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<div class="textcopy">IT IS ONE OF THE TRAGEDIES of life — or should that be death? — that a person’s real value is often only appreciated as they are slipping away. Thank heavens, then, that Zinédine Zidane is taking the few small steps remaining towards achieving immortality. <p>As they stumbled through the group stage, France’s squad of ageing superstars appeared intent on recreating the twilight of the gods, but Zidane has managed to turn back time. This monkish figure may well be able to live forever. In bewitching Brazil with his mesmeric ball control and wonderful range of passing, Zidane produced possibly his best performance since his finest hour, when he scored two goals against the same opposition to help France to win the 1998 World Cup final. </p><p><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="right" border="0" valign="TOP"><tbody><tr><td id="mpuHeader" name="mpuHeader"></td></tr><tr align="right"><td align="right"><script type="text/javascript"></script></td></tr></tbody></table>If he can somehow conjure up more magic in France’s remaining two matches, he could be holding the trophy aloft again on Sunday evening. Having cancelled his contract at Real Madrid, Zidane had seemed to be heading for his Swiss retirement home early in France’s opening match against his adopted land, a suitable setting for this most tranquil man, but he will not go quietly after all. </p><p>The transformation from the frail figure whose legs appeared to have failed him has been simply extraordinary, although Raymond Domenech, the France coach, claimed to be unsurprised, putting the change down to the feeling of liberation that retirement brings. Since the group stage, Zidane has played as if each game were his last, because it could be. </p><p>“You may be surprised, but I am not surprised at all,” Domenech said. “That’s Zidane. We know exactly what he is capable of doing. I think it’s precisely because he is retiring, because he is ending his career, that he is fully focused on the game. He doesn’t have to calculate anything. He can play with freedom and expression because he knows every game could be his last. That is the reason why he is able to play so well.” </p><p>The turning point may well have been Zidane’s angry confrontation with Domenech as he was substituted towards the end of his team’s second match, against South Korea, throwing the captain’s armband at the coach in the frustrated knowledge that a glorious career could have come to an ignominious end. France have certainly not looked back since, beating Togo on behalf of their suspended captain before he returned to inspire more impressive victories over Spain and now Brazil. His display on Saturday was even more imperious than what many had taken for his Spanish swansong, dictating the rhythm of the match from the moment he pirouetted away from three Brazilians in the opening minute. With Franck Ribéry and Florent Malouda providing a genuine threat down both flanks and Thierry Henry strutting instead of tutting up front , it was France who possessed the magical quartet and they should have won by more than Henry’s 57th-minute volley. </p><p>Emboldened by knocking out the holders, it has become possible to see France reclaiming their crown, with the equally energised Patrick Vieira pointing to parallels with 1998: a steadily-improving team, the sublime form of Zidane and another chance for their rainbow line-up to embarrass right-wing politicians like Jean-Marie Le Pen who said last week that he would like to see more white players in the team. </p><p>“I know few players have ever won two World Cups, but we are capable of it,” Vieira said. “We’ve beaten the favourites, a great side people thought might win the World Cup, which means a lot and confirms that we have the potential to go much further in this tournament. We’re strong and all believe in each other, are working for each other and can achieve great things. We believe more and more in ourselves and are improving every game, like in 1998.” </p><p>Brazil’s most supine surrender will have disappointed their worldwide army of glory-hunting fans, but with Zidane surely deserving of a glorious send-off it is not only the French who will be singing <i>Allez les Bleus</i>. </p></div> |
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