Zinedine Zidane speaks of his career on CNN's Talk Asia

Media News

New Delhi, November 20m 2009

Airtimes: Indian Standard Time

Wednesday, Nov 25 at 1900hrs

Thursday, Nov 26 at 1000hrs

Saturday, Nov 28 at 1730hrs

In a wide-ranging interview, French football legend and World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane joins CNN's TALK ASIA during his recent visit to Hong Kong. The three-time World Player of the Year explains what life holds for him now, after hanging up his boots. Zidane also discusses memorable moments from his illustrious career and reveals who he tips for the 2010 World Cup. The talismanic midfielder also tells Andrew Stevens how he rates the current crop of football greats and highlights the best team he ever played for.

With France narrowly qualifying for its fourth consecutive World Cup, the team’s former captain is understandably keen to see them lift the trophy in South Africa next year. But putting personal sentiments aside, he believes Spain stands the best chance: "If I have to pick a team given all that, I‘d say that Spain are well-placed." He also gives his predictions for the semi-finalists: "Spain, Brazil, an African team? It’s difficult to give a top three or four. I think an African team will do well because actually today the level of African football has progressed."

Zidane played for France in three consecutive World Cups and went down in history with his two headers against Brazil in the 1998 final to bring home the nation’s first World Cup. He reminiscences about the buildup to the biggest game of his life and sheds light on the team’s state of mind: "We were all very relaxed. I don’t know if it’s because we were playing Brazil and we had nothing to lose, or if it’s something else…if you had the chance to see the footage of us training that morning…you would’ve thought we were doing anything but preparing for a World Cup Final…We were under less pressure than Brazil was."

One of his opponents that day was Brazilian legend Ronaldo, someone he confidently states was the best player he ever encountered during his 17-year professional career. He recalls when they both played for Real Madrid: "I was especially impressed with him during training. He had such an ease with the ball…it was quite disconcerting and sometimes even irritated people. Everyday I’d train with him and everyday it’d be different. Everyday I saw something new, something beautiful."

The midfield maestro also shares his thoughts on another former teammate, David Beckham: "He’s a great great professional…He always arrived an hour before everybody else. He’s a very sincere and genuine guy. Whether he’s greeting the president or the person cleaning the changing rooms, he has the same attitude. He’s quite the gentleman."

While few can match his achievements, the French football legend’s career ended in notoriety with his infamous headbutt against Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final. He admits that his final match was his worst moment on the pitch but declined to comment further.

Widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all times, the son of immigrants from Algeria credited his success to his parents, as he shares: "I think my parents instilled in me real values. And the fact perhaps to have grown up in a tough neighbourhood, allowed me to keep my feet on the ground, to not change. Even if what followed for me was extraordinary, for me the most important thing was not to change."

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