Legendary Real Madrid midfielder and manager Zinedine Zidane has been making public appearances recently, and in an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport, he shared some of the most unforgettable moments from his illustrious career.
From winning the World Cup with France to lifting multiple UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid as both player and coach, Zidane’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular.
When asked about the pinnacle of his career after the World Cup, Zidane highlighted one particular Champions League triumph.
"The best moment of my career after the World Cup? Our second Champions League against Juventus. The way we played in that second half… it was truly spectacular."
"I’ve watched it four, five, six times… and I’ve always said: ‘This is football’. Perfection," he said, reflecting on the 2017 final victory in Cardiff, where Real Madrid beat Juventus 4-1.
Zidane was also asked about the hypothetical scenario of coaching some of the biggest stars of his era, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.
His admiration for his former players was clear. “I would coach both of them. I can’t answer that question because I liked them both. Kroos and Benzema too.
"I’ve had some players… wow, incredible. It was incredible to train them and watch them train. I had three or four players."
"You couldn’t see the ball with them on the field. Modric, Kroos, Isco, Benzema, Rodrygo… they never lost the ball. Incredible," Zidane said.
Zidane’s admiration for his players demonstrates the strong bonds formed during his time on the touchline, as well as his appreciation for the technical brilliance and intelligence they brought to the field.
Even years after leaving management, Zidane remains a respected figure in world football.