Zinedine Yazid Zidane

(French pronunciation: [zinedin zidan], Kabyle: Zinəddin Lyazid Zidan, Arabic "زين الدين زيدان"; born 23 June 1972) is a retired French footballer Zidane played as an attacking midfielder, and was the leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. An injury prevented Zidane from playing in France's first two matches in the 2002 World Cup, and he rushed back prematurely for the third game despite not being fully fit, but could not prevent France from being eliminated in the group stage.

He later participated to the 2004 European Championship where France finished in the top of their group, but they were eliminated by the eventual winner of the competition, Greece, in the quarter finals. After these disillusions, he briefly retired from international football but returned to the national team in 2005 and captained France to the 2006 World Cup Final where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament's most outstanding player.

At club level Zidane won the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, two Serie A league championships with Juventus and an Intercontinental Cup and a UEFA Super Cup each with both aforementioned sides. Zidane was voted as FIFA World Player of the Year on three occasions (1998, 2000 and 2003), a feat matched only by his former Real Madrid team mate Ronaldo, and also won the Ballon d'Or in 1998. Zidane retired from professional football after the 2006 World Cup.

He currently holds the post of Real Madrid Director of Football, filling the role previously held by Jorge Valdano. On 31 July 2012, Real Madrid announced that as soon as he completes management qualification, he will begin training to be a coach whilst at the same time coaching Real Madrid’s youth academy.