Football: Zinedine Zidane is invited to Kazakhstan

Famous former footballer of Madrid’s Real and France national football team Zinedin Zidane might visit East Kazakhstan oblast, Vesti.kz reports citing the oblast's akimat (authorities) press-service. “Negotiations with Zidane are in process, conditions of famous footballer's visit are being discussed, and this is all we can share for now,” akimat said. The footballer’s arrival will be part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Kazakhstan football. Also as a part of the event Kazakhstan national football team should play a friendly with one of the world's strongest teams: Spain, Italy, France or Holland. Zinedine Zidane played as an attacking midfielder for the French national team, Juventus and Real Madrid. Zidane was named best European footballer of the past 50 years by UEFA, and has been described by many commentators as one of the greatest players ever. At international level, Zidane won FIFA World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 with the French team. At club level he won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, two Serie A league championships with Juventus and an Intercontinental Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. Zidane won the FIFA World Player of the Year three times. He also was awarded the 2006 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, and the European Championship Player title during his career. Zidane retired from professional football in 2006 after headbutting Marco Materazzi in the chest at the World Cup finals. This episode was immortalized by a five-meter tall bronze statue in Paris. He currently holds the post of Real Madrid Director of Football.