As one of football’s greatest, Zidane left a lasting legacy with his achievements for both club and country. He began his professional journey at French club Cannes before joining Bordeaux.
In 1996, Zidane transferred to Italian powerhouse Juventus, where he secured two Serie A titles. ..Continue Reading
In 2001, Zidane moved to Real Madrid, becoming a key figure among the club’s original Galacticos, alongside stars like David Beckham, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos, and Ronaldo Nazario. With Real Madrid, he claimed both La Liga and Champions League titles.
On the international stage, Zidane was instrumental in France’s first World Cup victory on home soil in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000.
However, his playing career ended controversially in the 2006 World Cup final when he was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi. Italy went on to win that match on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Zidane later transitioned to a highly successful managerial career, leading Real Madrid to two La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies across two stints.
Having played and managed alongside top talents, Zidane has experienced an impressive lineup of football stars.
In 2015, Zidane named former Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo, ex-Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, and Lionel Messi as his top three favorite players at that time.
As per TNT Sports, Zidane said: “After Ronaldo and Messi, Hazard is my favourite player. It is spectacular to watch him play.
“If I see him playing for Real Madrid? I can only say I love the player. “I have no doubt he will soon recover his form.”
Ronaldo had two separate spells at Manchester United. In his first, which lasted six years, he won three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and a Ballon d’Or before transferring to Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-world record fee of £80 million.
Zidane eventually coached Ronaldo at Real until the Portuguese star moved to Juventus in 2018. Ronaldo’s second stint with United lasted just over a year before he departed in late 2022, now playing for Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr.
As for Hazard, he scored 110 goals in 352 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions after joining from Lille in 2012 for £32 million.
At Chelsea, he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and two Europa League titles.
In the summer of 2019, Hazard left Chelsea for Real Madrid in a transfer worth an initial €100 million. Zidane managed him briefly there, but Hazard struggled with fitness issues and form at the Bernabeu.
He parted ways with Real in 2023, a year before his contract ended, by mutual agreement, and shortly after, at age 32, he announced his retirement from professional football.
