Zinedine Zidane at 50: Becoming the best and Marco Materazzi's infamous World Cup insult

Manchester United legend David Beckham was recently asked by Gary Neville to name the greatest footballer he played alongside during his illustrious career.

Let's not forget, Beckham's former team-mates include Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Kaka and the Brazilian Ronaldo. His response? Zinedine Zidane... and Beckham isn't the only player who shares that view.

The great Frenchman turns 50 on June 23 and it's been a remarkable half-century, to say the least.

At certain points during his career, Zidane has been both the world's best footballer and manager - a tag the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp can't boast. Here, takes a look a the highs and lows of Zidane's footballing story.

Zidane's breakthrough came as a teenager at Cannes, a glamorous destination in the south of France known for its films rather than its football. Although Cannes are now in fifth tier of French football, they were competing in the top flight in the early 1990s.

In fact, Zidane helped them qualify for the UEFA Cup in 1990-91 after they finished fourth in Ligue 1. He made 31 appearances that term and was now recognised as one of the best youngsters in French football. Sadly, Cannes were relegated the following season.

Zidane needed a new top-flight club and found one in Bordeaux. He went on to establish himself as the best player in France and a star of the national team over the next four years, winning Ligue 1's Player of the Year award in 1995-96.

Yet Bordeaux couldn't win silverware during his time at the club, losing 5-1 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup final in 1995-96. That season proved why Zidane needed a bigger stage as the French side finished just four points above the