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Zidane on his 2006 headbutt: "I'm not proud, but no regrets"

On the eve of France-Italy in the Nations League, Zinedine Zidane reflected on the headbutt he inflicted on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final: the France manager owns the episode without disowning it, but without being proud of it.

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Zidane on his 2006 headbutt: "I'm not proud, but no regrets"
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Zinedine Zidane broke his silence on one of the most discussed moments in football history, on the eve of hosting Italy at Stade de France in the Nations League. Questioned Friday at a press conference, the France manager addressed the headbutt on Marco Materazzi that had ended his playing career with a red card in the 2006 World Cup final.

“I’m not proud of what happened,” Zidane acknowledged, before adding nuance: “No regrets, it’s part of my career. We all do things that aren’t great. The most important thing is what comes next, what will happen tomorrow with the France team.” A statement that sums up the coach’s mindset: owning it without dwelling on it.

Faced with images that “play on loop everywhere,” the Marseille native said he prefers to focus on positive memories. “Fortunately I didn’t only do that and fortunately there are other, nicer images,” he said with a smile.

This match against the Nazionale holds particular significance for Zidane, whose tenure as France manager began with two away victories in the Nations League, against Turkey (0-1) and Belgium (0-1). Facing Italy at Stade de France, nineteen years after Berlin, represents a first symbolic test for the new France manager.

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