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Highlights of a 34-year-old Zinedine Zidane completely schooling Brazil during the 2006 World Cup have gone viral.
The Frenchman announced he would be retiring at the end of the tournament and it was effectively his own, self-imposed 'last dance' scenario.
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Zidane had already retired from club football with Real Madrid and knew once France were eliminated, he was done.
France met Brazil in the quarter finals and they were defending champions at the time with a number of legends among their ranks.
Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Lucio, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario and a young Kaka started the game and were desperate to win a second World Cup on the bounce.
'Zizou' had other ideas. Check out the video below.
Brazil VS France.
— RMZZ (@RMBlancoZz) April 1, 2022
When Zidane turned the World Cup into a street football match. pic.twitter.com/pF5R6JUTQ2
Zidane was untouchable throughout the game and managed to bypass Brazil's midfield with ease.
He killed every ball with a touch from the heavens and even started busting out the tricks just half an hour in.
Takes a special player to leave Cafu bamboozled out wide.
Zidane didn't manage to get on the scoresheet but he did register the assist for Thierry Henry's winner just before the hour mark.
The 1998 Ballon d'Or winner whipped a free-kick into the box for Henry to smash home on the volley.
Incredible technique and vision to pick out Henry and from there, Zidane controlled the game and it played out exactly how he wanted it to.
Fans have reacted to the highlights and they're in awe at what a special player Zidane was.
One commented: "Zidane had the streets on lock in this summer. He was the talk of football."
Another said: "Man was playing football at a walking pace and still schooled these wannabes."
A third put: "Everyone needs to watch this to understand how good Zidane was."
While someone tweeted: "Stats don’t tell you how good Zidane was. He ran games against the toughest opponents on the biggest stage. Unbelievable player."
France would go on to win their semi-final against Portugal and set up a massive final with Italy.
We all know what happened.
Zidane put Raymond Domenech's side ahead with a lovely panenka penalty that kissed the top of the bar, bounced over the line and then back out.
A moment of madness would see him headbutt Marco Materazzi in extra-time with the scores tied at 1-1.
Referee Horacio Elizondo had no choice but to send Zidane off in his final competitive game.
Italy would go on to win the World Cup on penalties. Zidane owned the 2006 World Cup, in every single way.
Featured Image Credit: FIFA
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, France, Italy
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