Zinedine Yazid Zidane, was a soccer player for the
national French team and is now an assistant coach and sporting director for
Real Madrid. He is known as one of the best ever soccer players in the world
and was brought to the attention of everyone in 2006 when he head-butted an
Italian player and was red-carded off the field. France lost the World Cup to
Italy that year. However, the head-butt became his signature in that it showed,
to those of us who paid attention, his integrity and honor. Because of his high
profile status as a top player, the Italians, of course, had it in for him in a
big way during the game. Understanding that the French and Italians are major rivals for
anything from wine to countryside, lovers and soccer, one can see why the
Italian’s went so zealously after Zidane in that last match. After an entire match full
of insults, innuendos, and general verbal bullying, the last straw happened
when Marco Materazzi insulted Zidane's sister, and I mean really insulted her,
just to goad Zidane into doing what he did. It worked. Zidane had had enough. We were in France
watching the game on TV when it happened and boy did it set off a reaction all
over the country. The general feeling the next day was that Materazzi got what
he deserved and Zidane was a hero, even though they lost the game. It was
awesome! If you watch the video below, you'll see what I mean!
The man himeself
I took this one day when I happened to look up and there he was!
This will be the second to last post to showcase some of the
reasons I love France (I could do a whole month or more on the amazing people
who make France shine for me). Bittersweet to end this A to Z challenge this
year because I’ve spent the last month revisiting placesand people I haven’t seen for a few years
now. Nostalgia and also, surprisingly, a feeling of wonder and awe that I’ve
been so lucky to have seen so much, done so much and met so many people who
have made France a giant wonderland for me. Talk about a theme park! This is
one I’d visit anytime. So, sharing one last blast through before we hit Z. Come
and see France through my eyes…
