Expect no Marseille, despite Zidane's support

REAL Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane once compared playing football to being an actor: "When it comes down to it," he said, "whether I’m playing in the Champions League or the Spanish Liga, I am just another actor on the stage of the pitch." Zidane had an opportunity to try the real thing over the summer when Paris-based film director Roman Polanski shot him in an advert promoting awareness for a children’s muscle disease.

That is a shame because Zidane could need his dramatic skills when he returns to his hometown of Marseille for Wednesday night’s Champions League game against the team he grew up supporting. The fixture has already caused a stir among the players and fans of Group F’s other sides Porto and Partizan Belgrade after Zidane said he might "take it easy" if Real had already qualified for the second phase (which they have).

"I never thought that my words could lead to such a row," he shrugged. "Footballers are often criticised for saying banal things and when you try to say something different, everyone takes it the wrong way. These days you can’t say anything light-hearted or try to be funny - I said that as a joke and it was badly interpreted. If everything I say is analysed to such an extent we’d never hear the end of it."

Porto coach Jose Mourinho, whose side beat Marseille twice in their back-to-back games, was particularly offended by Zidane’s comment. "He needs to get a sense of humour," the Frenchman responded. "Whether he’s happy or not is not really my concern, but I said in the same interview that like any good professional, I would give my all once I was on the field."

He proved as much in that first game, with an outstanding display that helped Real come from a goal down to win 4-2. "I think I showed then that I’m capable of leaving sentiment aside once the game starts."

The Marseille fans, impressed by Zidane, sung his name in appreciation before and after the game. "Their reaction was wonderful: to hear, ‘Zizou, Zizou’ being sung by fans in the away end was astonishing. Even though I never thought there would be any problems, they were fantastic. It shows that in their eyes I’m more than just a footballer - I’m the local boy who represents Marseille abroad in a positive way and that touched me."

Zidane grew up in Marseille’s working-class district of La Castellane and watched his heroes play every other week at the Stade Velodrome. His favourite player was Marseille forward Enzo Francescoli: he has since had a son and named him Enzo. Zidane still keeps in touch with the area: he is an honorary president of a club in La Castellane and is helping the city’s bid to host the Americas Cup in 2007 (which is announced on the day of the game).

"I’m impatient for the match," he said. "I’m thinking more of the game in Marseille than the other players at Real: for them it’s just another game but for me I can’t wait to be there. I have so many memories linked to Marseille and it will be special. I make no secret of the fact that I hope Real and Marseille can both qualify. You can’t expect me to say I hope Porto and Partizan get through: I respect both of them but Real is the club I play for and Marseille is the club of my heart."

But even as a fan, Zidane is not too hopeful about the French club’s chances. They are eight points behind Real but four behind second-placed Porto with two games to play. "The Marseille games against Porto, both of which they lost, have left them with their backs against the wall. They know they need a result against us."

Zidane’s shining moment in the Champions League was his volleyed Hampden winner against Bayer Leverkusen that won the Champions League in 2002: "It was a beautiful and unique goal," he explained. "I don’t plan those goals; you just have to be ready when the opportunity appears. It was not an easy effort, and I hit it precisely, quickly and just right. It worked. I remember after scoring it, that I thought how lucky I was to catch the ball at the right angle and height, because it is a very difficult shot. I am glad it gave us the trophy - it was certainly one of the most important moments of my career."

All the more satisfying too after losing the 1996 UEFA Cup final when at Bordeaux, and the 1997 and 1998 Champions League finals with Juventus. "We really hope to win the Champions League this year - the happiness of 2002 was a moment I’ll never forget. One player particularly interested is Ronaldo, who is dreaming of finally winning this trophy and we’ll do all we can to allow him to experience that joy."

Zidane draws an obvious difference between the success of Real in Europe (winners in 1998, 2000, 2002) and the failures of Juve when he was there. "Juventus was great for me from a professional point of view - and that’s still the case here, but on top of that the quality of life is ideal, better than Turin. I enjoy every day here and am happy for me but also for my family. Being surrounded by so many stars takes a big weight off my shoulders. It is true that there is everything you could possibly want to make you happy at Real Madrid; and the city itself is a place where I feel good and am happy to be."

Mischief-makers at Catalan-backed Spanish newspaper Marca have linked Zidane with a transfer back to Marseille but the local boy has vowed never to play again in France. "I’m already enormously under pressure from the media and the public here. I have to deal with a lot at Madrid, so just imagine what it would be like at Marseille: what with my family, my friends ... I know so many people there that I just can’t imagine ever playing for them. The only thing is, some people understand that but others don’t."

But that does not mean he loves the club any less - quite the reverse, in fact: "I may never play for Marseille but wherever I go," he added, "I consider myself to be an ambassador for the town."