Zinedine Zidane deserves the golden ball. He was the best player in the tournment- the red card doesn't change that at all. I know media will sensasionalize it to the extreme but, it really isn't that big of a deal. That incident just shows that Zidane is a human being that is, he'll react in anger if provoked.
He elevated France from a sure disappointment to a near glory and in that process to defeat teams like Spain, Brazil and Portugal is unimaginable. He'll be remembered, forever, as one of the best soccer players to ever play the game.
Main 2 hours tak rota raha tha jab us ko red card hou tha sare ghar wale mugh ko chup karate rahe but my tears did not stop almost 2 hours and 15 mintues.
ab bhi jab bhi Zidane ko red card hota eys main aata hai rona start ker deta hoon.
it left me in shock too for a while..i almost became suicidal seeing italians celeberate cause i think they are mostly racist a holes....what was zidane thinking news are coming in that he was called a dirty terrorist..we'll see when he reveals the whole story tomorrow.france was the better team, italy got lucky
With France and Italy level in extra time of Sunday’s World Cup final, Zinedine Zidane head-butted Marco Materazzi in the chest and was sent off. France went on to lose on penalty kicks.
The day after, still no one knew what the Italian defender might have said to the French captain.
“The Italians did everything they could do to provoke Zidane,” France defender William Gallas said.
Seconds before, Materazzi had wrapped his arm around Zidane just as a French attack on goal passed harmlessly by. The two exchanged words as they walked back up the field, well behind the play. Then, without warning, Zidane spun around, lowered his head and rammed Materazzi, knocking him to the ground.
The Paris-based anti-racism advocacy group SOS-Racism issued a statement Monday quoting “several very well informed sources from the world of football” as saying Materazzi called Zidane a “dirty terrorist.” It demanded that FIFA investigate and take any appropriate action.
FIFA, which reviews all red cards at the World Cup, would not comment on the specifics. “This is a disciplinary matter now. I can’t give any statements now,” FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said
BBC reported that an Italian-language lipreader they employed reported that Materazzi wished "an ugly death to you and your family" – on the day Zidane had discovered his mother was seriously ill – and finally "go **** yourself".
Prior to those comments(if its true), some words were exchanged between these two players..and trash talk isn't new in sports. Zidane should have known better. It is sad this whole ugly incident took place.
Well, congrats to Zidane I guess. I don't think he deserved it over Cannavaro who's defensive play was as solid and consistent as anything I've seen, but then again Cannavaro's the captain of the World Cup champs so I think he can care less
Pirlo and Buffon could've both went 3rd, but I would've taken Pirlo as well. Super crisp crosses and passes, great ball control, and a really good defender as well.
A saudi arabian player cursed his algerian tribe, & he got what he deserved...a stomp in the chest, by Zidane. If that italian prick did say this, imagine urself in the same scenario...Ur mom or Ur "zaat" cursed!!! What would U do??? This is football, not UN where U can label anyone a "terrorist". If this is true, then the italians have showed really poor sportsmanship. The referee was even more harsh, he shouldn't have sent him out, because this was not injurious...Nobody in his sane state of mind would head butt anyone without a reason!!!
I was supporting Italy, but Zidane will always be my hero. He has done a magnitude for the French team. Portugal were the underdogs, who had a brilliant coach with a remarkable feat in his collar, & France managed to defeat them. France truly deserved the world cup. Barthez who missed the penalty was actually Zidane's kick. Just imagine who would have won this cup, if this dirty scenario hadn't taken place...!!!
