"Trezegol"

French forward David Trezeguet (face to camera) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the 'Golden Goal' in extra time of the Euro-2000 soccer championhips final against Italy in Rotterdam, 02 July, 2000. France beat Italy 2-1. EPA PHOTO/TOUSSAINT KLUITERS (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

Juventus' French forward David Trezeguet scores his second goal during the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen in Turin, on Thursday 29 November 2001. Juventus won 4-0, with two goals of Trezeguet. AFP PHOTO EPA/ANSA/LUCA ZENNARO

David Trezeguet became an overnight star when his golden goal strike against Italy in the Euro 2000 final made France champions of Europe.

It was just reward for the Juventus marksman, who was deeply disappointed at missing the 1998 World Cup final having played all of France's previous matches in their world conquering campaign.

His destiny could have been dramatically different, however, if he had instead offered his considerable talents to Argentine football, the country in which he grew up idolising the great Gabriel Batistuta.

Born in the northern French city of Rouen, where his father played football until 1979, Trezeguet left for Argentina when still a child and grew up in the suburbs of Buenos Aires.

A spell with modest Argentine club Platense helped Trezeguet get a trial in 1995 with Paris St Germain on his return to France.

Predatory

French forward David Trezeguet (L) scores past Japanese goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki (R) as Japanese defender and captain Naoki Matsuda (C) looks on 24 March 2001 at Paris Stade de France in Saint-Denis during the friendly soccer game between France and Japan. AFP PHOTO JACQUES DEMARTHON

Monaco's forward David Trezeguet (R) heas the ball in front of Marseille's defender Laurent Blanc 24 november 1998 in Monaco during the UEFA Cup fourth round first leg soccer match between the two teams.

Although he impressed coach Luis Fernandez, Monaco signed him from under their noses, taking him to the Principality at the age of 17.

At Monaco he linked up with future international strike partner Thierry Henry and during Trezeguet's time with the club, they won French titles in 1997 and 2000.

He made his international debut against Spain in the January before the 1998 World Cup and was included in the squad that went on to triumph in Paris, scoring one goal in six matches.

Euro 2000 was a happier hunting ground. Kept out of the side by in-form Henry and Nicolas Anelka, his moment of glory nevertheless came in the final against Italy when he hooked home the winning goal to give France the most dramatic of victories.

It was then that Italian giants Juventus came knocking and a move to the Serie A was his next step.

David Trezeguet of France (L) challenges Uruguayan goalkeeper Fabian Carini for the ball, 06 June 2002 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, during first round Group A action between France and Uruguay in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. AFP PHOTO/GREG WOOD

Trezeguet was the top scorer in Serie A in 2002 when they won the Italian title but could not reproduce his stunning form at the World Cup in Asia where France were ejected in the first round.

He continues to bang in the goals for Juventus and helped the team to another championship in 2003 although they did suffer the disappoinment of losing the Champions League final on penalties to AC Milan.

Trezeguet is now an even more accomplished and complete player since his famous golden goal against Italy and opposing goalkeepers will be on full alert as Euro 2004 provides another stage to show off his talents.