The rhapsody in bleu

Since making his debut a decade ago, the number 10 has been the inspiration behind a team that went from also-rans to world champions in 1998 and European champions in 2000. France were never the same dangerous side when ‘Zizou’ was absent or not at his best.

He suffered a thigh injury before the start of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan and the defending champions went out in the first round without scoring a goal. He showed flashes of brilliance during Euro 2004 but not enough for France to avoid another failure, with a defeat by champions Greece in the quarter-finals in June.

Zidane, who turned 32 in that month, said he felt tired of international football after the Portuguese debacle and it became increasingly unlikely he would find the enthusiasm to help with qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. His pride would not allow him to play if his powers were too much diminished by age.

Zidane’s vision, effortless close control, delicate turns and ability to create space made him one of the soccer’s greatest ever players.

He started his career at Cannes before moving to Bordeaux but it was with Juventus that he made his mark and by the time he moved to Real Madrid in 2001 he was the world’s most expensive player, costing some $66 million.

Voted European Player of the Year in 1998 and World Player of the Year in 1999, 2000 and 2003, he came second only to Michel Platini as France’s most respected footballer. (Reuters)

Exactly two months after the most improbable end to any international football match, the architect put down his tools. In 10 years wearing the Les Bleus jersey, Zinedine

Zidane came as close to a perfect career as possible.

Here it is, warts and all:

The Highs

• World Cup 1998: The world saw that Zidane was a big match man. Two headed goals in the final saw France upset hot favourites Brazil. If Zizou had hung up his boots after Paris, he would have still reached immortality

• Euro 2000: Another French triumph, another Zidane triumph. Named Player of the tournament, Zidane was all over the place. Live-wire in the midfield and excelling as a playmaker

The Lows

• World Cup 2002: After a hectic season with Real Madrid, an injured Zidane travelled east for a forgettable trip. Many felt that the reason the defending champs were knocked out in the first round was the fact that the playmaker just played the last of the three games.

• Euro 2004: That breathtaking finish to the England match was, alas, the swansong. France faded as quickly as their talisman did