Mon berbère, ce héros

Maybe it's my Irish street-kid side, but I love Zidane just as much after he was thrown out of the game. I feel that saying something vile and insulting, deliberately trying to get him to lose his temper, that it made Zizou blow up in front of the whole world is far worse than headbutting.

He may not be a hero in every sense, but who is? I've never heard anything dreadful about Zidane. He has the right values, on the whole. You get the feeling of watching a straightforward Greek hero, perhaps not totally suited to the modern business-suited world. After all, didn't Achilles have a temper, along with his noble side? Zidane grew up in a project in Marseilles, his parents hardworking Berbers from Algeria whom he loved (he has bought a house for his father in la cité phocéenne, as Marseilles is often called in France), and he is married with four little boys. When he has spoken out in the past, it has always been for good causes, like telling everyone to vote. I still respect him. It's Mazeratti I don't respect.

Today a new website goes online where you can leave a note for Zinedine Zidane. It's called Merci Zidane  It's not thanking him for his outburst, of course, but just for his magic feet and the inspiration he has been to a generation of kids.

It's profoundly unoriginal to write about Zidane, of course. Google just listed 111,000,000 sites about him.

Comments

[Johnny]

Achilles was an arrogant, dishonorable monster.

From Sedulia: He was nice to girls.

Thanks for sharing!

[Ted Welch]

I agree with you about Zidane and his reaction. The incident reflects badly on the Italians, especially given the whole scandal about corruption involving major Italian clubs.

[Jennifer]

I tend to agree in that I still respect Zidane.

Last night I was among friends when I mentioned that he had achieved idol status when he headbutted the Italian. Hands flew up in protest. I guess idol may have been a poor word choice on my part, but seriously, he went out with a bang.

And he still has integrity in that he didn't put up with a potty mouth even if it was part of the game. Don't we teach our kids to stand up to bullies? What's the difference here? One could argue his paycheck... but still.

[Azure-Te]

It's PROFOUNDLY disappointing to read this on Rue Rude's weblog. How futile and shallow can one be ? How blind ? I'm speechless. God knows some warned me I was wrong to be a devoted Sedulia's fan. All of a sudden, it hits home. I'm so sorry to have to say goodbye.

[nardac]

Incredible! I also compared Zidane to Achilles in my post on Zidane today. Highly unoriginal but couldn't help but post a counter-argument.

[Sedulia]

"Hate the sin, love the sinner," Azure-Te!

Anyway 61% of the French feel the way I do, so you will be pretty lonely if you say goodbye to all of us.

Come back soon.

[schuey]

i'm sorry Zidane's exit was just dreadful. The reaction of the french crowd is even worse.

Depuis quand les moutons de panurge ont il raison, très chere Sedulia ?

But i'll be back ;)
(that's the austrian/american in me)

[Salon de The]

I agree with you. I also wrote a post on this, "Only Human."

[Monica]

Eh... Anyeone who can't keep their cool (it's only words after all) in the one of the most important games of their career deserves second place.

[Andre Veloux]

I have to disagree, the way I see it you don't answer words with violence. He should have just walked away no matter how many times it was said. And it was worse of him not to regret it, he should have held his hand up and said you should never answer back with violence (and the headbutt was pretty bad).

He was a great footballer, a truly magical player, but he showed throughout his career (14 red cards many for violent conduct) that he had a violent side to his temperament.

I'm surprised its only 61% of the French btw!!! The French seem to be in complete denial of the headbutt. They just can't face up to the reality of their tarnished hero.