Originally Chinese article,
translated by zouzoufan:
Soccer Weekly
No.91
Dec. 2, 2003
Cover Story: "The World Has Been Too Generous To
Me"
Interview with WPotY nominee Zinedine Zidane
the original notes are in (), and my own in []
With an injured "leg of God," abandoning all the arrogance of the French, Zidane,
who missed the battle in Pamplona, did not miss our appointment. It's a
long-awaited appointment. We had one with him in an European hotel back in 2002.
But an hour after the defeat in the King's Cup, his friend, the young Portillo
called to say that the appointment was cancelled because Zidane felt low. The
reason was good enough. Though disappointed, we had an answer to an unasked
question: Zidane hadn't lost his passion for football. He was still deep in the
mud of the field, living the victories and defeats.
For that abandoned interview, I had been to the ancient French city of
Marseille, searching for a place named La Castellane in the quarter of the North
Africans, a place never described by George Sand or Romain Rolland. Marseille is
a port city. For years it has received immigrants from all over the world, and
developed a multi-cultural environment. At the end of the 20th century - or to
be precise, in 1998 -- a so-called Zidane-Culture began to fill every corner of
this place. In Marseille, you can easily hear a kid shouting "You know who I am?
I'm Zidane!" The fathers, including the pundits, could accurately describe
Zidane's Marseille complex. The mothers, especially the pregnant ones, would
pray for the birth of the next Zidane.
On the 26th of November, Zidane returned home like a hero. In the hotel where
the Real Madrid players lived, he received a gift from a kid of the Castellane.
It was a jar of specially preserved North African olives. At the moment, it was
as if Zidane was back in time. Makelele was no longer there. He and Ronaldo
shared the childhood memory. In 2002 he shared FIFA's night with Ronaldo. This
year, the two of them are again on the nomination list. Ronnie firmly believes
that it's a fair selection of the world, a reflection of talent and charisma.
Zidane doesn't. He thinks that the world has been too generous to him. He
couldn't have reached today's achievements without the gifts he has received.
In fact, many professionals predicted his inclusion in the nomination list. A
year without major tournament is a year without a new light in the football
world. The pundits and the professionals can only honor the established stars.
In today's football world, Zidane is not the only big name that appeals to the
fans, attracts the footballers, and commands the respect of other stars. But he
is without doubt the least controversial Galactico. All the foreign players and
most of the Chinese players in our Professional League Division 1 respect Zidane
whole-heartedly, because everything that belongs to the Frenchman -- the
elegance, the precision and the grace, the wisdom and the passion -- happens on
the pitch. Here's one proof: Juventus, the French national team and Real Madrid
are all filled with stars. One can't help the accumulation of selfishness,
jealousy and other pettiness. However, Zidane is the only one who can command
the admiration of all the stars, because he has peerless skills and
irreproachable personality. Above the stars there're the sun and the moon. If
comparison has to be made, Zidane would've prefered being the moon, reflecting
the light of the sun. For him, football is the real sun.
At 15:30 on Nov. 28, Zidane returned to the healing centre of the old base. The
two-time FIFA WPotY and the nominee of 2003's award gave the interview to a
Chinese media for the first time. He answered questions for the readers of
Soccer Weekly.
"I'm used to using my feet, not my mouth. So I'm somewhat reluctant."
Soccer Weekly (SW): An interview 18 months late, Mr Zidane.
Don't you think it's a bit long?
Zidane (ZZ): To tell you the truth, I'm not particularly fond
of interviews, especially ones conducted in languages other than French. My
Spanish isn't precise and misunderstandings happen.
SW: Was it because of losing the King's Cup that you cancelled
the interview last time?
ZZ: Yours wasn't the only one that was cancelled at the time.
After a defeat, anything that a players says will be seen as excuses. In fact
even today I don't think we played a bad game. The performance of Deportivo La
Coruna was too good. I'm not one who is affected by the results. I have lost
plenty of matches in my professional career. But at the time there was really
nothing to say. My only thought was to grab the honor in Champions' League.
SW: Then why did you agree to be interviewed today?
ZZ: On the plane to Marseille, a club official gave me this
magazine (no.81 of Soccer Weekly). Of course I don't understand a word, but I
could guess from the pictures. Some of the shots were taken by my good friends.
I think it means that you've been paying attention. I have no reason to refuse
your request. I just want to say that I'm used to using my feet instead of my
mouth, because of my profession. That's why I'm always shunning interviews.
Taking special photos is even worse.
SW: Mr. Zidane, we know your principles. We just want to let
our readers know that Zidane cares about and supports our work, is that all
right?
ZZ: OK. I accept your request. And I want to send my gratitude
through your magazine, to the Chinese fans who care about me and spend time
watching me play . I've heard that they have to watch the games very late at
night.
SW: That's true. The broadcasting of Real Madrid's games is
usually very late [or to say VERY early, like 3am]. But many fans still
wait for them. We want to ask you how you see your own skills, or to say the
glamor of Zidane?
ZZ: I think many things are exaggerations of the media. There
are many great footballers in the world. I'm very touched by the favors of the
fans, but I want to tell them that football isn't played by one person. The
excellency of Real Madrid lies in the gathering of a group of excellent players.
I have to point out that I'm not a particularly confident man. The encouragement
of the fans gives me motivation and confidence, compensating for my lack of
self-belief. So, if my skills were accepted and liked by people, it was because
of the fans. I wouldn't have average or extraordinary performance without them.
It's common sense. Any player who feels supported and respected can push his own
limits.
SW: There are professional leagues and players in China. Many
Chinese players want to be like Zidane. Do you think that's possible? Any tips?
ZZ: Of course it's possible. They can even surpass Zidane.
Football isn't limited by area. You can ask the French players where they came
from. Some of them are from tiny countries. In short, you can succeed if you
love football, and are willing to sacrifice for it. As for tips, I don't have
any. One thing is important. a player ready for breakthrough needs not only
skills or the trust of the coach, but also winning the support of the fans. You
have the field, the football, the team and the coach. But without the support
and the recognition of the fans, you don't have the push, the creativity and the
imagination, and it'll be difficult to reach a new level.
SW: Is giving no interview a sign of respect for fans? [What
kind of a question is that!?]
ZZ: I do take interviews, just not many. I bet that there're
more people who enjoy watching me play than those who enjoy listening to my
words. I think the best way to repay the fans is to do one's best on the field,
to play the beautiful game. Don't you think so?
"Marca is crazy. I'm not King of Football."
SW: Have you seen the poll by Marca in the global
media? (Marca placed Zidane as a superstar in the same league of Pele,
Maradona, DiStefano and Cruyff.) [don't know much about it.]
ZZ: Marca is crazy. [a supposedly famous Marca
journalist whose name sounds like Felis] should have better things to do. I
don't like that at all. First of all, I know since the first day of my
professional career that this is a team sport. I've won many trophies, and I
like them. But they are honors for the whole team. Secondly, I don't want to be
the king of football. Football is a really profound game and no one can have
absolute command of it. At least not Zidane.
SW: What is Zidane, then?
ZZ: Zidane is a pretty good player. That's all. Other than that
he tries to be a good husband and a competent father.
SW: If you have such low opinion of yourself, why did you leave
Juventus for Real Madrid? [I'm a bit confused by this question] Why that the
highest transfer fee belongs to you?
ZZ: I've mentioned that I love trophies. Joining Real Madrid
could best help me realize it, and I hadn't dreamed of joining this great club.
In the past three years I've won the Champions' League, the Toyota Cup, and the
European and the Spanish Super Cups. They prove that I've made the right choice,
the best choice of my life for which I'm still thankful. But all these
achievements are not decided by Zidane alone. When I came here, they already had
eight trophies. They already had great players like Figo, Raul, Guti and
Makelele. And I had another reason for the transfer -- my wife is Spanish.
Juventus is a super club and I've had spent some unforgettable time there. To
give the highest transfer fee to it is a comfort for me. I don't think transfers
and transfer fees are basis for the evaluation of a player. They're all
relative, no matter high or low. I think I have an objective view of myself.
SW: Who do you think is the best player of the past ten years,
then?
ZZ: I'm not interested in this question. To tell you the truth,
what I'm interested in is any rival who stands in front of me. Sometimes they
give you the joy of conquest, sometimes the shame of defeat. I can't forget
losing twice in Pamplona, losing six points. In front of those players that I
didn't even know, we were humiliated. Aren't they outstanding? For me the
outstanding players belong to the teams that have defeated Real Madrid. How many
outstanding players have there been for the past 10 years, then?
SW: We've heard it that Zidane is humble. We didn't realize
you're this humble. Do you think it helps players?
ZZ: Certainly. I used to do some outlandish gestures after
scoring a goal. But later people told me that some fans didn't like it. I
thought about it and realized that it's just goal, no need to exaggerate it. But
then there's the new problem -- some people say I'm too distant. Actually I'm
not particularly aloof. Sometimes I don't sign for fans. But not because I'm
arrogant. I just think that football isn't the only thing in the world. There're
numerous people greater than I am. Who I am to leave my signitures everywhere?
You asked me just now whether there can be a Zidane in China. I can add that as
long as you're humble, careful about your body and keep the training, and think
about yourself as an ordinary person, you'll be Zidane.[Yeah, right....]
"WPotY? I support the other two."
SW: 17 years. The kid who left the streets of La Castellane is
a two-time FIFA WPotY now. Do you have any regrest?
ZZ: None. I'm very satisfied with the path I've chosen, and the
my current life. Football has given me everything. I have fulfilled very
possible dream of a player, and held all the important trophies. The world has
been too generous to me. I also have a happy family, a kind wife, and kids who
have better childhood than mine. If I have to find some regrets I'd say it's
that I'm too far away from my brothers and old friends. They are so important
for me.
SW: 2000, it's Zidane; 2001, Figo; and 2002, Ronnie. It's you,
Ronnie and Henri this year. Who do you think will be the eventual winner?
ZZ: What are you talking about? Oh, the WPotY award? Not
Zidane. I support the other two. One is my teammate of the national team, the
other of the club. I can only support both of them.
SW: Don't you think that they need you to make the play [Not
sure about the term for it]?
ZZ: It's true and that's why I'm behind them (chuckles). I'm
fortunate to be able to play with Ronnie and Henry.
SW: But don't you want to win the award for the third time?
ZZ: The winner is selected. Why do people select you? It's
because that they need you to be the winner. It has nothing to do with what you
think. I don't have such need.
SW: When nterviewed by SW, Suarez says that Henry is the most
promising striker of the future, but he's not as good as Ronnie. You are
friendly with both. How do you rate them? [why do they have to ask this kind
of idiotic question?!]
ZZ: They are both excellent.
SW: You mean they are on the same level? [And for so many
times?]
ZZ: I don't want to talk about it.
SW: Quite a few Chinese fans have doubts about the fairness of
the selection of the FIFA WPotY. What do you think?
ZZ: I think the activities surrounding football can lose their
fairness, since absolute fairness does not exist in football. I can understand
the fans. I don't know much about Chinese ones, but the fact is that many
European fans lose their objectivity about football due to too much passion for
the clubs and idols. I really appreciate the Man. Utd fans. The applause they
gave Ronaldo is very rare in today's football world. When fans become like that,
It won't affect them no matter who wins the award.
"After hanging my boots I'll go to Beijing again. I'll go to that
street (The Bull Street) with my Koran."
SW: Remember your trip to Beijing? What's your feeling about
China?
ZZ: Of course I remember. My feeling was that I don't
understand anything at all. Imprisoned in a hotel all the time -- really, no one
enjoys that kind of trips. [ouch....sorry about that.]
SW: We heard that you knew about China from early on?
ZZ: Yes. On the third floor of an ancient building in the
centre of Marseille, there was a Chinese restaurant. I remember them saying that
they came from Vietnam, but they were Chinese. I had Chinese food for the first
time there. That probably counts as my first taste of Chinese culture.
SW: But it was reported that you had reservations about Real
Madrid's Asian trips. Is that true?
ZZ: What the club does is its own business. I was only
describing my own feelings. Those days were exhausting. From a player's POV it's
not a good way to warm up. Of course, the business operation of the club is
important. So is the need of the Chinese fans. I don't have any intention of
hurting them. I have an Iranian friend who's a lawyer. He knows a great deal
about China, and told me many things. For the first time I got to know how huge
China is, and that there are many people there who share the same faith with my
father and brothers. He said that there's a Muslim street in the heart of
Beijing. [yes there is and they have great delicacies.] One day after
hanging my boots, I think I'll go to that street, with my Koran. [I'm still
waiting....]
SW: How much longer will you perform for the fans?
ZZ: I'm taking good care of myself, trying hard to prolong my
professional life. I love football. I can't imagine doing anything after
quitting it. One day when I don't have the strength to play, when the coach
benches me, I'll sit there quietly, as a fan. I'll cheer for my friends. I'm
good at it. Very effective.
SW: Mr. Zidane, this morning (Nov. 28th) Mr. del Bosque told me
that "Zidane is one of those rare stars who have not only the superb skills, but
also exemplary personalty. To work with Zidane is the fortune for every coach",
ZZ(long silence): Zidane is the lucky one. I always have people
who teach me how to play and how to be a man. I'll leave the field with
gratitude.