Zinedine Zidane was one of the most sublime footballers of all time, a majestic playmaker whose close control, balance and vision seemed to belong to a different game. Tall and unhurried, he glided through midfield and produced moments of magic on the biggest stages.
He inspired France to victory at the 1998 World Cup, scoring twice in the final, and added the European Championship in 2000. At club level he starred for Juventus before a move to Real Madrid, where he scored one of the greatest goals ever seen, a soaring left-footed volley to win the 2002 Champions League final.
A three-time world player of the year, his career ended with the notorious red card in the 2006 World Cup final. He later returned to Real Madrid as a manager and won the Champions League three years running.