Materazzi was attacked by Zidane during the 2006 World Cup final in Germany and the event led to the dismissal of the Frenchman
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Italy and Inter Milan defender, Marco Materazzi, has finally spoken about why ex-France midfielder, Zinedine Zidane attacked him in 2006.
Materazzi received a headbutt from Zidane during the 2006 World Cup final held in Germany, but the circumstances surrounding the incident had remained a subject of speculation since then.
The former Real Madrid coach, who was France’s captain at the time, was given a red card by the referee after the incident and Italy went on to win the finals on penalties after extra time.
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It was Zidane’s final international game as a player, as he retired immediately after the 2006 World Cup
However, after years of guesses by football fans and pundits, Materazzi has now opened up on the incident revealing precisely what he said to Zidane.
According to the 49-year-old Italian, he got the Real Madrid legend angry after he offered him his shirt and instead of accepting the gesture, he replied by saying something hurtful about his family.
Materazi told IFTV Podcast: “Trash talking, my trash talking was nothing. He [Zidane] offered me his jersey, and I said no, I prefer his sister.”