What more can be written about Zinedine Zidane that hasn’t already? As if pondering that very question himself, ironically at the time when the definitive book on his life and times – Zidane: The Biography – had been released, the legendary French fantasista answered by unexpectedly stepping down from his position as Real Madrid manager. There; now you can write about that!
Of course, Zidane is far too humble to have contemplated the subject of himself to that extent, which is why the timing of this excellent biography written by Patrick Fort and Jean Philippe couldn’t be better for those wishing to read how he really became one of football’s most iconic and truly enigmatic Number 10s, taking us behind the scenes of a remarkable career as both player and manager.
It allows us to understand what makes Zidane tick; but by going in-depth in the many events and narratives of his historic career (right up until 2018), finishing the book only serves to highlight just how much of a massive career anomaly his recent decision to leave Real Madrid as a champion really is.
Zidane left his first club Cannes after suffering a tough relegation and was sold on to Bordeaux despite interest from his boyhood club Marseille – that dream move never materialised. His stint at Bordeaux ended by being thrashed in a UEFA Cup final, 5-1, at the hands of Bayern Munich, then despite moving to Juventus where he became World Player of the Year and won titles galore, the European Cup always eluded him, losing two finals.
Not only that, in what proved to be a final unhappy season in Turin, Zizou received red cards in his final two Champions League home matches (versus Deportivo La Coruna and Hamburg) as Juve finished bottom of the group, was defeated by Roberto Baggio’s Brescia in the Coppa Italia, and could only admire as il divin codino scored a wondergoal equaliser in Turin which cost Juventus two league points: the exact amount of points they eventually lost the Serie A title by to Roma.
At Real Madrid in his final season as a player, the side failed to win any silverware, and the league campaign was dominated by a Ronaldinho-inspired Barcelona. His final match as a player for the club came against Villarreal at the Bernabeu. And whilst he may have scored in the 3-3 draw, the disappointment of the season meant that many of his teammates – perhaps gripped by melancholy – forgot it was Zizou’s last ever appearance in white and had to be cajoled back to the pitch to show their appreciation and respect. Not a fitting farewell for the magician who had been the Galacticos’ Galactico.
For France, there is little need to remind of his last ever act on a football pitch. There can be no more dramatic yet disappointing way for a player of his stature to leave the field – especially in front of a live global audience. Lest we forget that Zidane had already ‘retired’ from international football in the wake of Euro 2004, but heeded his country’s desperate calls to return for a World Cup swansong.
It is for the above reasons why his recent quitting of Madrid as coach marks such a departure from those previous farewell narratives. He chose to quit whilst ahead; whilst on top. Finally, he stage-managed his own departure.
As whilst he may have always done things his own way, they were not always on his own terms – much as that may sound like a contradiction.
Evidence that the book perfectly knows its subject inside out is prophetically summed up in its final line:
‘However the [2017-18] season ultimately turns out, one thing remains certain: he will do things his own way, whatever the outcome.’
Indeed he did.
‘Zidane: The Biography’ by Patrick Fort and Jean Philippe, published by Ebury Press is available to buy now.
