FIFA World Player Gala
2003
A day with Zinédine
Zidane
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(FIFA.com)
17 Dec 2003
Football’s glitterati were on show
in Basle, Switzerland, on Monday 15 December for a “Match against Poverty”, with
Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane bringing along their friends for the occasion. The
two stars were nominated alongside Thierry Henry for the FIFA World Player of
the Year award, and it was “ZZ” who received the coveted trophy for the third
time. FIFA.com accompanied the Real Madrid and France number ten
throughout his extraordinary day, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of the
FIFA World Player Gala.
12:15
– Basle/Mulhouse International Airport
The plane from Madrid touches down. A fleet of limousines stands by in a
discreet area of the airport. The “Galaxy of Stars” appear, much to the delight
of the well-informed waiting fans. Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, Roberto Carlos and
Salgado sign autographs and pose for photos. Zinédine Zidane has ten metres to
walk to his car, signs another shirt and flashes a smile to the teenage crowd.
Security is airtight.
In the car, “Zizou” calls Madrid. His wife Véronique is at Théo’s bedside. Dad breathes a sigh of relief. The youngest is on the mend and Zidane can turn his mind to the forthcoming Gala. "This award is a recompense for a job well done. I’m here because of my consistency at the highest level. That’s the hardest thing these days, with games every three days. Sometimes I go through a dip in form,” admits the player whose immense modesty is not always recognised.
There is no question of fatigue this Monday evening however, as Zidane, Ronaldo and friends play to fight poverty. “This match is an idea of Ronnie’s and mine. We’ve been thinking about it for a long time, but it was complicated to set up. Tonight we are going to raise funds for young people. It really is the least we can do.”
13:30
–Basle Congress Centre, Backstage
The Madrid-based stars take a service elevator up from the car park. Behind the
Gala podium, Zidane and Ronaldo sign more autographs, a routine they happily
fulfil. Women, children, bodyguards, everyone wants one. “Ronnie” asks for a
chewing-gum. A smiling Zizou takes a packet from his pocket.
13:45 –Basle Congress Centre, Player’s lounge
Two tents have been set up for the players and artists taking part in the Gala ceremony. Zidane finds a spot for his bags and shakes hands warmly with Pierluigi Collina.“I don’t think I have refereed Zidane and Ronaldo together,” ponders the famous Italian referee. “It would’ve had to be a Juventus – Inter game, but I don’t remember. For a football fan like me, I can only admire these players. They are a delight, both on and off the field.” Collina picks up the ball specially created by adidas for the FIFA Centennial in 2004. Ronaldo and Zizou pose with him in Brazil and France shirts from 1904. They will meet again in a gala match on 20 May 2004!Thierry Henry comes in dressed in a black suit, looking the height of British elegance. “Titi" hails Ronaldo, before spotting Zizou, and the laughter is spontaneous. Thierry Henry jests with his friend and shows off his spanking new mobile phone: “With this, I can pick up my e-mails anywhere,” he explains. Zidane looks on incredulously.
14:15
– Basle Congress Centre, Press conference
Numbers 10 and 12 in the France team speak of their understanding on the field
of play: “One of the reasons I’m here is because I play with Zidane,” says
Henry. “He knows how to set a player free with just the right ball. Everything
is easy for him.” Zizou smiles, a little embarrassed.
14:45
– Basle Congress Centre, Players lounge
As they wait for the ceremony, the best three footballers on the planet cannot
resist a kick-about. They juggle with the ball and it is a sight to behold:
their flicks, tricks and traps with either foot are quite simply breathtaking.
Zizou disappears behind a screen to get changed. Ronaldo has forgotten his
things in Madrid and waits patiently while a suit is brought from town.
“Thank-you for coming,” says FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “Presidente!”
exclaims Ronaldo in return. They exchange a few words and then it’s off to the
Gala. The players take a peep at the hall and then go backstage to get wired up
as the minutes count down to the men’s award ceremony. All smiles, George Weah,
winner of the FIFA Player of the Year in 1995, comes over to greet the trio.
16:00 – Basle Congress Centre – “And the winner is…”
On stage at the Gala, video clips show some of the three contenders’ best moves. Zizou jests with Titi about a free-kick he scored for Arsenal. Who will take the next one for France?President Blatter opens the last envelope. Zinédine Zidane has been designated 2003 FIFA World Player of the Year by 142 national team coaches. “I’m happy to catch up with Ronaldo in the number of trophies,” comments the native of Marseilles. “As for Thierry, it’s good that he’s here. He still has time to finish in first place.”
16:15
– Off to the players’ hotel
Thierry Henry has to head back to England. Arsenal are playing West Bromwich
Albion in the League Cup the next day. The President of Real Madrid
congratulates his two award-winners. Just as he is about to leave in the lift, a
young French female fan appears out of nowhere, catches up with Zizou and reads
him a poem. The young woman is moved to tears as the newly-crowned player of the
year listens attentively. The scene is touching.
17:30
– Hilton Hotel, Restaurant
After catching a few minutes rest in his room, Zidane comes down for his
pre-match meal. Roberto Carlos and Edwin van der Sar are already tucking in.
Carlos Alberto Parreira, 1994 world champion and once again coach of Brazil,
regrets not having Zidane in his side: “His poise and flair are natural
qualities in Brazil. He is a typically Brazilian player. He would be so
comfortable playing for the Seleçao…”
Three different kinds of pasta and pizza, a buffet of salads and desserts and the local delicacy "Wehen" (a fruit cake) are on the menu. Zizou talks to Samuel Eto’o and with just a few days to go before the Real Madrid – Real Mallorca game, the Frenchman thanks his friend from Cameroon for coming. “But on Sunday, Sam, don’t forget to take it nice and easy,” he jokes. “You’re a bit too quick on the pitch, it’s hard to keep up with you." Eto’o nearly chokes…
18:50 –Hilton Hotel, Players’ coach
"Zi-zou! Zi-zou!" The bus departs to the sound of screaming girls. Inside, Zinédine chats with Van der Sar, his former Juventus team-mate. Up front, Carlos Queiroz (Real Madrid) and Christian Gross (FC Basel) pore over the team sheet. David Beckham and Zidane will both start. Hakan Yakin will play on the left. Comments the Swiss coach: “This match is the Christmas present for the fans of our club. As for Zidane, he’s a great professional. Is his left better than Yakin’s? I don’t think so…”19h30 –Sankt-Jacobi stadium, "Zidane and Friends’” changing room
Slovenia’s Zlatko Zahovic ties up his bootlaces as Davor Suker, top goalscorer at France 98, waits impatiently to get out and warm up. The men in blue start to head for the tunnel and while Zizou finishes getting changed, David Beckham ties up his long blond hair. “You only have to watch him play,” remarks the English captain. “Then you understand why he is number one for so many of us. Zidane is quite simply phenomenal.”
The Madrid based stars take to the field. Beckham’s close control soon has the crowd in the Parc Saint-Jacques buzzing. Zizou’s goals too: Basle local favourite Yakin breaks clear on 13 minutes and sets him up to shoot home. Zidane’s second at the end of the first half is very similar, a side-footer from just inside the box. The French playmaker is all over the park, picking up balls from defence and positioning his team. This man gives his all for the cause. "Zi-zou! Zi-zou!" In Basle as in Cannes, Bordeaux, Turin and Madrid, the fans acclaim their hero as the final whistle blows. Zidane is impervious to the clamour, preferring to thank his colleagues for coming.
