It’s not about the cheap attention he will receive for the next year or so it’s about walking away from the game respectfully as a legend. I think this could mar his legendary status. Although, if I were in that situation and someone were to call me a terrorist I can’t say I would have reached differently.
it seems that tonight Zidane will say what Materazzi said to him - this will happen on a french TV show
From Eurosport.com Zinedine Zidane asked for forgiveness on Wednesday for his violent attack and sending off in the World Cup final, but insisted that he has no regrets as the words of Marco Materazzi were too much for him to bear. "I want to apologise but I can't regret what I did because it would mean that he was right to say what he said," the France World Cup captain claimed. "He pronounced very tough words about my mother and my sister. I tried not to listen to him but he kept repeating them. "I don't want to attack anyone but I want to defend myself. I did something wrong and I was punished for that. I ended up alone in the changing rooms." Zidane insisted that he tried to ignore the 6' 4" Italian, but couldn't stop himself. "You hear those things once and you try to walk away. That's what I wanted to do because I am retiring. You hear it a second time and then a third time. "I knew it was my last game and I knew that there were only ten minutes to play but things happened very swiftly." However, he was not proud of his actions. "I know this is something that one should not do. I want to say that loud and clear because it was watched by two billion people and by millions of kids." FURTHER DENIALS Materazzi meanwhile issued another statement denying that he had insulted Zidane's family or made any references to religion or politics. "I didn't insult his mother. I lost my mother when I was 15 years old and still get emotional when I talk about it. "Naturally, I didn't know that his mother was in hospital but I wish her all the best." Zidane - born in Marseille - is the son of Algerian immigrants and has suffered taunts about his heritage throughout his football career. "I didn't mention anything about religion, politics or racism," said Materazzi. The Inter Milan defender even went so far as to claim hero worship of the French legend. "Zidane is my hero and I have always admired him a lot." ZIZOU FURY AT SYSTEM Fifa is to investigate the incident while FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hinted that Zidane could be stripped of his World Cup golden ball award for best player. Zizou was in no mood for reconciliation and criticised the officials' and authorities' handling of matters. "If someone can read (Materazzi's) lips, they will show that I'm telling the truth. The one who is really guilty must be punished. "I was the one who was provoked and I reacted. It is always the one who reacts who is punished, never the one who provokes and this is not fair."
Materazzi is a b*stard. I've seen how he plays football, and these tactics are not unusual for him. One of the things he called Ziddy was ''son of a terrorist whore'' ..jeez, you'd also headbutt the guy if someone said that to you.
Zinedine Zidane is a hero and since he looks like one of my fav game characters (hitman).. he is my hero even more... and since he head butted that materazzi... the respect grew....when he got the golden ball....more respect.....and now when he blows that materazzi in front of the whole world... guess what.. even more of respect.. Zidane is a true NINJA...a sex camel.....
Pathetic behaviour. Fucking disgusting (and i love a good scrap!!) If he's being paid 80K a week he should be able to take a bit of bad mouthing!!
I think props goes for Zidane of this case, french team are true heroes of the match, no one will remember that Italy (who?) won championship. Muslims have their pride, it's really really important for them. Mazza pushed things to the edge and Zidou snapped. I would have done the same thing. Zidane is even more my hero than before last game.
he said this on Canal+, a french network. here is the interview, in french. http://www.canalplus.fr/pid981.htm
Materazzi looks twisted and id imagine much worse came from him he deserved that headbutt since FIFA didnt do shit, to be honest zidanes legend status grew when he did that and the only lser here is the italian fool