Without reviewing the entire 2006 World Cup — or at least just France’s quarterfinal victory over Brazil — it’s difficult to get a sense of just how deserved a Golden Ball winner Zinedine Zidane was.
Having announced his retirement from Real Madrid at the end of the 2005-06 season, the summer’s World Cup served as Zidane’s swan song on the pitch. He turned it into his personal testimonial, particularly when the knockout stages began.
With Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira forming the engine room of France’s squad, Zidane took up an auxiliary role behind the front three of Florent Malouda, Thierry Henry and Franck Ribery.
While a goal against Spain in the Round of 16, an assist for Henry in the quarters and subsequent penalties in the semifinals and final (that one being an audacious Panenka over Gianluigi Buffon) constitute highlight reel material, so much more of his work in Germany was brilliantly subtle.
Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Zidane say hello. Photo: @UltraTribun | Twitter
The 34-year-old’s touch was magnetic throughout the competition; his ability to retain and recycle possession, shift the points of attack and continuously spot the correct pass while applying the perfect weight made Zidane the heartbeat of the team.
What’s more, Zidane was beating markers with ease (AGE 34), frequently reaching into his bag of step overs, roulette turns, roll overs and flicks. If you haven’t seen a touch-by-touch montage of Zidane’s performance against Brazil, just know he reinvented the midfield as we know it during that game. Ask Kaka, Juninho, Gilberto Silva or Ze Roberto — they’ll back me up here.
And so here are 15 brilliant moments from Zidane’s 2006 World Cup performance, in short and snappy gif form.
#1. Zidane with a couple step overs, twists and turns and a delicate scoop pass vs. Switzerland.
#2. Zidane keeping possession while three South Koreans grow frustrated.
#3. Zidane scores France's third in the Round of 16 to bury Spain.
#4. Zidane tears through the heart of Brazil's midfield with some step overs.
#5. Zidane instantly kills the ball with his control.
#6. Zidane again bursts through Brazil's midfield while hurdling challenges.
#7. With Kaka lurking, Zidane juggles the ball and retains possession.
#8. Zidane pick out Henry at the far post with a killer set piece.
#9. Zidane wins the ball back against Portugal and turns defense into attack.
#10. A 34-year-old just sizing up defenders.
#11. Zidane's Panenka over Gigi Buffon.
#12. Zidane beats his Italian marker with a step over.
#13. Zidane leaves the Italian defenders chasing shadows.
#14. Zidane holds up play, turns and finds the best option.
#15. What would've been a fine alternate ending for Zidane's career, if not for Buffon.