World Cup: Zidane oddly wins Golden Ball

Sports is filled with all sorts of eye opening decisions. Soccer has its share that's for sure. FIFA somehow bestowed upon Zinedine Zidane the best player (the Golden Ball) of the entire World Cup. Incredible considering Zidane's spotty play and momentary lapse of reason where he thought he was The Rhino.

Let's consider his performance for a moment. He was invisible against Switzerland and Korea and was suspended for the game against Togo in the first round. He came alive in the game against Spain where he literally carried France on his back. Ditto for the game against Brazil. He was a non factor in his final two games against Portugal and Italy; two goals from the penalty spot notwithstanding. Overall, Zidane played very well in three of the six games he played in - remember he was out for one.

Time to dip into history. In 1998, contrary to prevailing belief, Zidane did not win the World Cup for France. He did score important goals in the final but the victory was a total French effort. From Deshamps to Blanc, everyone played an equal part. He was, incidentally, invisible in the game against Italy that year. In fact, he was also neutralized in the final at the Euro 2000 against the Azzurri.

I was watching Global TV Sports and the host asked the soccer expert if there was anything in Zizou's past that would indicate he could snap as he did. The answer was typical of a media enamoured with Zidane. "No," he insidiously replied. Zidane earned three yellows and a red this tournament. He was a player that once stomped on a player and head butted another. Clearly, there is and was a pattern.

As for the act itself it was surreal, if not barbaric. It is irrelevant what Materazzi (for hockey fans, he is Ken Linseman and Claude Lemieux rolled into one) said. He is known for that sort of stuff and Zidane knew this. For those of you who claim Materazzi is a racist best to remember his best friend is a Nigerian - O. Martins - who plays with him at Inter Milan. Zidane put himself and his team in a precarious situation.

This is not to belittle his legendary career. Zidane and his sublime wizardry is one of the best players over the last 20 years. He became a legend with Juventus in Italy - where he had his moments of ineffectiveness - and solidified it with Real Madrid in Spain.

However, naming him tournament MVP is a direct insult to not only the game of soccer but to the true MVP: Fabio Cannavaro who was a monster in all 7 of Italy's matches. Zidane wasn't even France's best player. In my estimation, Franck Ribery and Lillian Thuram were.