including Headbutting Marco Materazzi!
I. Introduction:
’Zizou’, You’ve Done The Game Proud, Your Nation Prouder & the Soccer World & Human Dignity the proudest! It was his Red Letter (Card) Day & our ’Complex Hero’ has painted ’his Name red & bold & bright across the German Sky’. He left the field with ’his head held high’, walked out like a philosopher with the satisfaction of justice done & proved to the world that ’there is more than football in his life and blood’.
II. Why is Zizou Considered a Legend?
How is it the Whole Soccer World holds him in high admiration & affection & repect? What is he to football & football, to he?
a) Where was France? Out of Reckoning. I actually wrote it off after the group matches. The Spanish were dictating terms; the Brazillian were waiting on the wings; Argentina played superb; The Germans were at a cup-lifting distance; Portugal stood ominous; ’Italy were brilliant when they stopped Germany’. It was none but Zidane who resurrected France from its Ashes! ’He played well against Spain, , less well against Portugal’. In the semifinal against Brazil, he changed the whole texture of the tournament.
b) His Early Life & Personal Accomplisments:
- As a child he played violent games of Tag. From the age of 5, he played football on a narrow strip. As there was no space for wing-play, Zidane had to play midfield. His Parents: Smail & Malika.Migrated to France in 1953. Zizou attributes much of his success to his ’papa’..
2 )
i )’ZZ’ is not a mere player but an Artist! When we hear his name, his amazing footwork & dash, his exquisite passes long & short, his precise ’control & grace in possession’ ( Cntrolling ’the ball accurately with any part of his boot’ & making the ball ’hover between his ankles’ puzzling his opponents), his missile-like heading (including the one on Materazzi’s chest!) come to the football lovers’ admiring eyes delighting their souls.
ii) Past Record: The French Magician’ has ’an Incredible career’. In the 17 years of his glorious regime, he has played 108 games for France. Scored 31 goals. Has won The World Cup, 1998 ( In July 1998, he scored 2 goals past Brazil in the FIFA Final) & 2000 European Championship for France & was 3 times FIFA World Player of the year.
iii) In FIFA World Cup, 2006, ZZ played 6 matches & stood head & shoulder above all his counterparts & rivals. The crown Prince, the Enigmatic Ronaldinho , was a great disappointment. Ronaldo was seen ’moving in small arcs’ waiting for the ball to come to his feet. Most of the other great players were busy at the wings losing hold when coming to the centre. But how our Midfield Maestro moved like a panther & baffled his opponents! It is to be seen to believe.
iv ) Here is a rush: ( The FIFA Cup, 2006)
a)
The football wizard started slow in the Group Matches. I practically wrote the unimpressive France off from the reckoning. To borrow some great expressions, ’ZZ hit the nail on ’the Spaniards’ coffin’ with a goal in the dying seconds of the match’ (92+ minute). ’The Timing was perfect’.
b)
In the Quarter Final, between France & Brazil, ZZ ’knocked the Cup-holder out almost single handedly’. Against the Promising Portugal, he took full responsibility & inspired his team to play better. ’He kept possession & slowed down the match’ to maintain France’s lead. In the Final, You all know how the Penalty-Emperor, ’chipped in a soft’ effortless marvel penalty ’kick that hit the bar to fall just over the goal line’ earning France a quick lead.
III. The Incident-- The Encounter:
From the start of the Final match, Materazzi tried to wind him. He is said to have grabbed Zidane’s shirt & felt his nipples & made some offensive remarks. Zidane jocularly told him, he could have his shirt as a souvenir at the end of the match. It is reported Materazzi retorted, that Zidane could keep it for his (prostitute) Sister. Some say, he called Zidane ’a dirty terrorist’ which Materazzi denied saying he had not heard of the word. Who’ll believe him? According to Brittain’s Top Forensic Lip Reader, Jessica Rees: ’So, just f--- off for the good measure, the son of a Terrorist whore’ , Corraborated by Brazilian & other TV reports. Obviously, Materazzi has said something that hit Zidane’s raw nerve’. ZZ ’Walked past disdainfully’, Turned back like a wounded Tiger & went slow-paced to the tall Italian like a bull & headbutted him knocking him down before a billion people watching the TV all over the globe. The Knave Materazzi put on a great show as if writhing with pain to earn ZZ a red card.The Civilized Law insists provocation is no defense’, Hell with it! After all, Zidane ’is a human & not a god’!
A Word about Red Card: Not a big deal as has been made out to be. Materazzi himself got it now in Germany; Frings punched Julio Cruz on the nose & Earned it! No whimper! Why is it now made a big issue as if Zizou was the only one to get it?
IV.How was the Incident Received in France?
The demoralized France lost the match decided by Penalty Shoots. If thePenalty-Lord, Zidane had been there, the end could have been different. The French Press & Politicians were not harsh on Zidane. They ’didn’t blame him for the loss. They speculated on the DASTARDLY NATURE of the Insults deployed by Marco Meterazzi’. I leave the rest to my friends’ discretion as I don’t wish to lose my Congratulating spirit & celebrating mood.
V. Conclusion:
It is all about how a man of humble origin rose to SKY-HIGH. The whole Nation dreamt with Zidane for a month. It was the pipe-dream of all youngsters to become ’Zizou’ in future. I consider he is still a ’Lofty Role Model’
I’m one with President Jacques Chirac who heaped praise & love on Zidane on behalf of the Nation, (I, on behalf of all global soccer-lovers like me): " You’re a virtuoso, a genius, a man of heart, of commitment, of conviction, a man who proves that France is strong when it is united in all diversity. That’s why France admires & loves you".
Over to you, Friends. To capture the spirit, I’ve freely borrowed & used (within hooks) many expressions. Now, the ball is in your court. Chip in a Kick, shoot, hit, butthead the ball and pass it on to others! The choice is yours & the pleasure, mine!