WORLD SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zinedine ZIDANE
1998
Zidane…the people’s choice
Le trreble e
F
rance duly performed the treble in the voting for the World Soccer Player, Manager and Team of the Year – but it was a treble with a difference. Zinedine Zidane’s two goals in the World Cup final victory over Brazil shot – or rather, headed – him to a runaway win in the Player stakes, while France, overall, were clear winners of the Team award: seven of their starters in the final were nominated for the Player prize. But although there was great support for the France coach, Aime Jacquet, he was narrowly beaten to the Manager award by yet another Frenchman: Arsene Wenger, who had taken Arsenal to a remarkable Premiership and FA Cup double in his first full season in England. Wenger’s success in joining the managerial greats who have figured among the World Soccer winners could be some consolation for him as he faces criticism arising from his team’s recent dip in form – criticism that shows how short some memories are. A double in your first season should earn you sufficient goodwill to tide you over a bad spell or two: what more could the man have done? Zidane was a clear winner in front of the remarkable Liverpool teenager, Michael Owen. We expected him to do well after his
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Graceful… Zidane in possession
