Comments on: Great And…Not Great – Zinedine Zidane

By: Mourinho, Real Madrid, and Material Myths

Mourinho, Real Madrid, and Material Myths — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:48:13 +0000

[...] Di Stefano daze, Hugol shouts, and Zizou roulettes have exited the stage. With Raul and Guti soon out the door, only Iker remains from the [...]

By: Junito: the Rhythm Springs from our Roots

Junito: the Rhythm Springs from our Roots — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:24:27 +0000

[...] went in feeding frenzy mode. But not me. I harbor no hard feelings towards the Brazilian – if Zidane played the cello to a delicate crescendo, Robinho wailed on the trumpet to a 5/4 beat. May they [...]

By: Elliott

Elliott — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:12:27 +0000

His performances against Italy at Euro 2000 and Brazil at WC 2006 are shining examples of un-quantifiable (no goals) utter dominance. Glad you enjoyed it!

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:28:31 +0000

I had forgotten how celestial he was in the 2006 game vs. Brazil. My goodness me. Thanks for the reminder.

By: magician

magician — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:11:38 +0000

I agree with the other comments…What I have always liked about Zidane is that on the one hand he was a genius as a player and a lovely, nice guy but he also has a dark side and indeed a temper problem. If he was just nice and perfect and wonderful with no flaws I would be bored to death. Pele indeed bores me. And while I am not fond of Maradona as a person he does indeed fascinate me. Way more than Pele ever could. Zidane is my number one though when it comes to a fascinating personality and brilliant player combined. To me a real legend, one that makes me be interested in him needs more than just skills. I think if Zidane had ended his career in glory it would’ve been a Disney movie. Now it is something worth of best film at the Oscars. One thing’s for sure: Noone will ever forget Zidane.

By: Great And…Not Great – Zinedine Zidane « Scissors Kick

Great And…Not Great – Zinedine Zidane « Scissors Kick — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:49:49 +0000

[...] Great And…Not Great – Zinedine Zidane Zahra777 “Has any other player been so frustratingly brilliant as Zinedine Zidane? The Frenchman kept a quiet private life to his credit, but his transgressions on the pitch alternate between a rap sheet and a rhapsody. His feet could take down a 40 yard pass like a feather, yet in the blink of an eye bludgeon a Saudi player. Genius, yes. But deviant. Devlishly deviant. Zinedine Zidane, known as ‘Zizou,’ the French-born son of Algerian immigrants, plied his trade in France and Italy, making his name at Juventus, where his dizzying roulettes dazzled the catenaccio faithful. And his play for the French (les bleus) captivated a nation and a world.” (futfanatico) [...]

By: Elliott

Elliott — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:27:58 +0000

Talia-

I did my best to provide a balanced view of Zizou. For all his talent and modesty, I believe its fair to say that he did have temper issues. In his two World Cup appearances, he had two straight red cards and one suspension (against Togo) for accumulation of yellow cards.

But as Luke pointed out, and in all great stories, the protagonist/hero has to have an achille’s heel or we the fans/audience get bored. I loved watching Zizou play and feel blessed to have seem it all happen live before my very own eyes.

And while Materazzi is no angel, individuals do have to take responsibility when they allow themselves to be provoked. I doubt it was the first or last incident of trashtalking on the pitch

By: Talia

Talia — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:55:58 +0000

jeez…did you have to call his transgressions on the pitch a “rap sheet” ?? good lord if you’re comparing him to a criminal than in that case, Materazzi and half of the Italian NT should be given the death penalty for their various misdeads on the pitch . I don’t care that he stomped on a Saudi or even the headbutt on that hyaena Materazzi. Come on, there have been worse incidents on the pitch and off the pitch committed by other players. He’s a legend – a once in a lifetime athlete and if he does have his flaws -so what?? He wasn’t the one going around calling people names now was he? he was never one to start fights but he also couldn’t help himself from reacting when provoked. He’s kept pretty busy since his retirement flying all over the world doing charity work in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. By all accounts he is a humble, quiet and decent man who wears the mantle of greatness well. i agree with Luke Rowe above. I prefer my heroes with flaws. what’s the old saying? Perfect diamonds end up on royal tiaras but it’s the flawed diamonds that get the job done. As for Materazzi, I paraphrase Diego Maradona, ” he can keep sucking it”. He may have won the World Cup trophy but he’s no champion and he will never be known for his goals or anything else but his role in that notorious incident.

By: Elliott

Elliott — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:33:51 +0000

Yeah – I agree Motson’s comment was a bit over the top, but I also can’t imagine a much worse ending to such a sparkling career (aside from a horrific injury)

As for the “he got the ball first”, it seems like the game is slowly moving away from studs up/late tackles, at least in some parts of the world. After all, someone has to protect the Del Piero’s of the world.

By: Luke Rowe

Luke Rowe — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:04 +0000

Nice little piece.

It was manic highs and soul crushing lows that made him the player/the man he is.. I like my players flawed, its why Maradona will live in the heart longer than Pele.
The stamp against Saudi was petulant and excusable , nowhere near as bad as the career ending tackles that that the game has to endure and particularly skilful and nippy players still have to endure as legal ‘because he got the ball first’..

And as for John Motson ‘Zidanes career is in disgrace!’
what a knobend.