2006 July 1st – a day when many football fans thought they were witnessing Zinedine Zidane's last appearance on the field. It was a quarterfinal match of the World Cup against the Brazilian squad, which boasted legends like Ronaldo, Cafu, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, and Kaka. The confidence felt in the South American camp before the quarterfinal clash with Brazil and France was palpable. The Brazilians hoped to defend their championship title for the second time in the country's history. However, the opponents had another plan, especially after Zidane, celebrating his 34th birthday during the tournament, confirmed that this World Cup would be his last. The realization that the World Cup was Zidane's last tournament became clear once they arrived in Germany.
"I have to listen to my body. I don't think I could play at this level for another year," Zidane declared about retiring. "I believe now is the best time to say goodbye. I've been thinking about this for a long time."
Despite the World Cup being the stage for Zidane's glorious career ending in ignominy, the impression that he was one of the best players ever seen on the football field never disappeared throughout the tournament. Zidane was fantastic from the first to the last day, closing his career goal tally with a "panenka" shot in the final.
The 2006 World Cup was like a well-crafted film about Zidane – news of his retirement, breathtaking goals, and the moment etched in the memory of even those who aren't big fans of football: the headbutt to Materazzi's chest.
Zidane's performance against Brazil, where he showcased his magic, particularly stood out. "He was magical in that match," commented Pele. "He delighted a lot of people in that stadium. It was a great privilege for me to see what he did with the ball on the field. He inspired me when I was just starting in soccer, and he still does now," said French defender Eric Abidal after the game.
After the match, Zidane was stuck on one fact – it was the first time Thierry Henry scored after his assist. In the 57th minute of the game, a ball lifted from the left side went straight toward Henry, whose precise shot made history against Brazil – 1:0.
"Finally, people will stop talking about when Zidane 'expressed' it to Henry," smiled Zidane, the assists' author, after the game. "It was painful for me to know this for a long time because Thierry and I played many games together. It finally happened, and it happened against Brazil. Simply amazing!"
Zidane, starting the game with a wide smile and a conversation with Ronaldo, didn't sink into euphoria after the final whistle – he was one of the first players to leave the field. It was a moment that best described him as a player – a genius who spoke with actions on the field.
"Zidane was the first French player to leave the field, but the greatness of this performance will remain with us forever," wrote "The Guardian" journalist Dominic Fifield after the match.
