Zidane Zidane Set for Much-Anticipated Return to Football as New Footage Emerges

Zinedine Zidane is about to make his long-awaited return to football at a "never before seen" experience in France.

The former midfielder, 53, has not been involved in the game since resigning as Real Madrid manager in 2021, after Los Blancos lost out to Atletico in a title race that went to the final day.

Since leaving his post at the Bernabeu, Zidane has been linked with a number of coaching vacancies, including the Manchester United job after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed from his position in 2021.

He recently confirmed his intention to return to the touchline. "I'd like to be the head coach of the France team one day," he said at the Trento Sports Festival in October. "I will surely return to coaching."

In the meantime, Zidane will make his return to the football pitch on December 7 in what is being described as an "unprecedented event that France has never before experienced".

Universe Football is scheduled to take place at Marseille's Orange Velodrome on Sunday, an event that will bring together major footballing icons, including Zidane and Didier Drogba, as well as numerous celebrities.

It is said the stadium will host four matches similar to the Kings League, a 7-a-side format.

Gerard Pique, who created the Kings League in 2022, will feature on the day alongside a number of high-profile names, including Dimitri Payet, Robert Pires and former PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi, amongst others.

Two legends’ matches will also take place, while a celebrity match will round off the evening, which will bring together music artists and internet personalities.

As well as the football side of things, Marseille rapper Alonzo and Algerian singer Soolking will perform at the start of the event. Other music artists will also appear throughout, according to the Universe Football website.

For Zidane, returning to the Veledrome will be a special experience.

Though he never played for Marseille and instead represented Bordeaux in his native prior to turning out for Juventus and Real, Zidane grew up supporting Marseille, who won the Champions League in 1993.

"The Velodrome was mainly with the French team," he told Canal+ Afrique last year. "When I was little, I used to come to the stadium. From 11 to 14, I used to go there with my friends, to the Virage Nord, below the scoreboard.

"I saw my idols play: Enzo Francescoli, Karl-Heinz Forster, all those crazy players who played for Marseille. I was a Marseille supporter, I'm still passionate about Marseille."

Every ticket sold will contribute directly to Marseilles-based association Des Coccinelles Rouges pour Thomas, which provides day-to-day support for children suffering from cancer and rare diseases.

A total of €1 will be donated to the association, while shirts worn during the matches will also be auctioned. All proceeds will go to charity.