Former Italian defender Marco Materazzi recalled Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on him during the 2006 World Cup final, invoking the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel in a comparison.
De Miguel's death
Jesus de Miguel, the Spanish Tenerife striker, died on 3 November after a violent collision with opposing goalkeeper Jesus Owono during one of his matches.
Marco Materazzi said: "Jesus de Miguel's death made me thank God that nothing serious happened to me. In the case of this goalkeeper, we are talking about involuntary manslaughter as a result of a challenge during play... And what if the same thing had happened to me?" as reported by the French network RMC.
The 2006 headbutt
GOAL reported that Marco Materazzi revisited Zidane's headbutt on him during the 2006 World Cup final in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Zinedine Zidane drove his head into Marco Materazzi's chest during the 2006 World Cup final after Marco Materazzi provoked him with a comment about his sister. Zinedine Zidane was sent off after the headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.
2010 Melia Hotel meeting
Marco Materazzi and Zinedine Zidane met at the Melia Hotel in Milan in November 2010 on the eve of the match between Milan and Real Madrid.
Marco Materazzi said: "The opportunity arose, and that is a fact. In November 2010, at the Melia Hotel in Milan, on the eve of the match between Milan and Real Madrid, I came out of the hotel after greeting Mourinho, and Zidane was parking his car at the back."
"When he saw me, he hesitated, he even seemed to want to turn back, but I went towards him and shook his hand and said to him: I am happy that we met here, away from people's eyes."
According to Marco Materazzi, Zinedine Zidane said: "Don't worry, these things happen, it is now in the past."
Marco Materazzi said: "It is a shame that he later went back on his words, when he said that he thought I was just an ordinary fan."
Reflections on Zidane and praise as coach
Marco Materazzi said: "Today, if I were in Zidane's place, I would have said what I said that night 20 years ago or the following day: I made a mistake, but I was provoked; judge for yourselves what happened, and I offer my apologies."
"He would have come across as a great man, while I would have looked like the usual fool who pushed him to lose his temper in my own way. He would have come out of it better, but everyone has their own way of seeing things. In any case, the story would have ended there."
Zinedine Zidane said last October: "I feel no regret, because it is part of my career. I am not proud of what happened."
Marco Materazzi said: "I like everything about his way. He lived inside top-level dressing rooms, he knows the players, he understands the stars, he gives them space and creates a state of empathy, and this is essential to achieving victory."
"And in fact, he has won a great deal. When you coach Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale, Marcelo and Modric, if you are smart, you know that you only have to put your experience at the service of the team."
"You should by no means try to teach Cristiano how to take free kicks, as (Rafael) Benitez did."
