#4 Makes Europe take notice - December 6, 1995
Bordeaux’s run to the UEFA Cup final of 1996 was what really propelled Zidane to the forefront of the game on a European stage. He would win Ligue 1’s Player of the Year award that season as a 23-year-old, but it was his exploits on the continent that really saw teams sit up and take notice of the prodigiously talented youngster.
The quarter-final encounter against AC Milan, when Bordeaux fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the first leg to progress 3-2 on aggregate, was undoubtedly his best individual match, as he provided two assists to help his side to perhaps their greatest ever result. His best moment, however, came against Real Betis in the last 16.
A goal kick promised little when it was flicked to Zidane on the periphery of the centre circle, yet the prodigy took aim and sent a shot over the visiting keeper.
“It happened very quickly, but I remember having the impression the goalkeeper was off his line,” the No.10 later admitted.
This was an example of the sixth sense that would make him a worldwide superstar at Real Madrid and Juventus.
