Zinedine Yazid Zidane was born on 23 June 1972 in La Castellane, Marseille, and remains one of football's most celebrated figures. Featured on Walkouts as an icon for collectors, his career spans from humble neighbourhood pitches to the pinnacle of international and club success. Known for his elegance on the ball, Zidane combined vision, technique and a composure that produced some of the sport's most memorable moments.
His senior career began at AS Cannes, where early promise earned him a move to Girondins de Bordeaux. At Bordeaux he developed the control and passing that would define his playmaking role and helped the side reach the 1995-96 UEFA Cup final. That progression led to a transfer to Juventus in 1996, where Zidane became a global star, winning successive Serie A titles and establishing himself among Europe's elite.
Zidane's move to Real Madrid in 2001 for a then world-record fee sealed his status as a modern legend. His left-foot volley to win the 2002 UEFA Champions League final is widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in the tournament's history. At club level he added a La Liga title, UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup to a distinguished playing CV, while individual honours included three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and the 1998 Ballon d'Or.
On the international stage Zidane was central to France's golden era. He scored twice in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final to lift his country to its first title, and he was named Player of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 2000. Across his France career he earned 108 caps and 31 goals, returning from brief retirement to captain Les Bleus at the 2006 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball despite the final's infamous sending off.
After retiring as a player in 2006, Zidane moved into coaching and sporting roles before taking charge of Real Madrid's first team. His managerial tenure produced an unprecedented run of European success, including three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018 and multiple domestic trophies. His reputation as a coach is built on man management, tactical flexibility and a record of decisive substitutions in key matches.
For collectors, Zidane items are prized for their provenance and connection to defining moments in football history. Signed shirts, authenticated signatures and match provenance tied to landmark fixtures such as the 1998 World Cup final or the 2002 Champions League final carry special appeal. Walkouts listings emphasise verified authenticity and clear provenance, making such memorabilia desirable for display and curation in private collections and museum-quality exhibits.
Beyond trophies and statistics, Zidane's legacy is a blend of artistry and influence, recognised by peers and the footballing public alike. His technique, trademark La Roulette and capacity to shape matches have kept his name central to conversations about the game's great playmakers. As a subject for memorabilia and authenticated collectibles, Zidane remains timeless, his career milestones continuing to shape provenance standards and collector interest on Walkouts.
