JAKARTA, July 6 - French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane kicked a ball around with the Indonesian president on the lawns of the presidential palace in Jakarta on Friday cheered on by hundreds of enthusiastic officials and other fans.

Zidane, in Indonesia to hold coaching clinics for children and to open a factory operated by French food giant Danone, presented a French national team jersey with his trademark number 10 to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"I am very pleased to have your visit today. You are a great man, Mr. Zidane," Yudhoyono said to Zidane, who was dressed in a traditional Indonesian batik shirt and jeans.

"You are very famous here in Indonesia," Yudhoyono said on the pillared porch of the grand white 18th century building.

Zidane, three-time FIFA World Player of the year, is hugely popular in Indonesia.

His visit coincided with the start of the Asian Cup, which is being co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia Thailand and Vietnam.

A team of young Indonesian players were invited to show off their footballing skills.

"I'd also like to thank this young team and I'd like to wish them the best of future," Zidane said.