A Name to Remember: Samir Nasri

Now that Zizou has hit the retirement circuit the media’s search for the “Next Zinedine Zidane” has begun in earnest. The current recipient of this label is Samir Nasri, a 19-year-old midfielder for Olympique Marseille. Those in the know about football in France have been raving about the kid for some time. This week he will earn what could be the first of many caps for Les Bleus when they face Lithuania in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

The comparisons to Zidane are obvious. He is a playmaker in the truest sense, possessing an on-the-ball knowledge that belies his age. He was born in Algeria, just like Zizou. He also was raised in Marseille. Just about the only one who doesn’t see the comparison is Nasri himself:

“This comparison with Zidane is annoying,” Nasri said. “It puts a lot of pressure on a young player. When Zidane arrived at Juventus, everybody was drawing comparisons with Michel Platini. Things got better when he understood it was useless to compare yourself with other players. Zidane is unique, so was Platini.”

Since joining Marseille in 2004, Nasri has made 58 appearances and has scored 17 times. How long he will remain with Marseille remains to be seen. His play has attracted the attention of clubs like Arsenal and Inter Milan and there are some who are speculating that he and teammate Franck Ribery could be moving as a package deal after this season. Here is the kid in action.

Some Related Stories:

Category: French Ligue 1, World Football