Elvis Pressley
12-27-2001, 03:47 PM
I'm not worth it, admits Zidane
Thursday 27th December 2001
Zinedine Zidane has confessed that he is not worth the £45 million that Real Madrid paid for him and that playing in Spain is much easier than in Italy.
"The only thing I can do is to try to repay some of that fee during my four years here," he said.
Zidane has finally blossomed at Real, after an uninspiring start to the campaign saw him castigated and brandished by many as a waste of money.
But the World Cup and European Championships winner believes that Real are ready to challenge for every honour and he can complete his set of medals by winning the Champions' League.
"I have never won the European Cup or a Spanish title so there are two things for me to aim for," he said. "I still have a great deal of ambition despite having won a lot already.
"I really wanted to come to Spain having played for so long in Italy. I knew that would be my next destination and I am delighted that I was given the opportunity by a club like Real Madrid.
"In Italy the football is far more tactical and therefore more difficult. But here in Spain you can take a lot more risks and the game is more open and I believe that it is one of the best in the world to watch.
"My style of play is suited more to the Spanish League because I am free and a lot more happy than I was in Italy. I really enjoy playing here.
"I know it took me a while to settle, but that happens to everybody, not just sportsmen. When your lifestyle changes completely you cannot adjust straight away.
"But I am now familiar with my surroundings and my team-mates and I have regained full fitness, so it has been an accumulation of things that have all finally come together.
"People say that I was under a lot of pressure, but that was only inside my head. I gave myself high expectations and when I did not live up to them or tried to get to a certain level too quickly it all went wrong.
"There was huge pressure to do well and play well in every match at Juventus and it is just the same here at Real."
Zidane also reflected on Real President Florentino Perez's words that players like him were born to play for the club.
He added: "I want to thank the president for everything he did for me and everything that he said about me. He made my mind up for me to come to Madrid after trying so hard to buy me from Juve.
"The move gave me a new lease of life and I still love playing football. The day that I no longer enjoy waking up and going training and playing matches is the day that I will try my hand at something else.
"There are certainly difficult days and I wonder if it's all worth it, but then I remember how fortunate I am to be in this position.
"I am a very lucky person to be able to play football and be paid for it and I will never forget how privileged I have been."
Thursday 27th December 2001
Zinedine Zidane has confessed that he is not worth the £45 million that Real Madrid paid for him and that playing in Spain is much easier than in Italy.
"The only thing I can do is to try to repay some of that fee during my four years here," he said.
Zidane has finally blossomed at Real, after an uninspiring start to the campaign saw him castigated and brandished by many as a waste of money.
But the World Cup and European Championships winner believes that Real are ready to challenge for every honour and he can complete his set of medals by winning the Champions' League.
"I have never won the European Cup or a Spanish title so there are two things for me to aim for," he said. "I still have a great deal of ambition despite having won a lot already.
"I really wanted to come to Spain having played for so long in Italy. I knew that would be my next destination and I am delighted that I was given the opportunity by a club like Real Madrid.
"In Italy the football is far more tactical and therefore more difficult. But here in Spain you can take a lot more risks and the game is more open and I believe that it is one of the best in the world to watch.
"My style of play is suited more to the Spanish League because I am free and a lot more happy than I was in Italy. I really enjoy playing here.
"I know it took me a while to settle, but that happens to everybody, not just sportsmen. When your lifestyle changes completely you cannot adjust straight away.
"But I am now familiar with my surroundings and my team-mates and I have regained full fitness, so it has been an accumulation of things that have all finally come together.
"People say that I was under a lot of pressure, but that was only inside my head. I gave myself high expectations and when I did not live up to them or tried to get to a certain level too quickly it all went wrong.
"There was huge pressure to do well and play well in every match at Juventus and it is just the same here at Real."
Zidane also reflected on Real President Florentino Perez's words that players like him were born to play for the club.
He added: "I want to thank the president for everything he did for me and everything that he said about me. He made my mind up for me to come to Madrid after trying so hard to buy me from Juve.
"The move gave me a new lease of life and I still love playing football. The day that I no longer enjoy waking up and going training and playing matches is the day that I will try my hand at something else.
"There are certainly difficult days and I wonder if it's all worth it, but then I remember how fortunate I am to be in this position.
"I am a very lucky person to be able to play football and be paid for it and I will never forget how privileged I have been."