Speechless!
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ZIDANE
Zidane's mastery of his art has drawn plaudits from all corners of the globe - especially after his age-defying display against Brazil in Frankfurt.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was the first to pay tribute to the great Zidane, labelling him "a monster" for his performance.
French legend Michel Platini believes Zidane is one of the most skillful players the game has ever known.
"Technically, I think he is the king of what's fundamental in the game - control and passing. I don't think anyone can match him when it comes to controlling or receiving the ball," said Platini.
German icon Franz Beckenbauer added: "Zidane is one of the greatest players in history, a truly magnificent player."
Pele, a World Cup winner three times with Brazil, hailed the Frenchman after seeing his country go out: "Zidane was the magician in the game."
Last word goes to Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari - the next man who must find a way of stopping Zidane when his team meet France in Wednesday's semi-final.
"Zidane is a player that in a fraction of a second can define a match, so we need to take care of him," said Scolari.
"It's a shame that players such as Zidane are getting older. We would like to see him play for another seven, eight or 15 years. The ball doesn't cry at his feet."
ZIDANE'S LEGACY
When Zinedine Zidane leaves a pitch for the last time, he will leave an indelible mark on the game he has graced for so long.
A player like Zidane will be remembered for special moments - those frozen in time that have gone down in football folklore.
Zidane writes his name into football history in the 1998 final
Like Maradona's iconic second goal against England in 1986, like Johan Cruyff's turn in 1974 that so bemused Swedish right-back Gunnar Olsson.
Zidane has had so many of them already - the two headers in the 1998 World Cup final, the coolly-taken last-minute penalty to knock out Portugal in the Euro 2000 semi-final, the stunning volley to win the 2002 Champions League.
Now he has more. The ease with which he scored France's third goal against Spain was majestic, as was the way he flicked the ball over Ronaldinho's head on Saturday as if to torment the double World Footballer of the Year.
On such moments are the careers of the very greatest players defined.
Ronaldinho, by curling a last-minute free-kick a yard over the crossbar, missed the chance to cement his place in the pantheon of greats.
Zidane is already there, but he may yet have one final, beautiful moment to leave us with.
Zidane's mastery of his art has drawn plaudits from all corners of the globe - especially after his age-defying display against Brazil in Frankfurt.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was the first to pay tribute to the great Zidane, labelling him "a monster" for his performance.
French legend Michel Platini believes Zidane is one of the most skillful players the game has ever known.
"Technically, I think he is the king of what's fundamental in the game - control and passing. I don't think anyone can match him when it comes to controlling or receiving the ball," said Platini.
German icon Franz Beckenbauer added: "Zidane is one of the greatest players in history, a truly magnificent player."
Pele, a World Cup winner three times with Brazil, hailed the Frenchman after seeing his country go out: "Zidane was the magician in the game."
Last word goes to Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari - the next man who must find a way of stopping Zidane when his team meet France in Wednesday's semi-final.
"Zidane is a player that in a fraction of a second can define a match, so we need to take care of him," said Scolari.
"It's a shame that players such as Zidane are getting older. We would like to see him play for another seven, eight or 15 years. The ball doesn't cry at his feet."
ZIDANE'S LEGACY
When Zinedine Zidane leaves a pitch for the last time, he will leave an indelible mark on the game he has graced for so long.
A player like Zidane will be remembered for special moments - those frozen in time that have gone down in football folklore.
Zidane writes his name into football history in the 1998 final
Like Maradona's iconic second goal against England in 1986, like Johan Cruyff's turn in 1974 that so bemused Swedish right-back Gunnar Olsson.
Zidane has had so many of them already - the two headers in the 1998 World Cup final, the coolly-taken last-minute penalty to knock out Portugal in the Euro 2000 semi-final, the stunning volley to win the 2002 Champions League.
Now he has more. The ease with which he scored France's third goal against Spain was majestic, as was the way he flicked the ball over Ronaldinho's head on Saturday as if to torment the double World Footballer of the Year.
On such moments are the careers of the very greatest players defined.
Ronaldinho, by curling a last-minute free-kick a yard over the crossbar, missed the chance to cement his place in the pantheon of greats.
Zidane is already there, but he may yet have one final, beautiful moment to leave us with.
posted by Makarand at 9:15 PM
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