In the long shadow of Berlin’s Olympiastadion, Zinedine Zidane has revisited the final act of his playing career: the confrontation with Marco Materazzi that ended with his dismissal in the 2006 World Cup final. Two decades on, the former France captain says the incident remains part of his story, but not a moment he can view with pride.
Key takeaways
- Zidane was sent off in extra time of France’s 2006 World Cup final against Italy after headbutting Materazzi.
- Italy went on to win the trophy through a penalty shootout after the match.
- The former midfielder says he does not regret his whole career, although he is not proud of that particular episode.
- He identifies France’s 1998 World Cup triumph over Brazil as his finest memory with the national side.
- Zidane was presented as France head coach on 28 July and says he has 23 players ready to compete.
A defining image, but not the whole career
The collision with Materazzi remains one of football’s most replayed World Cup images. It came during extra time in Zidane’s final match as a professional, removing France’s captain from the contest before Italy prevailed on penalties.
Reflecting on the moment, Zidane said it was not a matter of looking back with regrets, but accepted that he could not be proud of what happened. The images continue to circulate regularly, ensuring the Berlin incident still follows him 20 years later.
Yet Zidane stressed that one flashpoint cannot summarise his years in football. Alongside the disappointment of 2006, he retains a wealth of happier memories from a career that helped carry France onto the world stage.
Above all, he pointed to the 1998 World Cup, when France defeated Brazil in the final. For Zidane, that home-soil victory was the fulfilment of a dream and remains his greatest experience in the blue shirt.
From French icon to national-team coach
Zidane’s relationship with France has now moved into a different chapter following his presentation as national-team manager on 28 July. He returns to the setup where he became a global figure as a player, this time with responsibility for shaping its next competitive cycle from the touchline.
His appointment follows a distinguished spell at Real Madrid. Zidane led the Spanish club to three successive Champions League crowns from 2016 to 2018, while his time in Madrid also included LaLiga, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup successes. Earlier, as part of the club’s coaching staff, he also won the Copa del Rey.
At France, Zidane has rejected the idea of rigidly separating a first-choice group from substitutes. He says his squad contains 23 footballers capable of competing, with his task being to draw the best from the qualities available across the group.
