Zi-done: You only live twice in Madrid

The match made in heaven.

That's the shortest explanation of Zinedine Zidane's success with Real Madrid. Although, at first sight, they seem like total strangers - the quietest man on Earth coming to the loudest house, an introvert given a microphone at the ostentatious party, a novice on a mission to reclaim the glory of the once-mighty kingdom.

Still, Zizzou somehow managed to take Madrid by (a perfect) storm. Three consecutive Champions League trophies, two La Liga crowns, two Spanish Super Cups, two European Super Cups, along with two Club World Cups, are the summary of the Frenchman's tale at Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Or if you prefer stats - one trophy every 24 games in charge! One can not say where Zidane ends, and Real begin anymore and vice versa. They've become like one.

With the latter ended as recently as this morning, his two stints at Madrid are worth much more than the above-mentioned silverware.

It's a massive accomplishment when you provide a modest European side with accolades, but try leading the giants of the game to the very heights where they belong but were absent for years if not decades. On and off the pitch, the French playmaker understood what Florentino and millions of fans desire and gave them exactly what they needed.

He felt the Los Blancos' pulse, rushed quietly into their bloodstream and returned them that glamorous ilk firstly poured into the club's identity in the '50s with the likes of Ferencz Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano. It's no wonder then that his second departure caused an avalanche of heartbroken farewells from some of the greatest names this game has ever seen. Iker Casillas, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, just to name the few...

What's next?

Guess no one knows at the moment, not even Zidane himself, who spent almost an entire decade around Real Madrid's dugout (some of it in Real Madrid B, and as an assistant at A-side before becoming a man in charge). It will be a difficult task for both Zizzou and Madrid to continue without each other. And be equally successful in their new adventures, respectively.

For those who ask if there's maybe a chance for the third encounter sometimes in the future, they should bear in mind the name of that 1967 James Bond movie "You only live twice". And Zidane - at least as a coach - already lived twice in Madrid. Then again, there's also that "Never say never again"...

Zidane. Zinedine Zidane.

By: BOJAN BABIĆ