Zinedine Zidane, along with defender Lilian Thuram and fellow midfielder Claude Makelele, returned from international retirement to ensure Les Bleus' qualification to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Now, these three men have combined to power the French to the brink of their second FIFA World Cup in eight years.

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Much has been made about the impending retirement of Zidane, who will undoubtedly go down as one of the all-time greats of world football. Some of it was criticism, myself included. Zidane had a lackluster season at Real Madrid (as did the whole squad), and some were calling for coach Raymond Domenech to shift the focus of the offence away from Zidane and onto striker Thierry Henry, who had a glorious season with Arsenal and was looked upon to take the French torch.

In the group stage, it appeared the critics were right, as Zidane looked listless and slow. But his goal in the 3-1 win over Spain in the round of 16 seemed to spark the maestro, and then the defending champions Brazil were treated to a Zidane masterclass in a 1-0 victory, as he sprayed passes all around the field and set up Henry's delicate volley from a free-kick. In a showdown with World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, the former three-time World Player Zidane was the overwhelming victor. Finally, his penalty fired France past Portugal in the semi-final and he continued to pull the strings like an expert pupper-master.

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Lost in Zidane's shadow are Thuram and Makelele, although they are used to it by now. Thuram, who extended his French record by winning his 120th cap against Portugal, has been a rock alongside William Gallas in defence and was the undeniable man of the match against the Portuguese, frustrating striker Pauleta to no end. Thuram is rarely caught out of position and is one of the fastest centre backs in the world, despite his 34 years. Makelele has been France's most consistent player the entire tournament, playing the role he has made a career of, protecting the back four, which also frees up Patrick Vieira to get forward more than he does with Juventus.

So as Zidane, Thuram and Makelele take to the pitch on Sunday, win or lose, they will be saluted for what they have done for French football, not just this year, but for the past fifteen years.