What's New in Chamonix?

Zidane with ELA president Guy Alba, leucodystrophy sufferer Azylis and her Mum

French footballing legend Zinedine Zidane was in Chamonix this weekend to climb Mont Blanc in aid of ELA - the European Association for Leucodystrophy. Zidane has been patron for the past nine years for the charity that aims to offer support to sufferers of leucodystrophy - a genetically determined progressive disorder that affects the brain.

Zidane's journey started in Paris, where he was filmed shooting a goal into a net with bars across the front, to represent the struggles leucodystrophy sufferers and their families face. The theme then continued, when early on Saturday morning after hours of hiking, Zidane reached the summit of Mont Blanc at 4810m.

There waiting for him was a goal, again with the bars across the front and a football. The final part of the challenge was for the former Real Madrid star player to shoot a goal at 4810m. He took his time to line up the shot, as the altitude and the wind was affecting the footy star, but like the true cool, calm and collected pro he is, the ball curved in for a goal.

Zidane, who was accompanied by St Gervais guide Mikael Dubois-Bedin and opposite number Kim Bodin, commented after his ascension : "I struggled to get up to the summit of Mont Blanc, but it really is nothing compared to the struggles the victims and families of leucodystrophy face day in, day out."

What with Eric Cantona putting in a great performance in Ken Loach's new film 'Looking for Eric' and now Zidane climbing Mont Blanc to raise awareness of an illness which until now we have to admit we'd never heard of, it seems to be the moment for charismatic French footballers!