Zidane has often played for the Real Madrid Veterans team. He has also played in futsal games. In 2009, he became an advisor to the president of Real Madrid. In 2011, he became Real Madrid's sporting director.
Zidane also became an ambassador for Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He has also supported Paris's bids for the Olympic Games.
Charity Work
Zidane is a UN Goodwill Ambassador. He regularly takes part in the "Match Against Poverty" football games, which raise money for charity. He has helped build schools and houses for children in need. He has also participated in other charity matches, including "Soccer Aid" and games to help with the Ebola epidemic.
Coaching Career
In 2013, Zidane became an assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. In June 2014, he became the coach of Real Madrid's B team, Real Madrid Castilla.
Leading Real Madrid to Glory
On 4 January 2016, Zidane was appointed the new head coach of Real Madrid. His first match was a 5–0 win. He led Real Madrid to a 2–1 victory over Barcelona in his first "El Clásico" as coach. On 28 May, Real Madrid won their eleventh Champions League title after a penalty shootout. Zidane became one of the few people to win the European Cup as both a player and a coach.
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In his first full season (2016–17), Real Madrid won the 2016 UEFA Super Cup and the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup. They also won the league title for the first time in five years. On 3 June 2017, Real Madrid won the Champions League final again, becoming the first team to defend their title in the Champions League era. Zidane became only the second manager to win the European Cup in his first two seasons.
In the 2017–18 season, Real Madrid won their second consecutive UEFA Super Cup and the 2017 Supercopa de España. Zidane won his eighth trophy as coach by winning the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup. He was named Best FIFA Men's Coach in 2017. Real Madrid won the Champions League for the third time in a row, making Zidane the first coach to achieve this. On 31 May 2018, Zidane announced he was leaving Real Madrid.
Second Spell at Real Madrid
After some difficult months for Real Madrid, Zidane returned as head coach on 11 March 2019. In January 2020, he led Madrid to win the Supercopa de España. After a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, La Liga restarted in June 2020. Madrid won ten games in a row to secure their 34th league title. Zidane left Real Madrid for a second time on 27 May 2021.
Personal Life
Zidane met his wife, Véronique Fernández, when he was 17. They married in 1994 and have four sons: Enzo, Luca, Théo, and Elyaz. All of his sons have also played football.
Zidane has described himself as a "non-practising Muslim" and is open about his faith. In July 2019, his elder brother Farid passed away.
Honours
Player
Bordeaux
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1995
Juventus
- Serie A: 1996–97, 1997–98
- Supercoppa Italiana: 1997
- UEFA Super Cup: 1996
- Intercontinental Cup: 1996
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2002–03
- Supercopa de España: 2001, 2003
- UEFA Champions League: 2001–02
- UEFA Super Cup: 2002
- Intercontinental Cup: 2002
France
- FIFA World Cup: 1998
- UEFA European Championship: 2000
Individual Awards
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 1998, 2000, 2003
- Ballon d'Or: 1998
- UEFA European Championship Player of the Tournament: 2000
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2006
- UEFA Best European Player of the Past 50 Years: 2004
Manager
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20
- Supercopa de España: 2017, 2020
- UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
- UEFA Super Cup: 2016, 2017
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
Individual Awards
- The Best FIFA Football Coach: 2017
- IFFHS World's Best Club Coach: 2017, 2018
Images for kids
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La Corniche, a seaside road in Marseille, with a mural of Zidane.
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Zidane playing futsal in 2008.
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Zidane at the Danone Nations Cup in 2008, a football tournament for children.
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Zidane at the Match Against Poverty in Bern, March 2014.
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Zidane's parents' house in Aguemoune, Algeria, which he visited in 2006.
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See also
In Spanish: Zinedine Zidane para niños
