MUNICH, Germany _ Two soccer legends lead their teams onto the pitch
Wednesday looking for a last bit of glory.
France's Zinedine Zidane and Portugal's Luis Figo are retiring from
international soccer after the tournament, and they want a big finish by winning
the semifinal encounter in Munich.
For Zidane, the tournament marks an end to his soccer career altogether.
Zidane and Figo are both former world players of the year and one-time
teammates at Real Madrid. The winner goes to Berlin for Sunday's final. The
loser goes to Stuttgart to play for third place.
Both veterans go into the semifinal in good shape. Zidane is 34, Figo 33.
"It's a shame age is overtaking (Zidane) because, like Figo, we'd like him to
keep playing another seven, eight, 10 or 20 years," Portugal coach Luis Felipe
Scolari said. "We enjoy watching both of them. It's like I say, the ball doesn't
cry when it's at their feet."
Some star players _ Brazil's Ronaldinho, Argentina's Lionel Messi, and
England's Wayne Rooney, to name a few _ have already gone home, but the pair who
came out of retirement for the World Cup are leading their countries toward the
trophy.
"We won't change our system but we'll show respect for Zidane," Scolari said.
"In a split second he can change the course of a game."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter also praised Zidane, who helped France win its
first title in 1998.
"I don't talk about veterans but about players that still improve like a good
French wine," Blatter said. "France has left such an impression, that its
opponents should really worry."
The two midfielders lead teams that have proven the doubters wrong as the
World Cup approaches its end.
Zidane marked his 100th cap just over a month ago with one of his worst games
in a blue shirt. He repeatedly surrendered possession and looked weary.
