France head coach Zinedine Zidane has addressed his iconic 2006 World Cup final dismissal ahead of a high-stakes clash against Italy, declaring that while he takes no pride in head-butting Marco Materazzi, he harbors zero regrets over the incident. As he opens a second major chapter in his legendary journey with the French national team, the upcoming fixture against the Azzurri has inevitably brought one of international football’s most discussed moments back into focus. Zidane returns to the site of his most famous football achievement this Friday evening, expressing complete happiness at stepping back onto the touchline for his country.
The looming encounter against Italy naturally resurrects memories of Zidane’s final appearance in a France shirt, when he was shown a straight red card during the 2006 World Cup Final for striking Materazzi in the chest. With footage of the confrontation continuing to circulate worldwide ahead of kickoff, the former midfielder directly acknowledged the lasting prominence of the event. He also confirmed that he has not spoken to the former Italian defender since that night in Berlin, maintaining a clear distance from his former opponent.
Speaking openly about his legacy and his departure from international play, Zidane stood by his complex feelings regarding the flashpoint. “The images are being replayed everywhere on a loop, I’ve seen them,” Zidane stated. “I haven’t spoken to Materazzi since that day. I’m not proud of what I did, I’ve always said that, but at the same time I have no regrets. It is part of my career.” He emphasized that his achievements on the pitch extend far beyond that solitary episode, preferring to focus on the triumph-filled years that defined his playing career. “Fortunately, that is not all that I did in my career. There are positive and enjoyable moments, and I prefer to remember those. You can’t just have a career of all great moments,” he added.
Zidane’s primary focus remains on leading Les Bleus through their UEFA Nations League group phase campaign. Having recently overseen squad operations in Brussels for France’s match against Belgium at Stade Roi Baudouin, the head coach is concentrating on performance improvements despite kicking off his tenure with a victory. “It isn’t perfect, that’s for sure, but we will try to improve and I am happy to start with a win,” Zidane noted as he assesses his squad’s growth.
As France prepare to meet Italy once again this Friday night, Zidane enters the match focused on building structural consistency and tactical momentum. The fixture serves as both a historic reminder of his past and a defining step in his return to the national team setup. With a victory already secured in his opening stretch, the French manager is determined to ensure his second spell in charge is defined by sustained success.
