Why Zinedine Zidane deserves a docuseries like Beckham

Netflix rarely misses the mark when it comes to documentary series. The series 'Beckham' took viewers behind the scenes of the illustrious athlete's career, from his time at Manchester United and his highly publicized relationship with Victoria Beckham to the creation of his own football club, Inter Miami. The series featured some of the biggest football stars, including Zinedine Zidane. In fact, the moment between the two players in the third episode is one of the most touching in the project. Zidane and Beckham exchanged jerseys after an intense match between Manchester United and Real Madrid. According to Beckham, the Frenchman asked, «Will you come to Madrid?» Beckham eventually did and played alongside the French captain for several years, much to the delight of football fans worldwide. What often comes to mind when talking about the footballer is his sensitivity and temperament. Affectionately nicknamed Zizou, Zidane was no stranger to controversies on the field, resulting in red cards that left a mark on his sporting career. He was known for responding to those who targeted his origins or his family, two types of personal insults that were quite prevalent throughout his career. Just like his English counterpart, the athlete faced close scrutiny from the media. The 'Beckham' series provided a glimpse into the life of an iconic figure; we have no doubt that a player like Zizou deserves the same treatment. Could a series help shed light on the enigmatic Frenchman?

The reign of Zizou

Born in La Castellane, Marseille, in the south of France, to Algerian parents, Zinedine Zidane had humble beginnings. His parents struggled to make ends meet, and although he's French, he attributes much of his identity to his Arab roots. One thing is clear when studying his biography: his first love is football. At the age of 10, Zidane earned his professional license by joining the junior team of a local club named US Saint-Henri. He was then selected for a three-day training camp at the CREPS (Regional Center for Physical Education and Sport) in Aix-en-Provence, where he was spotted by Jean Varraud, a former AS Cannes player. The rest of the story is quite well-known. He scored his first goal for AS Cannes in 1991, earning him a car gifted by the team's president, Alain Pedretti. Zidane continued to climb the ranks every time he played, eventually joining Italy's top football club, Juventus. He became the team's playmaker, winning the Serie A 1996-97 title and the 1996 Intercontinental Cup before being named the 1998 FIFA World Player of the Year. In 2001, he signed a four-year contract with Real Madrid for a sum of 150 million Italian lire (approximately 77.5 million euros). When he retired in 2006, the Frenchman was the club's second-highest scorer and assist provider, behind his new teammate, David Beckham.

The rise to fame and World Cup Drama

Before joining the famous Spanish football club, the footballer made his debut on the World Cup stage in 1998. The French team got off to a great start, but Zidane was quickly sent off the field for striking Saudi defensive midfielder Fuad Anwar. He became the first French player to receive a red card in a World Cup final tournament match. Upon his return to the field for the final match between France and the reigning Brazilian champions, he was in rare form. He scored two goals before his teammate Emmanuel Petit scored a third, securing the championship. The athlete became a full-fledged French hero after that match and was even awarded the prestigious Legion of Honor later that year. The cheers of French fans could be heard far and wide, and over a million of them lined up on the Champs-Élysées in Paris for the team's return. Despite his stunning performance in 1998, the French national team fell short in subsequent World Cup matches, and the team's star announced his international retirement after France was eliminated from Euro 2004. In 2006, facing highly publicized departures, Zidane made a comeback. The French team quickly dispatched its opponents before entering the final match against Italy. But it wouldn't be without controversy. In the 110th minute of the match, he headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi, who had made personal insults against his French opponent. This gesture elicited cries and gasps from the crowd, and time seemed to stand still on the field. No one believed it. Even today, Zizou does not regret his action, and this moment on the field remains one of the most discussed incidents in sports history.

A football icon, a symbol for France

Zizou is an iconic figure in French football. His story is part of football folklore as much as it is of conversations among friends. While he is certainly one of the most recognisable contemporary figures in France, much of his life has been shielded from the public eye. Everyone in France knows Zizou as a player, but few know the man himself. The five-star player turned five-star coach is the French equivalent of what David Beckham is to the English, with a lesser emphasis on avant-garde style and highly publicised love life. Nevertheless, these two men have been more than just athletes. They managed to enter the hearts of fans, to be human above all, and to show the world that everyone has their breaking points, even the most famous athletes in the world.