Zidane knocked Materazzi down with a powerful head-butt to the Italian defender’s chest and this has become one of the most unforgettable moments in football history. However, no one but these two characters understood what happened until later, the secret was revealed by insiders.

Remember in that final, while the legendary France midfielder scored in the first half of the match from the penalty spot, Materazzi scored with a header to equalize for Italy.

The French eventually lost in the penalty shootout when David Trezeguet’s shot hit the post. Materazzi has now shared details of his conversation with Zidane before the midfielder used his head to attack him.

The moment Zidane headbutts Materazzi in the chest during the 2006 World Cup final. Photo: GETTY.

Materazzi recalled and told Get French Football News: “You know the NBA basketball tournament? Usually at basketball games there are always fierce arguments. I didn’t say anything bad about Zizou. He suggested gave me my shirt after the game was over but I was angry at the time so I said, “No, I like your sister again”.

Zinedine Zidane ended the 2006 World Cup final with a defeat, although he won the trophy in 1998. That time, the midfielder scored twice in the final for France as Les Bleus beat Brazil. with a score of 3-0.

Being sent off in the World Cup final is a nightmare for any footballer. With the match ending Zinedine Zidane’s career, this is certainly a difficult thing to accept for this legend.

The French conductor was kicked off the field for his ugly play, Photo: GETTY.

Defender Mikael Silvestre once described what Zidane did after being sent off. The former Manchester United star said on talkSPORT in 2021: “He was in the dressing room before we went to the bathroom. Then Zidane suddenly apologized to us and cried a lot. Zidane sorry for causing this bad image.

Actually, I don’t know why he apologized to us. Only when I watched it in the media did I realize that Zidane’s header made me think he felt guilty because he was sent off as the cause of France’s defeat.”

1998 World Champion with two goals against Brazil. Photo: GETTY.

Silvestre also added: “But what can you say? You can’t say anything to Zidane at that moment! He’s very introverted. But before that incident, Zidane received 10 red cards in his career. . Sometimes geniuses lose control. We are sad because we lose but no one blames him. Zidane said he was offended by Materazzi.”

Regardless of his actions in the 2006 World Cup final, Zinedine Zidane will forever remain one of the greatest players in the history of this king of sport.