Au revoir Zizou!

[Rémi]

I know lot of you are not aware of that, because most of you don't really care about soccer, so that news is only for those who are interested,.

Our national superstar Zinedine Zidane has decided to stop his international career in soccer/football. That's sad, he was a genius on the field (considered as the best football player by the FIFA), and had an important place in our heart. Now that he has decided to retire, what are we gonna become without our artist?


Zinedine Zidane announces retirement from international soccer

By JEROME PUGMIRE, Associated Press Writer
August 12, 2004
PARIS (AP) -- French superstar Zinedine Zidane retired from international soccer Thursday, ending his career with the national team after guiding it to the 1998 World Cup championship.

"I carefully thought through this decision,'' Zidane said in a statement on his Web site. "I think at a certain moment, one has to say, 'Stop.'''

Zidane scored two goals in the '98 World Cup final against Brazil, cementing his place in French sports history.

In 2000, he starred again when France won the European Championship for the second time in its history.

"It's not easy to stop after 10 years full of highs and lows ... especially highs, but my hour has come,'' he said. "It's the end of a cycle.''

Zidane made his debut a decade ago and played 93 times for the national team, scoring 26 goals, and also captained the team 11 times. He lost only seven matches in his international career.

The 32-year-old Zidane is expected to continue playing club soccer with Real Madrid until his contract with the Spanish giant expires in 2007.

Zidane was the leader of a golden generation in French soccer, starring with Lilian Thuram, Bixente Lizarazu and Marcel Desailly. The foursome formed the backbone of France's team and shared 409 caps between them.

Thuram, Lizarazu and Desailly all retired after this year's European Championship. From the 1998 team, only goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and midfielder Patrick Vieira remain. Vieira is likely to be selected captain. Robert Pires becomes the most experienced player, with 74 caps.

French coach Raymond Domenech visited Zidane recently in Madrid, but was unable to persuade him to stay.

"It's sad, I told him like most French people that I preferred him to continue,'' Domenech said Thursday. "He listened to my arguments, but decided to leave the way for young players to express themselves. It's regrettable, but I accept it. A new page has been turned.''

France's new-look team begins 2006 World Cup qualifying with a home group match against Israel on Sept. 4 at Stade de France.

The French national stadium became Zidane's favorite place to play over the years.

In the first ever match there, Zidane scored the winner against Spain in January 1998. His two header goals against Brazil gave France its first World Cup title.

Zidane's face was flashed up onto the Arc de Triomphe as millions took to the Champs-Elysées in Paris chanting "Zizou, Zizou.''

"People of all colors, regardless of skin, with only one goal: celebrating. There was only joy,'' he said. "The French team is the most beautiful thing ever to happen to me. There can be no doubt.''

On the Net: www.zidane.fr

[JUSTADKFAN]

My 15 years old son loves soccer, so he will miss Zidane. We used to see him playing with "Real Madrid" in the Spain league. Definitely he's one of the most important players worldwide all times. By the way, did he played with France in the last Euro Cup? I think France was eliminated too early and did not have a chance to see him playing. Actually, all important teams were eliminated soon and the final was unexpected.

Regards

Armando

[Rémi]

Yes, he played with our team, he was the captain during all the Euro. The bad thing is that we will recall his worst match against the greek during the quarter finals as his last one.
Believe me, knowing that we will never see him again in the national team is a real tragedy here in France for everyone!
It's somehow like if I was saying Diana was retiring from the music.
Hey, Di, I'm just kidding okay, don't stop!

[Eric in Long Beach]

All good things must come to an end, they say. And just when his country needed him the most!

[Rémi]

And the man is back... Now the french team will be invincible !


Change of heart
Zidane returns to French team for World Cup push

PARIS (AP) -- Zinedine Zidane is coming out of international retirement to help France qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

"I have decided to come back for Les Bleus," Zidane said Wednesday on his official Web site, www.zidane.fr

The 33-year-old Real Madrid midfielder, a brilliant playmaker who helped France win the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship titles, retired from international soccer after last summer's European Championships in Portugal.

Zidane -- FIFA's world player of the year in 1998, 2000 and 2003 -- will start his comeback in an Aug. 17 exhibition against Ivory Coast and is available for crucial World Cup qualifiers beginning in September. Zidane has 93 international appearances and has scored 26 goals for France.

"The French team has given me so much and I want to help it," Zidane said. "I told myself I did not have much time left in soccer, and I want to profit from it to the maximum."

Claude Makelele, a 32-year-old central midfielder with Chelsea, also announced his return to the national side. A former teammate of Zidane at Madrid, Makelele had retired from international play after France was eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 2004 Euros. He was a key figure in Chelsea's run to the Premier League title last season.

"I am very satisfied that the French team can once again count on Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele ... very talented players who play at the highest level for their clubs," France coach Raymond Domenech said.

France has four qualifying matches remaining as it bids to reach next year's World Cup in Germany, beginning with a home game against the Faeroe Islands in Lens on Sept. 3 and two tough road games to Ireland and Switzerland.

France is struggling in its qualifying group. It has only 10 points from six matches and is in fourth place, three points behind group leader Ireland.

When he took over the French team in July last year, Domenech failed to persuade Zidane to stay. He was more successful during a recent trip to Madrid.

"We had a long discussion," Zidane said. "I have always said the French team is the most important thing that has happened to me. I thought deeply about it and I want to play for France again."

Zidane last played for France in the 1-0 quarterfinal defeat to Greece at Euro 2004. He scored three goals in that tournament -- including two in the opening 2-1 win over England.

Zidane scored on two headers in the 1998 World Cup final win over Brazil. In 2000, he starred again as France won its second European title -- scoring on a penalty to beat Portugal in the semifinals.

Since Domenech took over, France has won only three of 10 games, drawing seven and scoring only nine goals.