Zinedine Zidane, born on June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France, is a retired French footballer and one of the most iconic figures in the sport’s history. Zidane was known for his sublime skill, vision, and elegance on the field, earning him admiration worldwide. Primarily playing as an attacking midfielder, he started his professional career at AS Cannes before moving on to AS Saint-Étienne and then to Juventus.

At Juventus, Zidane achieved significant success, winning Serie A titles and reaching the UEFA Champions League final. His performances earned him the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1998.

However, Zidane’s most memorable moments came during his time at Real Madrid, where he became a club legend. He won numerous domestic and international titles with Real Madrid, including the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Zidane’s crowning achievement as a player came in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he led the French national team to the final, displaying exceptional skill and leadership throughout the tournament.

After retiring as a player, Zidane transitioned into coaching and quickly found success. He notably guided Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, cementing his legacy as both a player and a manager. Known for his calm demeanor, tactical astuteness, and ability to manage superstar players, Zidane is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers and managers of all time.

Zinedine Zidane Quotes

01. “It doesn’t matter how many times you win an award, it is always very special.”
— Zinedine Zidane

02. “Real Madrid is the most important thing that happened to me, both as a footballer and as a person.”
— Zinedine Zidane

03. “We must not let ourselves get driven off course, no matter what happens we must stick to our natural game.”
— Zinedine Zidane

04. “I was lucky to come from a difficult area. It teaches you not just about football but also life. There were lots of kids from different races and poor families. People had to struggle to get through the day.”
— Zinedine Zidane

05. “I am first of all from La Castellane and Marseille.”
— Zinedine Zidane

06. “I think Marseille is probably a place like Liverpool, very vibrant and very tough.”
— Zinedine Zidane

07. “I have decided to come back for Les Bleus.”
— Zinedine Zidane

08. “To be recognised by a whole country is incredible.”
— Zinedine Zidane

09. “I was lucky to come from a difficult area. It teaches you not just about football but also life.”
— Zinedine Zidane

10. “The England team must always be respected. They always fight to the end.”
— Zinedine Zidane

11. “The only important thing I have to say is that my father never fought against his country.”
— Zinedine Zidane

12. “I have a need to play intensely every day, to fight every match hard.”
— Zinedine Zidane

13. “We were a family who had come from nothing and now we had respect from French people of all sorts.”
— Zinedine Zidane

14. “I love Madrid. I am happy to be here. I have been here three years and hope to be here longer. But I am proud of where I come from and never forget the people I grew up with.”
— Zinedine Zidane

15. “It will be a physical encounter but we must not respond in kind.”
— Zinedine Zidane

16. “We are well aware of the task ahead of us in what will be a very difficult match but which we all dream of playing.”
— Zinedine Zidane

17. “Football boots are very technical and have lots of specific requirements.”
— Zinedine Zidane

18. “I love Madrid.”
— Zinedine Zidane

19. “Life is full of regrets, but it doesn’t pay to look back.”
— Zinedine Zidane

20. “It was my father who taught us that an immigrant must work twice as hard as anybody else, that he must never give up.”
— Zinedine Zidane

21. “Sometimes words are harder than blows.”
— Zinedine Zidane

22. “Obviously fashion is a completely different world from football.”
— Zinedine Zidane

23. “We’ll do it, we’ll do it.”
— Zinedine Zidane

24. “The door can never be closed for good to any player.”
— Zinedine Zidane

25. “I’m very inspired by him-it was my father who taught us that an immigrant must work twice as hard as anybody else, that he must never give up.”
— Zinedine Zidane

26. “I may have had a lot of luck in my life, but I still need to find a challenge in the game.”
— Zinedine Zidane

27. “Music was important. Football was the easy part.”
— Zinedine Zidane

28. “I don’t know if we are the best team in the world. I am lucky to be playing alongside some of the best players around. It’s a dream.”
— Zinedine Zidane

29. “I have never had the opportunity to play in England, so I know little about it.”
— Zinedine Zidane

30. “I have no message.”
— Zinedine Zidane

31. “A Mediterranean city is really my culture.”
— Zinedine Zidane

32. “My passion for the game comes from the city of Marseille itself. Unfortunately I can’t go back there as much I want to because I play a lot here and abroad.”
— Zinedine Zidane

33. “It’s the first time it’s happened to me and maybe the last. It’s a strange sensation, not normal for me. I can’t remember scoring three goals, even when I was a kid.”
— Zinedine Zidane

34. “My memories of events and games are fragmented.”
— Zinedine Zidane

35. “My father is an Algerian, proud of who he is and I am proud that my father is Algerian.”
— Zinedine Zidane

36. “There are evil people, and I don’t even want to hear those guys speak.”
— Zinedine Zidane

37. “I have won many awards and I am very happy about this, but I am not the best player in the world.”
— Zinedine Zidane

38. “I am proud of where I come from and never forget the people I grew up with. Wherever I go, La Castellane is where I want to go back to.”
— Zinedine Zidane

39. “When your own fans whistle and jeer, then you have a big problem.”
— Zinedine Zidane

40. “I am supposed to set an example to young players.”
— Zinedine Zidane