Despite having that incredibly massive talent since he was a little boy, Zinedine Zidane has always been a reserved individual with very little capabilities to socialize. But according to former France teammate and friend Bixente Lizarazu, this personality has changed in time and today, Zidane is more a leader today than he was back when he was a player. Being the Real Madrid coach has filled Zidane with experience.
Talking to AS, Lizarazu said: "As a player he was shy, but by becoming coach he realized he had to make the effort and be more expressive. It's an incredible change as a human being. Now I notice a person who manages others. And about the pressure, I do not think it's a problem. He is used to playing finals as a player. He was calm from the beginning, joking with Cristiano [Ronaldo] in the final of the Champions League before penalties.
"I was very happy to see him win the Champions League. Not for a technical or tactical issue, but an emotional issue. First it was his talent as a player and now as a coach - professionalism. From the day he said he would be a coach, he thinks every minute as a coach. That determination was noted from his first press conference. He had clear ideas."
Photo credit: Real Madrid CF