Zidane, An Idol For French Youngsters
PARIS, Dec 9 (Reuters)(DS) - Zinedine Yazid Zidane is much more than just a
footballer to the youth of France. The midfielder who played a key role in
France's 1998 World Cup triumph and then led the way as they won Euro 2000
is a beacon of hope to millions of young immigrants.
Himself the son of poor Algerian migrants, Zidane's sporting skills and
quiet diplomacy have made him an icon in a nation that is only now coming to
terms with its multi-cultural makeup.
Zidane's success, and that of several other sons of migrants in the French
national side, has helped prove that blacks and north Africans can make
their mark in France.
A recent adidas campaign featured a photo of the modest apartment building
in which "Zizou" grew up and the slogan: "Everybody comes from somewhere".
The wave of youngsters from deprived neighbourhoods who have taken up soccer
in France over the past two years is described as "the Zidane effect".
Zidane, a shy man with extraodinary talent who learned his football in the
streets, is now a model for Christian Dior, a popular guest on talk shows
and a spokesman for his generation. Earlier this year, a poll named him the
Most Popular Man in France.
Zidane's skills were evident from the moment he emerged from a high-rise in
the working class Marseille suburb of La Castellane to join Cannes in 1988.
He made his first-team debut at 16 and within two years he was a French
youth international. Zidane was soon snapped up by Girondins Bordeaux, whom
he helped to the 1996 UEFA Cup final.
Zidane scored twice on his debut for France against the Czech Republic in
1994 and established himself as a player of the highest quality despite a
disappointing Euro 96.
Inevitably, he became a target for big Italian and Spanish clubs and joined
Juventus in 1996-97 for just 3.5 million pounds ($5.07 million), immediately
helping the Turin side to successive Serie A titles.
By 1998, he had blossomed into one of the world's finest midfielders and was
the inspiration behind a French World Cup triumph that sparked a wave of
national hysteria. "If Zizou is not there, the French team is not the same,"
said coach Aime Jacquet.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zidane scored two headed goals as France beat Brazil 3-0 in the final and
was named World Player of the Year and French Sportsman of the Year.
Despite disappointments at club level with Juventus failing against Celta
Vigo in the UEFA Cup last season and failing to make it past the first round
of this year's Champions League, Zidane has continued to star on the
international stage.
This year, after turning 28, he was instrumental in France's European
championship victory. The French rallied to beat Italy 2-1 in the final as
Zidane first played up front alongside Thierry Henry, then dropped back to
midfield after the French fell behind.
Zidane was named Man of the Tournament as France became the first reigning
world champions to win the European title. The balding midfielder is not
only an oustanding playmaker -- creative and incisive -- he is also a fierce
competitor, who is not always able to control his temper.
He was sent off against Saudi Arabia in the 1998 World Cup for stamping on
an opponent and dismissed again earlier this year for a headbutt on Jochen
Kuntz in a Champions League match against Hamburg.
But, more importantly, Zidane is an elegant ball player, a man who can
control a game through his skill and influence. "I've never considered
myself the world's greatest player but would do anything to achieve that
status," he said earlier this year.
