Zizou… why?!

When Zinedine Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi in extra time, he was probably reacting to something uncharitable that Materazzi said to him after an innocuous-looking t-shirt pulling session between the two. Of course, the Italians have denied that Materazzi provoked the great French player (One would not expect them to do anything else!) But even after watching the replays, one would find it hard to believe the viciousness with which Zizou drove his balding head into the tall Italian defender’s chest. This could only mean that whatever Materazzi said to him was so cheap and demeaning that it instigated one the game’s all-time greats to react the way he did… on probably his last ever competitive appearance on a football field! The provocation that led to the incident that blighted the Final encounter might remain hidden forever unless Zizou tells all in an interview or an autobiography. Another thing that may stay mysterious is the way in which the fourth and fifth officials intervened proactively to influence referee Elizondo’s decision to red card Zidane.

But one thing is absolutely certain and there can be no two ways about it, whichever way you look at it. Zinedine Yazid Zidane, arguably the best footballer of his time, had no business driving his head into Materazzi’s chest whatever the provocation may have been. It is said that Materazzi, arguably the worst Italian defender of World Cup 2006, used a racial slur to provoke Zidane. But common sense dictates that racial taunts would not be an uncommon occurrence for Zidane to handle! And the way he reacted was quite vile and shameful… especially when the game was poised on the brink of a penalty shoot-out and he was a sure candidate to take one of the spot-kicks. The referee’s decision was 100% justified and perfectly within the letter and spirit of the laws of the game.

Zizou let down his team, his country and his fans in one fell blow! And what could’ve been his finest hour turned into his worst nightmare. All his career has been scarred by one moment of reckless lunacy and suddenly, the “Golden Ball” award, for the best player of World Cup 2006, that he won, seems undeserved… even though everyone would agree that he thoroughly deserved it!

It is true… the line between genius and madness is a thin one!