Zinedine Zidane looked on his way to a fabulous farewell party on Sunday night when he captained France to the World Cup final and it became even better when he put Les Bleus ahead with a trademark penalty. But instead of ending his career with a second World Cup title and a standing ovation from 69,000 fans in Berlin's Olympiastadion in the final game of the biggest sports event, the legendary son of Algerian immigrants saw his dream disappear into thin air because of a dramatic U-turn that blew everything. Zidane lost his tempers to head-butt Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the chest and receive a red card that sent him to the locker room, passing the World Cup trophy in disgrace. "I'm a fan of Zidane, but it's bizarre to end your career like that, if it's the end of your career," said Italy manager Marcello Lippi, who coached Zidane for several years during his spell with Juventus in the 1990s. But this unexpected turnaround wasn't the first in the tournament for Zidane. The 34-year-old, who came out of international retirement to the delight of coach Raymond Domenech amid the World Cup qualifiers, said that Germany 2006 will be his last quest. He kicked-off the tournament sluggishly, looked uninspired and lacking flair, a form that supported his critics who assured that his poor displays with Real Madrid should convince Domenech to be cautious of the France talisman. France collected two points from their first two games and many expected a sad end of a story billed as the most successful in the last ten years. France had to play their last Group F game against Togo without Zidane, who was suspended after collecting two bookings. Yet, France's players, with their victory over Togo, gave Zidane the chance to play at least one more game in the World Cup and their captain did not let them down this time around. The midfielder maestro rose from the ashes in the round of 16 to give an age-defying performance, marshalling the field and scoring against Spain in a stunning 3-1 victory.
Zidane leaving the pitch after being sent-off in the final Before the game, Spanish captain and Zidane club mate Raul said he will do his best to make it the last match for the France number 10. "Retirement? I'm sorry to have to tell them that it won't be after this match. The adventure continues," a beaming Zidane said then. And it continued even beyond that when Zidane dished out an assist in the quarter-finals to help France edge title holders Brazil, whose press described the three-time FIFA Player of the Year as an 'executioner', recalling his headed double against the Seleçمo in the final match of the 1998 World Cup. A spot-kick against Portugal earned France a place in the final and the whole world said that regardless the result of the final, Zidane will sign out on a high note. Despite the red card and failing to win the title, France's players still insist that Zidane went out in style. "What we have to remember is that he is an extraordinarily good player who had an incredible World Cup," France striker David Trezeguet said after the final. "I'm proud that he plays for France, and I'd like to thank him and give him my congratulations." "To finish in a World Cup final takes nothing away from anything. On the contrary, we should thank him (Zidane) because if he hadn't returned (to the national side) we would not have been there tonight," said France defender Willy Sagnol. And it wasn't only his teammates. President Jacques Chirac and ordinary France supporters also saluted Zidane back in Paris. Thousands of fans chanted supporting slogans for Zidane in Paris while waiting for their team members who met with Chirac the next morning. "I would like to express all the respect that I have for a man who represents at the same time all the most beautiful values of sport, the greatest human qualities one c
