March 4, 2010 -- Football legend Zinedine Zidane on Tuesday received a merit medal from the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA), El Moudjahid reported on Wednesday (March 3rd). "The distinction is justified by Zizou's brilliant sports career, marked by ethical and moral conduct, the core values of Olympism and his pride in his origins," Olympic Committee President Rachid Hanifi said at the award ceremony in Algiers. Zidane, who participated Monday in a gala futsal tournament celebrating Algeria's qualification for the 2010 World Cup, is visiting his ancestral homeland all week.