Zidane and two other Juventus midfielders behind Koopmeiners inspiration | OneFootball

Teun Koopmeiners has cited three former Juventus midfielders as his biggest sporting inspirations, including former Real Madrid coach and Ballon d’Or winner Zinedine Zidane.

Koopmeiners sat down for his first Juve press conference on Tuesday as part of his official presentation, following his €60m move from Atalanta at the end of the summer transfer window.

Koopmeiners lists Juventus inspirations

The Dutchman said that Zindane, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio were the biggest inspirations when he was growing up as a young midfielder.

He feels he will have a ‘special connection’ with Marchisio, after deciding to wear the no.8 shirt during his first season in Turin.

“My idols? I would say Zinedine Zidane, who was an inspiration to many,” Koopmeiners told the press on Tuesday.

“Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio also stand out for me, especially since we share a special connection with the number 8.”