- Zinedine Machach impressed in his A-League debut
- Looms as a key figure for Melbourne Victory
- French midfielder is named after Zinedine Zidane
EXCLUSIVE
Melbourne Victory off-season recruit Zinédine Machach knows he has big shoes to fill each time he steps out onto the pitch – and he can thank his older brother for the level of expectation.
The French born star, who impressed in his A-League debut against Sydney FC, scoring a late goal in a 2-0 win, knows comparisons to football legend Zinedine Zidane are inevitable.
After all, the 27-year-old was raised in Marseille, is also a central midfielder and was named after the man many Les Blues supporters view as their best ever player.
‘I was born in 1996, and at the time ‘Zizou’ was making a name for himself at Bordeaux,’ Machach told Daily Mail Australia.
‘My brother loved how he played football, and my father and mother both liked the name. So they called me Zinedine.
Zinedine Machach impressed on debut for Melbourne Victory in their season opening A-League win against Sydney FC
The 27-year-old is named after French football legend Zinedine Zidane (pictured)
‘It would be nice to play like him, he was such a great player.’
Machach cut his teeth at youth level with the likes of Cannes, Marseille and Toulouse before playing senior football in Italy, Holland, Hungary and Greece.
When his agent suggested Australia be his next sporting adventure in August, he was open to the move.
‘I wasn’t sure what to think at first as it is so far away from the rest of the world,’ he said.
‘But the level and intensity is good, and [coach] Tony Popovic, I like playing for him, he is a smart man and a good motivator.
‘We have a close relationship already and I think he can improve my football.’
The playmaker also thinks Victory can be a legitimate premiership threat.
‘People have told me we are the biggest club in Australia, so we should be up the top,’ he added.
‘I am looking forward to playing my part in a successful team.’
