It was 20 years ago. On August 3, 2005 on its website (at the time, the star players of the French team had their own respective site) and the next day in The teamZinedine Zidane made her comeback in the French team. “Zizou” had said stop in the wake of Euro 2004 and a disappointing elimination (1-0) in the quarterfinals against Greece, the future champion. A huge loss for the Blues, orphans of their number 10 star during the coronations at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
The Ballon d'Or 98 was imitated by Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram, also young retirees, and the French team of Raymond Domenech found his popular jar in a simple summer friendly match in Montpellier against Côte d'Ivoire, on August 17, 2005. Largely greeted, Zidane, promoted to captain, scored one of the goals against the Elephants (3-0) head but still on a corner.
A year later, there was the 2006 World Cup in Germany, with the memorable reversal of the situation against a Spain which promised to send Zidane to retire (3-1, goals of Franck Ribéry, Patrick Vieira and “Zizou”), the great recital of the native of Marseille against a Brazil full of stars, in quarters, then the panenka in the final against Gigi Buffon, Balling on Marco Materazzi and terrible defeat with penalties (1-1, Tab: 5-3).
Zidane resumes with three victories
The oldest will remember that the French team, led by the worst coach of tricolor history, was in great difficulty in qualifying the World Cup. The Blues had recorded four zero results in six days before the return of Zidane, twice against Israel (0-0 and 1-1), as well as against Ireland (0-0) and Switzerland (0-0).
In Tel Aviv at the end of March, David Trezeguet was excluded for a slight whim after its opening of the scoring on a center of Sylvain Wiltord. Thierry Henry stayed on the bench until the end. Ludovic Giuly, Vikash Dhorasoo, Florent Malouda, Sidney Govou and Camel Meriem then completed the offensive sector.
“If we qualify for the World Cup, it will be in pain”announced Patrick Vieira after the draw in Israel. The French team resumed qualifications with a Zinedine Zidane all invigorated for successes against the Faroeas (3-0), Ireland (0-1) and Cyprus (4-0, opening of the Real Madrid playmaker's score), in order to ensure direct qualification for the 2006 World Cup. Relief at the time.
