Archive for June, 2007

France’s new Zizou comes of age

Yet another person touted to be the next Zidane. French teenager Samir Nasri, dubbed “Baby Zizou” netted his maiden international goal to earn Les Bleus a 1-0 home victory over Georgia on June 6.

The Olympique Marseille (OM) midfielder, voted the league’s best young player this season and superb in the 2-0 win over Ukraine, struck in the 33rd-minute. Nasri’s goal, in his third appearance, kept France on top of their Euro 2008 qualifying Group.

The 19-year-old starlet has also been pivotal in helping his club to qualify for the Champions League. Since joining OM in 2004, Nasri has made 58 appearances and has scored 17 times. Viewed as the successor to Zinédine Zidane, Nasri pledged his immediate future to OMe following reports linking him with a move to Arsenal, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Inter were keen on him as a replacement for aging Luis Figo and Real Madrid have been monitoring Nasri’s form this season, that earned him a call up to the French squad in March, and were said to be weighing up a bid. But Nasri said leaving OM would be a huge mistake and has brushed off reports linking him with a move to Italy, Spain or England in the summer.

Zidane clips

More clips of Zizou in action. Amazing stuff, you’ll like it!

Beach soccer World Cup boost

The event manager of Fifa’s beach soccer committee has given Dubai’s bid to host the 2009 World Cup a boost by praising the city’s facilities and infrastructure. Former football greats such as Zidane and Cantona have boosted the profile of the game by participating.

The DSC secretary general outlined Dubai’s bid and highlighted how in recent years the emirate has successfully hosted international events in horse racing, soccer, tennis, equestrian, endurance, golf and power boat racing.

Danils said that the popularity of beach soccer is growing worldwide for several reasons.

Superstars like Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane and Romario have raised the profile of the game by taking part in tournaments.

Zidane on his 2002 CL goal

During the 2002 Champions League Final against Bayer Leverkusen, Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid scored one of the finest volleys that I have ever seen. To score such a marvelous goal in such an important match attests to the greatness of the three-time World Player of the Year.

Let Zidane explain it for himself.

Legends of Soccer

“Legends of Soccer” video. Featuring Wayne Rooney, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry. Music by 50 cent.

Zidane to touch down in Jakarta

Even after his retirement Zinedine “Zizou” Zidane is still as popular as ever. He will be arriving in Jakarta this Wednesday to meet with his legion of fans here. Any chance of him coming over the Malaysia?

He has already retired from international soccer but the popular Zinedine Zidane — or “Zizou” as he is affectionately known — remains a firm favorite among fans here.

A small cigarette stall on Jl. Jatinegara Barat in East Jakarta proudly bears the name of Zidane — who captained France to 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euro Cup victories — thousands of miles away from France, where the star lives.

More than a year after his retirement, Zidane is scheduled to visit Jakarta for three days to meet children and soccer fans, organizers announced Wednesday.

Continue reading ‘Zidane to touch down in Jakarta’

Spurs signing “The New Zidane”?

So many people are claiming to have found a new “Zidane”, everybody wants to be the next Zidane. The agent of new Tottenham signing Abel Taarabt believes the club may have signed a player with similar qualities to Zinedine Zidane.

The Moroccan-born France under-18 international has joined the Londoners on a permanent basis from Lens after impressing on loan last season.

“In France it is simple, he is considered as the new Zidane,” agent Rudy Raba told BBC Sport of the attacking midfielder.

“He is exceptional, he is one of the most talented young players in France, perhaps the most.

“Adel wants to work and succeed with Tottenham. He wants to play and for that he has to do well at training and convince the manager.

“He has a good mentality - he knows that he has to work to succeed even if he has the quality.”