On September 18, 1993, Olympique de Marseille faced Bordeaux. The Phocéens emerged victorious, but what Marcel Desailly remembered most was an incident involving Zinedine Zidane from Bordeaux. Desailly recounted how Zidane had punched him during a corner kick because Desailly had elbowed him. Despite this, Desailly shared that when they played together for the French national team, he was willing to put his life on the line to protect and support Zidane on the field.
In a surprising revelation, Desailly also shared the secret behind Zidane’s skill, describing him as the strongest partner he had ever played with. According to Desailly, Zidane elevated the level of their training sessions with his unique approach to technique. Desailly praised Zidane’s ball control, both on the ground and in the air, attributing it to his magical hips and extraordinary ability to change direction fluidly. Desailly referred to Zidane as an exceptional artist on the field, capable of creating moments of magic whenever he was given the ball.
Desailly’s admiration for Zidane’s talent may explain why he was forgiving of the punch he received from the legendary player.
