Former defender of Inter and Italy Marco Materazzi he had a fine career, including a Champions League winners medal and a World Cup winners medal, but will always be remembered for the incident in the final. Zinedine Zidane's head of the Italian defender in his last game ever, resulting in his dismissal, is one of the defining images of the game.
Materazzi says he is full of respect Zidaneand he said that he had no problems with the legend of France and Real Madrid.
“I haven't spoken to Zinedine since that day. I didn't before and I haven't since. We never had contact. He is a football legend and I always respect him as a player. Also, as a coach, he also won three Champions Leagues in a row with Real Madrid.”
“I'm not looking for his apologies today, but I would be happy to have a conversation with him. Even if so many years have passed, there would be no problem,” he said while speaking to Lucky Block, as quoted by Relief.
He confirmed the story that spread around the world in hours, before the widespread use of the internet.
“This episode would never have happened. In the tension of that final in Berlin, between clashes and insults, Zidane offered me his shirt and I told him no, and that I would have preferred his sister. Then he turned and he reacted as everyone remembers. I have never seen Zinedine.
This year Toni Kroos was praised for coming out at the top of his game, lifting a Champions League and League double, but he could not complete the triple major honors with Euro 2024. Zidane was penalty away from doing so, and his mandate. It would probably have been an anecdote without the result.
