The End Of Zidane?

Filed in archive World Cup 2006 on June 19, 2006

image: sangrefria.com

After Zinedine Zidane was booked during the last ten minutes of France's 1-1 draw with Korea, we may never see him on a football pitch again.

Zidane is retiring altogether after this World Cup, and the booking was his second of the group stage, meaning he'll sit out France's game against Togo. With just two points from two games, France could be going home after that game.

Zidane's frustrations were obvious, and when France Raymond Domonech subbed the great man out for David Trezeguet, Ziadne gave him the sort of look Gary Lineker should have given Graham Taylor in 1992.

Domenech's fairly negative 4-2-3-1 tactics don't give Zidane enough to work with going forward. Thierry Henry is obviously fantastic but he's often left to do all the work alone up front. Zidane can pull the strings, and he's looked classy in the two group games, but with only Henry up front it's been difficult for Zizu to make killer passes.

If the 1-1 draw with Korea turns out be Zidane's farewell it will be a frustrating end to a glorious career. For that reason alone I'll be supporting France during the Group G finale.