Brazil hoping to end Zidane's career

Brazil will try to finish off Zinedine Zidane's career without a hint of a flourish for the Frenchman.

Brazil meets France on Saturday in the World Cup quarterfinals, in what could be Zidane's last match if his team fails. Zidane has said he will retire from soccer at the end of this tournament.

"We know France is going to be a difficult opponent," Brazil striker Robinho said Wednesday. "But we hope Zidane will have to end his career against us."

The Brazilians still haven't forgotten what Zidane did to them in 1998 when France won its world title.The midfielder starred in the final against Brazil, scoring twice and leading the host to a 3-0 victory at Stade de France.

"I was really little, but it's a sad memory," said the 22-year-old Robinho, who now is Zidane's teammate at Spain's Real Madrid and calls him a friend. "I hope the story will be different this time."

Zidane helped France advance to the quarterfinals Tuesday by setting up the deciding goal and then scoring one of his own late in the team's 3-1 victory over Spain.

"I hope he makes his last World Cup match on Saturday," said Brazil's assistant coach Mario Zagallo, who in 1998 was Brazil's head man. "I don't know if it's going to be his last (career) match, but I hope it's his last match at this World Cup."

Zidane will soon end a 12-year international career which also saw him lead France to the 2000 European Championship. He was FIFA World Player of the Year three times. At the club level, he has won every major honor with Juventus and Real Madrid.

"He regained his form during this World Cup," said Brazil defender Cris, who plays for five-time French champion Lyon. "If you let him do his thing, he'll unbalance the game so we have to pay special attention to him. He is the most dangerous player."

Zidane retired from international soccer for the first time after France was eliminated by Greece at the 2004 European Championship. He decided to return in August 2005 in time for France's final four World Cup qualifiers.

Six current Brazilian players got to see Zidane up close in the 1998 World Cup: Ronaldo, Dida, Ze Roberto, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Emerson.

Ronaldo, Cafu and Roberto Carlos started in the final in which Zidane ended Brazil's title hopes.

According to Robinho, Zidane has never belittled Brazil.

"He respects the Brazilian team," Robinho said. "(He) jokes sometimes, saying that Brazil is always winning the World Cup."

Although Brazil has been the most successful team in the tournament's history, it doesn't have a good record against France.

In addition to losing the 1998 final, Brazil was eliminated by France in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, losing on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.

Brazil's only World Cup win over France came in 1958, when Pele scored a hat trick in a 5-2 victory in Sweden.

The teams played two other times since the 1998 final, with France winning 2-1 in the 2001 Confederations Cup in South Korea and then playing Brazil to a 0-0 draw in a 2004 friendly in Paris.

Brazil earned its spot in the quarterfinals by beating Ghana 3-0 behind goals by Ronaldo, Adriano and Ze Roberto.

posted by nscafuro @ 6:10 AM