Marco Materazzi offers to make peace with Zinedine Zidane – ‘I never saw Zidane again’

Former Inter and Italy defender Marco Materazzi had a fine career, including a Champions League winner's medal and a World Cup winner's medal, but will forever be remembered for the incident in the final. Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on the Italian defender in his last ever game, resulting in his sending off, is one of the defining images of the match.

Materazzi says he has a lot of respect for Zidane and said he had no problems with the France and Real Madrid legend.

“I haven't spoken to Zinedine since that day. I haven't done it before and haven't done it since. We have never had contact. He is a football legend and I have always respected him as a player. In addition, as a coach he also won three Champions Leagues in a row with Real Madrid.”

“I'm not looking for his excuses today, but I would like to have a conversation with him. Even if so many years have passed, there wouldn't be any problem,” he said while speaking to Lucky Block, as quoted by Relevo.

He confirmed the story that spread around the world within hours, before widespread Internet use.

“That episode should never have happened. In the tension of that final in Berlin, between scuffles and insults, Zidane offered me his shirt and I said no, and that I would have preferred his sister. Then he turned around and responded as everyone remembers. I never saw Zinedine again.'

This year, Toni Kroos was praised for excelling at the top of his game and notching a Champions League and La Liga double, but he couldn't complete the triple of major honors at Euro 2024. Zidane was sent off on penalties and his exclusion would probably have been an anecdote if not for the result.