In what looks like his prediction, France legend Zinedine Zidane on Friday tipped Belgium to impress at Euro 2016.
Belgium, ranked second in the FIFA world rankings, open their Group E campaign on Monday against Italy in Lyon, before also facing Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Real Madrid manager Zidane, who won Euro 2000 as a player, told reporters in India he could not pick a winner but fancied Belgium’s chances of clinching their first major trophy.
“I’m not a magician. You never know who will win a competition like this,” he said on a visit to Mumbai, where he is a brand ambassador for a property development.
“You have to wait until the competition starts to see which team is strong and has everybody ready to play for them.
“Belgium for example are a brilliant team with lots of individuals. But on the day of the game we will see if they will deliver their best game,” the World Cup winner noted.
The Belgians, whose best performance at the Euros came in 1980 when they were losing finalists, boast a number of top players from Chelsea duo Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard to Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
Belgium, ranked second in the FIFA world rankings, open their Group E campaign on Monday against Italy in Lyon, before also facing Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Real Madrid manager Zidane, who won Euro 2000 as a player, told reporters in India he could not pick a winner but fancied Belgium’s chances of clinching their first major trophy.
“I’m not a magician. You never know who will win a competition like this,” he said on a visit to Mumbai, where he is a brand ambassador for a property development.
“You have to wait until the competition starts to see which team is strong and has everybody ready to play for them.
“Belgium for example are a brilliant team with lots of individuals. But on the day of the game we will see if they will deliver their best game,” the World Cup winner noted.
The Belgians, whose best performance at the Euros came in 1980 when they were losing finalists, boast a number of top players from Chelsea duo Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard to Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
