Zinédine Zidane has no trouble admitting that Ronaldo, his former teammate, was more talented than him. In an interview with Tony Parker, he also explained why he retired in 2006.
Zinédine Zidane retired at 34, much earlier than other football monuments, some of which are still running on American and Saudi meadows. Could he have continued to write his legend beyond this fateful July 9, 2006, in Berlin, in the World Cup final? In an interview with Tony Parker, for the show hosted by the latter on Skweek TV, “Zizou” explained that only one thing could have made him continue his legendary career. The end of the confinement, which forced him to be often separated from his family.
“Did I have the little death of the athlete when I stopped? No, because when I stopped, I really wanted to stop. I made my decision and I was sure of myself. I couldn’t stand going green anymore. It wasn’t football or being with friends that annoyed me. That’s terrible (greening, Editor’s note), that’s what made me stop.
Being with my friends, playing, even training, I loved it. You were bragging, you were making little bridges, which you don’t do too much in a match because you have to win and you have to be more serious.”
Ronaldo, the player who gave him emotions
Zidane also spoke of his admiration for his former teammate, Ronaldo, undoubtedly the strongest player he encountered during all his years of professionalism. The “real” Ronaldo, as fans who grew up in the 80s and 90s call him, clearly has a special place in the hearts of Marseille.
“Ronaldo, the Brazilian, he told you ‘today, I’m going to build two little bridges for you’. It was funny and in the end he did it, because if you announce something and you don’t do it, you get fooled by everyone. Is he the most talented player I’ve ever played with? Yes, I put it everywhere. It’s a pleasure to be with guys who give you something by being next to you.
Was he more talented with the ball than me? Yes, nothing to see. And what’s more, he was a good person. When you combine the two, you have the guy, the phenomenon, and someone who makes you laugh, who always has the right joke. It was perfect “.
The two men played together at Real Madrid between 2002 and 2006, within the Galacticos, but also faced each other several times on the international scene, notably twice in the World Cup: during the final in 1998 and in the quarter-finals. final in 2006. Each time, Zinédine Zidane had eclipsed his friend and rival.
