On Sunday, 15th January, Zidane marked three of the four goals when Real Madrid won 4-2 against FC Seville. "It's the first time I have scored a hat-trick. I never thought that would happen to me. For a 33-year-old player, that's not bad!"

As captain, he helped France qualify for the 2006 World Cup and said that "for me and players like me, the World Cup will be our last great event". "We have a team capable of achieving something great. Our players belong to the best clubs". France has been drawn in Group G along with South Korea, Switzerland and Togo.

Something that may have swayed his decision was a son, Eliaz, born on Boxing Day 2005. Zidane and his wife Véronique already have three sons, Enzo, Luca et Teo and presumeably the footballer would like to spend more time with his family.