Juventus Expects Zidane to Stay
Posted: Thursday April 22, 1999 03:04 PM
Club official tells press that midfielder is happy with team
TURIN, Italy (AP) -- Zinedine Zidane, the FIFA World Player of the Year, will play at least one more season for Juventus, general manager Luciano Moggi said Thursday.
"Zidane will stay with Juventus," Moggi told reporters. "I spoke with him again today and he is happy to remain with the team and have a great season next year."
The French World Cup hero, under contract through 2004, has said he will decide at the end of the season whether to leave Juventus. He said one alternative would be a Spanish club, because his wife is Spanish.
Zidane, 26, steered Juventus to the last two Serie A titles and two straight Champions Cup finals, but both streaks ended this year. The Italian media cited his lackluster play as a main reason for Juve's 3-2 loss Wednesday to Manchester United in the cup semifinals.
Moggi also said he'll meet next week with Alessandro Del Piero to discuss a new contract for the striker, who has been sidelined since tearing knee ligaments in November.
