The 30 best players in World Cup history
By James Dudko
8. Zinedine Zidane, France
Arguably the most naturally talented player of his time, Zinedine Zidane left a mark, for better or worse, on two World Cups.
He was the maverick talisman who inspired Les Bleus to the trophy in 1998. It’s still the only win for the nation who invented the competition’s format.
Zidane was magnificent on home soil, scoring twice in the final to dismantle Brazil. His powerful headers embodied the team he led, strong, purposeful and ruthless.
France weren’t as strong in Germany in 2006. Instead, the nation humbled by elimination at the group stage in ’02 was reliant more on craft and savvy.
No player at the tournament exuded those traits as much as Zidane. The imperious playmaker turned on the style to help hammer Spain 3-1 in the round of 16.
Zidane’s pass for Thierry Henry’s winner against Brazil in the quarterfinal seemed to build belief another total victory was possible. Zidane buoyed confidence further when he scored from the penalty spot to beat Portugal in the last four.
He was again unerring from the spot in the final, putting Les Bleus in front against Italy. Marco Materazzi equalized with a penalty of his own, and had more in store for Zidane.
It was Materazzi who ignited the No. 10’s notoriously short fuse to the point Zidane floored him with a head-butt to the chest. France eventually lost on penalties without their skipper and talisman, who was sent off for the offense.
The red card cost Zidane a second trophy and likely the Ballon d’Or. Yet not even a final chapter this notorious can dampen Zidane’s contribution and legacy in the international arena.