Zidane at Marca

I LOVE HIM.

Zinedine Zidane is currently in South Africa, doing his duties as the patron of the 2010 edition of the Danone Nations Cup, which just ended.  The tournament is a World Cup for children aged 10-12, and 2.5 million kids from 40 countries participate.  More information here, including an interview with their ambassador Zizou here!

Anyway, Zizou talked with Marca about Mourinho, the current situation, his son Enzo and who he would give the Golden Ball to!

Q:  The fans were a bit preoccupied with Madrid’s play and lack of marksmanship until the game against Deportivo.  Did the same thing happen to you?

A:  No.  I think it’s normal because we just started the season, and I would even say it’s logical that it’s like this.

Q:  Is it a matter of time?

A:  Perhaps right now it’s more important to focus on the results.  Later on, you’ll see that we’ve won two Champions League games, we’re leaders of the group and in the Liga, we’re also near the top, with four wins and two ties.

Q:  The crowd at the Bernabéu aren’t satisfied with just anything, which you know well, although you’re one of their favorites.

A:  Perhaps we’re not playing the football that people want to see, because our fans are very demanding, but it’s fair because when we play well, they encourage us and cheer us on.  What’s happening is normal, because we have new players and a new coach, so we need a bit more time.  Football is like that.

Q:  Are you one of those that believe that only a coach like Mourinho can return Madrid to the glory days after two years without a title?

A:  Yes, I think so.  I believe José Mourinho was what Real Madrid needed.  The team needed a change, a coach with personality, with a firm hand, and I think he fits this profile.

Q:  The fans in South Africa still remember Spain’s victory in the World Cup.  Do you believe that La Roja can exceed the success of the team that you led for France?

A:  Well, it would be good for us French if they stopped winning because if not… (laughs).

Q:  It appears that the Spanish Football Federation has put your son Enzo in a bit of a predicament, because he’ll have to decide whether to play for Spain or for France.  Has he made a decision yet?

A:  Whenever I speak with my son about football, I always say the same thing: you have to enjoy yourself while you’re playing, because that’s the most important thing at this age.  I enjoyed it, and I hope he does too.  The rest is irrelevant.

Q:  Who would you give the Golden Ball to?

A:  To a Spaniard.  He can be from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia… because Spain had a fantastic World Cup and all the players played an important role, you could give it to any of them.  All of them deserve it.

Q:  Let’s talk about your charitable side.  Why did you decide 10 years ago to support the Danone Cup?

A:  We can say it was a continuation of my relationship with Danone, because I had been doing campaigns with them when I was a player.  They asked me then if I would like to continue collaborating with them, and if I wanted to be the ambassador of this competition.  I told them yes because I thought it was a great thing that they were doing.  It involves football and children, which is perfect for me.

In addition, I was at a point in my life where I wanted to help others.  Football has given me a lot, and because of that I wanted to transmit my experience to younger generations, not only tactically, but also mentally, to tell them what mental state they need to adopt in order to play.

When you’re 11, football is just a game, a passion that you play with your friends.  My message is very simple: you have to maintain this attitude throughout the years, not lose that passion and always enjoy the game as if you were a child.

Q:  Do you see yourself in these kids when you observe how much they enjoy playing with the ball?

A: Of course, because that’s what happens.  When I come here, I always remember when I was a kid and playing football.  I see them enjoying themselves and I see me.  I never had the opportunity to play a tournament like this one, because there weren’t any, but I’m enjoying it now through these kids.

Q:  The tournament was like Christmas coming early for the kids.

A:  Without a doubt.  It was a great idea to organize the Danone Cup in the same place where professional players had just played the World Cup.  I think that allowed the children to make their dreams come true, which was to play on the same field as their heroes.  This shows that the tournament is the most important one for children, a World Cup for them.

Q:  You’re a U.N. ambassador, you’re involved in several charitable projects to help the disadvantaged… you seem to have found a second calling.

A:  I’m very happy to be able to help.  There are a lot of people that need help, so whatever I can do, I do.  We can’t do everything, but whatever I do, I give 100%, as much as I can, because I know that I’m helping people who deserve to be helped.

Q:  Spain is organizing the next edition of the Danone Cup.  I imagine you had something to do with this…

A:  It’s true (laughs).  The entire world wants to organize it, so you have to work a lot to get it.  I talked with Franck Riboud, the CEO of Danone, about it.  To me, having Spain as the host was a fantastic idea, since it’s where I live now, and he gave me his blessing, so I talked up some contacts and… I’ll see you here next year with all the children.