More than 1700 international players took part in the Toulon Tournament founded in 1967 by Maurice Revello. Many of these players have enjoyed a successful career . Ahead of the 45th edition of the Toulon Tournament (29 May-10 June), we unveil you the best 100 players in the Toulon Tournament history. And the winner of this top is... Zinédine Zidane !
1. ZINÉDINE ZIDANE
Born on 23rd June 1972
Position : midfielder
Played the Toulon Tournament on : 1991
Clubs : AS Cannes (1988-1992), Girondins de Bordeaux (1992-1996), Juventus (1996-2001), Real Madrid (2001-2006)
International caps : 108 (31 goals)
Titles :
- Italian League (1997, 1998)
- Italian Super Cup (1998)
- Spanish League (2003)
- Spanish Super Cup (2002, 2004)
- Champions League (2002)
- UEFA Super Cup (1997, 2003)
- Intercontinental Cup (1996, 2002)
- World Cup (1998)
- Euro (2000)
- Ballon d’Or (1998)
"Give me Zidane and 10 pieces of wood and I'll win you the Champions League". This quote said by the legenday coach of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, shows how much the French midfielder could change a game only thanks to his talent, especially in the big games.
Before becoming a football legend, Zidane took part to the Toulon Tournament on 1991. At this moment, he was not yet "Zizou" or "ZZ", but just a young hope of AS Cannes who helped France to reach the final of the competition.
A few years later, he finally became one of the greatest football players of history, with his clubs and also his national squad. Especially on 1998, when Zidane won the Italian League with Juventus before to lead France to clinch the World Cup, thank to his famous two goals in final against Brazil (3-0). Just after that, he won the Ballon d'or.
An incredible ability to shine during big games
After five great seasons with Juventus and a Euro won with France on 2000, Zidane entered more again into football history as he became the most expensive player of all time, after Real Madrid paid 65£M to sign him ! With Merengues, Zizou added to his titles collection a Champions League on 2002. Every football fan obviously remembers of his magnificent goal in final against Bayer Leverkusen.
It was Zidane, an incredible aptitude to combine efficiency and aestheticism during crucial moments. Like the last game of his career, the famous World Cup 2006 final against Italy. France get a penalty that Zidane scored thanks to... a panenka ! If Les Bleus lost, Zidane is at this day one of the four only players to have scored in two World Cup finals.
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Amayes Brahmi -