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Zinedine Zidane 1998
Zinedine ZIDAN E
Zidane…the people’s choiceZidane…the people’s choice
Le treble
Fra rance duly nce duly performedperformed the t e treble ble in the voting in the voting for the Wo Wor l r ld Soccer d Soccer Player, Player, Ma Manager and Team of the Year –nager and Team of the Year –but it but it wa was a treble with a diffes a treble with a differe rence. nce.
Zinedine Zidane’sZinedine Zidane’s two goals in the two goals in the Wo World Cup final victory overld Cup final victory over Brazil shot r Brazil shot – or rather, headed – him to a runa – or rather, headed – him to a runawayway win in the Playewin in the Player star stake kes, while Fras, while France, nce, overall, were clear winners of the Teamoverall, were clear winners of the Team award: seveaward: seven of their n of their starstarte ters in thers in the fi final were nominated for the Playenal were nominated for the Player r prize.
Bu But although there was greatt although there was great support for the Frasupport for the France coach, Aime nce coach, Aime Ja Jacquet, he was nar cquet, he was narrowly beaten torowly beaten to th the Manager awarde Manager award by yet another by yet another Frenchman: Arsene Wenger, whoFrenchman: Arsene Wenger, who had taken Arsenal had taken Arsenal to to a remarkable a remarkable Premiership and FA Cup double inPremiership and FA Cup double in his first full season in England. his first full season in England.
We Wenger nger’s ’s success in joining the success in joining the managerial greats who havemanagerial greats who have figured figured among the Wo Wor l r ld Soccer d Soccer winners could winners could be some consolation for him as hebe some consolation for him as he fa faces criticism arising from his team’sces criticism arising from his team’s recent dip in form – criticism thatcent dip in form – criticism that shows how short some memories are. how short some memories are. A double in your first season should A double in your first season should earn you suffiearn you sufficient goodwill to tide cient goodwill to tide you oveu o r a bad spell or two: whatr a bad spell or two: what more could the man havemore could the man have done? done?
Zidane was a clear winner in front Zidane was a clear winner in front of the remarkable Liverpool teenager, of the remarkable Liverpool teenager, Michael Owen. Wechael Owen. We expected him to expected him to do well aftedo well af r his r his
