Legendary Italian centre-back Marco Materazzi has finally revealed what he told Zinedine Zidane that led to the French icon headbutting him during the 2006 FIFA World Cup final.
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On 9 July 2006, the world witnessed one of the football’s greatest-ever players end his career in controversial fashion.
In what was Zidane's swansong from football, instead of potentially holding the game's most prestigious prize aloft for a second time, the Marseille-born playmaker ended his career after being sent off for headbutting former Inter Milan defender Materazzi in the chest during extra-time.
The five-time Scudetto winner played a pivotal role during the encounter as it was his header that drew the Azzurri level after Zidane had put Les Bleus in front from the penalty spot.
Speaking recently on what happened close to 17 years ago, the 2009/10 treble winner lifted the lid on how the altercation in Berlin transpired.
"You know the NBA? Trashtalking?" the decorated central defender told Italian Football TV.
"My trashtalking [with Zidane in the final] was nothing.
"He offered me his shirt [at the end of the game]. I said 'No, I'd prefer your sister'."
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With Zidane having ultimately been sent off, he would watch on from the dressing room as he witnessed his teammates being defeated by Materazzi and company in the penalty shootout that followed, with Italy going on to be crowned world champions a fourth time.
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