ZINEDINE ZIDANE, the world-famous French footballer, is to be the subject of a documentary film by Douglas Gordon, the Scottish contemporary artist.

Gordon, a Glasgow-born Turner prize winner, has signed a deal with Zidane’s club, Real Madrid, to create a “film portrait” exploring the cult of celebrity in football.

The documentary, which is being shot at matches throughout Europe, is to be directed by Gordon in collaboration with the French artist Philippe Parreno, who has travelled extensively with Zidane.

The film about the 32-year-old former international — who was a member of the 1998 World Cup-winning squad and scored one of his most memorable goals in the 2002 Champion’s League final at Hampden — is likely to be released in cinemas next year.

“He has always been very interested in football and he wanted to make a portrait of a footballer in real time,” said Lisa Rosendahl of the London’s Lisson Gallery, which represents Gordon. “They have filmed one game in Madrid during which the camera followed him constantly to get as much footage as possible. They have also been travelling around Europe with the team.

“My understanding is it is a very big production film, with serious investors and a high-profile producer.”

Gordon, 38, was awarded the Turner prize in 1996 for his video art, which included an installation of Alfred Hitchcock’s film Psycho slowed down to run for 24 hours. One of his works, List of Names, valued at £100,000, is on display at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

He first had the idea for the film several years ago, but the project was delayed by problems with negotiating rights to player and team images.

Zidane, who was brought up in Marseilles by Algerian parents, was talent-spotted in Cannes, signed for Bordeaux and took France to the semi finals of Euro 96.

In 2001, he signed to Real Madrid for a world record £35m fee, where he now plays with fellow internationals David Beckham and Ronaldo.

Richard McBrearty, the curator of the Scottish Football Museum, said Zidane’s poise and grace made him a natural subject for a film directed by an artist. “I don’t believe there is anyone else on the planet who could have controlled that high looping cross the way he did when he scored that winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden,” he said. “It was the shot of a genius — and it was beautiful to watch. He has such poise, he is almost like a ballerina.”

A spokeswoman from Real Madrid FC said the club was proud to be involved in the project. “We were attracted by Douglas and Philippe’s enthusiasm and by the idea of presenting football from a different angle,” she said. “We want to be pioneers in exploring and collaborating with these initiatives as we perfectly understand the beauty of football and are convinced there is art in this game, especially if a player like Zidane is the focus.”

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