I want to say something in ‘memory’ of Zidane, or rather, in defence of football, and sports. Although I had just won £16 from the little game that was going on in the office and I had drew Italy as my winning team, to me, France is still the winning team.
I don't want to put a picture of Zidane because I don't want to really dwell on it, so I thought of a croissant, quite an epitome of the French too, no?
Zidane has bowed out of the football scene with such a bang. Instead of a standing ovation which he so rightly deserve, he went out with a big red angbao after headbutting into the chest of Italian Marco Materazzi (why not mine? I don’t mind you headbutting into my chest you know Zidane, because they can’t get any flatter….). I will never forget the moments after seeing the replay on the screen. At first the confusion, the Italian goalkeeper who was decked in a banana skin look-alike gear charging towards Zidane with absoloute fury while Materazzi lies crouching on the ground wringing in agony. Zidane? A showdown involving Zidane? An act of violence, on the field, by Zidane?????
“Zidane plays the ball like a sorcerer.”
“Look at the way he caresses the ball.”
“He is an absolute inspiration on the field.”
“Zidane plays football like he’s breathing air.”
These comments and many more of the same calibre was what most, if not all sports commentators say about the No. 10 in every Les Bleus match. Zinedine Zidane was indeed an iconic figure on the pitch, seeing him handle the ball (sorry ah, I don’t know many football lingo so just anyhow write hor) made me fell in love with him. When the ITV commentator remarked on how Zidane caresses the ball, I can swear my heart skipped at least 3 beats as my mind immediately conjured up an image of Zidane caressing me….ha! Of course, lust aside, there is no dispute about the magic he injects into the game, though it is apparent that that’s wearing off as age catches up, but still, THAT kind of magic is suffice to immortalise him as one of the greatest legends of football.
All words and no pictures very dull right? So I put one French loaf here.
More is better
But Sunday’s match was such a joy to watch! France had all the upperhand, never mind the wrinkly ones compared to the younger Italian team. I was so looking forward to an end that would usher in a fitting retirement for my hero, victory or defeat, with his arms stretched up above his heads, clapping and thanking the audience, sending out flying kisses with the camera rolling around him in a 360 style. That kind of scene would befit the legacy that Zidane has left behind for the good of football in his career that had spanned just over 12 years.
What made him chose the exact opposite?
Like me, many of us will be wondering: Why? Why? Why?
I can apprehend the fury at that moment in time.
But adrenaline is a double-edged sword to all sportsmen. After all, it can be such a boost when you are tired, but such a curse when you are infuriated.
What had caused the headbutt, maybe we would never know. But I suppose we should not press for an answer anymore. Zidane has bowed out, albeit not in the most fashionable style, but most will remember him for the Zidane that we all knew. I know I would.
Headbutt or not, that head of his has done many more good than bad. So let’s just leave him alone and let him retire to his luxurious mansions and endless pensions. Who knows, maybe he will show a trump card and announce that he’s not going to retire anymore as he wants to make amends, to redeem himself???
There were also some speculations that the France vs Brazil match was rigged. True, the Brazilians played as if they had lao sai-ed the entire night before, but to say that the Brazilians purposely “release water” 放水 baffles me. It is no wonder that football matches are regular customers of corruption and fixing, but on a stage like this, the World Cup, a deciding game and from a team that’s supposedly born for football, how can the match be rigged? I abhor such sayings. Maybe I’m naïve, but I simply refuse to believe that the lure of money can override the passion for sports and life.
That being said, World Cup 2006 is finally over. A 4-year wait is really not that far ahead.
The next World Cup shall hopefully be enjoyed with a third party around in the house.
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