Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille in 1972 to Algerian immigrant parents and grew up in the La Castellane housing project.
Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille in 1972 to Algerian immigrant parents and learned football on the streets of the La Castellane housing project. He began professionally at Cannes (1989–1992), moved to Bordeaux (1992–1996), then Juventus (1996–2001) where he won two Serie A titles. A then world-record £46 million transfer to Real Madrid (2001–2006) followed, where he won La Liga in 2003 and the Champions League in 2002 with a volley of supernatural quality in the final against Bayer Leverkusen. In 108 appearances for France he scored 31 goals and lifted the World Cup in 1998 — scoring twice in the final — and Euro 2000. He covered 10.2 km per game and recorded a top speed of 30.4 km/h, remarkable for a player whose game was based on balance and control rather than pace. He scored 125 goals and provided 156 assists in 789 career appearances. He won FIFA World Player of the Year three times (1998, 2000, 2003) and the Ballon d'Or in 1998. His red card in the 2006 World Cup final — a headbutt on Marco Materazzi — remains one of football's most discussed moments. He later became one of the most successful managers in Champions League history, winning three consecutive titles with Real Madrid (2016–2018).
FIFA World Cup 1998
His 2002 Champions League final volley was voted the best goal in UCL history.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- FIFA World Cup 1998
- UEFA Euro 2000
- Champions League 2002
- La Liga 2003
- Serie A 1997, 1998
- Ballon d'Or 1998
- FIFA World Player of Year 1998, 2000, 2003