Zidane’s been called a lot of things, but a trash-talker? Are we thinking of the same person here? Really, I’d like to see the above claims backed up with some sort of evidence.

All I know is that
1) Douglas Gordon, the Scottish video artist, has responded to the contention that “sledging is all part of the game, everyone does it,” by pointing to his documentary, which trained seventeen cameras on Zidane for the duration of one match. Throughout the game Zidane made not a single comment to the players on the opposing team. If you think the seventeen cameras made the difference here, consider that he also got himself sent off toward the end of the match, for defending a teammate.

2) Alessandro del Piero has said that he’d heard Zidane deal with a lot of verbal abuse while they were teammates at Juventus, but that he never heard Zidane do it. I believe his word has a lot more credibility than yours.

As for the leg-breaker allegations:
Of Zidane’s fourteen red cards, at least seven came about as a result of physical and verbal provocation. He does have two direct reds and two accumulated yellows to his name for bad tackling, over the course of a fifteen-year career. I have the details, too, just ask me if you want them.

I’m curious, if you are so secure in the knowledge that the man has humiliated himself and tarnished his career, then surely you could have saved yourself the mental torture of reading about—and following up for nearly a month afterwards—the travails of a disgraced retiree kicking a ball around in his own backyard? Why should a newly-minted World-Cup hero remain so desperate for an assurance of his existence from said retiree? Why should you?

Instead, the fact remains that Materazzi, try as he might, just can’t get Zidane to stop ignoring him; and it just eats you up inside, doesn’t it?
The fact remains that a large contingent of the public has chosen to empathize with the latter, and has continued to pay respect to him as a human being and footballer; and it just kills you, doesn’t it?

On topic: Lovely video, Laurie. On the MLS rumors, I refer you to this comment, posted (I think) on YouTube: “Why would ZZ go play in the US when he can play against better opposition in his own backyard?”
I’m just sayin’.

Are you able to post this video again please as I got unto this blog just recently? I’m an unconditional huge huge fan of the man and the footballer. He has allowed to make a radical change of my life due to his courage to come back and prove he was one the greatest.

John….people like yourself are quite ignorant when it comes to make constructive criticsm or even just making a comment of some sort. Do yourself a ‘big’ favour mate, read before expressing an opininon.
I’ll be glad to give more than a few tips about football players.

cheers

Sandrahn,

I can only assume what you wrote previously about the Zidane / Materazzi incident in the world cup is meant to provoke and not to be taken seriously.

Zidanes behaviour was nothing short of shameful both during the world cup incident and for weeks after. The only person to blame for Zidanes humiliating end to a brilliant career is Zidane.

Anyone who has paid even the mildest attention to ZZ great career acknowledges he is known not only for trash talking (to put it gently) his opponents but also prone to giving very tough tackles resulting more than a few red cards. The idea that Matrix said something out of the ordinary or that ZZ hasn’t said much worse to others is just laughable.

Laurie,

Actually Matrix did apologize to Zidane. Matrix is known as the butcher on the football field but is actually a well respected and liked man to some on the pitch and most off the pitch.

He only played in the world cup because Nesta was injured and he was very very good.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer.

Regards

Sandrahn,

I can only assume what you wrote previously about the Zidane / Materazzi incident in the world cup is meant to provoke and not to be taken seriously.

Zidanes behaviour was nothing short of shameful both during the world cup incident and for weeks after. The only person to blame for Zidanes humiliating end to a brilliant career is Zidane.

Anyone who has paid even the mildest attention to ZZ great career acknowledges he is known not only for trash talking (to put it gently) his opponents but also prone to giving very tough tackles resulting more than a few red cards. The idea that Matrix said something out of the ordinary or that ZZ hasn’t said much worse to others is just laughable.

Laurie,

Actually Matrix did apologize to Zidane. Matrix is known as the butcher on the football field but is actually a well respected and liked man to some on the pitch and most off the pitch.

He only played in the world cup because Nesta was injured and he was very very good.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer.

Regards

http://www.20minutes.fr/article/172501/Sport-Et-si-Zidane-retrouvait-Beckham-aux-Los-Angeles-Galaxy.php

Think there’s any substance to these latest rumors??

I saw that vid on the zidane group I frequent, great stuff. Zizou’s elder son Enzo is part of the Real Madrid youth reserves and won some kind of kid tournament they have against Barca last season. He’s Madrid’s #10. He’s also registered at the club under a different name, not zidane, because his parents don’t want too much attention paid to him as zizou’s son when he plays.