Zinedine Zidane’s Career in Football: Everything You Need to Know

Zinedine Zidane quit as Real Madrid coach after leading the club to their third straight Champions League title

Zinedine Zidane during a press conference in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 31, 2018 where he announced his decision to quit as Real Madrid.

(Photo: AP)

Zinedine Zidane has stepped down as Real Madrid coach after leading the Spanish club to a third successive Champions League title.

Here are some key facts about Zidane:

Early Life

• Born 23 June, 1972 in Marseille, France.
• Began his playing career with AS Cannes and made his professional debut in May 1989.

Playing Career

• Moved to Girondins Bordeaux in 1992 and scored 28 goals in 139 league appearances during four seasons.
• Moved to Juventus in 1996. Helped the club win two Serie A titles in his first two seasons. Won the European Super Cup and the World Club Cup with Juventus.
• Played in the Champions League final in 1997 and 1998 but Juventus were beaten both times, by Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid respectively.
• Became the world's most expensive player in 2001 as he moved from Juventus to Real Madrid for 77.5 million euros ($90.68 million).
• Helped Real Madrid win the Champions League in 2002 with a majestic winner in the 2-1 final victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Also won the Intercontinental Cup as Real beat South American champions Olimpia 2-0.
• Won the Liga title with Real Madrid in 2003.

Real Madrid players lift head coach Zinedine Zidane into the air as they celebrate after winning the Champions League final, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 27, 2018.(Photo: AP)

International Career

• Zidane made his France debut in a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic in August 1994. In the match, he scored two goals in 17 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
• During the 1998 World Cup, was sent off after 70 minutes of France's 4-0 first-round victory over Saudi Arabia and missed the next two matches. Headed in two first-half goals to help France win their first World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Brazil.
• Named player of the tournament as he helped France to victory in Euro 2000.
• Retired from international soccer in August 2004 but a year later announced his comeback. Having already said he would retire after the 2006 World Cup, he helped France reach the final against Italy.
• Zidane was sent off during extra time in the final for butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the chest. Italy went on to win the title in the penalty shootout.

Individual Awards

• FIFA World Player of the Year - 1998, 2000, 2003.
• Ballon d'Or: 1998
• European Player of the Year - 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003.

Real Madrid’s Isco hugs coach Zinedine Zidane, right, after winning the Champions League Final match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (Photo: AP)

Managerial Career

• In 2013, Zidane was appointed assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
• Zidane replaced sacked Real manager Rafa Benitez in January 2016.
• Became the first manager to win three European Cup titles in a row.
• Zidane also guided the club to a Liga title in the 2016-17 season and two FIFA Club World Cup crowns.

Managerial Honours

• La Liga: 2016–17
• Spanish Super Cup: 2017
• UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
• UEFA Super Cup: 2016, 2017
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
• INDIVIDUAL MANAGERIAL AWARDS
• The Best FIFA Football Coach: 2017
• World Soccer Magazine World Manager of the Year: 2017