Zinedine Zidane, one of the most successful and recognized players in the history of international football, has pledged his full support to the Paris Bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Zidane, a three-time FIFA World Footballer of the Year who led the French national team to victory in the 1998 World Cup, received the Paris 2012 Candidature File at a ceremony in Madrid, where he currently plays for the Spanish team Real Madrid. Thierry Rey, a 1980 Judo Olympic Champion and Paris 2012 Sports Advisor, and Assia El Hannouni, winner of four Gold Medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games, made the official presentation.

“I am deeply moved to receive the Candidature File of Paris, the host city to France’s World Cup victory in 1998,” Zidane said. “I am thrilled to have an opportunity to share my Amour des Jeux with the rest of the world and help bring the Games to Paris and the magnificent Stade de France”.

“Winning the World Cup for France is the proudest moment of my career, and being the first player to score a goal at the Stade de France six months earlier made it even more special,” Zidane continued. “The stadium is recognized throughout the world of sport and would provide a majestic setting befitting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. To see it lit by the Olympic Flame would be deeply meaningful to me and every athlete who has ever performed there”.

“The 1998 World Cup demonstrated that Paris can do an excellent job in staging an event that brings together athletes and spectators from every corner of the world, promoting multiculturalism, international understanding, and a shared love of sport. I know that Paris will organize a magnificent event for the Olympic family in 2012. L’Amour des Jeux of the French nation will make this a spectacular celebration for the whole world.”

Zidane, affectionately known as Zizou, is widely regarded as the greatest player of the modern era, having won every honour in domestic and international football. In 1998, he scored two first-half goals and led France to 3-0 victory over Brazil, securing the first World Cup title for his country. He again led his team to the European Championship title in 2000.

As a leading player with the legendary Real Madrid, he won the European Champions League in 2002.