Marco Materazzi, the former defender of the Italian national team, revealed that Zinedine Zidane has no desire to reconcile with him, even after 20 years have passed since the controversial incident of the 2006 World Cup final. He also talked about the possible consequences of Zidane’s head injury, referring to the death of Jesus de Miguel.
On the eve of the meeting between Italy and France in the UEFA Nations League, Materazzi discussed the controversial story of the 2006 World Cup final and his relationship with Zidane in an interview with Gazzetta newspaper. In that match, Zidane head-butted the Italian defender in the chest after a clash with Materazzi in extra time and was sent off with a straight red card.
“Now it’s being talked about again, because Italy and France are facing each other, but given the way Zidane has gone as a coach, I think he’s over it,” Materazzi said.
When the reporter pointed out that re-watching that scene would probably be more painful for Zidane than for Materazzi, the former Italy defender responded differently: “No, not really. The death of Jesus de Miguel made me thank God that nothing happened to me. In the case of that goalkeeper, because of a tackle on the football field, it is manslaughter. What if this had happened to me?”
Although two decades have passed since that incident, Materazzi and Zidane have not resolved their differences yet. In this regard, Matrazzi revealed an opportunity for reconciliation in 2010; A meeting that happened at the Melia Hotel in Milan on the night before the match between Milan and Real Madrid.
“There was an opportunity for reconciliation and everyone knows about it,” he said. After saying goodbye to Mourinho, I left the hotel. He was parking his car in the back of the hotel. When he saw me, he hesitated for a moment and even turned to go back inside the hotel, but I went towards him. I shook his hand and said: I am glad that we met here; Where no one can see us. He replied: Don’t worry, things happen and some things belong to the past. “It’s a pity that he later retracted his words and claimed that he thought I was one of the fans.”
Materazzi emphasized that he was never against reconciliation: “I never had a problem with reconciliation.” It was probably too difficult for Zidane to come back from the position he had taken. Of course, this was not the first time I provoked someone, but it was also not the first time he attacked someone with a headbutt. However, this issue has always received less attention than it should have.”
Despite the old differences, Materazzi has a positive assessment of Zidane’s coaching abilities and considers him the right coach to manage big football stars.
The former defender of Italy praised Zidane: “I like everything about him. He has been in big dressing rooms, knows the players, understands the conditions of big stars and gives them freedom to act. He establishes a sincere relationship with the players, which is essential for victory. Zidane has won many honors. When you have Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Luka Modric, if you’re smart, you know you just have to use your experience. Don’t think you need to teach Cristiano how to take free kicks; As Benitez used to do.
Also read: Zidane’s interesting claim: Italy was better in Paris, but won in Milan!
