Did Alexi Lalas Really Confirm the Zidane Bid?

By: Laurie | April 14th, 2007

Did Alexi really confirm the Galaxy’s bid for my all-time favorite former player, Zinedine Zidane? That’s what the Guardian says. (My sources are inching slowly toward actual credibility here.)

The LA Galaxy general manager, Alexi Lalas, has confirmed the club have made an offer to Zinédine Zidane to join David Beckham at the club. “He’s a great player and we’d love to have him” he said.
“We’ll see what happens – you can tell he’s looking for an opportunity, whether it’s in LA or MLS [Major League Soccer] we’ll see, but it would be wonderful to have a Beckham and Zidane team.”

Poor Landon. Visions of that spalmato’ed contract must be giving him nightmares. And his performance the other night can’t have upped his price in the transfer market.

Oh, also, when does the transfer window actually close? I’ve read last night (4-13), and I’ve read tomorrow night (4-15). Anybody?

And…well, look at that! Another lovely Zidane photo I just happened to have stored on my hard drive. If this rumor goes on long enough, I could use my entire collection. Including the one where a rogue wave has just tried to remove his swimming trunks. LOVE that one.

And by that I mean…um…wait…YES! Still VERY Happily married!

(Hey, I write I blog on French soccer. I MUST collect these photos. It’s a requirement.)

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News

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Laurie

Alas, Eric, I think you're right. I haven't seen this movie yet but am absolutely DYING to!!
Eric

Wonderful dream...but I think the two screenings below are the closest chance for everybody to watch Zizou's skills in the US....
--------------

The Institute of Contemporary Art (I.C.A.) presents ZIDANE, a 21st-Century Portrait by Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno.

This film traces the movements of the superb and legendary French soccer player Zinédine Zidane.
The film, which debuted at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival to great acclaim, is a mesmerizing portrait of an artist at work.

During the entirety of a match between Real Madrid and Villareal, 17 synchronized cameras were used, mixing super 35mm and High Definition, each focusing
solely on number 5, Zidane. This 360 degree perspective results in a mesmerizing real-time portrait of a man (at work and an athlete in action) and allows the
spectator to experience all facets of his actions, sensations, emotional intensity, and unwavering concentration.

Screenings on Sunday, May 6, at 11 am and Thursday, May 10, at 7 pm.

The Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston is located at 100 Northern Avenue
For more information, call (617) 478-3100, or visit www.icaboston.org.
http://www.icaboston.org/progr...
sandrahn

If zizou decided to do this, it wouldn't be because of the money. He doesn't need it. He's very busy doing charity work and traveling all over Asia as a football ambassador. It would be because he misses playing but doesn't want the pressures of european football. I personally doubt he'll do it, tho Nick Webster over on Foxsoccer.com claims that one of his sources says it's a done deal. But I heard the same thing from a reliable Washington Post sports columnist that zidane's deal with the Chicago Fire was confirmed from a source of his, so there you go. It's just too bad that zizou didn't do as Arsene Wenger said and refrained from announcing his retirement until after the wc. Wenger said you never know what can happen in a world cup.

Zizou is quoted as saying that after the whole headbutt incident he considered reneging on his retirement pledge because he didn't want that to be his last image, but that he felt constrained by going back a second time on that pledge. If he'd kept quiet before the wc, he could've finished out his contract at Madrid.
Rach

Hi Laurie, I found my way to this blog. I found this additional article:
http://www.worldsoccer.com/new...

Even though you should never say never, based on Lala's quotes, I would agree with Martha that it does seem like he is listening to the sound of his own voice.
Laurie

Kenny, I wouldn't be so sure it's all about the money with Zidane. Zidane is incomprehensible. That's why he's so fascinating.

I mean as a SOCCER PLAYER! He's fascinating as a SOCCER PLAYER!

:-)
Laurie

"I’m still trying to figure out how that photo moment occurred."

Guess what? You're asking the right person. (Are you REALLY surprised that I know this?)

For a team building event before World Cup, Franct NT coach Raymond Domenech took the entire team mountain climbing. (I want to say in Russia, but don't quote me.) The entire team, all dressed identically, hiking up a mountain. Pretty cool, actually. (Well, okay, for me at least.) It's covered in the French documentary "Rendez-Vous the 9 Juillet" which may still be available on DailyMotion for French speakers.
Kenny

At the season ticket holder meeting at Fanfest on April 1st (which I was at) Alexi said that an offer had been put on the table for Zidane earlier in the year, but that he has yet to except the offer for some unspefied reason. Alexi then went to to say that Zidane or his agent claimed that money was not the issue, followed by Alexi saying, "listen, it's always about the money".
Connor

Laurie the movement is growing! (nice photo choice by the way - I'm still trying to figure out how that photo moment occurred).
Ben

it wasn'tr only in the guardian but aswell in themore reliable englih times.
Laurie

You know what I'd love, Ian? I'd love to see him play, live, just once in my life. Even if he went elsewhere in MLS, I would SO spring for an airline ticket and go there, just to see him play. Even if he will be thirty-five.
Ian

It's a dark day when the Guardian is considered a reliable source, but if its a rumor, it certainly does seem to be growing. Good luck with this - I know it would pretty much be the best day of your life if it happened.
Ben

that would be really awesome to have him back playing, even if it's only for a few games !!!

I assume no more than 2 seasons at most because of his age 35, 36 in June/July.

Fingers crossed.

THE MAN is a living legend and his class will always stay with him !

Sadly his physical condition didn't let him play to often anymore in the last 2 years. But despite that and the Red Card he had a awesome World Cup IMO, one of the few shining spots in a defensive dull Cup.
Laurie

Yeah, I'd love to have him too.

On the team. Yeah, on the TEAM! THAT's what I mean! I'd love to have him playing for the Galaxy! ;-)

(I'm so lucky my husband has a sense of humor.)
Martha

I could be wrong here, but I think Lalas is about as reliable as, say, John Harkes -- he seems to talk to hear the sound of his own voice, more than anything else. And, really, saying "We'd love to have him!" is miles from confirming a bid -- hell, any GM in world football could say that without lying! (Hmm. I think I may smell a new advertising campaign here.)