Materazzi: Zidane doesn’t want to clear the air, headbutt could have had serious consequences

epa01094126 (FILES) This file combo of TV grabs shows the foul of Zinedine Zidane of France to Italy's Marco Materazzi and the red card shown to Zidane by referee Horacio Elizondo of Argentina during the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, Italy's World Cup winning defender Marco Materazzi revealed 18 August 2007, that he had told French icon Zinedine Zidane during last year's final that he preferred his 'whore of a sister' to his shirt. It was this comment that led to Zidane headbutting Materazzi in the chest and being dramatically sent off. That incident preceded France losing the final in a penalty shoot-out. EPA/A9999 DB WDR

Former Italy defender Marco Materazzi insists Zinedine Zidane doesn’t want to clear the air even 20 years after his headbutt in the 2006 World Cup Final and mentions Jesús de Miguel’s death: ‘They’re talking about involuntary manslaughter for an on-pitch tackle; what if that had happened to me?’

Materazzi released an interview with Gazzetta ahead of tonight’s Nations League match between Italy and France at San Siro.

Les Blues are coached by Zidane, a French legend who ended his playing career 20 years ago in the 2006 World Cup Final.

Materazzi: Zidane refuses to make peace

The former midfielder famously headbutted Materazzi during extra time, earning a straight red card.

“It’s being talked about again because Italy vs. France is being played, but with the managerial career he’s had, I think he’s put it behind him,” Materazzi said.

The reporter noted that watching the scene again hurts Zidane more than Materazzi, but the former defender didn’t exactly agree.

“Well, not really: the death of Jesús de Miguel made me thank God that nothing happened. In that goalkeeper’s case, they’re talking about involuntary manslaughter for an on-pitch tackle: what if that had happened to me?” he asked.

Twenty years have passed since Zidane’s headbutt, but the pair still haven’t cleared the air.

“The chance was there, everyone knows that. November 2010, Hotel Meliá in Milan, the eve of Milan vs. Real,” Materazzi recalled.

“I walked out of the hotel after saying goodbye to Mourinho; he was parking his car at the back. When he saw me, he hesitated; he even turned to head back, but I approached him. I shook his hand and said: ‘I’m glad we’ve met here, where nobody can see us’. He replied: ‘Don’t worry: things happen, things in the past’. Too bad he went back on it afterward, claiming he thought I was a fan.

“I’ve never had any problem making peace,” Materazzi continued.

“It was probably a too high-profile exit to retrace his steps. Although high-profile isn’t the right word: it wasn’t my first provocation, but it wasn’t his first headbutt either. And that has always been highlighted far too little.”

Despite that famous incident, which is still causing bad blood between Zidane and Materazzi, the ex-Azzurri defender thinks very highly of the Frenchman as a coach.

“I like Everything. He has been in big dressing rooms; he knows players; he understands top players; he lets them be and builds empathy, which is fundamental for winning,” Materazzi concluded.

“And indeed he has won a lot. When you manage Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale, Marcelo, Modrić, if you’re smart, you know you just have to put your experience at the team’s service. Not pretend to teach Cristiano how to take free kicks, as Benítez did…