| As the new holder of one of football's most prestigious awards,
World Footballer of the Year Zinedine Zidane perhaps felt obliged to say
something generous in the wake of picking up the trophy this week.
Beckham: Goals like this have won the Frenchman's admiration
(ShaunBotterill/Allsport)
Thank heavens he did. For Zidane's suggestion last night
that David Beckham should have figured more highly in the voting stands out
as a beacon of humility among the dark clouds of bickering that have showered
insults and put-downs upon some of football's most revered figures in the
last seven days.
There is, of course, nothing in the rules that states
that the winner of this particular gong must be judged on the depth - or otherwise
- of his dignity and diplomacy, as well as on his football skills.
Happily, Zidane realised that a little humility can go
a long way and as Maradona re-opened his verbal war with Pele yesterday after
the duo 'shared' the World Player of the Century award, and Real Madrid winger
Luis Figo whinged about winning nothing at all, the France star talked of
his admiration for Beckham and indeed Premiership football.
'I was very surprised that Beck-ham didn't get much of
a mention,' said Zidane last night, echoing sentiments expressed by Germany
legend Franz Becken-bauer in Soccernet last week.
'I think he is a tremendous player and he has contributed
so much towards the success of Manchester United. There were, of course, the
obvious names in the frame such as Figo and Rivaldo. All of them are great
players and all deserve awards in their own rights. But I think Beckham should
have been higher than sixth place.'
Zidane's support of Beckham stretched to the domestic
game as the 28-year-old added: 'I'm a great fan of Premiership football, particularly
Arsenal, but in terms of going to England I think that has probably passed
me by.'
'There was a time when I thought about playing in England
but it never really got to the point where I seriously considered it. My heart
says it's unlikely because there are still so many things that keep me happy
in Italy.'
Zidane's victory at Sunday night's ceremony in Rome pushed
Figo into second place and Brazil striker Rivaldo in to third. But while
Juve's star asset showed there is such a thing as generosity in victory, Figo
was quick to demonstrate that it is exceedingly simple to become bitter in
defeat.
In suggesting that Zidane had taken the award simply
on the back of his performances in Euro 2000, Figo exhibited all the tact
and good spirit that he and his team-mates showed when chasing Austrian referee
Gunter Benko around the park in Brussels following their semi-final exit at
the hands of Zidane's France.
'I would have voted for Figo,' said Madrid's Portugal
winger, without a hint of irony. 'If the European Championships were the main
reason, I don't understand it, because they last only a month.
'If it's like that, then it would be better to change
the name to the 'European Championship award'. And the European Championships
are not won by one person but by 22...'
Still bitter, Luis? Surely not. In these days of over-blown
egos and sensitive souls, such public bickering is common fare. Barely a week
passes without one bout of churlishness dominating the back pages.
But if the modern day superstars are looking for a better
example to follow, then Pele and Maradona have excluded themselves from the
list of references. Take this latest offering from the overweight, over-hyped
and clearly overwrought individual that used to stand for much what was enchanting
about the beautiful game.
'I didn't share the award at all,' said Maradona. 'I
went to Rome to receive it out of respect for the people who voted for me.
But if there is a man who does not know how to lose, it is Pele.
'It really gives me tremendous pride to have beaten him
but I also have a feeling of pity for someone who wants to win when he didn't
win. They had to invent another prize. They invented it on the hoof so they
could put Pele's name on it.'
Beautiful? Hardly.
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