Marco Materazzi makes Zinedine Zidane offer after 18 years of silence since World Cup headbutt

It has been astir 2 decades since Zinedine Zidane’s World Cup last headbutting of Marco Materazzi, and the erstwhile Italy defender is present acceptable to speech with the France icon

Marco Materazzi is acceptable to speech to Zinedine Zidane astir 20 years aft the Frenchman infamously headbutted him successful the World Cup final.

In what remains 1 of the most memorable World Cup, if not footballing, moments of each time, Zidane took offence to one of Materazzi’s taunts successful the 20th infinitesimal of added time, with Italy and France level astatine 1 extremity apiece.

A forceful and violent headbutt followed, and the Real Madrid and Juventus icon was sent off. With their talisman gone, Les Bleus crumbled successful the punishment shootout. David Trezeguet’s miss sealed Zidane’s destiny successful what would beryllium the last lucifer of his career, and talented Materazzi with a winner’s medal.

As would beryllium expected, the 2 don’t stock the warmest of relationships. And contempt Zidane offering his apologies, Materazzi has had small to bash with him – though this mightiness present change.

"I haven’t spoken to Zinedine Zidane since that day, I had ne'er spoken to him earlier and person not spoken to him after. We don’t person a relationship," Materazzi admitted, speaking to Lucky Block.

"He is simply a fable of the game, and I person a batch of respect for him arsenic a subordinate and a manager, winning 3 Champions League's successful a row. I’m nary longer looking for an apology but would happily person a speech with him present that truthful galore years person passed. There would beryllium nary problem."

Ex-Inter Milan ace Materazzi opened up past twelvemonth astir what precisely caused the infamous altercation, mentioning that the bringing up of Zidane’s sister, Lila, was the catalyst.

"You cognize the NBA? Trash talking – my trash talking nothing, precise minimal, nothing," Materazzi told Italian Football TV successful 2023. "He offered maine his jersey, I say, 'no, I similar your sister'."

Zidane has antecedently backed up that this was the superior root of his anger, stating: "He provoked maine by talking astir my sister Lila.

"I'm not arrogant of it, but it's portion of my career," helium added. "At that time, I was much fragile. He didn't insult my mother, but helium did insult my sister."

The Frenchman went connected to connection his apologies, that now, though helium has denied the request for one, whitethorn beryllium received by Materazzi: "It was seen by 2 oregon 3 cardinal radical connected television, and millions and millions of children were watching.

"It was an inexcusable gesture, and to them and the radical successful acquisition whose occupation it is to amusement children what they should and shouldn't do, I privation to apologise."

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