Former Inter and Italy defender had a wonderful profession, together with a Champions League winners medal and a World Cup winners medal, however will ceaselessly be remembered for the incident within the ultimate. Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt of the Italian defender in his ultimate ever sport, leading to his sending off, is among the defining photos of the sport.
Materazzi says he is filled with respect for , and stated that he had no points with the France and Actual Madrid legend.
“I’ve not spoken to Zinedine since that day. I didn’t do it earlier than and I’ve not executed it since. We by no means had contact. He’s a soccer legend and I’ve all the time revered him as a participant. As well as, as a coach, he additionally gained three Champions Leagues in a row with Actual Madrid.”
“I’m not on the lookout for his excuses right now, however I’d be completely satisfied to have a dialog with him. Although so a few years have handed, there wouldn’t be any drawback,” he stated whereas talking to Fortunate Block, as quoted by .
He confirmed the story that unfold by the world in hours, earlier than widespread web use.
“That episode ought to by no means have occurred. Within the pressure of that ultimate in Berlin, between scuffles and insults, Zidane provided me his shirt and I instructed him no, and that I’d have most popular his sister. Then he circled and reacted as everybody remembers. I by no means noticed Zinedine once more.”
This 12 months Toni Kroos was praised for going out on the high of his sport, lifting a Champions League and La Liga double, however couldn’t full the triple of main honours with Euro 2024. Zidane was penalties away from doing so, and his sending off would doubtless have been an anecdote have been it not for the consequence.