The recent victory of Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup against Pachuca has revived memories of the club's legendary eras. Among them, the Galacticos era, where Roberto Carlos played a key role in the arrival of Zinédine Zidane.
As soon as Real Madrid lifted the Intercontinental Cup against Pachuca, the frantic pace of the season resumed. With a match against Sevilla in just two days, the Merengues must quickly focus on tactical adjustments at Valdebebas. However, present successes often remind us of past glories, and among them, the Galacticos era remains etched in collective memory.
Former Real Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos shared a memorable anecdote about Zinédine Zidane's arrival at the club. In 2001, while Zizou was playing for Juventus, he had just lost two consecutive Champions League finals, including one against Real Madrid in 1998. Roberto Carlos, as a true Madrid ambassador, personally got involved in recruiting the French maestro.
"I knew he had already lost two finals, so I told him that if he wanted to finally win it, he had to come play for us, in the best club in the world," the Brazilian confessed in statements relayed by Defensa Central. The argument hit home, and Zidane joined Real Madrid.
ZZ became one of the pillars of a mythical team, marked by stars like Luis Figo, David Beckham, and, of course, Roberto Carlos himself. Zidane's Impressive Legacy at Real Madrid
Zidane's impact was quickly felt, particularly in the 2002 Champions League final. From a pinpoint cross by Roberto Carlos, the Frenchman scored a legendary volley against Bayer Leverkusen. Roberto Carlos remembers the action with humor.
"We often joke when talking about that action because Santiago Solari gives me a horrible ball, I make a perfect cross for Zizou, and he almost ruins the action," the Brazilian legend added.
That goal, considered one of the most beautiful in history, allowed Real Madrid to win its ninth Champions League title. After his playing career, Zidane continued to write Real Madrid's history as a coach. Arriving on the bench in 2016 in a context of crisis, he led the club to an unprecedented Champions League treble (2016, 2017, 2018). A performance that definitively placed him among the most iconic figures in world football.