On August 19, 2001, Zinedine Zidane played his first official match for Real Madrid. The legendary French midfielder made his competitive debut at La Romareda, in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Zaragoza.
Zidane started the match and played 80 minutes before being replaced by Fernando Morientes. The encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving everything open ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Three days later, Real Madrid completed the job in emphatic fashion. The Whites defeated Zaragoza 3-0 at the Bernabéu, securing the club’s sixth Spanish Super Cup. It was also the first of the six trophies Zidane would win as a Real Madrid player, marking the beginning of an unforgettable chapter in the club’s history.
Five unforgettable seasons
Zidane spent five seasons at Real Madrid, making 227 appearances and scoring 49 goals. Beyond the numbers, his elegance, technique, vision and ability to shine on the biggest occasions made him one of the most iconic players ever to wear the famous white shirt.
His greatest moment came in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow. Zidane scored an extraordinary left-footed volley that remains one of the most famous goals in Champions League history. That spectacular strike helped Real Madrid lift another European Cup and forever secured his place among the club’s legends.
During his playing career in Madrid, Zidane won one Champions League, one Intercontinental Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title and two Spanish Super Cups.
Two successful spells as Real Madrid coach
Zidane’s story with Real Madrid did not end after his retirement. He later returned as head coach and enjoyed two highly successful spells in charge.
His first period lasted from 2016 to 2018, before he returned for a second spell between 2019 and 2021. As Real Madrid manager, Zidane won an incredible 11 trophies, including three consecutive Champions League titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, two La Liga titles and two Spanish Super Cups.
His achievements as both a player and coach have made him one of the most important figures in Real Madrid’s modern history.
🤩 ¡Se cumplen 25 años del debut de Zidane! pic.twitter.com/5yG5SCiQPt
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 19, 2026
MATCH DETAILS
Real Zaragoza 1: Láinez, Paco Jémez, Aguado, Pablo (Cuartero, 73’), Esquerdinha, Vellisca (Galletti, 73’), Acuña, José Ignacio, Jamelli, Juanele and Yordi.
Real Madrid 1: César, Salgado, Karanka, Hierro, Roberto Carlos, Zidane (Morientes, 80’), Solari (McManaman, 70’), Flavio Conceição, Makelele, Figo (Celades, 88’) and Raúl.
August 19, 2001 therefore marked the beginning of an extraordinary relationship between Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid — a story filled with unforgettable goals, historic trophies and legendary moments.
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