Men

Zinedine Zidane stepped down from the lofty perch he created with Real Madrid on Thursday. After two-and-a-half seasons as coach in which he won three Champions League titles, the 45-year-old Frenchman will not return to go for an unprecedented fourth straight crown. But exactly why Zidane quit Real Madrid could have more to do with Cristiano Ronaldo than anything else. And why we should care goes far beyond the local impact in Madrid. 

Argentina began its World Cup tune-ups in earnest on Tuesday with the first of two friendlies before opening group play against Iceland on June 16. La Albiceleste welcomed Haiti to La Bombonera in Buenos Aires — a meeting between the nations currently holding spots five and 108 in the FIFA World Rankings. 

Well, Zinedine Zidane went and did it again. Despite everyone constantly doubting his managerial credentials and tactical know-how, Zidane won his third straight UEFA Champions League title on Saturday, becoming the first manager to win the European Cup three times in a row.

Zidane now officially stands alone as the greatest “rookie” manager ever — meaning the Frenchman’s success in his first-ever major coaching role has been unrivaled throughout history. 

Well, it happened. Real Madrid secured a 13th Champions League title with the help of Gareth Bale’s insane skill, Benzema’s meh goal and Sergio Ramos’ ethically questionable defending.