Zinedine Zidane has left his mark on the history of Real Madrid at all levels. First player (2001-2006), then coach of the reserves (2014-2016) and finally of the first team (2016-2018, 2019-2021), the Frenchman won a Champions League on the field and three others on the bench, alongside David Bettoni.
The latter, who worked alongside the French legend for a long time, believes that the history of being an international and Madrid player necessarily helped Zidane when he took the reins of the first team. “He managed to motivate players who had already won a lot. His past as a player helped him, but above all it was his intelligence, his way of speaking to high-level players… His management in fact. This is what made us win three Champions Leagues.”explains the 53-year-old coach, taken up by Provence.
Bettoni also highlights the natural charisma, benevolence and empathy of “Zizou” towards his players, qualities that he already possessed when he played on the pitch. The two men have known each other since the AS Cannes training center, where they met at 15 years old. A friendship that continues today.
“He was different”
“We both played in the middle, fortunately I was defensive and he was offensive, so we weren’t in competition”smiles Bettoni. “We knew he was different, that he had an incredible touch on the ball. One of his qualities, which he always kept, was that he liked to play with others, to make them shine. We had no doubt that he was going to have a very good career, even if at 15-16 years old, it was difficult to predict it. »
The former Lyonnais also talks about how Zidane impressed his players with the ball. “It was natural, he didn't do it to say 'I'm better'. He loves football and being with the players, creating that closeness and connection. This is what makes it strong”concludes Bettoni, while Zidane is getting closer and closer to a return to the bench, this time at the helm of the France team.
