Former Italian defender Marco Materazzi returned to the microphone of RMC on the incredible final of the 2006 World Cup.
It’s impossible not to immediately think of the <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/06/zidanes-headbutt-statue-to-be-relocated-to-museum/” title=”Zidane's 'headbutt' statue to be relocated to museum”>2006 World Cup final when hearing his name. Marco Materazzi has long been the most hated player in France for having provoked Zinédine Zidane‘s famous headbutt, synonymous with expulsion, during this disastrous Italy-France won by the Transalpines. Visiting Monaco to promote The Big Game, a football-related reality TV show broadcast in Brazil, the former defender agreed to delve into his memories at the microphone of RMC.
«Initially, it was Gattuso’s fault, he explains. What happened was that during the first period of extra time, I don’t know if you remember, there was a huge save from Buffon. And on this action, in reality, I clash with Gattuso because he blames me for not having been marking Zidane who had struck while I was supposed to be marking Trezeguet. It was him, Gattuso, who should have been marking Zidane. So in reality he and I butted heads saying: ‘it’s your fault, it’s my fault’. And then what happened was that I said that if I hadn’t retained Zidane we would have been in trouble. We found ourselves clashing, there was nervousness.»
The world champion was also able to give his opinion on the progress of the final, praising the French team which he thought was superior.technically or physically. You also have to know how to recognize your limits and the French were stronger than us. Without this goal (scored by Materazzi in the 23rd minute), I think we would have lost this final.»
