10 Retired Footballers Who Went Out In Style

10. Zinedine Zidane

Many new football fans will know Zinedine Zidane as one of the most successful managers in Europe due to his Champions League outings with Real Madrid, but long before that he was regarded as one of the greatest midfielders to have ever graced the pitch.

The 108-capped French international enjoyed trophy-laden spells with Real Madrid and Juventus - he even won the Ballon d'Or in 1998 - and looked set to conquer the biggest stage in world football for a second time in the summer of 2006: the World Cup.

Having announced that he would be retiring completely from football at the tournament's completion, all eyes were on Zidane. Following a slow start in the group stage, France would go on to beat Spain, Brazil and Portugal en route to the final with Zidane scoring, assisting or doing both in each knockout game.

The final would be one to remember and to forget for the Frenchman.

Though he scored France's goal to take the game to extra-time, following provocation from Marco Materazzi, Zidane planted a firm headbutt to the Italian's chest, flooring him. Of course, the red card was immediately shown and France would go on to lose the final on penalties.