Zidane Shows Love With Guns and Roses
Sunday 27th August 2000
Zinedine Zidane's popularity reached new heights at the weekend as he went to
Switzerland to pick grapes, fire guns and take over as 'the most loved man in
France' from 88-year-old Abbe Pierre.
Pierre, currently living in Saillon in Switzerland is the founder of the
catholic community "Emmaus" and has held the title 'most loved man in France'
for six years.
However, after recently deciding to give up the title, the gentle octogenarian
began searching for a suitable successor. And who could better fill the role
than the 1998 World footballer of the year and France's Euro 2000 hero Zinedine
Zidane?
Pierre called up the Frenchman in Turin and said: "Dear Zinedine, I am living
here in Switzerland, not far from Turin, and would like to meet you to in order
to hand over the title of "most loved man in France" that I have had the
privilege to hold for some years now.
"I will wait for you in the vineyard that I have just offered to the Dalai Lama
and we can pick the grapes together and give them to the poor."
Unable to resist such an offer, Zidane travelled to Saillon on Saturday morning
and enjoyed a truly memorable day in the company of Pierre.
The two men spoke for a long time before taking a stroll in the vineyard and
picking the grapes. To complete his inauguration, the 28-year-old Juventus
player had to fire a gun and shout "cheers", in accordance with the local
tradition.
Upon returning in Turin, Zidane said: "It was the first time I have been able to
pick grapes and it was an honour to do it alongside Abb� Pierre.
"I am very pleased with the award, it is a big responsibility and I will try my
hardest to be a role model for all the young children," he added.
