BERLIN -- If Zinedine Zidane is the man of the match to lead France to the World Cup today over Italy, he may join Pele and Maradona as the ultimate three-star selection in the history of the global game.
Few people put their name on a game before it begins, but that's definitely happened here this year with Zidane.
It's his going-away game.
And what a stage to say adieu.
"Obviously this is going to be Zinedine Zidane's last match, but in our heads it's not his last game, it's the final,'' said France coach Raymond Domenech.
It may be that way in the locker-room, but it's not going down that way.
It's a team game and few define that like the 34-year-old Zidane, who came out of international retirement for this World Cup, didn't look like much in two games of group play and missed a third, against Togo, on a card suspension.
STIR IT UP
But in the elimination games, he's been the straw that has stirred the drink.
"He's Zidane. He seems to be surprising you. But he doesn't surprise us," Domenech said in one of his news conferences this week of the man named best player in the world in 1998, 2000 and 2003.
France, which has never lost a major tournament final and has not lost to Italy since 1978, made it here after Zidane set up Thierry Henry to knock off Brazil 1-0 in one of those performances that will last long in memory.
"I haven't got words to describe Zidane's performance. He was like our conductor,'' said keeper Fabien Barthez after that one.
Zidane then scored a penalty in the 1-0 win against Portugal to send France through to the World Cup final.
When the 10 finalists for the Golden Ball were announced here the other day, it was Zidane's name in the headlines around the world on top of the story, not those of the other nine on the final ballot.
With France advancing to the final, this World Cup has turned into a Zinedine Zidane testimonial.
The quote of quotes came from golden oldie teammate Patrick Vieira at the France training site before they headed here yesterday to hold a short session at Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Stadio.
"Watching Zizou must make the others feel they should stop. It also makes you wish he would carry on.''
Before Zidane in France there was Michel Platini. He went on record this week as saying he believes Zidane is one of the greatest in the history of the global game.
"Technically, I think he is the king of what's fundamental in the game - control and passing. I don't think anyone can match him when it comes to controlling or receiving the ball,'' said Platini.
Germany 2006 organizing committee head Franz Beckenbauer, himself one of the greats of the game, added his two-euros' worth.
"Zidane is one of the greatest players in history, a truly magnificent player.''
Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who coached Zidane at Juventus, said the key to the game for Italy is to stop him.
"I think Zidane is the greatest talent we've known in football these last 20 years, yet he never played the prima donna. I am honoured to have been his manager.''
DUE THE RESPECT
Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann would have desperately loved to have his team in the final instead of yesterday's third place game. But he said that, at the end of the day, Zidane is due this game.
"He deserves to be in this final. It's wonderful to watch him. We will all watch the game with interest.
"Even if you are a coach, you can be a fan of a player and his talent. I have always been a huge fan of Zizou, the way he plays, and what he achieves, how he gets his time.''
His own coach, who was infuriating reporters earlier in the tournament by refusing to talk about individual players, has waved the flag on that one going into the final.
"He means so much to the French people. He gives them something to cheer and he has done that for 10 years,'' said Domenech.
"We hope there is one more day Sunday.''
If there is, he has to leave here and leave the game as the all-time third star behind Pele and Maradona.
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