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France coach Zinedine Zidane says he has no regrets over his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final, despite admitting he is not proud of the incident.
Zidane spoke ahead of France’s UEFA Nations League clash with Italy on Friday, which will mark his first home match since taking charge of Les Bleus.
The former France captain was sent off in extra time of the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin after headbutting Italian defender Materazzi in the chest. Italy went on to win the final on penalties.
“The images will always be there to remind me of what happened in 2006, because they are always being shown,” Zidane said at a press conference at the Stade de France.
“Fortunately that is not the only thing I did and there were other nicer things, so I try to think more about the positives.”
Zidane said he did not regret the incident because it was part of his playing career, although he stressed that he was not proud of what happened.
“I don’t have regrets because it was part of my career,” he said. “In 2006 I didn’t know I was going to become a coach. I thought that was the end so it was really difficult for me.”
“I am not proud of what happened. I have said it over and over again, but it is part of my career – you can’t only do wonderful things.”
Zidane, 54, also revealed that he has not spoken to Materazzi since that night in Berlin.
The former Real Madrid manager was appointed France coach in late July, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge following the World Cup in North America.
Zidane has made a winning start to his tenure, with France recording 1-0 victories away to Turkey and Belgium in their opening Nations League matches.
Friday’s encounter against Italy will be his first home game as France coach, with nearly 80,000 supporters expected at the Stade de France.
“It is going to be really emotional,” Zidane said, recalling his last appearance at the national stadium as a player in a 2006 friendly against Mexico.
France will, however, be without captain Kylian Mbappe, who returned to Real Madrid after suffering a knee injury while scoring the winning goal against Turkey.
Meanwhile, France forward Ousmane Dembele dismissed suggestions of tension between him and Mbappe following their recent comments about the Ballon d’Or.
“There is no issue. We have talked about it. We sit next to each other at the dinner table,” Dembele said, describing the matter as a “social media squabble”.
Dembele won last year’s Ballon d’Or and has been nominated again, while Mbappe is among the contenders for the award this year.
