Do you think that the French National team will cope after Zidane retires after the world cup?
359446
It will make no difference. Zidane I would rate as the 3rd best player of all time after Maradona and Pele but he's been downhill for some time. \n\nHe may raise his game sometimes, but to do it for 7 competitive matches (that's if France make it to the Final), is a tall order and as much as I admire Zidane, he's not the man to do it.\n\nBut hey, he single-handedly brought France the cup in 1998 and no other player apart from Maradona has done that before, so he has no more records to break or prove to.
1136638
Yes. Zidane's last game will not be from the bench. Domenech will (hopefully) line henry up with trezeguet. They'll finally work well together and score 2 goals at least. They only need a 2-0 victory to advance (They would tie the Swiss on GD, that is, if the Swiss and S. Korea tie, otherwise any win does it) and it can be done. Hopefully Ribery wont be so damn nervous.
1024174
I don't feel that he should necessarily retire, I mean, after all, how would you like to be told to stop doing something that you love. Having said that, I DO believe that he shouldn't be in the starting line up for Brazil. He should remain on the bench and only be called upon when it's necessary. You have to remember, he'll stop playing when his body just can't perform anymore, or the teams that pay/ask him to play for them....decide that he's obsolete and useless. It's as simple as that.
1162072
Zinedine Zidane, one of the best football players of all time, has ended his career. At age 32. "It was a very hard decision for me, but I think that the right time has occurred to end the career," Reuters cited Zidane. "I'm very sorry about it," responded Raymond Domenech, the trainer of France.
1071895
yes france can.. if they manage to round 2 and hopefully meet brazil
527520
Zinedin Zidane has been top player for the FRENCH team and for Real, Madrid and will retire after the World Cup. He has never played on the German team
1138196
No I do not, France is playing with heart right now and desire, the same way they played in 98, when they bested Brazil in that final!  Zidane is playing like it is his last match every minute he is on the field and that makes him more dangerous than ever!  In addition Vieira is playing possibly the most dominant soccer of his career right now and will play, hopefully, a more creative role against Brazil while still sitting back and crushing Brazil's strikers with his tackles... In addition, Ribery has found the form that made him the best player in Ligue 1 this past year and is a danger to create or score a goal any time he touches the ball!  LES BLEUS WILL BE VICTORIOUS!
1015155
That was a fun game. Honestly, I expected Spain to win. Until now, France hadn't been exactly excelling. All their goals were kind of, unexpected. I liked that. Especially Zidane's. Considering this will most likely be his next to last pro-game. And probably his last goal too. I highly doubt France will do much against Brazil, and some are saying that it shall be the payback for the World Cup final in '98.
344410
That is  a great question that I can help you answer.France will get through the first round,their group is really easy.Henry is going to score like crazy mostly because Zidane came back to the international game.Holland will make it past group stage but as number 2 in their group.Argentina will beat them and have a chance at winning the World Cup.Netherlands has a small chance at going to the finals while France could go to the finals but would lose to Brazil.(Unlike in World Cup 98' where Zidane had 2 goals and they beat Brazil to win the World Cup)
1140575
That is sad but he announced that he is retiring after World Cup.  He was a superhero back in '98 and will always be the guy who won France the Cup.  He had a great career and will always be a hero to his fans.
1028909
France WILL WIN.  Zidane must carry the team to victory over Spain, if no other than to eliminate Brazil.
1177556
well if we're gonna talk about purchased games...France definitely paid off the refs...please..we hadn't heard from France since 1986 when they took 3rd ON a shootout after tying  Brasil 1:1 and 4:3 on penalty kicks...\n\nthen all of a sudden France has a WEAK group of South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Norway? Please...whatever...Brasil NEVER played their game and they even fought within themselves and leonardo seemed like he knew more than anyone else..THAT IS why Dunga was SOOO pissed...he knew what was up...France WILL NEVER ADMIT THEY PAID FOR THEIR CUP....\n\nFUNNY THING IS...FRANCE SUCKED IN 1990,1994, 2002 AND NOW IN 2006...THEY HAVE TIED TWICE AND HAVE SCORED 1 GOAL SINCE 1998.....THE ONLY REASON THEY'RE STILL IN IT..IS BECAUSE SWITZERLAND AND KOREA STILL ONLY HAVE 4 PTS...\n\nFRANCE WILL ONLY ADVANCE BECAUSE SWITZERLAND WILL WIN OVER KOREA OR VICE VERSA AND FRANCE WILL BEAT TOGO..WHICH WILL GIVE FRANCE 5 PTS..AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR A TEAM WITH 2 TIES...OF COURSE I HOPE FRANCE TIES AGAIN..GO TOGO!
1001222
France had better score !!!  ....They need a victory just to stay in.\n\nThey have got enough class strikers to knock in a few but without Zidane maybe the service to them won't be so good.\n\nAllez les bleus !!!
1150927
I'm totally with you on this one. I think that he's one of the greatest midfield maestros that the modern game has ever seen. Unfortunately for him and Viera/Vieira (they share the same b-day) I don't think that France is playing their best football. They're an aging team, and haven't looked like the France of '98-'00. I think that it's a damn shame that a player of Zidane's calibre may have to celebrate his b-day and possibly his final international appearance for France, on the bench. Happy B-day to both of them, and for their sake, I hope that France wins, if for no other reason, than to let him go out in style, on the pitch where he belongs :)
1096607
No. For several reasons:\n\n1) In World Cup competition, France owns Brazil (knocked them out in the Final 8 phase in 1986, and whipped them good in the final in 1998).\n\n2) Law of Averages. Brazil is due to lose, and it will be under their nemesis France.\n\n3) Brazil is cocky and arrogant, starting with their coach, and teams like that at any given moment slip up. It is due to happen.\n\n4) Apart from Cafu, Brazil does not have veteran leadership who have been there, done it, and plan to do it again (Zidane, Barthez, Thuram, Makelele, Henri, Viera). They have something to prove. Brazil are poster boys, who play to show off a trophy and nothing else and think they are already it. They feel nothing to prove.\n\n5) France is consolidating and gaining momentum, and has been tested and overcame it. Brazil hasn't been tested despite looking bad against a young Ghana team that out played them (the only difference was the quality of forwards. If they had their own Ronaldo or a Droghba, or an Eto'o, it would be a different story).\n\nThat's my take on this, and the match will go into penalties, like 1986.
1139395
France wasn't dead as many tought. During the early 20', teams failed to create scoring opportunities. France seems willing to pass Spain defenders with long passes to Henry, who was catch in offside. Spain try to play as they done in stage1, but this was wrong: France is far better then other opponents Spanish has matched. They deserve a different approach. After the very first opportunity - by French team - Spain earn a penalty kick. Referee was right, but Thuram give Spain a gift! He wasn't forced to foul, it has been a silly mistake coming from a so experienced player.\nFrench react immediately, but Aragones doesn't change his behavior, with defeders playing in line to force French forwards in offside. Too dangerous. In midfield teams were in an equalizer, he could order to midfielders and defenders to make 3 step back and playing searching fast break attacks. Domenech fails to spot how Pernia and Puyol were in great trouble on left field side. After other opportunities and Henry's offsides, Ribery score a goal after a great run. Again, Aragones doesn't change anything. Could it be he presume too much from his players? At that time, teams were at 1-1 and French had got the best chances. The early 15' in the second half were quite boring. Each team was in fear to going tired at extra time, and both were unable to overhelm their opponent. At 18' I've seen something was going on, with Sergio Ramos, Pernia and Puyol in great trouble. In this stage is usual to score only by free kick or corners, and this happened. I think French deserve to score, because they controlled the game and got the better opportunities. With Spain unable to react, France scored the third goal. \nSo I think Spanish were too confident in their offensive playing. Their group in stage1 was easy, and they have played very well, but in a World Cup you definitively need good defense and must to be able to change behavior in different matches. Again, what's the use if Pernia and Sergio Ramos can afford good runs on the wing side and cross, but you need to stop Ribery and they can't? Aragones underestimated how worthy the opponent was and the usual flattering Spanish teams are going in during the World Cup second stage.
1039892
Zidane est un très bon joueur,mais toutes les bonnes choses ont une fin !\nBonne retraite...