ZIDANE'S LAST STAND

By John F. Molinaro

The stage has been set for Zinedine Zidane to end his storybook career in fairytale fashion.

Zidane scored on a penalty shot in the first half to lift France to a 1-0 victory over Portugal in Munich in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday. France takes on Italy in the final on July 9 in Berlin.

The French victory also keeps alive the career of Zidane, who was sensational against Portugal with his magical play in midfield. Considered one of the greatest players of his era, the midfield maestro plans to retire at the end of the World Cup.

Zidane, who turned 34 on June 23, is one of the most famous athletes on the planet and perhaps the top French player ever.

He led his country to victory in the 1998 World Cup on home soil and the 2000 European Championship in the Netherlands.

Affectionately known as "Zizou," Zidane quit the French national team after Les Bleus were knocked out of Euro 2004 by Greece in the quarter-finals. But he was lured out of retirement in 2005 as France struggled to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

France eventually qualified, and now Zidane has the opportunity to leave the game as a world champion.

'I will give everything I have' at World Cup

"I will be very, very motivated at the World Cup, I assure you," Zidane told reporters before the kickoff of the tournament.

"I can't be satisfied with what I have achieved these last two years. I want to win another World Cup and I will give everything I have."

Many critics questioned whether Zidane, coming off a lacklustre season with Real Madrid in the Spanish first division, would rediscover his old form in Germany. He's proven them all wrong by playing his best soccer in years.

More than just a player

To refer to Zidane simply as a soccer player is to commit a grave injustice. He is an artist, capable of creating magic every time he steps onto a soccer field.

A pirouette with the ball glued to his foot, a smashing volley thundered into the roof of the net, a gazelle-like run through the midfield leaving a trail of defenders in his wake - these are the trademarks of a very special player.

It was at the 1998 World Cup in France that Zidane cemented his legend, leading the home side to soccer's biggest crown by scoring two goals against Brazil in the final.

The son of Algerian immigrants from the rough and tumble streets of Marseilles was celebrated as a national hero and suddenly became France's favourite son.

He followed that up by winning the player of the tournament award at Euro 2000 as France was crowned champions of Europe for the second time.

For his outstanding play, he earned the prestigious FIFA Player of the Year award for 1998 and 2000. A third award followed in 2003, and he won the Balon D'Or - the Golden Ball award - in 1998 as the European Player of the Year.

Just in case anyone doubted Zidane's skills, their exact value was underscored by a $66-million US price tag - the world record transfer fee Real Madrid shelled out to Italian club Juventus in 2001 for the Frenchman.

Zidane dogged by injuries as Spain lags

Zidane's first season in Spain was marked by success, scoring one of the most brilliant goals in living memory to help Real Madrid win the Champions League final in May 2002.

But Real Madrid has not won the Spanish league crown since the 2002-03 season, its longest title drought in 50 years.

Zidane has been dogged by injuries and long stretches of inconsistency. He picked up a thigh injury five days before the opening contest of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea.

He missed France's first two games and returned too late to prevent the world champions' shock first-round exit.

Two years ago, at Euro 2004 in Portugal, the French crashed out in the quarter-finals to eventual champions Greece.

Now, following those two bitter disappointments, Zidane is staring at another blank canvas - the 2006 World Cup final - with palette in hand, eager to create another breathtaking work of art.

By brushwork languid and spirited, sublime and absurd, the French impressionist has painted masterpieces every time he has stepped onto a soccer field.

Which is, of course, impossible, unless one is speaking metaphorically.

Or unless you're Zinedine Zidane.

John F. Molinaro is the editor of CBC Sports Online's 2006 World Cup website. John covered the 2002 World Cup, 2003 Champions League final and Euro 2004 for Sports Online. He also won a CBC.ca Award of Excellence for his work on Sports Online's Euro 2004 website.