Zidane 'no regrets' about Materazzi headbutt as France face Italy again
SAINT-DENIS: New France coach Zinedine Zidane insisted Thursday he has no regrets about his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final as he prepares to come up against Italy again in his first home game in charge.
Zinedine Zidane, the new France coach, has stated that he has no regrets about his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final. The incident, which led to Zidane's ejection in extra time, will always be a reminder of that fateful match as he prepares to face Italy again in his first home game as a coach.
Zidane acknowledges that the images of the headbutt are always shown, but he tries to focus on the more positive aspects of his career. He was appointed as France's coach in late July, succeeding Didier Deschamps, and will lead his team in the UEFA Nations League against Italy on Friday at the Stade de France. Zidane's first two matches in charge have been successful, with wins against Turkey and Belgium in the Nations League.
However, France will be without captain Kylian Mbappe due to a knee injury, and Ousmane Dembele, the Ballon d'Or winner, has dismissed any tension between him and Mbappe, calling it a "social media squabble."
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