With Zinedine Zidane preparing to return to the France national team set-up as head coach, it is a fitting moment to reflect on the scale of the impact the 54-year-old has had on football culture in his country.
From his early life in Marseille to becoming the face of France’s landmark 1998 World Cup triumph, very few footballers have made such a lasting impression on the sport.
For former France teammate Djibril Cisse, Zidane’s influence stretched well beyond what he did on the pitch, with the ex-Liverpool striker believing that the former Real Madrid star’s life story, character and style of play all helped turn him into both a sporting and cultural icon.
“He was a little kid from the mean streets of Marseille,” Cisse told FourFourTwo while speaking about Zidane’s roots, having been born and brought up in the city’s tough La Castellane neighbourhood.
“He came from a very tough neighbourhood - a background that swallows so many people up. It’s not easy to become someone with this kind of start in life, but he did it.”
That ability to rise from such modest beginnings to the summit of the world’s most popular sport is a major reason why Zidane’s story remains so powerful.
And for Cisse, that journey - combined with his extraordinary quality on the ball - is central to why Zidane was able to leave such a deep mark on society.
“The best players in the world don’t just win matches but they influence people’s lives,” he continued.
“Zidane didn’t do that with his personality, like Ali, but he did it with his technical ability, his winning mentality and his elegance.”
That influence, Cisse suggested, also came from Zidane’s positive intent on the field, where he consistently let his attacking football speak for itself.
“He was never the type of player who would sit deep and hope for a draw. He always saw the possibility to break forward and go for the win and you always had a chance with him in your team.
“Not only that but his sublime skill, his showboating and his effectiveness made so many people around the world fall in love with French football. Playing alongside him for the national team was an honour.
“Again, like Jordan, he is the GOAT of his sport in my opinion. A legend in my country.”
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