Zidane to retire after world Cup

**beautifulrock** · 25/04/2006, 9:10 PM

I am slightly suprised although he did seem to have lost interest recently. He is retiring from both club and country.

Real Madrid's French international Zinedine Zidane is to retire after the World Cup finals in Germany.
"It's my decision and it's final," the France and Real Madrid playmaker told French television channel Canal+.

Its on the BBC website as well.

**sligoman** · 25/04/2006, 9:32 PM

It's mainly because he doesn't think his body can hack it anymore:

Originally Posted by Zidane

After the World Cup, I will stop playing football. It is especially because of my body. I cannot play on for another year.

**drinkfeckarse** · 26/04/2006, 7:58 AM

He maybe couldn't play at the top level with Madrid anymore but he could quite easily grace most other teams. I suppose he wants to bow out at the top which is what most pro's should do instead of kicking about in the lower leagues living off a past reputation but the news did surprise me.

**thejollyrodger** · 26/04/2006, 8:33 AM

no loss becuase he is crap now anyway

**pete** · 26/04/2006, 9:11 AM

He hasn't done much in last 2 years but superb in his prime. One of the few players who could control a game completely in the modern game.

**Dodge** · 26/04/2006, 9:17 AM

He's a genius. An out and out genius.

Should have retired last year but still good to see him show sense

**superfrank** · 26/04/2006, 9:29 AM

The one thing I'll always remember about him was that goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 CL Final. Sheer class.

He also single-handedly won that game for France against England in Euro 2004.

Leaving Juve, imo, was the wrong decision.

**John83** · 26/04/2006, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

The one thing I'll always remember about him was that goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 CL Final. Sheer class.

He also single-handedly won that game for France against England in Euro 2004.

Leaving Juve, imo, was the wrong decision.

I'll always remember his performances at Euro 2000. He just oozed class every game.

He'd grown stale at Juve, but he went to the wrong club.

**Armando** · 26/04/2006, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

The one thing I'll always remember about him was that goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 CL Final. Sheer class.

He also single-handedly won that game for France against England in Euro 2004.

Leaving Juve, imo, was the wrong decision.

I was at both those games, so understandably he is a big hero of mine.
I am going to Frances last 2 games of the World Cup group stages with a french friend - still trying to get tickets for their first game and would love to follow them throughout the tournament. It will be sad to say farewell to Zizou, what a genius.

**pete** · 26/04/2006, 12:37 PM

Zidane made his name playing International football & not club football which contradicts some opinions that Champions League is the biggest competition these days.

Very few playmakers in midfield these days that can control an entire game like Zidane & Maradona before him.