23rd May 2010

Zidane's final send off...

With 2010 being a World Cup year, the early simmerings of World Cup fever recently started with Fabio Cappelo announcing his initial 30 man squad for South Africa and with that in mind, a classic moment in the history of the greatest tournament in the World takes centre stage in this latest edition of ‘The Vault’.

Cast your mind back to Germany 2006.

A memorable World Cup for many reasons; England’s exit once again on penalties to Portugal, Brazil’s Ronaldo becoming the tournaments all-time top goalscorer and Fabio Cannavaro commanding Italy’s defence and eventually the team to glory.

However, an incident during extra time in the final between Italy and France would ensure front and back page headlines for many days and weeks to come.

Arguably one of the greatest players ever to grace the beautiful game is France’s Zinedine Yazid Zidane. Born in Marseille on 23rd June 1972, he made his professional debut aged 17 for AS Cannes in French Ligue 1. A glittering career followed with Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid, resulting in league titles and European honours aplenty.

Unfortunately for Premier League clubs and fans alike, he never crossed the channel to play for an English side. Although in 1995, Blackburn manger Ray Harford reportedly expressed an interest in signing him and spoke with club owner, the late Jack Walker. Walkers reply, "Why do you want to sign Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?"

Most people’s favorites to win the trophy were Argentina. The South Americans flowing football had enriched the tournament and they looked almost invincible. However, immortal they were not and they were knocked out on penalties in the quarter finals by hosts Germany.

The final, held in the Olympiastadion, Berlin was eventually contested by Italy and France, producing a pulsating game watched by a TV audience estimated at over 715 million.

The final began with both sides scoring within the first 20 minutes and ironically both scorers would go on to be involved in the now infamous incident.

Zidane opened the scoring on 7 minutes (becoming only the fourth player in World Cup history to score in two finals. Joining the likes of Pele, Paul Breitner and Vava) with a controversial penalty while Italy’s response was a Marco Matterazzi header from an Andrea Pirlo corner after 19 minutes.

Both teams had opportunities to win the game inside the regulation 90 minutes, however neither side could take their chances and with the game petering out, extra time became the only answer.

Zidane very nearly won it for France in the first period of extra-time but his header was tipped over the crossbar by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

During the second 15 minutes of extra time, Zidane ensured he would grab the Worldwide headlines he so coveted.

During the second 15 minutes of extra time, Zidane ensured he would grab the Worldwide headlines he so coveted.

In an incredible moment caught by the TV cameras, the red mist descended on the Frenchman who charged towards Matterazzi like a raging bull and delivered a punishing headbutt to the Italians chest, leaving him wriggling and writhing in agony. The referee Horacio Elizondo had no option but to show Zidane a red card and banish him from the field of play.

It was well known before the match that it would be Zidane’s last ever game, surely this was not how the mercurial Frenchman had planned on signing off such an impressive career?

It was initially reported that a racial slur from Matterazzi was the cause for such a violent reaction. However, this later turned out to be incorrect and an apparent insult of Zidane’s sister had tipped the Frenchman over the edge.

France held out with ten men for the remainder of extra time only for Italy to claim the prize and win the match, along with the trophy on penalties.

It was a shame to see such a brilliant footballer go out in such a blaze of controversy; however the incident did not seem to tarnish his reputation greatly with many sympathising with his reaction.

Zinedine Zidane leaves behind a legacy as a brilliant footballer whose pin-point passing and sheer brilliance on the ball has cemented his place in the list of the greatest footballers of all time - headbutt or no headbutt.