Thai fans flock to see Zidane's return

CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Feb 24 (Reuters) Thousands of fans today braved the scorching Thai heat to witness retired French footballer Zinedine Zidane's first match since last year's World Cup final.

Frenzied supporters poured into Chiang Mai's Municipal Stadium to see the three-time FIFA World Footballer of the Year take to the field to play a light-hearted charity match with Thai pop stars and national team players.

Four hours before kick-off, soccer-mad Thais lined the streets outside the stadium to catch a glimpse of the former Juventus and Real Madrid midfielder, while thousands more fanned themselves with newspapers and huddled under umbrellas to shelter from the unforgiving mid-afternoon sun.

Ticketless fans climbed trees and stood on walls to photograph the 34-year-old, some shouting ''we love Zidane'' as he walked around the stadium, flanked by security guards and under the watchful gaze of scores of police and soldiers.

The former World Cup winner, who ended his soccer career with a red card after head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in July's World Cup final, looked to have lost none of his trademark moves and opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime with a neat chip over the advancing keeper.

''Life after retirement is wonderful. It's allowed me to do all kinds of other things,'' he told a news conference.

He repeatedly declined to answer questions about a possible return to club soccer or the prospect of him joining former Real Madrid team mate David Beckham in the United States.

REUTERS AY PM1742