|
Zinedine
Zidane was born June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France.
Zidane got his start in football at an early age,
when he joined the US Saint-Henri club.
He
moved on to Septemes Sports Olympiques after the coach
convinced the director of the club to sign him. After
leaving Septemes at the age of 14, Zidane participated
in the first year junior selection for the league
championship, the same year he was discovered.
He
was called in for 3 days at the sport regional centre
in Aix-en-Provence, where Jean Varraud, Cannes' recruiter,
noticed the French/Algerian player. He ventured off
to Cannes for what was intended to be a six-week stay,
but remained even longer. Playing with professionals
at the age of 16, it would only be a matter of time
when he too would turn pro, and he knew he was on
his way to realizing his dreams.
Showing
the determination of an athlete who wants to exceed
expectations, Zidane had played his first game in
First Division at the age of 17, and it was from then
that football went from an ambition to a passion.
The Cannes midfielder scored his first goal on February
8th, 1991 (he received a Clio as a promise from the
Cannes President, who promised him a car when he scored
his first goal as a professional), and his first season
with the club was marked by a qualification for the
UEFA Cup.
Zidane's
second season with Cannes wasn't as promising, but
on the non-professional front he met his future wife
Veronique, a Spanish dancer. After a lukewarm 91-92
season, Zidane felt it was time for a change and switched
to Bordeaux after he was asked to sign a four-year
contract. Marseille also wanted Zidane, but Bordeaux
proved to want him more.
Kicking
and soaring
His
beginning with Bordeaux was hard on 24-year-old Zidane,
as it forced him to adapt, but once he did, he did
so with flying colours. Not only did Bordeaux qualify
every year that Zidane played with the team, but Bordeaux
also qualified for the UEFA Cup through Intertoto
and went to the final in 95-96, Zidane's last year
with the team.
At
the same time, Juventus sought out Zidane, and after
his four crucial seasons with Bordeaux, he moved to
Torino. Again, Zidane was forced to adapt to the Italian
way of playing as well as to the lifestyle, but after
his first year, he was a bona fide star.
It
was with Juventus that Zidane won titles, as Winner
of the 1996 European Super Cup, the 1996 European/South
American Cup, Winner of the 1997 League Super Cup,
named 1997 and 1998 Italy Champion, and Finalist of
the 1997 and 1998 Champions League.
His
individual awards include the Golden Ball in 1998,
and he was named Best Player of the Year by the FIFA
in 1998 and 2000.
Most expensive football player
In
2001, Zizou became the most expensive player in football
history when Real Madrid acquired him for 46 million
pounds (roughly $66 million US Dollars). Even if he
does have to adapt to the Spanish way of life, he
certainly won't have to adapt to being the star player,
nor the award winner.
Zinedine
and Veronique have two sons, Enzo (named after Enzo
Francescoli) and Luca. In addition to promoting a
slew of sports products, Zidane is also Christian
Dior's first male model.
|
