Zinedine Zidane is a legendary footballer who has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, with his technical ability, vision, and creativity. Zidane’s move to Madrid was a significant moment in football history, and it is worth exploring when this transfer took place.
Early Career
Born in Marseille, France, Zidane began his footballing journey at an early age. He joined a local club called US Saint-Henri, where he quickly showed his potential.
Zidane then moved to Cannes, where he made his professional debut in 1989. After two seasons with Cannes, he signed for Bordeaux in 1992.
Juventus Years
In 1996, Zidane signed for Juventus for a then-world record fee of £3.2 million. During his time at Juventus, he won two Serie A titles and reached two Champions League finals. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 after leading France to World Cup glory.
Move to Real Madrid
In 2001, Zidane made a move that would change his career forever. Real Madrid signed him for a then-world record fee of €75 million (£46 million). The transfer was a massive statement from Real Madrid and signaled their intent to dominate European football once again.
Zidane quickly established himself as one of the key players at Real Madrid and formed an excellent partnership with Brazilian striker Ronaldo. In his first season at the club, he helped them win the Champions League by scoring an incredible volley in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Achievements at Real Madrid
During his five years at Real Madrid, Zidane won numerous trophies and cemented his status as one of the greatest players of all time. He won the La Liga title in 2003, the Champions League in 2002 and 2014, and the UEFA Super Cup in 2002. He also helped France reach the final of Euro 2004.
Retirement
Zidane retired from professional football after the 2006 World Cup final, where he famously headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi. Despite this controversial moment, Zidane’s legacy as one of football’s greatest ever players remains intact.
In conclusion, Zinedine Zidane moved to Real Madrid in 2001 for a then-world record fee of €75 million (£46 million). He spent five years at the club, winning numerous trophies and cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time. While his career on the pitch may have ended controversially, his impact on football will never be forgotten.