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Zidane All stars vs a Veteran Olympic Marsailles team. Score was 10-5 for Z.A.S.
Cantona played and scored for both sides.
Big names were Zidane...still a DON, Cantona, surpringly good for his size, Raul, Laudrup, Jordi Cruyff, Ravanelli, Sonny Anderson, Pires, Lizarazu, Olmeta, Francescoli, Karambeu, Chapuisat, and a few others that were had to recognize.
Proceeds went to Charity. Cuba getting a big cut of it.
Zidane returns to pitch for charity
Story Highlights
Zinedine Zidane (right) vies with fellow countryman Jean-Philippe Sabo during a charity soccer match Monday in Switzerland.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
GENEVA (AP) -- Zinedine Zidane may enjoy his charity matches, yet has no regrets about retiring from soccer.
The 35-year-old former France international was the main attraction Monday in a charity match at the Stade de Geneve, which will stage three matches during the European Championship June 7-29.
"Not at all. It is going to be a great tournament but I have been there and done it, and I have to do other things now," Zidane said before the match.
Zidane helped lead France to win the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, but ended his career at the 2006 World Cup final in Germany, ejected in injury time for head-butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the Azzurri's penalty kick victory.
Still looking fit, Zidane was lured into action again through his friendship with Switzerland midfielder Fabio Celestini, who plays for the Getafe and has launched 442, a children's charity.
Zidane was named a United Nations goodwill ambassador during his playing career and now makes occasional appearances for charitable causes.
"I have met Fabio because our kids go to school in the same town," he explained. "It is a pleasure to play here and a good idea to give something to the kids."
Zidane lined up for a star-studded 442 Foundation team, including strikers Eric Cantona, the former Manchester United favorite, and Real Madrid's Raul -- both of whom wore their trademark number seven shirts -- and former internationals Michael Laudrup of Denmark and France's Bixente Lizarazu.
They faced a team of past and present players from French club Olympique Marseille, including Robert Pires of France, Italy's Fabrizio Ravanelli and Uruguayan Enzo Francescoli.
A crowd of around 18,000 helped raise money for a school in Cuba and youth football in poor areas of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cantona played and scored for both sides.
Big names were Zidane...still a DON, Cantona, surpringly good for his size, Raul, Laudrup, Jordi Cruyff, Ravanelli, Sonny Anderson, Pires, Lizarazu, Olmeta, Francescoli, Karambeu, Chapuisat, and a few others that were had to recognize.
Proceeds went to Charity. Cuba getting a big cut of it.
Zidane returns to pitch for charity
Story Highlights
- Retired French international Zinedine Zidane played in a charity match Monday
- Zidane, 35, hadn't played since famous head-butt in the 2006 World Cup final
- Benefit raised funds for a school in Cuba and soccer in poor areas of Brazil
Zinedine Zidane (right) vies with fellow countryman Jean-Philippe Sabo during a charity soccer match Monday in Switzerland.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
GENEVA (AP) -- Zinedine Zidane may enjoy his charity matches, yet has no regrets about retiring from soccer.
The 35-year-old former France international was the main attraction Monday in a charity match at the Stade de Geneve, which will stage three matches during the European Championship June 7-29.
"Not at all. It is going to be a great tournament but I have been there and done it, and I have to do other things now," Zidane said before the match.
Zidane helped lead France to win the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, but ended his career at the 2006 World Cup final in Germany, ejected in injury time for head-butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the Azzurri's penalty kick victory.
Still looking fit, Zidane was lured into action again through his friendship with Switzerland midfielder Fabio Celestini, who plays for the Getafe and has launched 442, a children's charity.
Zidane was named a United Nations goodwill ambassador during his playing career and now makes occasional appearances for charitable causes.
"I have met Fabio because our kids go to school in the same town," he explained. "It is a pleasure to play here and a good idea to give something to the kids."
Zidane lined up for a star-studded 442 Foundation team, including strikers Eric Cantona, the former Manchester United favorite, and Real Madrid's Raul -- both of whom wore their trademark number seven shirts -- and former internationals Michael Laudrup of Denmark and France's Bixente Lizarazu.
They faced a team of past and present players from French club Olympique Marseille, including Robert Pires of France, Italy's Fabrizio Ravanelli and Uruguayan Enzo Francescoli.
A crowd of around 18,000 helped raise money for a school in Cuba and youth football in poor areas of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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