{
  "id": 11307851,
  "title": "Zidane ‘no regrets’ over Materazzi headbutt as France face Italy again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/zidane-no-regrets-over-materazzi-headbutt-as-france-face-italy-again-11307851",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T22:34:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/02/zidane-no-regrets-about-materazzi-headbutt-as-france-face-italy-again"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saint-Denis - Zinedine Zidane, France's new head coach, expressed no regrets over his headbutt on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final as he prepares to face Italy again in a UEFA Nations League match at the Stade de France. The images of the incident will always be a reminder for him, Zidane said, smiling when asked about it. However, he emphasized that it was not the only thing he did, and there were also positive moments. Zidane, 54, was appointed as the France coach in late July, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge. His first two matches in charge were victories away from home, and Friday's match against Italy will be a homecoming for the coach, who remains an icon in France. Ousmane Dembele, France's forward, assured there was no tension between him and Kylian Mbappe, who was absent due to a knee injury.",
  "summary": "Zinedine Zidane insisted he has no regrets over his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final as he prepares to face Italy again in his first home game in charge.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Zidane ‘no regrets’ over Materazzi headbutt as France face Italy again",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/zidane-no-regrets-over-materazzi-headbutt-as-france-face-italy-again",
        "published": "2026-10-01T22:34:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}