Zinedine Zidane will get provide from Marco Materazzi 20 years after World Cup headbutt
Marco Materazzi is prepared to break his silence with Zinedine Zidane, nearly two decades after the infamous World Cup final headbutt incident.
In one of football’s most unforgettable moments, Zidane reacted violently to a taunt from Materazzi during extra time in the 2006 World Cup final, with Italy and France tied at 1-1. The resulting headbutt led to the dismissal of the Real Madrid and Juventus legend. With their star player off the pitch, France faltered in the penalty shootout.
David Trezeguet’s missed penalty confirmed Zidane’s fate in his final career match, while handing Materazzi a winner’s medal. As expected, the pair have not maintained a close relationship. Despite Zidane’s apology, Materazzi has largely avoided him but this could be about to change, reports the Mirror.
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“I haven’t spoken to Zinedine Zidane since that day, I had never spoken to him before and have not spoken to him after. We don’t have a relationship,” Materazzi confessed in an interview with Lucky Block.
“He is a legend of the game, and I have a lot of respect for him as a player and a manager, winning three Champions League’s in a row. I’m no longer looking for an apology but would happily have a conversation with him now that so many years have passed. There would be no problem.”
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Ex-Inter Milan star Materazzi had previously revealed what triggered his notorious clash with Zinedine Zidane, explaining that a jibe at Zidane’s sister, Lila, was the spark.
“You know the NBA? Trash talking my trash talking nothing, very minimal, nothing,” Materazzi explained to Italian Football TV in 2023. “He offered me his jersey, I say, ‘no, I prefer your sister’.”
Zidane himself had corroborated that this was indeed what set him off, remarking: “He provoked me by talking about my sister Lila.”
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“I’m not proud of it, but it’s part of my career,” Zidane admitted. “At that time, I was more fragile. He didn’t insult my mother, but he did insult my sister.”
The French icon later expressed regret for the incident which was viewed by billions: “It was seen by two or three billion people on television, and millions and millions of children were watching.”
“It was an inexcusable gesture, and to them and the people in education whose job it is to show children what they should and shouldn’t do, I want to apologise.”
