Player profile - Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane was born June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France. Zidane got his start in football (known as soccer in North America) at an early age, when he joined the US Saint-Henri club. He moved to Septemes Sports Olympiques then left at the age of 14, Zidane participated in the first year junior selection for the league championship, the same year he was discovered.
The sport regional centre in Aix-en-Provence called him in for 3 days, where Jean Varraud, recruiter for Cannes', noticed the Frenchman. What was intended to be a six-week stay at Cannes' he remained there for much longer, playing with professionals at the age of 16.
At the age of 17 he played his first game in the First Division, and it was then that his ambition turned to passion. The Cannes midfielder scored his first goal on February 8th, 1991, and his firs season with the club ended with a qualification for the UEFA Cup.
Zidane's second season with Cannes wasn't as promising, 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.
His beginning at Bordeaux required the 24 Zidane to adapt his game and developed him. 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 Juventus. 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. 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).
The sport regional centre in Aix-en-Provence called him in for 3 days, where Jean Varraud, recruiter for Cannes', noticed the Frenchman. What was intended to be a six-week stay at Cannes' he remained there for much longer, playing with professionals at the age of 16.
At the age of 17 he played his first game in the First Division, and it was then that his ambition turned to passion. The Cannes midfielder scored his first goal on February 8th, 1991, and his firs season with the club ended with a qualification for the UEFA Cup.
Zidane's second season with Cannes wasn't as promising, 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.
His beginning at Bordeaux required the 24 Zidane to adapt his game and developed him. 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 Juventus. 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. 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).
posted by Robert Halter at 1:25 PM
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