Hail
Zidane the Great, on and off the pitch
By Henry Winter
(Filed: 15/06/2004)
Zinedine Zidane nicked my lift. About to enter the elevator of my Lisbon hotel
in the early hours of yesterday morning, I was caught out by a late run from
France's captain. Attempting to follow him into the lift, a large bodyguard
appeared and blocked my path. The message was clear: Zidane Lift Only.
England's footballing nemesis and ace lift-stealer at least had the good grace
to smile apologetically. And that is one small reason why this French team are
so special. Because of Zidane, who exudes a sense of nobility. England fans
lurked around the hotel close to the Stadium of Light, most politely seeking
autographs, a minority taunting the French players as they strolled past. The
Real Madrid midfielder smiled at the pleasant fans and ignored the disrespectful
others.
One Liverpool follower amused himself - but no one else - by shouting, "You will
be in Gerrard's back pocket" to Patrick Vieira, the world's most accomplished
midfielder, on Saturday. Vieira shot him a dismissive glance. So did Thierry
Henry when heckled by England fans.
And so when Markus Merk's final whistle brought to an end one of the most
dramatic turnarounds in footballing history on Sunday night, the Arsenal pair of
Vieira and Henry stood in front of England's supporters and savoured the moment.
Zidane was different.
Zidane does not crow. In victory, he shows only magnanimity. Rare acquaintance
with reversals simply stirs him to more intense effort. This is a special,
special footballer, the Real deal in every sense. Amid all the Birmingham
disturbances and breast-beating over defeat to France, it needs acknowledging
that England were slain by one of the greatest footballers ever.
The debate about who in football deserves the adjective "great" is long, heated
and inevitably subjective. To this observer, those players worthy of the "great"
epithet must show grace on and off the field. Pele, all clever feet and
twinkling eyes, clearly merits the description.
Always smiling, always doing good work for charity, Pele is football's finest
ambassador for the memories of his achievements with Brazil and his post-playing
contributions. Pele lights up every World Cup simply through his personality and
pedigree.
Compare and contrast with Diego Armando Maradona. Undoubtedly a sumptuous
footballing talent, Maradona patently lacked any form of grace. He has fired a
rifle at people, polluted his body with narcotics and cheated on the field of
play with that notorious 'Hand of God'.
That Azteca meeting with England characterised Maradona: the genius of that
second dribbled goal was eternally stained by the fisted calumny of the first
goal past Peter Shilton. Maradona possessed skills to make you smile and morals
to make you weep. No grace there.
If the railroad to greatness has to go via grace central then the journey has
definitely been made by the Dutch forward, Marco van Basten, an unfailingly
polite man as well as one of the most all-round striking talents to beat a
goalkeeper.
Bobby Moore had grace. Sir Bobby Charlton has it in abundance. Franz Beckenbauer
definitely qualifies as great under the grace rules. The German's friendship
with Charlton and Moore reflected his ability to play the right way while always
deeply competitive.
Michel Platini, a famous predecessor of Zidane, exuded grace and greatness.
Those privileged enough to have watched or known Sir Stanley Matthews will
campaign passionately for his inclusion among the pantheon of those who suffused
their talent with grace.
Zidane qualifies effortlessly. Yesterday he preferred to praise Fabien Barthez's
penalty save rather than his own match-winning contribution. Such selflessness
is a sign of greatness. It was interesting to hear the tributes to Zidane
flowing from Sir Bobby Robson, whose career as player and manager has always
been touched with a sense of dignity.
Robson was hurt by England's loss but he could appreciate Zidane's class. "Zidane
managed to stay calm when all those around him were panicking and he delivered
the victory to his team," the former England manager said. "Zidane snatched
victory from the jaws of defeat in a manner nobody expected. He would never let
his head drop. He's not that kind of player."
Gutsy, strong and exuding so many technical gifts, Zidane is the ultimate role
model. England fell to a man who combines footballing greatness and graciousness
and that is no shame. He can pinch my lift any day.