There's a feeling that when ZZ shines, so do France.

The Marseille born Real Madrid playmaker was one of the principal architects in France's 1998 World Cup win, putting two past Brazil in the final.

At the 2002 World Cup his injury-enforced absence was sorely felt with the titleholders crashing to Senegal and drawing 0-0 with Uruguay.

He was fit to play for the third match against Denmark but by then it was all too late.

Coach Jacques Santini's 4-4-2 system may place slightly less emphasis on the 31-year-old's shoulders - France succeeded in winning the Confederations Cup last year without his help - but he is still an indispensable cog in their machine.

Despite a wretched last two months when Real Madrid's season fell apart Zidane says he's feeling good - which is bad news for their first Group B opponents on June 13 - England.

"My end of season was terrible - I've had two really hard months," said Zidane.

"The thing that takes the hardest knock is your morale.

"But now I'm feeling great. I've had an easier time of it physically than in the past few years. The difficult times are behind me."

He added: "I'm in a hurry to start the Euro. I want to rediscover the taste of winning and all the feelings that I've missed over the past few months."

FIFA's Footballer of the Year made his France debut almost ten years ago to the day against the Czech Republic when he scored the first of his 20 international goals.

Considered one of the true footballing greats Zidane has won every title worth winning and his two bullet headers past Brazil goalkeeper Cladio Taffarel at the Stade de France six years ago ensured his place in French hearts.

His club career took off under Luis Fernandez' Cannes before his 17th birthday, two years later he was on the international stage.

After a spell at Bordeaux Zidane moved to Juventus who splashed out four million dollars to secure his artistry.

In Italy Zidane's stock rose sharply as he won the European Super Cup, two Intercontinental Cups and two Italian championships.

After helping France win Euro 2000 Real Madrid got out a cheque and wrote the figure 63.6 million dollars on it - then the highest transfer ever.

Two years later he scored a superb left-footed volley in Real's win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League final.

After earning the dubious distinction of becoming the first reigning World Cup champions not to even score a goal in the next edition France and their inspirational midfielder will be hungry to atone for that debacle.

And a hungry Zidane is a dangerous species - England beware.