From left: Deputy Mayor Nerio Zaccaria, City Councillor Barbara Hölzl, Ulrich Egger, Zinedine Zidane, Mayor Katharina Zeller, City Councillor Daniele Di Lucrezia, City Councillor Antonella Costanzo and City Councillor Stefan Frötscher.

Honor in Merano: Superstar Zidane at the Kurhaus

For years, football star Zinedine Zidane, now the coach of France, has vacationed in Merano. Now he has received a very special honor from the spa town.

10 October 2026

From: cst

The Pavillon des Fleurs at the Merano Kurhaus was packed on Saturday morning. Numerous local footballers, former professionals, and children had arrived to witness the tribute to Zinedine Zidane. The reason: The former world-class footballer, who played for Juventus and Real Madrid, among others, has been vacationing in the spa town for 30 years. Zidane first visited Merano in 1996.

The Merano political scene was (almost) entirely present. Mayor Katharina Zeller gave the welcoming address, followed by Deputy Mayor Nerio Zaccaria and City Councillor for Sport Barbara Hölzl. Bolzano sports journalist Stefano Bizzotto interviewed Zidane, who was presented with a work of art by Merano artist Ulrich Egger as a token of appreciation.

Zinedine Zidane signs an Obermais jersey that the club had presented to Vice Mayor Nerio Zaccharia (left).

“With this award, we wanted to express our gratitude to Zinedine Zidane, who has remained loyal to Merano for over three decades and has always shown great appreciation for our city. His connection to Merano fills us with pride,” said Zaccaria in the press release from the municipality.

Afterwards, Zidane took the opportunity – especially for the children present – ​​to sign jerseys and fulfill autograph requests.