It’s hard to picture Zinedine Zidane reflecting on his career and feeling like he missed anything, yet the French icon has admitted there’s one club he truly wished he had the chance to play for.
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From his rise to stardom with Juventus, to his impact with Real Madrid, and his triumphs with the French national team, Zidane’s accomplishments as a footballer seem nearly complete. ..Continue Reading
Still, like many elite players, there’s often a desire for more—whether it’s winning more titles, scoring more goals, or fulfilling a dream to play for a childhood team.
For Zidane, it’s the last that lingers as a regret. Speaking with Marseille’s official website, he shared that he always wished he could have played for Marseille, the club representing the city where he was born and raised.
“Olympique Marseille is in a good position. I never played here, but it was a desire that was never fulfilled,” Zidane said. “To be here at La Commanderie, to see the facilities…it looks like a big club. There are some really interesting things.”
Zidane didn’t start with his hometown club, instead beginning his journey at the AS Cannes academy before moving to Bordeaux, where he spent four years before making the pivotal switch to Juventus.
During his years at Real Madrid from 2001 to 2006, Zidane cemented his legacy as one of football’s greatest, eventually retiring there at the peak of his career.
While many players today often return to their childhood clubs for a final chapter, Zidane’s talent kept him at the highest level throughout his playing days.
A decade after retiring, he returned to Real Madrid to begin his managerial career, serving two terms as the head coach at the Santiago Bernabeu.
One day, he might find himself managing Marseille, fulfilling his long-held wish to represent his local club in some capacity. Currently without a team, Zidane has been linked to several high-profile jobs.
However, despite speculation of a future with Manchester United, Zidane’s agent has stated that English football isn’t a suitable fit for him.
