When I started writing about this I was expecting this to be a one-off post only to be surprised by the number of things that happened regarding this case in terms of news and the perspective of each player. This story tells us might sound simple but upon resisting it I found it to say a lot about the perspectives, narratives, disappointment, and the very nature of self-confidence and heroism.

But first, to people who haven't attended the 2006 World Cup:

A Quick Recap

France advanced to the World Cup final, defeating Spain, Brazil, and Portugal respectively while Italy had an easier path, relatively speaking, by defeating Australia, Ukraine, and their favorite giant to beat, Germany.

Zidane was the star of the tournament almost undisputedly upon returning from international retirement at the age of 34. In the final, he scored the sixth-fastest goal in a World Cup final when the 7th minute came and he decided to score a penalty Panenka style against one of the world's greatest goalkeepers, Gianluigi Buffon. About 12 minutes later, Materazzi headed a Pirlo cross from the corner for Italy to draw and that continued until the extra time when this happened.

So...

Why Did That Happen?

What did Materazzi say that earned him a headbutt to the heart?

Believe it or not, it's an Arabic or a Muslim source that started the story that Materazzi called Zidane, his sister, or mother a terrorist, which actually came from the English tabloids. Also, believe it or not, that story isn't only true but Materazzi sued those tabloids and won. The tabloids are namely. Daily Mail, Daily Star, and The Sun. Materazzi not only won but it was rumored that he got a 6 figures amount of money.

So, that story isn't true. Sadly, however,

It is still unclear what was said

According to Zidane, Materazzi insulted his mother and sister during a time when things were serious as his mother was sick and in the hospital at the time and he only reacted because Materazzi's words were very personal when referring to his mother and sister. Zidane only described what Materazzi said as "serious provocation" without specifying what it was exactly.

According to Materazzi, however, the story is different. Materazzi said that he didn't say anything relating to Zidane's ethnicity, race, or religion and that it was impossible for him to insult Zidane's mother because he lost his mother while he was young and he still cries when remembering her. That's why he insulted his sister instead.

According to Materazzi as well, Marcello Lippi, Italy's manager at the time, asked him to mark Zidane when he breaks into the box awaiting a cross. It was after one of those crosses that what you saw happened in the video above, happened. Materazzi held Zidane. Zidane told Materazzi to wait until after the match if he wants to have his [Zidane] shirt. To which Materazzi replied

I would rather have your whore sister

Materazzi was suggesting that Zidane Zidane was being arrogant toward him and disrespected him with his remark, so he did the same to him.

After the incident

Not to sound cruel but reading the statements of both afterward, it is kinda easy to see that Materazzi is troubled, confused, or jumbled by what happened. One time he describes Zidane as his idol, the other he says that he actually would prefer having his sister instead of the shirt. He also swore that he didn't even know that Zidane had a sister.

Materazzi also remarked that compared to what players say to each other in the Serie A, what was said in the World Cup final is very tame. Materazzi said that it was also unfair that he was suspended for 2 games while Zidane was for 3 only. Of course, Zidane did his suspension by doing community service. Materazzi's final objection was that he got 2 games because he is Materazzi while Zidane got only 3 games because he is Zidane. One is a star, the other is, well, Materazzi.

Here is where it gets tricky for me

Assuming Materazzi is telling the truth, this incident may actually have extremely different versions for those who want to know. For the longest time, I was comfortably on Zidane's side and bought into the narrative that said:

The weasel player who provoked the opponent's best player to take him out of the game.

But, Materazzi's version says

The unknown who met his favorite star only to be belittled and disrespected by him.

Both versions are very different. One leaves you sympathizing with Zidane, the other with Materazzi. It is truly confusing. The narrative of the unknown player mocked by his favorite star is very believable. The same can be said about the one where a legendary hero fell in the final mile thanks to dirty tactics is also believable. But more importantly than believable, they both sell.

Both stories are also backed by history

Zidane got a total of 14 red cards in his career. That is quite a high number for a playmaker. It is also quite a high number for a player known for his almost provocative calm. Materazzi on the other hand is Materazzi, a center-back with 15 red cards, that's more than Pepe who is known as a red card machine. There is a whole report by Goal.com about Materazzi's controversial moments and actions which included a red card he received against Australia in that same World Cup.

When it comes to the players' attidue and history there's just enough to create s park for any narrative wanted. Many people also pointed the blame at Buffon.

In Conclusion

The Zidane and Materazzi incident is something worth studying and inspecting up close because of many factors that we will go through in future parts but as far as this article is concerned is that it is an incident where both parties spoke up about it, we saw it happen live, we have most of the facts yet there's just enough missing for any narrative to be created.

Sources

Materazzi wins British libel damages over Sun's claims about Zidane head-butt

An apology but no regrets from Zidane

And Materazzi's exact words to Zidane were...
Headlining the head-butt: Zinedine Zidane/Marco Materazzi portrayals in prominent English, Irish and Scottish newspapers
Remembering Zinedine Zidane's Headbutt and the 2006 World Cup Final
Zinedine Zidane 'would rather die' than apologise to Marco Materazzi
World Cup questions: what did Zidane's head-butt in Berlin mean?
Why Do We Seem to Thrive on Hero Destruction?
What Sport Tells Us About Life: Bradmans Average Zidanes Kiss And Other Sporting Lessons
Why Gigi Buffon, not Marco Materazzi, is to blame for Zizou’s red card vs Italy