ZiZo Wants To Go Out on Top
I sure hope Zinedine Zidane can fufill his wish and bow out at the top with victory in Germany this year.
Like Luis Figo and Pavel Nedved, the 33 year old had moved aside after Euro 2002, saying he would quit international competition. However, it quickly became apparent that France needed ZiZo when they teetered on the edge of missing the big dance in a qualifying group that included Israel, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland.
Can France do it? On paper they should be very strong contenders with the likes of Henry, Cisse, Trezeguet & Saha up front, Zidane, Viera & Makelele across the middle and Thuram & Gallas across the back. A formidible lineup with tons of experience. Mind you, that’s what it looked like at the 2002 World Cup and look at what a mess that turned out to be. Euro 2002 wasn’t much better, losing to Greece in the Quarter-finals (minus a sorely missed Patrick Viera, whose physical presence in midfield might have made the difference against the Greek).
In a group that consists of Togo, Switzerland and South Korea, it’s hard to imagine France not progressing. But beyond that, ZiZo’s wish to go out on top may be just that – a wish.
