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Zidane delights Bangladeshi villagers
Zidane delighted thousands of Bangladesh villagers by agreeing to take part in an impromptu game of football.
French footballer Zinedine Zidane delighted thousands of Bangladesh villagers today by agreeing to take part in an impromptu game of football.
Zidane was on a visit to the village of Kamar Basulia near the capital Dhaka to meet people who had transformed their lives thanks to tiny loans from Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus's pioneering Grameen Bank.
After hearing their stories, the veteran footballer agreed to a request to join villagers in a game of football watched by some 5,000 people, many of whom climbed on trees to see the sporting star in action.
"He is my hero. I never thought I would see him in my own village. I still cannot believe this is happening," 16-year-old schoolboy Zakir Hossain said as he watched from a tree top.
Zidane, who is on a two-day visit to the impoverished country at Yunus's invitation, was showered with flowers by villagers.
"I am completely taken aback," Zidane told the private Ntv television channel.
"I never thought that people living thousands of miles away in small villages here in Bangladesh would know who I am," he added.
