World and Europe Champion with French Soccer Team in July 1998 and July 2000National hero in FranceHas four sons: Enzo (b. 24 March 1995), Luca (b. 13 May 1998), Théo (b. 18 May 2002) and Elyaz (b. 26 December 2005).Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Les guignols de l'info" (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 of Spanish origin.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]Was 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.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).Brother of Djamel, Nourredine, Farid and Lila.Son of Malika and Smail.Met his wife when he played in Cannes, France. She was a dancer and he plays in Cannes soccer team.