Legendary French midfielder Zinedine Zidane reflected on his memorable years in Turin during an interview with Sportweek (as quoted by calciomercato) , the weekly magazine published by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“At the beginning, I struggled because I wasn’t used to the training intensity and workload,” Zidane admitted. “But little by little, my talent began to show, also thanks to a change in approach. Juventus teaches you that you must win at all costs. In France, if you lost a match, nothing happened, but in Italy, it’s different.”
Lippi’s Influence
Zidane spoke warmly about the coach who shaped much of his development: “Marcello Lippi always defended me and taught me a work ethic that I didn’t have before. He was one of the most important coaches I met during my journey because he had the merit of changing my mentality.”
The Agnelli Connection
The Frenchman also recalled his special encounters with the club’s legendary owner: “Avvocato Gianni Agnelli used to call me after important victories. He congratulated me in French and then hung up. He was a unique character.”
Del Piero, the Icon
When asked about his teammates, Zidane had no hesitation in highlighting one above all others. “There were many great players at Juve, but Del Piero had something different. He was extraordinary. In the black and white shirt, he was a hero—consistent at a top level for almost twenty years.”
The Spirit of Juventus
Zidane’s affection for the club remains undiminished. “Montero and Fonseca once defended me from a group of fans who wanted to attack me,” he recalled. “Juventus is in my heart; it will be great again.”
