By Matthew Day ⋅ July 10, 2006 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

World Cup Analysis

Zinedine Zidane, an authentic great of the last decade, was set to bow out of all football having led a disunited French side against the odds to a World Cup final. He had been the star eight years ago with a first half double against Brazil and his story looked to have taken a final twist with an audacious penalty that crept over the line.

Whether or not he would captain his side to a repeat of 1998 was not essential to his legacy – he had caught the imagination of football-watchers across the globe with a stunning performance against Brazil and then the winner in the semi-final. The fact he also scored in the final appeared to be the perfect and deserved ending. Had Italy won on penalties with Zidane missing one, it would not have mattered one jot. The French squad knew they had exceeded expectations, especially after three poor performances in the group stages, and ‘ZZ’ had enjoyed a beautiful epilogue.

It has emerged Marco Materazzi used words that would be the equivalent to a headbutt if acted out. However Zinedine’s actions cannot be endorsed by any means, and his rhino-like charge into the chest of Materazzi became increasingly sickening as it was replayed again and again. Zizou’s character is far from perfect – it is not the first time he had headbutted an opponent, and he is not on speaking terms with the impassive Raymond Domenech, his coach. He was also sent off eight years ago at the World Cup finals, although for a late challenge rather than any brutal behaviour.

For a rare and possibly final occasion, he was happy to show the world his ability and potentially depart the footballing world in blissful circumstances; he had experienced one final blossoming

As he stormed over to lean his head into the blue shirt of the Azzuri, back came the memories of just a few weeks past when he looked out of sorts and utterly angry as France laboured to draws against Switzerland and South Korea. It was only in the quarter-final that he looked to have returned to his zenith. For a rare and possibly final occasion, he was happy to show the world his ability and potentially depart the footballing world in blissful circumstances; he had experienced one final blossoming.

It is exceptional for a player to completely disappear from football at a World Cup, especially when in a team of France’s aptitude and stature. His most remembered moment will be the winning strike against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League final. His awesome effort had earned the world’s approval. Zidane’s haul includes World Cup and European Championship winner’s medals, plus Serie A and La Liga titles along with this year’s Golden Ball award.

The fact he won such a prestigious award as the world were still trying to come to terms with his moment of madness tainted what should be the epitome of a glorious career. It offered a chance for atonement and fans to remember him for his positive input into the beautiful game but, at least in the short-term, that cannot happen. The award was voted for by journalists at the half-time interval – at which time Zidane looked like a hero – and the maestro ultimately won the honour by just 35 votes. Arguably he deserved it ahead of Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro – perhaps more for sentimental reasons – but there can be no dispute that the outstanding skipper and defender would have pipped Zizou if the ballot had been taken after Fabio Grosso’s winning penalty.

Zidane had gradually worn away at Real Madrid, who were also a fading force domestically and in European football, but his final flourish in Germany was exactly what the world desired. But instead of bravely steeping up to take a penalty in the shoot-out, he saw red mist and consequently les blues – not only of Materazzi’s shirt, but also the depressing end to an illustrious and sparkling career.

The French sports daily L’Equipe mournfully summed up the lost legacy of Zizou: ‘During the match in Berlin’s Olympiastadion where so many pages of sports history were written, you were Ali, the genius of the ring, the greatest. But not Ali, nor (Jesse) Owens nor Pele, men that you were about to join among the most brilliant sports legends, ever broke the rules the way you did. It was the last image you left as a football player, Zinedine. How could this happen to the man you are?’

Tags: France, Zinedine Zidane

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