A playmaker of supreme ability, Zidane’s dribbling skills and deft touch take him to a level which most world-class footballers can only dream of.

Furthermore, his natural talent is undercut by a steely mental strength which spearheaded France’s charge to their first-ever World Cup success, on home soil in 1998.

Zidane shot to the international fore in 1994, scoring two goals as a substitute on his debut for France against the Czech Republic.

But it was Zidane’s performances during the 1998 finals that earned him his place in the French national consciousness.

Despite missing two games after being sent off in the opening round, Zidane was named the tournament’s best performer.

Inspirational in the final, he chose that clash with Brazil to score his first ever World Cup goals.

Two thumping headers stunned the four-time champions and Zizou, as he is affectionately known, became the toast of the nation, his face imposed on the Arc de Triomphe.

“Zizou”, as he is know to his compatriots, grew up in the city of Marseilles, but he is equally revered by the people of his ancestral homeland. And the bashful star was left with little doubt about the affection in which he was held as crowds of cheering well-wishers turned out to welcome him everywhere he went.

One of his first stops was an earthquake-hit village in Boumerdes, east of the capital Algiers, where he funded a project to build a new school and training centre. The 34-year-old is due to tour the town of Aguemoune, where his parents were born, as well.

The footie ace is widely regarded as the most talented player of his generation, with Real Madrid teammate David Beckham describing him simply as “the greatest in the world”. Not unlike the English star, he is also known for shyness and modesty, though, so he might have been forgiven for feeling a little bemused by all the fuss.

Zinedine, who was celebrated as an icon of multi-cultural France after leading his team to World Cup glory in 1998, is eager to get to know the many Algerians who have followed every step of his glittering career, however. “My family are very proud of me, but I am very proud of them and where they come from,” he explained. “It is a special place and my roots there are important to me.”