The French superstar met with president Ramón Calderón and sporting Pedja Mijatovic in the Spanish captial to discuss if there could be a role for him at the Bernabéu.
In a private meeting, Zidane met with the Madrid officials and was accompanied by his agent, Alain Migliacio, and explained hs desire to go back.
"I want to return to football to help in any way I can be useful and Madrid still feels like my home," AS quote him as saying.
Calderón was already aware of the Zidane's desire having spoken to him on the phone as the two have known each other since the midfielder's arrival from Juventus.
In an interview with L'Equipe recently, the 35-year-old said he wanted to be back in the game but did not know in what way.
While Madrid were considering him in a ambassadorial role, Zidane is reported to have told Calderón that he misses the day-to-day involvement and would like to coach the junior players.
Both his children play in the Madrid youth teams with Enzo in the Infantil B side and Luca learning the game in the Benjamin B team.
The suggestion that he could return to playing looks to have been dismissed as Zidane was linked with a move to Major League Soccer last year.
Showing posts with label FOOTBALL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FOOTBALL. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Sunday, November 18, 2007
ZIZOUS biography
ZinadineYazid Zidane (born 23 June 1972 in Marseille, France), popularly nicknamed Zizou, is a retired French football player of Kabyle ethnicity, whose parents immigrated to France from Algeria. Zidane started for both the French national team and four European club teams, concluding with Real Madrid.
In the 1998 World Cup final, Zidane attracted international attention with two headed goals against Brazil that won his country's first ever FIFA World Cup title. He contributed to his teams' victories in the Euro 2000, the UEFA Champions League, and domestic championships in Italy and Spain.
Zidane was elected FIFA World Player of the Year a record-equalling three times (1998, 2000, 2003), finished in the top-three an additional three times (1997, 2002, 2006), and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1998. The world-record fee of € 66 million for his transfer to Real Madrid in 2001 remains unparalleled. In 2004, he topped the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll on Best European football player of the past 50 years, and was included in the FIFA 100, Pelé's list of the 125 greatest living footballers. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he played an inspiring role in his team's advancement to the final and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, receiving the Golden Ball, although he was sent off in the final game.
As announced on 25 April 2006,2 Zidane retired from football after the 2006 World Cup Final on 9 July 2006.
TriviaWorld and Europe Champion with French Soccer Team in July 1998 and July 2000
National hero in France
Has four sons: Enzo (b. 1994), Luca (b. 1998), Théo (b. 18 May 2002) and Elyas (b. 26 December 2005).
Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Guignols de l'info, Les" (1988).
Best player in the world according to FIFA in 1998, 2000 and 2003. He also won the Golden Ball in 1998.
World Champion with France (1998), European Champion with France (2000). Winner of the Intercontinental Cup (1996, 2002), the UEFA Champions League (2002), and the UEFA Super Cup (1996, 2002).
Wife Veronique is a Spanish ex-dancer.
Comes from an Algerian family, born in a poor district of the Mediterranean port of Marseille. He is involved in charity work in France and North Africa.
Joined Real Madrid after his record $U66 million transfer from Juventus in 2001.
Had hinted he would hang up his boots when his current contract ended at the close of the 2004/5 season, but he will remain at Real Madrid for an extra two years after reaching an agreement to extend his contract until June 2007. [19 February 2004]
Is the captain of the French soccer team
French singer Pascal Obispo dedicated him his song "Zinedine".
Is of Berber-Algerian (Kabiyle) descent.
Apart from playing for Italian club Juventus July 1996 - July 2001 and Spanish club Real Madrid July 2001 - present, he also played for French clubs AS Cannes 1988-1992 and Bordeaux 1992-1996.
On 26 April 2006 he officially announced his decision to retire after the World Cup in Germany. He will continue to live in Spain with his family.
Son Elyaz, born December 26, 2005.
Son Enzo, born March 24, 1995.
Son Luca, born May 13, 1998.
Son Théo, born May 18, 2002.
He received a red card and was sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi in extra time of the 2006 FIFA world cup final against Italy, the game in which he announced would be his last before retirement. He claimed 'The Matrix' made disrespectful comments about his mother.
Was awarded the Golden Ball for being voted best player of the 2006 World Cup (10 July 2006).
Personal Quotes"I have won many awards and I am very happy about this, but I am not the best player in the world."
"It doesn't matter how many times you win an award, it is always very special."
In the 1998 World Cup final, Zidane attracted international attention with two headed goals against Brazil that won his country's first ever FIFA World Cup title. He contributed to his teams' victories in the Euro 2000, the UEFA Champions League, and domestic championships in Italy and Spain.
Zidane was elected FIFA World Player of the Year a record-equalling three times (1998, 2000, 2003), finished in the top-three an additional three times (1997, 2002, 2006), and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1998. The world-record fee of € 66 million for his transfer to Real Madrid in 2001 remains unparalleled. In 2004, he topped the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll on Best European football player of the past 50 years, and was included in the FIFA 100, Pelé's list of the 125 greatest living footballers. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he played an inspiring role in his team's advancement to the final and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, receiving the Golden Ball, although he was sent off in the final game.
As announced on 25 April 2006,2 Zidane retired from football after the 2006 World Cup Final on 9 July 2006.
TriviaWorld and Europe Champion with French Soccer Team in July 1998 and July 2000
National hero in France
Has four sons: Enzo (b. 1994), Luca (b. 1998), Théo (b. 18 May 2002) and Elyas (b. 26 December 2005).
Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Guignols de l'info, Les" (1988).
Best player in the world according to FIFA in 1998, 2000 and 2003. He also won the Golden Ball in 1998.
World Champion with France (1998), European Champion with France (2000). Winner of the Intercontinental Cup (1996, 2002), the UEFA Champions League (2002), and the UEFA Super Cup (1996, 2002).
Wife Veronique is a Spanish ex-dancer.
Comes from an Algerian family, born in a poor district of the Mediterranean port of Marseille. He is involved in charity work in France and North Africa.
Joined Real Madrid after his record $U66 million transfer from Juventus in 2001.
Had hinted he would hang up his boots when his current contract ended at the close of the 2004/5 season, but he will remain at Real Madrid for an extra two years after reaching an agreement to extend his contract until June 2007. [19 February 2004]
Is the captain of the French soccer team
French singer Pascal Obispo dedicated him his song "Zinedine".
Is of Berber-Algerian (Kabiyle) descent.
Apart from playing for Italian club Juventus July 1996 - July 2001 and Spanish club Real Madrid July 2001 - present, he also played for French clubs AS Cannes 1988-1992 and Bordeaux 1992-1996.
On 26 April 2006 he officially announced his decision to retire after the World Cup in Germany. He will continue to live in Spain with his family.
Son Elyaz, born December 26, 2005.
Son Enzo, born March 24, 1995.
Son Luca, born May 13, 1998.
Son Théo, born May 18, 2002.
He received a red card and was sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi in extra time of the 2006 FIFA world cup final against Italy, the game in which he announced would be his last before retirement. He claimed 'The Matrix' made disrespectful comments about his mother.
Was awarded the Golden Ball for being voted best player of the 2006 World Cup (10 July 2006).
Personal Quotes"I have won many awards and I am very happy about this, but I am not the best player in the world."
"It doesn't matter how many times you win an award, it is always very special."
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
driving styles
One hand on steering wheel,one hand out of window.
- Sydney
One hand on steering wheel,one hand on horn
- Japan
One hand on steering wheel,one hand on newspaper, foot solidly on accelerator...
- Boston
Both hands on steering wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake, quivering in terror
- New York
Both hands in air, gesturing, both feet on accelerator, head turned to talk to someone in back seat
- Italy
One hand on horn,
one hand on holding gear,
one ear listening to loud music,
one ear on cell phone,
one foot on accelerator,
one foot on clutch,
nothing on brake,
eyes on females in the next car,
- Welcome to INDIA!!
- Sydney
One hand on steering wheel,one hand on horn
- Japan
One hand on steering wheel,one hand on newspaper, foot solidly on accelerator...
- Boston
Both hands on steering wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake, quivering in terror
- New York
Both hands in air, gesturing, both feet on accelerator, head turned to talk to someone in back seat
- Italy
One hand on horn,
one hand on holding gear,
one ear listening to loud music,
one ear on cell phone,
one foot on accelerator,
one foot on clutch,
nothing on brake,
eyes on females in the next car,
- Welcome to INDIA!!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Mourinho Offered Valencia Job
The Portuguese boss was approached by Los Ché before they appointed their current coach, but he turned down the offer as he hoped for a bigger club to make their move.
Koeman joined Valencia in early November and has won just one league game and caused major upheaval at the club that has now seen the fans turn against him.
According to The Sun, Mourinho has now been approached and if he accepts the role then the Dutchman will be sacked this week in order to make way.
While the former Chelsea boss was rumoured to fancy a return to English football and was linked to both Liverpool and Newcastle United, he has yet to say anything publicly.
Valencia's offer to help rescue them this season may be tempting, but Mourinho is believed to be holding out for one of Europe's major clubs to offer him a post.
AC Milan are the favourites with Carlo Ancelotti expected to step down in the summer, so Valencia may only be able to keep the outspoken trainer until then.
In Spain, Valencia have publicly given Koeman their backing, but defeat in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening against Atlético de Madrid would see the pressure increase dramatically.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Ronaldo World Class As United Crush Portsmouth
A simply stunning free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo was the highlight of a dominant Manchester United performance at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
The hosts controlled the game from start to finish and took the lead through Ronaldo on ten minutes.
A marvellous swerving free-kick doubled United's lead moments later as Portsmouth offered little in return.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Are Milan and Inter Really Fighting Over Ronaldhino?
Just as Milan’s interest in signing Ronaldinho looked to have cooled, along came Inter with an announcement that they want to sign the player. Gil Gillespie peers through the smoke and mirrors and tries to discover the truth behind the Milanese clubs intentions.
In the red corner we have Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani. In the blue corner are Massimo Moratti and Roberto Mancini. And in the middle is Ronaldinho, Brazilian footballing superstar, twice FIFA World Player of the Year and a fading idol currently sinking as fast as an unhappy, out-of-form fly in Frank Rijkaard's mid-morning cappuccino. Welcome to the one-city, two-club battle for to sign Ronaldinho - an event where no-one should be taken at face value and no words should be treated as gospel. Milan are known to be long-time admirers of Barcelona's unsettled 'fantasista', but the club's interest was generally thought to have dwindled in recent months, just like the form and commitment of the player himself. But then Inter signed a mammoth 10-year sponsorship deal with Nike, and the mischievous Roberto Mancini made his "nobody believed me when I talked about Ronaldinho" speech. Suddenly Milan were forced to prick up their ears again. (Or so we are led to believe.)Whether Inter are genuinely interested in Ronaldinho or not is beside the point. The Nerazzurri have left their neighbours in an extremely uncomfortable position by merely declaring their interest. After tracking the player for the last two years, can the Rossoneri just allow him to be snapped up from under their noses by their neighbours and biggest rivals?And, according to prominent Italian broadsheet the Corriere della Sera, it is Milan who are now favourites to sign the Barca star as they have allegedly agreed to allow him to have complete control over his image rights. "Not true," says Silvio Berlusconi. As always, the signing of Ronaldinho is a subject he's never been consistent on. He has openly voiced his admiration for the Barca playmaker for the last two years. Yet only a week ago the Milan president issued a clear statement of denial about his club’s interest in the player. "I don't think Ronaldinho represents a great objective for us," said the perma-tanned former PM, "we must keep an eye on the balance in the dressing room... his purchase is not a priority for Milan." But that was before Mancini stirred up this particular hornet's nest with his well-chosen press conference soundbites. So have Milan really taken Mancini's bait? It's difficult to say. But you have to ask yourself, why would the world and European champions want a player like Ronaldinho anyway? First of all, they have Kaka, who plays, more or less, in the same position that Ronaldinho occupies. Would Ancelotti ask Kaka to play out wide or drop deeper into midfield? Not a chance. Would he play the two of them behind a lone striker, probably Pato? It's a bit late in the day for Ancelotti to suddenly throw out a tactical approach that he has developed over many years and had so much success with, just so he can accommodate a potentially disruptive player whose best days may well be behind him. The mind wanders back to 2002 when the Rossoneri brought another former World Player of the Year to the San Siro from Barcelona. Rivaldo spent the majority of his one disastrous season at Milan keeping the bench warm. He didn't fit. He just wasn't a Milan kind of player.Neither is Ronaldinho. But it’s not Ancelotti who has the final say as to who is signed and who isn’t signed, as we discovered when it was revealed that Berlusconi vetoed the deals to bring Gianluigi Buffon and Luca Toni to the San Siro in the summer. But now, surely, the clubs' transfer targets lie elsewhere - with Gianluca Zambrotta, for example - and finding a replacement for the hapless, hopeless Dida. Thus even with £100 million to spend in the summer, it would be a surprise if Milan signed Ronaldinho. So what about Inter? Is the Nerazzuri's interest in getting Ronaldinho to sign on the dotted line genuine, or merely provocative? They certainly have more room to accommodate the player on the pitch, even with Luis Antonio Jiménez exceeding expectations playing in the hole behind Ibrahimovic and Cruz. And Ibrahimovic himself has given his approval to the idea. "Ronaldinho at Inter? Everyone would like to play with him,” the goal-bothering Swede told the Corriere dello Sport. But despite these comments and those of Mancini, Inter's president Massimo Moratti has attempted to pour cold water on the whole story. He reacted to the accusations made by Milan's chief executive Adriano Galliani, who claimed that he had been told of Inter's interest in Ronaldinho by Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself. "Galliani maybe knows more than I do, but it's not true," said the Inter president. "I don't know who has spoken to him, but at this time the information he has is not correct." In truth, it's impossible to know what is really going on beneath this curtain of double-speak, half-truths and Machiavellian double-bluffing. Maybe Inter are serious about signing Ronaldinho. Maybe they are just pulling their old sparring partner's leg. Maybe Milan will respond to Inter's noises. Maybe Inter are simply showing their fans that they have the financial muscle to compete with their nearest neighbours if they choose to do so. Whatever the reality of the situation, both clubs need to ask themselves just how effective the Brazilian shoe-shuffler is likely to be in Serie A in his current state of mind, anyway. If he's finding life tough in the defensively liberal world of the La Liga, how will he cope with the fierce shadowing of Italy's most uncompromising back lines? Has he even still got it in him to rise to such a daunting new challenge? Because, right now, Ronaldinho looks as if he'd like to spend more time on the bench - or the beach - and less on the training pitch. But before he unpacks his Bermuda shorts and lies back on the sun lounger, there is one other factor in this very complicated equation that hasn't been dealt with yet. Chelsea may yet have the final say in where Ronaldinho plays his football next season. According to the influential players' agent Enzo Bronzetti, Ronaldinho will definitely join up with his former Barca coach Henk ten Cate at Stamford Bridge in the summer. It is a rumour that Spanish sports daily Marca has been talking up for some time and it makes more sense than the ones that see him going to either of the Milan giants. Roman Abramovich is rich enough - and perhaps naive enough - to take a gamble on such a global superstar, regardless of whether his powers are on the wane. So for all the noise currently emanating from the city of Milan, London could well be the place you are most likely to find Ronaldinho playing his football next season. Then again, he could always stay with Barcelona. Gil GillespieWhat do you think? Are Milan and Inter serious about bringing the Brazilian superstar to Italy? Or are they both bluffing, waiting for each other to blink? Where do you think Ronaldinho will be playing in 2008/09?
In the red corner we have Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani. In the blue corner are Massimo Moratti and Roberto Mancini. And in the middle is Ronaldinho, Brazilian footballing superstar, twice FIFA World Player of the Year and a fading idol currently sinking as fast as an unhappy, out-of-form fly in Frank Rijkaard's mid-morning cappuccino. Welcome to the one-city, two-club battle for to sign Ronaldinho - an event where no-one should be taken at face value and no words should be treated as gospel. Milan are known to be long-time admirers of Barcelona's unsettled 'fantasista', but the club's interest was generally thought to have dwindled in recent months, just like the form and commitment of the player himself. But then Inter signed a mammoth 10-year sponsorship deal with Nike, and the mischievous Roberto Mancini made his "nobody believed me when I talked about Ronaldinho" speech. Suddenly Milan were forced to prick up their ears again. (Or so we are led to believe.)Whether Inter are genuinely interested in Ronaldinho or not is beside the point. The Nerazzurri have left their neighbours in an extremely uncomfortable position by merely declaring their interest. After tracking the player for the last two years, can the Rossoneri just allow him to be snapped up from under their noses by their neighbours and biggest rivals?And, according to prominent Italian broadsheet the Corriere della Sera, it is Milan who are now favourites to sign the Barca star as they have allegedly agreed to allow him to have complete control over his image rights. "Not true," says Silvio Berlusconi. As always, the signing of Ronaldinho is a subject he's never been consistent on. He has openly voiced his admiration for the Barca playmaker for the last two years. Yet only a week ago the Milan president issued a clear statement of denial about his club’s interest in the player. "I don't think Ronaldinho represents a great objective for us," said the perma-tanned former PM, "we must keep an eye on the balance in the dressing room... his purchase is not a priority for Milan." But that was before Mancini stirred up this particular hornet's nest with his well-chosen press conference soundbites. So have Milan really taken Mancini's bait? It's difficult to say. But you have to ask yourself, why would the world and European champions want a player like Ronaldinho anyway? First of all, they have Kaka, who plays, more or less, in the same position that Ronaldinho occupies. Would Ancelotti ask Kaka to play out wide or drop deeper into midfield? Not a chance. Would he play the two of them behind a lone striker, probably Pato? It's a bit late in the day for Ancelotti to suddenly throw out a tactical approach that he has developed over many years and had so much success with, just so he can accommodate a potentially disruptive player whose best days may well be behind him. The mind wanders back to 2002 when the Rossoneri brought another former World Player of the Year to the San Siro from Barcelona. Rivaldo spent the majority of his one disastrous season at Milan keeping the bench warm. He didn't fit. He just wasn't a Milan kind of player.Neither is Ronaldinho. But it’s not Ancelotti who has the final say as to who is signed and who isn’t signed, as we discovered when it was revealed that Berlusconi vetoed the deals to bring Gianluigi Buffon and Luca Toni to the San Siro in the summer. But now, surely, the clubs' transfer targets lie elsewhere - with Gianluca Zambrotta, for example - and finding a replacement for the hapless, hopeless Dida. Thus even with £100 million to spend in the summer, it would be a surprise if Milan signed Ronaldinho. So what about Inter? Is the Nerazzuri's interest in getting Ronaldinho to sign on the dotted line genuine, or merely provocative? They certainly have more room to accommodate the player on the pitch, even with Luis Antonio Jiménez exceeding expectations playing in the hole behind Ibrahimovic and Cruz. And Ibrahimovic himself has given his approval to the idea. "Ronaldinho at Inter? Everyone would like to play with him,” the goal-bothering Swede told the Corriere dello Sport. But despite these comments and those of Mancini, Inter's president Massimo Moratti has attempted to pour cold water on the whole story. He reacted to the accusations made by Milan's chief executive Adriano Galliani, who claimed that he had been told of Inter's interest in Ronaldinho by Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself. "Galliani maybe knows more than I do, but it's not true," said the Inter president. "I don't know who has spoken to him, but at this time the information he has is not correct." In truth, it's impossible to know what is really going on beneath this curtain of double-speak, half-truths and Machiavellian double-bluffing. Maybe Inter are serious about signing Ronaldinho. Maybe they are just pulling their old sparring partner's leg. Maybe Milan will respond to Inter's noises. Maybe Inter are simply showing their fans that they have the financial muscle to compete with their nearest neighbours if they choose to do so. Whatever the reality of the situation, both clubs need to ask themselves just how effective the Brazilian shoe-shuffler is likely to be in Serie A in his current state of mind, anyway. If he's finding life tough in the defensively liberal world of the La Liga, how will he cope with the fierce shadowing of Italy's most uncompromising back lines? Has he even still got it in him to rise to such a daunting new challenge? Because, right now, Ronaldinho looks as if he'd like to spend more time on the bench - or the beach - and less on the training pitch. But before he unpacks his Bermuda shorts and lies back on the sun lounger, there is one other factor in this very complicated equation that hasn't been dealt with yet. Chelsea may yet have the final say in where Ronaldinho plays his football next season. According to the influential players' agent Enzo Bronzetti, Ronaldinho will definitely join up with his former Barca coach Henk ten Cate at Stamford Bridge in the summer. It is a rumour that Spanish sports daily Marca has been talking up for some time and it makes more sense than the ones that see him going to either of the Milan giants. Roman Abramovich is rich enough - and perhaps naive enough - to take a gamble on such a global superstar, regardless of whether his powers are on the wane. So for all the noise currently emanating from the city of Milan, London could well be the place you are most likely to find Ronaldinho playing his football next season. Then again, he could always stay with Barcelona. Gil GillespieWhat do you think? Are Milan and Inter serious about bringing the Brazilian superstar to Italy? Or are they both bluffing, waiting for each other to blink? Where do you think Ronaldinho will be playing in 2008/09?
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