"I didn't expect Zidane's reaction at that moment." - Marco Materazzi recalls details of the legendary World Cup final clash

Soon it will be 20 years since Zidane struck Marco Materazzi in the chest with his head.

Details: The 52-year-old former Italy central defender Marco Materazzi has once again reflected on the legendary incident from 19 years ago, when France's then-superstar Zinedine Zidane was sent off after headbutting Materazzi in the chest during the 2006 World Cup final:

"I didn't expect Zidane's reaction at that moment. I was lucky that the whole episode caught me by surprise, because if I had expected something like that to happen and had been prepared for it, I'm sure we both would have ended up sent off. There was a little contact between us in the penalty area.

He scored for France in the first half, and our coach (Marcello Lippi) told me to mark him. After that first clash, I apologized, but he reacted badly.

There were more tackles, arguments, and exchanges of insults right up to the 110th minute, when things finally boiled over. After the third collision, I frowned, and he replied: 'After the match I'll give you my shirt.' I answered that I'd rather have his sister than his shirt." - admitted Materazzi.

That match ended in victory for Italy after a dramatic penalty shootout, but Zinedine Zidane proved to the world that family honor stands above any football trophy.

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Materazzi continued playing until 2016, when he announced his retirement after leaving Indian side Chennaiyin, while Zidane ended his career back in 2006 after leaving Real Madrid.

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