It was supposed to be the swansong of one of football’s greatest ever players – but the 2006 World Cup final ended up taking the most unpredictable twist.
As France’s clash against Italy meandered towards a penalty shootout, referee Horacio Elinzondo was alerted to an incident off the ball.
Italy defender Marco Materazzi was left in a heap with Les Bleus talisman Zinedine Zidane looking sheepish.
As TV replays revealed why Materazzi was on the floor, the watching world was shocked to see that Zidane had lost his temper and headbutted his opponent after the pair got into an argument.
This was before the days of VAR so Zidane might have got away with it on another night, however, one of the linesmen saw the whole thing unfold.
After being explained what had happened, Elizondo was left with no choice but to send Zidane off. The French icon’s World Cup final was over and his career finishing in disgrace.
Italy didn’t make the most of the man advantage for the final ten minutes of extra-time but would beat France on penalties in Berlin.
Zidane was blamed by some for France’s defeat but former teammate Mikael Silvestre revealed there was no bad blood in the dressing room.
“He was already in the dressing room before us and he took his shower so he apologised,” Silverstre told talkSPORT.
“I didn’t know why he was apologising. It was only when I went to the media that I saw the replay of the headbutt and I thought ‘wow, wow, wow, okay.’
“But what can you say? You’re not going to tell off God!
“He was very introverted but you have to realise before that incident he had already collected ten red cards in his career.
“There were times where he’d lose it but sometime a lot of geniuses lose their head.”
You can hear more from Mikael Silvestre on My Unsung Hero, a new series with Chelcee Grimes, tonight at 9.30pm on talkSPORT.
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