Deschamps Backs Zidane For Award
Wednesday 15th November 2000
Didier Deschamps, one of four Valencia players nominated for European Footballer of the Year, believes that compatriot Zinedine Zidane will scoop the award for the second time in three years.
"I think that, once again, Zidane will win it. He had a great Euro 2000 and was close to winning the scudetto with Juventus," said the former French team captain.
"It's true that in the last few months he hasn't been playing well, I don't know if his recent behaviour on the pitch will affect his chances," he added.
Zidane has been sent off twice for Juventus in their disappointing Champions' League campaign that saw the Italian giants finish bottom of their group.
Deschamps is nominated for the Balon d'Or along with Valencia's Zlatko Zahovic, Jocelyn Angloma and Gaizka Mendieta, and believes the Spanish midfielder might run Zidane close.
"Mendieta deserves the trophy too, but not having won the Champions' League is a problem for him. He's played very well with Valencia and with the national team.
"But it's difficult to say that Zidane is better than Mendieta and that he is better than Raul."
The winner of the Balon d'Or, awarded to the best player in a European league, is announced by France Football magazine on December 19. Rivaldo is the current holder while Zidane won it in 1998.
