The Headbutt
Just ten minutes were left, plus penalties. Win or lose, his career would be complete, and he would leave on top, nearly single-handidly leading his aging country from the depths of European Football to the precipice of a second world cup, and third major trophy (along with Euro 2000), in eight years. Zinedine Zidane still could not believe that Gianluigi Buffon, the Azzurri's talismanic goalkeeper saved his pinpoint header five minutes earlier. That, he assumed, would be his last great moment on the football pitch. Just like when he lit the world ablaze in 1998 with two great headers past the Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel, a header would be Zidane's last great moment. However, that career-capping header was yet to come, and would do something that above all his accomplishments, whether it be the World Cup Title, the Euro Championship Title, the countless league titles at Monaco, Juventus and Real Madrid, and even the three Champions League Final's he had played in, would move him to a rarified air. Zidane would become a mega-star for doing something most un-football like, for displaying brute force that is more generally associated with the 'football' played across the pond in the USA. Zidane would use his head to slam Marco Matterazzi to the ground, and provide a fitting end to a career most brilliant and most entertaining.
Nine months earlier, Zinedine Zidane was lured out of retirement because France was in a mess. They were lagging behind in World Cup Qualifying, with precious few of the old guard that had completed the double of holding the World Cup and the Eueropean Title at the same time, including Zidane. He came back from retirement and spurred a furious finish that allowed France to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. This was not supposed to be France's tournament, and merely a nice swansong for Zidane before France was inevitably knocked out and Portugal, Spain and Brazil fought for the World Cup Title. Weird thing happened, though. Zidane played like it was 1998 all over again. He was the everything for France, as he led Les Blues past all three of those aforementioned teams that were the pre-tournament favorites. Up first was Spain. They were talented, with the seeds of the team that enters the 2010 as the favorites as youthful players. Zidane was great, prolonging plays and passing seeds of offense to his forwards. He had a direct hand in France's game-winning goal, with a whipping cross from 40 yards out to Patrick Vieira, and then scored a goal himself with a great shot past Iker Casillas. Brazil was up next. Even more talented than Spain, Brazil was off a fresh 3-0 win over Ghana, and was back for revenge for France's 3-0 win in the 1998 World Cup Final. At this point, no one knew that Zidane would go Keyser Soze two weeks later against an Italian Thug. It was still about the masters swansong, and act two was about as good as it gets.
It was against Brazil eight years earlier that Zidane's star first shone brightly, and before it turned into a supornova in the 111th minute against Italy, that star ballooned against Brazil once again. Zidane was breathtaking, exhilerating and masterful. It was a performance for the Gods, for the Maradona's and the Pele's. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, the stars that could shine in 2010 can only dream of such games. The ball was seemingly tethered to the foot of Zidane, while his passes were strung along on the same string. He effortlessly toyed with the Brazilians. Against the team that toyed with everyone, and against the player that was currently the best in the world, Ronaldinho (who at that moment was better than Messi is now), Zidane was the best Brazilian on the field.
Up next was Portugal. Against the man that would replace Ronaldinho as the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane, at the "young" age of 34, outshined them all. He scored a deadly penalty kick, placing it in the most perfect place at the net. France then stifled the Portuguese team for 90 minutes, shutting them down. Zidane's magic had led Les Blues to the World Cup Final. Somehow, a team that played 8 out of 11 starters over the age of 30, France was in the World Cup Final, against Italy. And that is where the story gets really ridiculous, more so than a 34-year old bald man being the best soccer player on the world, again.
The game was mostly undramatic. Zidane scored another sublime penalty. Italy scored a header twenty minutes later. Until Buffon's glorious save on Zidane's last great footballing moment. Next came his most lasting. Marco Matterazzi, a ruthless, brash defender, tugged at his shirt. Zidane pushed away, but the leech that is Matterazzi is not so easy to disengage from, and Marco re-tugged on the same shirt. Zidane quipped that "If you want my shirt, you can wait till the match is over." Marco Matterazzi responded with words that were shrouded in mystery for four years. Seconds later as each was jogging back down the field, Zidane slowly turned around to face Marco Matterazzi head on, lowered his shoulder and headbutted Matterazzi right in the chest. Although Marco Matterazzi was a tough, 6'4" player, he 'crumpled' to the ground as if he was sniped by a SWAT team. After some initial confusion, Zidane was deservedly sent-off ten minutes before his career would expire, and Italy won the penalty shootout to claim their fourth World Cup Title. However, no one cared that Italy won the World Cup again. No. All people cared about was that headbutt.
The Headbutt had a life of its own. Immediately, the biggest question, a bigger one than "Isn't it amazing that Italy are now the world champions?", was "Why the Hell did Zinedine Zidane to that?". Obviously he was provoked, although the exact provocation wasn't know for years, but speculation ran rampant. News organizations called in lip-readers who tried to decipher what Matterazzi said. Some said Matterazzi insulted Zidane's Muslim, Algerian roots. Some said he made a simple inslut of Zidane's sister. Some said he did nothing. Then there were the people who judged. Some wanted Zidane arrested for assault. Some wanted him stripped of his Player of the Tournament Trophy for the 2006 World Cup (which rightly never did happen). Some thought Marco Matterazzi, a known rabble-rouser, got what he deserved. However, no one stopped to realize what the headbutt really meant, and what it was. The Headbutt was the single most polarizing and known sports moment of the decade, by far. Billions know what 'the Headbutt' was. Billions know just what happened that night in Frankfurt, in the Olimpiastadon. The Headbutt was bigger than Zidane, bigger than soccer, or football or futbol, or anything. The Headbutt was a different monster.
Four years later, the headbutt is still as known as ever. Back in February, three and a half years after it happened, Zidane finally admitted as to what it was that Marco Matterazzi said. Matterazzi insluted Zidane's mother, who at the time was ill with cancer in a hospital. None of that matters now. All that matters is that it was an event that tarnished Zidane's career forever. Zidane is still known in the parts of the world that appreciate and love football above all else as the best player of his generation. However, in America, he is known as the guy who headbutted the other guy. He will always carry the reputation of a headbutter, he will always carry the reputation as a villain. Of course, that adds to the intrigue of football's dark night. Zidane will be a hero, a brilliant footballer, a magician on the field, but his most enduring moment will always be, in the hearts and minds of many, his headbutt. Of course, this belies the most interesting sports "what if?" of the decade as well. "What if Zidane didn't do it?"
Of course, Italy still could have won. People seem to act like the only reason that Italy won was because Zidane headbutted Matterazzi and got himself red-carded. The game would, in all likelihood, still gone on to penalties. The only man to miss a penalty, David Trezeguet, would have taken a penalty anyway. However, the best "what if?" is even more intriguing, "What If France won anyway?". The reason why that is so damn intriguing is because much of the reason that Zidane is villified for the headbutt was that France lost the game. If France won, Zidane, who is still a hero in France, would have been the hero anyway. Not only did he lead the French to the Final with amazing play, but he headbutted the thug of the Italian team, and his team won the most prized trophy in all of sports. Zidane would probably be praised for admitting some vigilante justice on Marco Matterazzi, but no, the fates were interested in a more delicious dish, one where Zidane did unleash his fury and Matterazzi did fall to the ground.
The Headbutt is probably the most famous World Cup play ever, and it did not even include a ball. It will always be remembered as the moment that the World Cup became mainstream in America. It is definitely the most famous World Cup moment here in the states. Back in 2006, youtube was still about a year from being mainstream, but after just minutes, the interwebs were alive with headbutt videos. 'The Ultimate Zidane Headbutt Video' was the quickest video ever to 1,000,000 views. Still today, the video has had to be re-uploaded three times, and each successive version got even more hits. The Headbutt will always define football in the 2000s, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and sadly, part of Zinedine Zidane epic career.
Nine months earlier, Zinedine Zidane was lured out of retirement because France was in a mess. They were lagging behind in World Cup Qualifying, with precious few of the old guard that had completed the double of holding the World Cup and the Eueropean Title at the same time, including Zidane. He came back from retirement and spurred a furious finish that allowed France to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. This was not supposed to be France's tournament, and merely a nice swansong for Zidane before France was inevitably knocked out and Portugal, Spain and Brazil fought for the World Cup Title. Weird thing happened, though. Zidane played like it was 1998 all over again. He was the everything for France, as he led Les Blues past all three of those aforementioned teams that were the pre-tournament favorites. Up first was Spain. They were talented, with the seeds of the team that enters the 2010 as the favorites as youthful players. Zidane was great, prolonging plays and passing seeds of offense to his forwards. He had a direct hand in France's game-winning goal, with a whipping cross from 40 yards out to Patrick Vieira, and then scored a goal himself with a great shot past Iker Casillas. Brazil was up next. Even more talented than Spain, Brazil was off a fresh 3-0 win over Ghana, and was back for revenge for France's 3-0 win in the 1998 World Cup Final. At this point, no one knew that Zidane would go Keyser Soze two weeks later against an Italian Thug. It was still about the masters swansong, and act two was about as good as it gets.
It was against Brazil eight years earlier that Zidane's star first shone brightly, and before it turned into a supornova in the 111th minute against Italy, that star ballooned against Brazil once again. Zidane was breathtaking, exhilerating and masterful. It was a performance for the Gods, for the Maradona's and the Pele's. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, the stars that could shine in 2010 can only dream of such games. The ball was seemingly tethered to the foot of Zidane, while his passes were strung along on the same string. He effortlessly toyed with the Brazilians. Against the team that toyed with everyone, and against the player that was currently the best in the world, Ronaldinho (who at that moment was better than Messi is now), Zidane was the best Brazilian on the field.
Zidane's epic game against Brazil in 2006
Up next was Portugal. Against the man that would replace Ronaldinho as the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane, at the "young" age of 34, outshined them all. He scored a deadly penalty kick, placing it in the most perfect place at the net. France then stifled the Portuguese team for 90 minutes, shutting them down. Zidane's magic had led Les Blues to the World Cup Final. Somehow, a team that played 8 out of 11 starters over the age of 30, France was in the World Cup Final, against Italy. And that is where the story gets really ridiculous, more so than a 34-year old bald man being the best soccer player on the world, again.
The game was mostly undramatic. Zidane scored another sublime penalty. Italy scored a header twenty minutes later. Until Buffon's glorious save on Zidane's last great footballing moment. Next came his most lasting. Marco Matterazzi, a ruthless, brash defender, tugged at his shirt. Zidane pushed away, but the leech that is Matterazzi is not so easy to disengage from, and Marco re-tugged on the same shirt. Zidane quipped that "If you want my shirt, you can wait till the match is over." Marco Matterazzi responded with words that were shrouded in mystery for four years. Seconds later as each was jogging back down the field, Zidane slowly turned around to face Marco Matterazzi head on, lowered his shoulder and headbutted Matterazzi right in the chest. Although Marco Matterazzi was a tough, 6'4" player, he 'crumpled' to the ground as if he was sniped by a SWAT team. After some initial confusion, Zidane was deservedly sent-off ten minutes before his career would expire, and Italy won the penalty shootout to claim their fourth World Cup Title. However, no one cared that Italy won the World Cup again. No. All people cared about was that headbutt.
The Headbutt had a life of its own. Immediately, the biggest question, a bigger one than "Isn't it amazing that Italy are now the world champions?", was "Why the Hell did Zinedine Zidane to that?". Obviously he was provoked, although the exact provocation wasn't know for years, but speculation ran rampant. News organizations called in lip-readers who tried to decipher what Matterazzi said. Some said Matterazzi insulted Zidane's Muslim, Algerian roots. Some said he made a simple inslut of Zidane's sister. Some said he did nothing. Then there were the people who judged. Some wanted Zidane arrested for assault. Some wanted him stripped of his Player of the Tournament Trophy for the 2006 World Cup (which rightly never did happen). Some thought Marco Matterazzi, a known rabble-rouser, got what he deserved. However, no one stopped to realize what the headbutt really meant, and what it was. The Headbutt was the single most polarizing and known sports moment of the decade, by far. Billions know what 'the Headbutt' was. Billions know just what happened that night in Frankfurt, in the Olimpiastadon. The Headbutt was bigger than Zidane, bigger than soccer, or football or futbol, or anything. The Headbutt was a different monster.
Four years later, the headbutt is still as known as ever. Back in February, three and a half years after it happened, Zidane finally admitted as to what it was that Marco Matterazzi said. Matterazzi insluted Zidane's mother, who at the time was ill with cancer in a hospital. None of that matters now. All that matters is that it was an event that tarnished Zidane's career forever. Zidane is still known in the parts of the world that appreciate and love football above all else as the best player of his generation. However, in America, he is known as the guy who headbutted the other guy. He will always carry the reputation of a headbutter, he will always carry the reputation as a villain. Of course, that adds to the intrigue of football's dark night. Zidane will be a hero, a brilliant footballer, a magician on the field, but his most enduring moment will always be, in the hearts and minds of many, his headbutt. Of course, this belies the most interesting sports "what if?" of the decade as well. "What if Zidane didn't do it?"
Of course, Italy still could have won. People seem to act like the only reason that Italy won was because Zidane headbutted Matterazzi and got himself red-carded. The game would, in all likelihood, still gone on to penalties. The only man to miss a penalty, David Trezeguet, would have taken a penalty anyway. However, the best "what if?" is even more intriguing, "What If France won anyway?". The reason why that is so damn intriguing is because much of the reason that Zidane is villified for the headbutt was that France lost the game. If France won, Zidane, who is still a hero in France, would have been the hero anyway. Not only did he lead the French to the Final with amazing play, but he headbutted the thug of the Italian team, and his team won the most prized trophy in all of sports. Zidane would probably be praised for admitting some vigilante justice on Marco Matterazzi, but no, the fates were interested in a more delicious dish, one where Zidane did unleash his fury and Matterazzi did fall to the ground.
The Headbutt is probably the most famous World Cup play ever, and it did not even include a ball. It will always be remembered as the moment that the World Cup became mainstream in America. It is definitely the most famous World Cup moment here in the states. Back in 2006, youtube was still about a year from being mainstream, but after just minutes, the interwebs were alive with headbutt videos. 'The Ultimate Zidane Headbutt Video' was the quickest video ever to 1,000,000 views. Still today, the video has had to be re-uploaded three times, and each successive version got even more hits. The Headbutt will always define football in the 2000s, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and sadly, part of Zinedine Zidane epic career.
The Ultimate Zidane Headbutt Video, the Youtube Sensation
