Zinedine Zidane is a retired French footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Born on June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France, Zidane achieved numerous individual and team honors throughout his illustrious playing career. After retiring as a player, he transitioned to coaching and became the head coach of Real Madrid.

Playing Career:

Clubs:

1. AS Cannes (1989–1992): Zidane began his professional career with AS Cannes in France.
2. Girondins de Bordeaux (1992–1996): He moved to Girondins de Bordeaux and gained recognition for his skillful and creative style of play.
3. Juventus (1996–2001): Zidane enjoyed immense success with Juventus in Italy, winning two Serie A titles and reaching the UEFA Champions League final. He also won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1998.
4. Real Madrid (2001–2006): Zidane joined Real Madrid for a then-world record transfer fee. During his time with the club, he won numerous domestic and international titles, including the UEFA Champions League in 2002 and La Liga in 2003. Zidane scored a memorable goal in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen with a stunning left-footed volley.

International Career:

Zidane represented the French national team and played a crucial role in their success:

• FIFA World Cup (1998): Zidane played a pivotal role in leading France to victory in the 1998 World Cup on home soil. He scored twice in the final against Brazil, helping secure France’s first-ever World Cup title.
• UEFA Euro (2000): Zidane guided France to victory in the UEFA Euro 2000, earning him the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer.
• FIFA World Cup (2006): Despite announcing his international retirement, Zidane came out of retirement to play in the 2006 World Cup. He led France to the final but was sent off in his last professional match following an infamous headbutt incident against Italy’s Marco Materazzi.

Coaching Career:

After a brief period away from football, Zinedine Zidane transitioned into coaching:

• Real Madrid (2016–2021): Zidane became the head coach of Real Madrid in 2016. He led the team to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles in 2016, 2017, and 2018—a remarkable achievement. Zidane stepped down as the head coach in May 2021.

Zinedine Zidane is celebrated for his extraordinary skill, vision, and elegance on the field. His impact as a player and coach has left an indelible mark on the history of football.