Key encounter 'not about Zidane versus Beckham'

ZINEDINE ZIDANE is determined Sunday's showdown between France and England in Lisbon should not be billed as the Beckham versus Zidane show.

The France playmaker will be tasting the big tournament atmosphere for possibly the last time in Portugal this summer he has promised a decision after the tournament but is playing down the importance of his skirmish with his fellow Real Madrid Galactico.

Zidane rejects suggestions that the outcome of the match could depend on whether he or Beckham is on top of their game.

Asked if he considered the battle with his Real Madrid team-mate had particular significance he said: "Not at all. Even if this is the first time we have played each other since we have been together in Madrid this is not a personal duel.

"It is France versus England and will be a good game of course we might have a chat after the match.

Reflecting on past encounters with Beckham, Zidane said: "Especially when I played for Juventus I used to play against him when he was at Manchester. And then we played him again when I was at Real Madrid and he was in his last season in Manchester.

"I also remember when we beat England at Wembley when we were world champions that was a special moment too.

Zidane is not underestimating Beckham and his team-mates even though France have won four of their last five international tournaments and England have not reached a major final since their solitary major trophy, the 1966 World Cup.

"They are all dangerous players and in midfield they are very solid and will try and unsettle us. I love Paul Scholes and all their players and Beckham too who has had a good season at Real Madrid," said the player known to his team-mates as Zizou and to his family as Yazid.

Zidane is hoping new refereeing guidelines will give him some protection from the England midfield.

He said: "I think it will be the role of the referee to protect the players to the maximum so they can do their job as usual."

Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira has tipped England to win the World Cup in 2006. The Arsenal and France midfielder yesterday he had a stinging rebuke for any English doubters.

"You people forget how good you are," said Vieira. "England had a really good World Cup and played really well. They lost only against Brazil who won the tournament.

"They have an exceptional squad. There is a very big expectation in England," he said.

When asked directly whether England could win the next World Cup, Vieira replied: "Of course, why not?