How Zinedine Zidane’s Headbutt Unraveled the 2006 World Cup Final

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Zinedine Zidane put a new meaning on header in the last game of his international career.

In 2006, the French soccer player—affectionally referred to as “Zizou” and widely considered one of the best to ever step foot onto a pitch—had a second FIFA World Cup win within his when a split-second changed everything.

The midfielder was in the 109th minute of the Berlin-set final against Italy, having given his team an edge early on, when he and opposing defender Marco Materazzi exchanged what appeared to be light-hearted words. Without warning, however, Zidane spun on his heel and delivered a headbutt to Materazzi’s chest that sent the taller man sprawling.

Though the interaction initially seemed lost to the chaos of the pitch (the ball had continued up-field), official Luis Medina Cantalejo confirmed to head referee Horacio Elizondo that he’d seen the headbutt occur with his own eyes.

Left with no other choice, Elizondo issue a red card and Zidane—who had confirmed he’d be retiring from the sport at the end of the year—was ejected from the game.

The then 34-year-old was forced to watch from the sidelines as the match proceeded to penalty kicks, overtime having ended with both teams tied at one goal apiece—points that had been scored, poetically, by Zidane and Materazzi themselves.

Italy ultimately won the match, landing five penalty kicks to Italy’s three. And yes, one of those critical goals was nailed by Materazzi.

PASCAL PAVANI / AFP via Getty Images

But while it felt like nothing could be more dramatic than watching Zidane’s international career go up in such unexpected flames, the fallout from the headbutt was only beginning: Tensions and furies were flamed in the weeks after when The Daily Mail alleged Materazzi had hurled “vile racist abuse” at the Real Madrid player about his mother.

The Italian athlete sued the outlet—as well as the Daily Star and The Sun, who also reported the quotes—for libel, claiming he made no such comment to Zidane.

In fact, Materazzi, whose own mom died when he was 15, said he’d never say anything offensive or harmful about someone’s mother.

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Ultimately, all three outlets admitted they were wrong and apologized for their articles, with The Daily Mail also forced to award undisclosed damages to the soccer player.

As for what Materazzi, then 32, did say on the pitch, one of Zidane’s family members was involved.

According to the Italian, as he and Zidane walked out of the penalty area—where Materazzi had just grabbed Zidane’s chest while defending the goal area—the Frenchman teased, “If you want my shirt, you can have it after the game.”

In response, Materazzi quipped that he’d “rather have his sister.”

JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP via Getty Images

For Zidane, whose sister Lila Zidane was taking care of their ailing mother at the time, the comment struck a sensitive chord.

“He never talked to me about my mother,” Zidane told L’Equipe in 2022. “But he did insult my sister who was with my mom at the time. Everybody says things to each other on the pitch. Sometimes bad things. But you don’t do anything. That day, what happened happened. He triggered something talking about my sister.”

As he put it, “It was only a second. Then it was over.”

KARIM JAAFAR/AL-WATAN DOHA/AFP via Getty Images

Eventually, Materazzi and Zidane—whose altercation was enshrined in bronze by artist Adel Abdessemed—buried the hatchet after bumping into each other in a Milan parking lot in 2010.

As for what was shared between them, Materazzi told The Athletic, “What was said stays between us.”

They did, however, close the conversation with the oldest show of sportsmanship between athletes: a handshake.

As for the men representing the U.S. at this year's World Cup, read on.

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