Vikash Dhorasoo, the French midfielder who spent most of his career living under Zidane's shadow admitted it was not a pleasant experience.
The 20-yard pass he sent from deep in his own half during a charity match here provided a glimpse of the magic of Vikash Dhorasoo, the cerebral French midfielder, who spent most of his career living under Zinedine Zidane's shadow and admitted it was not a pleasant experience.
"Zidane's return to the national team was not a good thing for me," said 35-year-old Dhorasoo, a celebrated footballer, film maker, actor and champion of social rights in a country where discrimination is rampant.
His dislike for Zidane stretches beyond the football field.
Talking about the ills that afflict the game and society -- racial discrimination, poverty among others -- Dhorasoo maintained that the charity work that Zidane did was only for business.
"Zidane did his bit for charity but it was more of a business for him," said the former AC Milan and Olympique Lyon player who was here to spot talents for DSC Soccer Balak Ki Khoj an initiative of Consortium for Street Children.
Talking about discrimination, Dhorasoo said he faced a lot during his initial days because of his immigrant background.
"I was stopped by police, customs officials during my initial days. But once I became famous, things became easier. But I feel bad for those from Asian and African countries who are not so lucky as me.
"I don't go to stadiums these days, there's too much violence. People like us have to fight against all forms of discrimination, every day."
He has repeatedly spoken out against racism and also championed the cause of homosexuals when he became the voice of Paris Foot Gay, a local club in France exclusively for gay players.
Throughout his life he has sought to do things differently.
Thus, when he was left to warm the bench during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Dhorasoo decided to shoot a film on the
travails of a professional footballer.
Substitute won rave reviews and toured the film festival circuit but earned the wrath of France coach Raymond Domenech.
"For two years, he trained me to climb a mountain. And the day I could climb it, he took the neighbour's son. This is a betrayal," Dhorasoo had commented once, showing the angst he felt after Domenech left him to wilt on the bench.
He didn't try to hide his resentment against Zidane, whom he had to substitute more than once.
"I played along side him and a whole lot when he was not there. But suddenly I don't know what happened and I was out of the team. It was a difficult period for me," said the midfielder, wearing a blue coloured T-shirt and shorts, who picked his one-time AC Milan colleague Clarence Seedorf as his all-time best and Lionel Messi among the current crop.
With managers today putting lot of emphasise on speed, fitness and precision, skill seems to have been forced to take a backseat. Dhorasoo, though, doesn't agree.
"I would pay to watch a Messi or a Xavi any day," said the 35-year-old who retired from international football in January 2008.
Since hanging up his boots, Dhorasoo is busy working with the Paris Mayor Council, uplifting conditions of the immigrant
society besides working with street children.
However, he doesn't get much support from his former teammates but Dhorasoo is undeterred.
"I want to be free, I want to do things independently," he sounded off.
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