BIRTHDAY BOY ZIZOU
Zinedine Zidane turns 44
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane was born in Marseille, France, on 23 June 1972, to Algerian parents who had emigrated to Paris before moving on to the southern city.
Birthday boy Zizou
He grew up alongside four older siblings: Djamel, Farid, Nourredine and Lila.
Birthday boy Zizou
1982: Zidane (back row, fourth left) poses with the football team US Saint-Henri.
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane (back row, second right) as a youth player at Cannes, his first professional club.
Birthday boy Zizou
He made his Ligue 1 debut for Cannes at the age of 17, in a game against Nantes.
Birthday boy Zizou
En 1992, Zidane signed for Bordeaux.
Birthday boy Zizou
He spent four years at Girondins.
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane made 176 appearances in all competitions for the club.
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane made his France debut against the Czech Republic in August 1994.
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane signed for Juventus in 1996, developing into a global star in his time in Turin.
Foto:CLAUDIO PAPIREUTERS
Birthday boy Zizou
He won two Serie A titles during his stay in Italy.
Foto:STEFANO RELLANDINIREUTERS
Birthday boy Zizou
He was also a winner in the Supercoppa Italiana, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and Intertoto Cup.
Foto:VINCENZO PINTOREUTERS
Birthday boy Zizou
On top of the world: in 1998, Zidane scored twice in the final as France lifted the World Cup.
Foto:PAULO WHITAKERREUTERS
Birthday boy Zizou
He was European Footballer of the Year in 1998.
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1998, 2000 and 2003.
Foto:FELIPE SEVILLANODIARIO AS
Birthday boy Zizou
In summer 2001, Zidane swapped Juve for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Foto:ANGEL MARTINEZDIARIO AS
Birthday boy Zizou
Seen here at his unveiling alongside Real legend Alfredo Di Stéfano, Zidane took the number 5 shirt at the Bernabéu.
Foto:FELIPE SEVILLANO
Zizou turns 44
The Frenchman's finest hour as a Real player came in the 2002 Champions League final, when his memorable volley secured victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane celebrates Los Blancos' 2002 Champions League triumph with goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Foto:AGUILERADIARIO AS
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane, seen here kissing the Champions League trophy, also lifted a LaLiga title, a Supercopa de España, a UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup as a Madrid player.
Foto:ANGEL DIAZEFE
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane was one of Real Madrid's 'Galácticos' together with the likes of Luis Figo, Ronaldo and David Beckham.
Foto:FELIPE SEVILLANODIARIO AS
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane's career ended in ignominy as he was sent off for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi during France's 2006 World Cup final defeat to the Azzurri - his last game as a professional.
Foto:HOREUTERS
Birthday boy Zizou
Zidane's career ended in ignominy as he was sent off for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi during France's 2006 World Cup final defeat to the Azzurri - his last game as a professional.
Foto:DESKAFP
Birthday boy Zizou
Just prior to France's World Cup campaign, Zidane made his Bernabéu swansong, scoring in a 3-3 draw with Villarreal.
Foto:Jesús AguileraDiario AS
Birthday boy Zizou
Ahead of the 2013-2014 season he became Real Madrid assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti, before being named Real Madrid Castilla boss in 2014.
Foto:Denis DoyleDIARIO AS
Birthday boy Zizou
In January 2016, Real Madrid promoted Zidane to the role of first-team head coach in place of the sacked Rafa Benítez.
Birthday boy Zizou
And the season ended in glory for Real as Zidane led Los Merengues to the 11th European Cup in their history with a penalty shoot-out victory over Atlético Madrid in the final.
Foto:TONY GENTILEREUTERS
Birthday boy Zizou
Happy birthday Zizou!
Foto:javier gandulDIARIO AS