Zinédine Zidane is football (soccer) royalty in France. Having played for his home country in the World Cup three times, he led Les Bleus to victory in 1998 and made the final in 2006, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Photo credit: Alex Teuscher
Before becoming a manager coach at Real Madrid, Zidane, known as ‘Zizou’, also had a prestigious career in professional soccer as an attacking midfielder at a host of European clubs, including Juventus. Widely regarded as one of the best players in history, he rose to prominence early in his career in the French Ligue 1 at FC Girondins de Bordeaux. And it was in Bordeaux that Zidane bought his first proper watch, a Cartier Pasha.
Now that watch will be sold at a charity auction for ELA International as part of the Watches For ELA auction by Christie’s on November 9 in Geneva.
Zidane has been a supporter of ELA International – the European Leukodystrophies Association – for a quarter century. The non-profit organization is dedicated to defeating leukodystrophies—rare, genetic diseases that destroy the central nervous system. They fund medical research, support affected families, raise public awareness, and advocate for universal newborn screening.
With the 2026 World Cup in full swing and on North American soil, we asked Zidane about his passion for watches, his support for ELA International, and why this Cartier has special meaning for the French soccer legend.
Zidane’s Cartier Pasha.
Photo credit: Alex Teuscher
Hodinkee: Can you explain how you became involved with the Watches for ELA initiative and why you support it through ELA International? Why do you consider this cause important?
Zinédine Zidane: “I have been involved with ELA for over twenty-five years now. At the time, I wasn’t involved in any particular cause. I was entirely devoted to my passion, football. And then there was a meeting. One of those meetings that leaves a mark on you and leads you to make an important decision. Guy Alba [the President and Founder of ELA International], accompanied by Aldo Platini [a famous French footballer], came to see me in Turin, where I was playing for Juventus at the time. That was in 2000. They told me about the association, its fight, and the families affected. I sensed they needed support, but above all, visibility.”
“ELA was still a small organization, created by parents facing a terrible illness. Their determination was immense, but they needed people to talk about them. That meeting was pivotal. I decided to get involved alongside them, and since that day, I’ve been part of this extended family. In this edition of Watches for ELA, my contribution is very simple: I’m donating a watch that I’ve had for 35 years. I felt it was important to offer something dear to me, an object with a history and genuine sentimental value. It’s quite surprising, because I took it out almost by chance; it happened the day Guy and I spoke on the phone about the association. That’s when its story resurfaced, and the idea of passing it on took on its full meaning.”
Photo credit: Alex Teuscher
Hodinkee: Tell us the story of the watch you are donating this year for the auction. What is the history of this watch and what does it mean to you?
Zinédine Zidane: “Most importantly, it’s the first watch I ever bought when I was living in Bordeaux. I always kept it carefully and only took it out again 35 years later. When I look at it today, I realize it’s a truly special watch; I feel the same emotion I did 35 years ago.”
“For me, watches are works of art. You don’t buy a watch by chance; you choose something you love. I’m not someone who wears a watch every day, but I appreciate having a beautiful object. And this one is round like a ball, which is significant. The pushers are round, magnificent, with that little stone. The bracelet too: at the time, it was something very modern. It gives off a bit of a “Jubilee” feeling. It’s a watch that’s very dear to me. I can’t say much more, except that it’s a watch that touched me when I bought it and still touches me today. Naturally, there’s also a particular emotion because I’m going to part with it. But I’m going to part with it for a good cause. The person who chooses to acquire it will know that they own an object that has been very precious to me.”
Photo credit: Alex Teuscher
Hodinkee: Can you tell us about your relationship with watches and the reasons why you collect and wear them? Why are watches important to you?
Zinédine Zidane: “I don’t buy a watch just for the sake of buying a watch. When I’m out and about and I want to acquire a beautiful object, like a beautiful watch, it really has to resonate with me. There has to be something about it that attracts me, that speaks to me. And that doesn’t happen often. I own a few watches, maybe fifteen or twenty, accumulated throughout my life. That’s perhaps one watch a year. But every time, it’s the same thing: it’s instinct that decides. “
“I don’t overthink things. I’ve always operated like that, on instinct. In my life as well as in my coaching career today. Of course, you have to prepare things, and for that I’m surrounded by a great team, but ultimately, my instinct remains very important. When I buy something, it’s the same. If I find something I like, then it’s love at first sight. It has to be love at first sight. It’s never calculated, I don’t overthink it. It’s primarily a matter of feeling. I keep everything, I don’t give anything away in general, at least not when it comes to these kinds of items. Throughout my career, I tried to be generous, to give away my jerseys, my shoes, and many other mementos. In the end, I didn’t keep much of it. I’m not really a collector in that sense. However, rarer items, like this one, I do keep.”
(Note: this interview has been translated from French).
For more information about ELA International and the Watches For ELA auction happening November 9. Click here.
