The World Cup Years: Zinedine Zidane Gives Virtuoso Display v Brazil, 2006

Ollie Irish

10th, June 2010

8 Comments

By Ollie Irish

1 July 2006, Brazil v France in the World Cup quarter final…

The most complete individual display in World Cup history? Yeah, I think so. Zidane was almost untouchable that day, and that’s how I choose to remember him, rather than for the headbutt two games later.

Bonus gallery of Zidane in that match:

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Picture 2 of 12

Posted in Retro, Skills, Videos, World Cup

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8 Comments

  1. Chris says:

    I kind of want to cry. SA2010 will be the first Zidane-less World Cup in 12 years.

  2. NC Gooner says:

    This is my absolute favorite video on youtube. I must have watched it 100 times. It was pretty much 1 man against the best team in the world….and he willed his team to a victory. You could see around 70 minutes that Kaka had given up. He realized that Zizou had the blessings of a higher power that day. What a player!!!

  3. Squelch says:

    My favourite player of all time, even more so as an Italian and a Juventus fan. :)

  4. Fredmeister says:

    I remember watching that match, it was pretty special. I dont think any team in the world ever was going to beat HIM that day.

    It was like watching Federer at the tennis, it seemed like everyone was choreographed for him. They all just did what he wanted.

  5. Barry says:

    Kaka being just an observer says it all. Wish I had the chance to watch him more than I did. Messi and Ronaldo may equal him in terms of ability but will never match the composure he shows. Coolest footballer ever.

  6. Deckard says:

    It’s just a shame none of those brilliant passes from fluent play turned into a goal, it would’ve been so awesome (and deserved) if France totally destroyed Brazil in terms of goals that day. And this game should’ve been the Final. France vs Portugal and France vs Italy were a total bore quality wise compared to this masterpiece.

  7. Carl says:

    Thanks for putting this up.I was looking for a video of this performance.I watched it live with my brother and his mate that day and i remember the three of us just going “woooah”..”have u ever seen a performance like this ever?”….”nooo”…..”woooah!”lol.There aren`t words i can convey which would capture what the three of us were feeling.We lost ourselves in it.The grace he displayed that day drifted over us until we were completely and totally absorbed by a feeling that only total beauty and total appreciation can create.Writing this puts a lump in my throat.I`ve always loved football and i understand why it`s called the beautiful game,but i`ve never experienced total peace,total serenity watching it being played by a total master.I saw Maradona in 86,there was a higher power with him that day too but i`ve never experienced anything as pure as this watching anyone and i am pretty sure i never ever will again..and you know what?…..That`s just perfect….What headbutt?….:-)

  8. phenom says:

    the best player arguably to live, you put zidane into anyy position and he dominates he was and always will be pure class

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