From Galáctico to Head Butt: Globalization, Immigration and the Politics of Identity in Artistic Reproductions of Zidane

Abstract

In 2013, an international committee of journalists and former players named “the best eleven players of all time” for World Soccer magazine. ¹ Zinedine Zidane was selected for a midfield consisting of Alfredo di Stefano, Johann Cruyff and Diego Maradona; however, this recognition fails to reflect his legacy and cultural significance. Revered as a symbol of a racially integrated France due to his Algerian heritage, Zidane has been celebrated as a diplomat, “good Muslim” and inspiration to many throughout the world. Yet no discussion of Zidane is complete without mentioning the penultimate match of his career, the 2006 World Cup final where he was expelled for head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi. Thus, a player who dazzled the world with his footballing brilliance became immortalized through an act of violence, and a career marked by championships and personal honors became associated with failure. The complicated and enigmatic nature of “Zizou” perhaps accounts for his iconic status. His kit remains a bestseller nearly a decade after his retirement and he appears as a frequent subject in contemporary art. ² Representations of Zidane extend beyond fan eulogies; instead, these artworks offer critical reflections about fame and publicity, gender norms and social taboos, the commodification of athletes and the politics of sport. In diverse ways, Zidane has become emblematic of globalization and contemporary life, a footballer utilized by artists to unpack histories of representation, immigration and colonization.