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It was NOT about his mother! Materazzi finally reveals the exact words he used to provoke Zidane into head-butting him

Football

By Odero Charles | May 04, 2020

**14 Years Ago, Zinedine Zidane Headbutted Marco Materazzi In World Cup Final**

Former Italian defender Marco Materazzi has finally revealed the exact words he used to provoke Zinedine Zidane into headbutting him in the Fifa 2006 World Cup final.

Zidane was sent-off for butting Materazzi in the chest in the 2006 World Cup final, the last match of his career.

Materazzi and his side went on to win the final 5-3 via the penalty shoot out after a 1-1 draw.

Reports at the time suggested the italian had insulted Zidane’s mother but Materazzi denied that, saying that it was the France midfielder's sister that he spoke about.

14 years after the infamous Zidane's head-butt, Materazzi has finally revealed exactly what he said.

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Quoted by Italian media, Materazzi was answering questions on Instagram Live when a fan brought up the Zidane headbutt.

"Zidane's headbutt? I wasn't expecting it in that moment. I was lucky enough that the whole episode took me by surprise because if I had expected something like that to happen and had been ready for it, I'm sure both of us would have ended up being sent off," the defender explained.

"There had been a bit of contact between us in the area. He had scored France's goal in the first half and our coach (Marcello Lippi) told me to mark him. After that first brush between us, I apologised but he reacted badly," Materazzi recalled.

"After the third clash, I frowned and he retorted: 'I'll give you my shirt later'. I replied that I'd rather have his sister than his shirt."

That was enough for Zidane to lose his cool and shove his head into Materazzi’s chest.