- News
- Editorials
- Writers
- India
- I-League
- Clubs
- Europe
- Champions League
- Goal Rich List 2013
- Live
-
Fixtures & Standings
- Daily Fixtures
- Asia WCQ Standings
- Africa WCQ Standings
- Europe WCQ Standings
- CONCACAF WCQ Standings
- CONMEBOL WCQ Standings
- Challenge Cup Standings
- Champions League Standings
- Europa League Standings
- Premier League Standings
- La Liga Standings
- Serie A Standings
- Bundesliga Standings
- I-League Standings
- I-League Division II Standings
- Transfers
- Video
|
|
Zidane: I was happier playing football
The French idol recognised that his life has changed immeasurably since retiring back in 2006, while looking forward to Saturday's clash between his home nation and Spain
French football legend Zinedine Zidane has confessed that he has found the adjustment to retirement difficult since he left behind the professional game, while hitting out at critics who have singled out Karim Benzema in the current national team.The former Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid idol played his last game in the 2006 World Cup final, which ended in infamy when he was sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi during a match France would eventually lose on penalties. He currently acts as sporting director at Madrid, a position he has held since July 2011.
In a frank interview with Le Monde, however, 'Zizou' admitted that the happiest days of his life occurred with the ball at his feet.
"If you ask me if I am as happy in my current life as I was in my previous one, the answer is no. Of course I was happier on the pitch," he revealed.
"It was my dream life and now I lead a totally different one. The happiness is therefore also different."
The Euro 2000 winner celebrates his 40th birthday on Saturday, the same day that Spain and France meet in the quarter-final's of 2012's edition. Asked about the upcoming clash Zidane was reluctant to comment, but signalled that Spain had the edge on his own nation.
"[I see] Spain as the favourites, but anything can happen in a single game."
Zidane made a total of 108 appearances for France, scoring 31 times. As well as helping to win Euro 2000, he was also instrumental in helping his country to their first ever World Cup triumph in 1998.
Related Stories
-
Player Ratings: West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson was given a farewell to remember, but certainly not for the right reasons as the Romelu Lukaku-led hosts battled back from three goals down to earn an unlikely point
-
Player Ratings: Liverpool 1-0 QPR
The hosts put in a dominating performance but Philippe Coutinho's solitary goal from distance was enough to see off a poor performance from the already-relegated visitors
-
Player Ratings: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Laurent Koscielny's 52nd-minute volley secured the Gunners the win over Alan Pardew's side and made sure they would be playing Champions League football next season
-
Transfer Talk: Read all the gossips
The Goal.com Rumour Mill is your 24/7 source for all the latest rumblings in the global transfer market.
-
Who is the greatest CL striker ever?
Enter our competition now and you will be in with a chance of winning one of four replica football shirts. Simply pick your favourite and subscribe to our YouTube channel