Zinedine Zidane's decision to step down as Real Madrid manager has stunned the football world. The fact that this comes a few days after he guided Real to their third consecutive UEFA Champions League title is tough to understand.

For once, the club's President Florentino Perez did not initiate the managerial exit. Zidane becomes the first manager under Perez's era to step down, and not get sacked. What happened behind the scenes, hardly anyone knows.

But ever since the decision has been announced, tributes have started to come in for the Frenchman. The best ones have been from his own players.

Zidane took over Real midway through the 2015/16 season. In his two and a half years in-charge, the Frenchman won nine trophies, including the three back to back Champions League. 

His departure is definitely a shock for the team and fans. But on thing is for sure, Zizou as manager leaves behind same kind of legacy he left behind as a player.