Football fans around the globe are still reeling from Zinedine Zidane's shock announcement that he will retire from international competition. Mohamed El-Sayed looks back on the career of the great Frenchman "Any player should know the right moment to retire and I see that this is the right time to take such decision. I think this is the natural end of my career as an international player." With those words the world's best and wealthiest footballer, Zinedine Zidane of France, announced his retirement from international football. "My decision to retire took me a long time to take since it is not an easy one. I have spent 10 years replete with happy memories with the blue team [France]," the 32-year-old legend said on Thursday last week on his web site. "Our encounter with the Greek team in the last-eight stage in the European Cup of Nations was my last match in the blue jersey." Zidane's retirement came in the wake of unsubstantiated reports that several of his teammates on the French squad had protested against his captaincy of the team. Thiery Henry, Patrick Viera and Robert Pires are alleged to have said Zidane should leave the captaincy to somebody more deserving. Though Zidane, affectionately nicknamed Zizou, will continue playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid, his departure from the international scene disappointed his supporters who firmly believe he still has a lot to offer the French team. In a public opinion poll conducted in France last week, 66 per cent did not believe Zidane should retire. In a survey of 1,003 individuals from various age groups, the poll showed that the French deemed the presence of the midfield star crucial if they are to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. Chairman of the French Football Association Claude Simonets said he wished Zidane would continue with the team. "I do not want to pressure him. I held Zidane and the [French] players of his generation in great respect. I think they will not forsake the national team if it needs them." Michel Platini, France's former star midfielder and currently deputy chairman of the French Football Association, held a contrary view. "We should respect his [Zidane's] desire. The final decision lies with Zidane himself, since playing on the national team is an important element in a footballer's career." Platini, who helped France to its first European Cup of Nations in 1984, maintained that "Zidane and his teammates' retirement will be a great turning point in the course of the French team." Raymond Domenech, France's new coach, said he will not "tire of attempting to persuade Zidane to change his mind". Intending to depend on him during the World Cup qualifiers, the French coach said, "I prefer to depend on those players [Zidane, Lizarazu and Thuram] because they are real heroes. They still have a big role to play in the blue team." Zidane's decision to quit the international scene did not surprise just the French. Football fans around the world, including Egyptians, were also shocked. Descendant of an Arab and Muslim origin, Zidane has been keenly followed by Egyptian spectators since he made his international debut in 1994. "I watched Zidane when he appeared with the French team in the 1996 European Cup of Nations," said a fervent Egyptian fan of the French sensation. "Of course we were interested in watching him because of his Arab links. When we saw he was a spectacular, talented player who was a master of all the skills of the game, we fell in love with him even more. "I cannot imagine the French team without him. He is their most influential player. I enjoyed his moves, his spectacular display and his control of the ball." A Muslim of Algerian Berber ethnic origin, Zidane was born on 23 June 1972 in Marseille, France. He got his start at an early age when he joined the US Saint-Henri club. He moved on to Septemes Sports Olympiques after the coach persuaded the club's director to sign him. After leaving Septemes at the age of 14, Zidane was called in for three days at the sport regional centre in Aix-en-Provence where Jean Varrud, Cannes' recruiter, took notice of the talent therein. Zidane ventured to Cannes for what was intended to be a six-week stay but remained longer. Playing with professionals at the age of 16, it would only be a matter of time when he too would turn pro. Zidane played for Bordeaux from 1992-1996, then moved to Juventus of Italy where a series of triumphs followed. He helped them to the 1996 European Super Cup, the 1996 European-South American Super Cup, the 1997 and the 1998 Italian league titles. They were also finalists of the 1997 and 1998 European Champions League. Zidane is considered the best footballer in the world and one of the most talented of all time. His individual awards include the Golden Ball in 1998 and FIFA's best player of the year in 1998, 2000 and 2003 -- a record he holds with Brazil's Ronaldo. He was also voted the top player in the 1998 World Cup which France won, scoring two goals in the final against Brazil. He was also voted the best European player of the past 50 years in a UEFA golden jubilee poll. So great is his popularity and drawing power that in addition to promoting a slew of sports products, Zidane also became Christian Dior's first male model. In 2001 Zidane moved to the world's richest club, Real Madrid, becoming the most expensive player in the game's history. The Spanish club signed him for $64.45 million, a record that still stands. In 2002, he helped the Spanish team to the European Champions League after beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in the final. Few can forget the historic left-foot volley he delivered from the edge of the area to seal his team's victory. The goal was selected by experts as one of the best 10 in history. An idol in France and in many other parts of the world, Zidane is modest and quiet, to the point of being shy. However, he has a temper, having once trampled on a Saudi player in the 1998 World Cup, a fault which cost him two games. Despite such bouts of petulance, Zidane will be sorely missed in international competition, the one solace will be to watch him play with Real Madrid where he intends to end his career in 2007.
