(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
From the gray concrete pavements of the inner-city to the mesmerizing lights of world class stadiums; in Zinedine Zidane, we witnessed a most remarkable success story that beat all odds. In his person, he offered the embodiment of hope for disenfranchised kids in France and around the world.
His is the story of a shy boy from the rough “la Castellane” neighborhood of Marseille who survived the streets thanks only to his family’s love for him and his love for football.
And it was his simple relation with the simplest of objects—a soccer ball—that allowed this poor son of immigrant workers to one day walk with kings.
Widely regarded as one of the most gifted players to ever grace the green rectangle, Zidane was the “beautiful” in the “beautiful game.” He consistently delivered breathtaking football when others would fall flat or win ugly.
He captivated legions of fans with his patented style: deft flicks, incisive runs, precision passes, and masterful control on the ball. His acute vision on the pitch and first touch wizardry were possibly the best the world had ever known.
In addition to his technical proficiency, Zidane possessed a certain invaluable quality that would prove crucial in cementing his world-class reputation as one of the all-time greats: he knew how to win.
Throughout a long and glorious career in which he played for Europe’s top clubs and earned more than 100 caps for his national team, Zidane distinguished himself as one of the few players to have won every individual and team accolade in the book.
He won the World Cup, the Champions League, and the European Championships. He was three-time FIFA world player of the year, and two-time Golden Ball winner. He also won the highest Legion of Honor from the president of France.
But it was not just Zidane the icon that received the adoration of millions, but Zidane the man.
For all his heroic feats, he was unmistakably human in a way most of us could relate to and appreciate—and that’s what truly set him apart.
He may have been the billboard giant; but he was also the quintessential family man, the son of immigrant workers, the brother, the husband, the father of four boys.
He may have walked with kings, but he did so without losing the common touch.
At a time when meticulously-crafted imagery and public relations gimmicks are virtually obligatory in the quest for the attention of an increasingly jaded public, Zidane remained a most ordinary man and still managed to command it all.
He was never one to share in the glitz of “hair-do” Beckham or the cockiness of “camera-conscious” Henry, opting instead to be himself in all his glorious imperfections.
He never bothered to correct his receding hairline; instead, he unapologetically sported his trademark monkish head until it grew on us and became an integral and beloved part of his image.
His goal celebrations were always as dignified and composed as the manner in which he scored them.
8 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete