Zinédine Zidane.

Zinedine Yazid Zidane was born on June 23, 1972 in the La Castellane district of Marseille, France, to Algerian parents Smail and Malika. Growing up in a poor Mediterranean port neighborhood, he learned football on the concrete streets, developing the close control and vision that would define his career. His father worked as a warehouseman, and the family of six shared a small apartment. At age 10, Zidane joined the local club AS Cannes after being spotted by a scout, leaving school to pursue football full-time. He later studied at the University of Limoges but did not complete a degree.

Zidane made his professional debut for Cannes in 1988, then moved to Bordeaux in 1992, where he earned his first France cap in 1994. In 1996, he joined Juventus for a then-world record fee of around $66 million, winning two Serie A titles and the UEFA Super Cup. His career-defining moment came in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final, where he scored two headers against Brazil to secure France’s first title, earning the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. That year he also won the Ballon d’Or and was named FIFA World Player of the Year.

In 2001, Zidane transferred to Real Madrid for a record £45.6 million about $66 million. His first season brought the UEFA Champions League trophy, sealed with a stunning left-foot volley in the 2002 final against Bayer Leverkusen, widely considered one of the greatest goals ever. He added a La Liga title in 2003 and won a third FIFA World Player of the Year award. At the 2006 World Cup, Zidane captained France to the final but was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi, a moment that overshadowed his Golden Ball award for best player. He retired immediately after the tournament as France’s fourth-most capped player with 108 appearances.

After retiring, Zidane became a coach, starting with Real Madrid Castilla in 2014. He took over the first team in January 2016 and within two and a half seasons won an unprecedented three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles 2016, 2017, 2018, a La Liga title, and two FIFA Club World Cups. He resigned in 2018 but returned in March 2019 after poor results, though he left again in 2021.

Zidane married Véronique Fernandez Lentisco, a Spanish dancer, in 1994. They have four sons: Enzo born 1995, Luca 1998, Théo 2002, and Elyaz 2005. Enzo followed his father into football, playing for Alavés and other clubs. Zidane’s wife is of Spanish origin, and the family lived in Madrid during his playing and coaching tenures. He maintained a low-profile private life, focusing on charity work in France and North Africa. His brother Djamel and cousin Jonathan Zidane were also footballers.

Zidane’s elegance, ball control, and big-game performances place him among football’s greatest. His 1998 World Cup victory made him a national hero in France, earning him the Legion of Honour. He is one of only eight players to have won the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Ballon d’Or, and the only coach to win three Champions Leagues in a row. His style influenced a generation of attacking midfielders, and his volley in the 2002 final remains iconic. Off the field, he served as ambassador for Qatar’s successful 2022 World Cup bid. Despite the infamous 2006 headbutt, his career is remembered for grace under pressure.