The great man celebrates his 40th birthday today and in true High Fidelity style, here are five of his best moments.
1. World Cup Final 1998.
Looking back, it's strange to see two such mundane Zidane goals ending up being the most important he's ever scored. The game was something of a rout for France after Ronaldo's injuries left him a shadow of the player that lit up the tournament up to that point. Zidane scored two, Manu Petit added another and France were World Champions for the first time. Zizou's image was projected onto the Champs Elysees after.
2. World Cup Final 2006.
Zidane's last professional game is sadly remembered for the moment he buried his head into Marco Materazzi's head and the image of him walking past the World Cup and departing the game forever. He caught fire in the quarter-final against Brazil and led an improbable run to the final for a veteran French side. He adorned the final with a chipped penalty that was flawless in its execution and as brilliant as it was brave. To do this on the highest possible stage against the best goalkeeper in the world is the image he should be rememebered by.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO_E1TeT770
3. European Cup Final 2003.
This goal, with Zizou stepping back and unleashing a left footed volley into the top corner has been burned into the footballing conscience and with good reason. The techique behind this strike is stunning and yet again it comes at the highest level.
4. Euro 2004. France v England.
Down 1-0 in the opening game of Euro 2004 approaching stoppage time, France needed a miricle and Zidane provided it. He whipped a fine free-kick past David James to level and when James brought Thierry Henry down seconds after Zidane vomited and then sent the keeper the wrong way.
5. Various.
There were hundreds of moments of brillance from Zidane throughout his career. Here's a complation of some of them. Everyone has a personal favourite and none of them are a headbutt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxoHPPSdexc
