Zidane envisions farewell and trophy
(AP)
Updated: 2006-05-17 08:34
PARIS - Zinedine Zidane has it all worked out: He will hoist the World Cup
trophy in Berlin on July 9 and retire from soccer.
"I will be very, very motivated at the World Cup, I assure you," the French
star said. "I can't be satisfied with what I have achieved these last two years.
I want to win another World Cup and I will give everything I have".
His two header goals helped Les Bleus to a 3-0 win over Brazil in 1998 for
France's only world championship, securing "Zizou's" place in French sports
history.
French fans, starved for success since the 1984 European title, chanted his
nickname on the Champs-Elysees. His face, projected by laser onto the Arc de
Triomphe, looked over the scene with his trademark fixed stare.
The same fans begged him to come back when he retired from international
soccer after defending champion France's quarterfinal exit against Greece at the
2004 European Championship. He obliged them last August, and France scraped
through in World Cup qualifying.
Zidane's impact over the four final qualifying games was
highlighted by a rousing talk at halftime of a game at Ireland. With the score
0-0, his calm demeanor cracked. In graphic language he made his teammates fully
aware of what was at stake.
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