As several members of the France squad that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup can testify, the status of world champion is no guarantee of protection against the cruel whims of the football gods.
Zinedine Zidane's 1998-99 season was the worst of his career, a succession of injuries restricting him to 25 league appearances for Juventus and a meagre tally of two Serie A goals. Thierry Henry, his France team-mate, joined him in Turin midway through the campaign and fared little better, floundering in a wide midfield role and finding the net only three times.
Stephane Guivarc'h, France's famously goal-shy striker, joined Newcastle in a £3.