Zinedine Zidane — or simply Zizou to millions of fans — is one of the most iconic names in world football. Celebrated for his effortless elegance on the ball and his sharp tactical mind off it, Zidane is a rare figure who conquered the game both as a player and as a coach.

Born on June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France, to Algerian immigrant parents, young Zinedine grew up in the rough neighborhoods of La Castellane. It was there, on the dusty local pitches, that he honed the footwork, balance, and vision that would make him one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

Zidane’s professional journey began at Cannes before he rose to stardom with Bordeaux, but his career truly exploded when he signed with Juventus in 1996. In Italy, he became a global superstar, winning Serie A titles and dazzling crowds with his sublime technique.

But it was on the international stage that Zidane wrote himself into football folklore. In 1998, he led France to their first FIFA World Cup title, scoring two crucial goals in the final against Brazil at the Stade de France — cementing his status as a national hero. He added a UEFA Euro 2000 trophy, becoming one of the few players to win both major international titles back-to-back.

In 2001, Zidane made headlines again, joining Real Madrid for a then-world-record fee of €77.5 million. His tenure with the Galácticos was glittering: he won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and scored one of the most iconic goals in football history — that jaw-dropping left-footed volley in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

Known for his calm demeanor, magnetic control, and an uncanny ability to read the game, Zizou was the ultimate playmaker — a footballer’s footballer admired by teammates and rivals alike.

But Zidane’s story didn’t end when he hung up his boots in 2006 (not without drama, of course — his infamous headbutt in the World Cup final remains one of sport’s most unforgettable moments).

Instead, he returned to Real Madrid as a coach and shocked the world again. In 2016, he took charge of the first team and, with his signature calm and charisma, led Madrid to an unprecedented three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018) — a feat that cemented his legacy as not just an all-time great player but also one of football’s elite managers.

Off the pitch, Zidane is known for his private life and humble attitude. He rarely courts controversy, preferring to let his football — and now, his coaching — speak for itself.

So, who is Zinedine Zidane? He’s a genius with the ball, a master on the bench, and an enduring symbol of football at its purest — elegant, brilliant, and impossible to forget.