I heard that that Italian player provoked Zidane or something saying something about Zidane himself or Zidane's mother. He was also being fouled constantly by the Italians the whole game and the Italians are known for their dirty play. That Italian player also like, pinched his nipple or something a few seconds before hand, you just need to watch the clip again on youtube or something. Other than that, Zidane freakin' pwned the guy.
Zidane was lucky not to get kicked in his crotch by that other player. Now that would've been funny! I'm glad Italy won, though. I would've preferd Germany because that would've been fair but football isn't a fair sport I guess.
People seem to have suddenly disregarded the fact that Zidane was actually in really good form when he was playing, and are acting surprised that he won player of the tournament. He was the best, other than maybe Cannavaro. His penalty was rubbish though. He could just as easily have missed. He was either very nervous or laid-back. And I'm sick of players diving even when a blatant foul is committed against them. Materazzi did it last night with Zidane, and everyone on the Portuguese team must have did it at least once.
The Zidane head-butt should be trademarked. Too bad he chose to do it minutes before PK, where he probably could've helped France win instead.
are you kidding? if the refree saw everyone of Portugal's dives, all their players couldve been sent off....TWICE!
I know, but they (and a load of other players/teams) did it even when it was clear they would get a free kick or whatever.
well The Guardian reported that the italian player(Materazzi) called him a TERRORIST obviously due to his algerian descent.Don't know whether its true or not
AMEN. In the Times today, apparently 53% people have lost their respect for zidane after this. I meanm Ok, maybe that was a bit pyschotic, maybe he was stupid to do exactly what Matarazzi wanted him to do, and Matarazzi added that special, 'I'm in soooooo much pain' touch that made Zizou look even worse. But what about how he played, this match and others? And plus, I'm pretty sure football experts voted and all during the course of the tournament and not just after the game, and anyway, everyone was repecting Zidane and prasing him so much after the Spain matcg, the Brazil match, whatever. How can you judge him like that? I got somewhat angry when many Indians on the Times were all I've lost my respect for him, blah blah. You can't let 5 minutes judge over a decade or so of great football, can you? And I think the penalty was him being arrogant, or as you said, nevous/laidback.It's still amazing for me that it went in though. And It's really great how the whole of France and his teammates stood by him. And cheers to Italy. They may have played dirty at times, but overall a great world cup captained by an amazing defender who was once a fifa ball boy. In TOI, there are speculations that Materazzi called Zidane's sister a prostitute.
Hey the italian dude insulted his sister by calling her a prostitute. If I were him, I would have done the same thing.
The Daily Mail has reported that Materazzi said "We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore," among other things during the match, to Zidane and that is why he headbutted him. After this, no one can blame him. He has faced racism for, not only his entire career, but his entire life, and he had obviously just had enough and had nothing to lose since it was his final match. I personally don't care what anyone else thinks, I think he was totally justified, and in a way, I wish he did more. Zidane is still one of the greatest footballer there has ever been, and he will be remembered for that.