Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Yazid Zidane, often called Zizou, is a French football manager and former player who operated as an attacking midfielder. He last managed Real Madrid (2019–2021) and has not taken any national team managerial role. Considered one of the sport's all-time greats, he was a playmaker admired for his grace, vision, passing, and close control. His individual honors include being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003, and winning the Ballon d'Or in 1998. As a coach, he managed Real Madrid in two spells from 2016 to 2021, collecting multiple domestic and international trophies.

Zidane began his professional career at Cannes, then became a standout in Ligue 1 with Bordeaux. In 1996, he joined Juventus, winning two Serie A titles and reaching consecutive Champions League finals in 1997 and 1998. He transferred to Real Madrid in 2001 for a then-world-record €77.5 million, a fee that stood for eight years. In Spain, he won a La Liga title and the Champions League. His left-foot volley in the 2002 final is widely considered one of the greatest goals ever. Both Real Madrid and Juventus named him in their all-time greatest XI, in 2012 and 2017 respectively.

Earning 108 caps for France, Zidane won the 1998 World Cup, scoring twice in the final, and was named to the All-Star team. That victory made him a national hero, and he received the Legion of Honour that year. He also won Euro 2000, where he was named Player of the Tournament. At the 2006 World Cup, he received the Golden Ball as best player despite being sent off in the final for headbutting Marco Materazzi. He retired as France's fourth-most capped player.

In 2004, Pelé included him in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players, and that same year he was voted the best European footballer of the previous 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll. He is one of a select group of players to have won the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or. He served as an ambassador for Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

After retiring, Zidane began coaching with Real Madrid Castilla. He took over the first team in 2016, becoming the first and only coach to win the Champions League three times in a row. He also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup twice each, plus a La Liga title and a Supercopa de España. This earned him the Best FIFA Men's Coach award i