Zinedine Zidane is bristling. The fighter from the back streets of Marseille is ready to emerge once again.

It is two years since he bestrode the world, voted the greatest player on the planet having inspired France to their World Cup glory.

Two years in which France, under new coach Roger Lemerre, have disappointed, a shadow of the World Cup winners. Two years in which his form for his club side Juventus has slipped below the standards he set.

And as Juve threw away the Italian title to Lazio this year, acerbic observers began to think the unthinkable: that the man they dubbed Zizou was a fading force at 27.

'I have had a lot of criticism,' said Zidane. 'It gets to me. At such moments I think: "Here we go again". I have had plenty of stick, but I'd like to point out to all my critics that I can still become European champion with France.

'It is nonsense to say that I was too satisfied after winning the World Cup. It had nothing to do with satisfaction and being less hungry.

'It was more the attention everyone was asking for. Everywhere I turn up, people want something from me. I don't like that, because I don't want to be the centre of attention. I also got injured, which did not help.

'But the major factor that influenced my life was being voted World Player of the Year. I did not ask for that award and if you ask me if I agreed with it, I would say No.

'I have never considered myself as the best player in the world. There is only one great player at this moment and that is Ronaldo.

'I visited him in in Paris after his knee operation earlier this year and I told him that I only won the World Player of the Year award because he had been injured in the World Cup final. I was able to stand out, because Ronaldo was not fit. So that's why I am not a satisfied or fulfilled player. I am still hungry to win things.'

The origin of such belligerence in the face of adversity is easy to identify. Zidane, the son of an Algerian immigrant, was raised in Castellane, one of the roughest areas of Marseille, and the combative instinct remains.

'I can take a lot, but when I have had enough I really show it,' he says. 'I have taken that with me from the streets of Castellane. We had our own rules on the street. With all the lads we would never attack anyone or other groups. But if we were threatened or attacked by others, we would really fight back.

'I took that attitude with me on the pitch when I became a professional player. I know it cannot work like that in football, I know it's not the right attitude, but I can't help it.

'I have had quite a few red cards in my career. I got sent off in my time at Cannes, at Bordeaux, at Juventus and in the World Cup against Saudi Arabia, when I stamped on an opponent.'

Four months after the World Cup he received another red card, when he stamped on an Inter Milan player.

France launch their Euro 2000 campaign today against Denmark in Bruges and Zidane is intent on making sporting history. Guiding France to the European title is the only way he knows to silence the suggestion that Zizou is a smug has-been.

'This time all eyes are on France, the pressure is much bigger. I feel the pressure every day now. People have huge expectations. It will be more difficult to win the European Championship than the World Cup in 1998.

'But there is a great belief in our team. We know we will make history if we become the first world champions to win the European crown as well. If we do, maybe some of my critics will accept I have played a part.'