Zinedine Zidane's infamous head-butt on Italian Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final has been immortalised in a statue now on display in Paris.
Zidane is currently in charge of Real's B team Castilla, and has for some time been linked with the manager's post.
Marco Materazzi shook Zinedine Zidane's hand last month for the first time since the Frenchman's infamous headbutt on him in the 2006 World Cup final, the Italian said on Thursday.
Zidane was accompanied on stage by his wife and four sons, who all look good to follow in the footsteps of their father.
Zinedine Zidane was warmly welcomed by a nation that has long seen the player of Algerian ancestry as an icon.
France midfielder Zinedine Zidane has warned Real Madrid fans not to expect too much too soon from new signing David Beckham.
Zinedine Zidane is the country's most popular figure for 48 percent of French people.
The France captain missed training on Thursday but should be fit to play Brazil in their World Cup quarter-final.
The Real Madrid midfielder dislocated his right shoulder during his side's 3-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen.
The midfielder will captain France in an international friendly against Ivory Coast on August 17.
Real Madrid will seek inspiration from their former midfielder and France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane for Tuesday's Champions League match at Ajax Amsterdam, according to Xabi Alonso.
The 32-year-old is expected to announce his decision officially at 1745 GMT on Thursday.
Zinedine Zidane has said he would like to return to the world of football, not sure in which role.
Zinedine Zidane lamented Real Madrid's home woes as the Spanish and European champions slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat to Real Betis on Wednesday.
The France captain will be out for three weeks because of a groin strain.
Coach Zinedine Zidane learned the lessons of predecessor Rafael Benitez's disastrous tactics in the last encounter and employed defensive midfielder Casemiro in favour of more attack-minded players, opting instead to sit and wait for Barcelona.
France coach Raymond Domenech said he was not angry at Zinedine Zidane for his headbutt in the World Cup final.
The 33-year-old felt France needed to recover the team spirit of previous years if they were to be successful in Germany.
FIFA will open a disciplinary investigation into the circumstances surrounding Zinedine Zidane's head-butt on Italy's Marco Materazzi.
'Fabien made the difference and allowed us to stay 1-0 down and gave us the possibility to keep believing in our chances,' said France's captain.
"Is he (Gerrard) the best in the world? He might not get the attention of (Lionel) Messi and Ronaldo but, yes, I think he just might be," Zidane was quoted as saying by the Guardian.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that plans were afoot for the two players to be reunited.
'I brought up his sister and that wasn't a nice thing, that is true,' said the Italian defender.
The award, which is based on the votes of 142 coaches of national teams, will be made at the World Player Gala in Basle on December 15.
Zidane urged fans not to expect more from Beckham than he has already shown at Manchester United.
Zinedine Zidane is taking the first steps towards possibly managing the French national team in the future by joining coaching programme at the French Football National Institute (INF).
The Frenchman, who won nine trophies in two-and-a-half years, suggested it is events off the pitch, rather than on it, that made him leave.
Zinedine Zidane cast doubt on his long-term future at Real Madrid by saying he is unsure if he will be in charge of the club next season. The former midfielder was named as Rafael Benitez's successor in January when he signed a contract until June 2018. But when asked what role he would have in the Liga club's transfer dealings for next season, Zidane said he did not know if he would still be at the Bernabeu. "I can't know what role I'm going to have if I don't know if I'm going to be here. We'll see what happens at the end of the season," Zidane was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Marca. The 43-year-old was also asked if Madrid would make another attempt to sign David de Gea after their move for the Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper fell through on the last day of the transfer window last August.
The France captain's head-butt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi is the subject of a song that aims to be a holiday hit.
France's World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane rebuked his compatriots on Monday for refusing to train after striker Nicolas Anelka was thrown out of the camp for insulting the coach.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane urged his side to remain calm after their Champions League hopes suffered a setback with a shock 2-0 loss at VfL Wolfsburg in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday.
Real Madrid reminded Olympique Lyon who they were up against in the Champions League by parading their French soccer spy Zinedine Zidane on Monday.
