Buffon admits he has ‘never’ discussed World Cup final headbutt with Zidane: ‘Matter of respect’

Gianluigi Buffon has given his perspective of Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final, but says that he and Zizou have ‘never’ discussed the incident in the 20 years since: ‘A matter of respect’. 

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The legendary former goalkeeper spoke in-depth with The Guardian while promoting his new book Saved, which was released earlier this month. 

• Read more: Buffon: ‘Easier to see 1,000 aliens rather than Italy not qualifying for three World Cups’

Buffon on 2006 World Cup final and ‘mutual respect’ with Zidane

Buffon, who has recently left his role with the Italy national team set-up following the failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, discussed his time with Juventus and the Nazionale, as well as his memories of the Calciopoli scandal and, of course, the 2006 World Cup final: Italy’s most recent victory in a World Cup knock-out game. 

Aside from Italy’s triumph, the 2006 World Cup final is perhaps best remembered for Zidane’s headbutt on Materazzi, which earned him a straight red card in his final ever game as a professional. 

An extract from Buffon’s autobiography reads: “I was about 15 metres away and I could hear the thud. If he had done that to anyone else, they would have been knocked out. 

“The linesman didn’t see it. The only one who witnessed it was me. So I ran to the referee and assistant in order to attract their attention. Materazzi was on the ground, Zidane was motionless, I was protesting, and finally the game stopped.” 

Continuing in his interview with The Guardian, Buffon added: “I was shaken up and caught between mixed emotions. I knew it was Zidane’s last game, and he was one of the greatest and classiest players in the history of football. And I was sorry that it was ending for him in that way. 

“We never spoke about it. Obviously we met so many different times and I believe there is a nice relationship based on mutual trust. I never wanted to talk about it as a matter of respect. He’s a champion who won everything, but I believe that deep down this has always been a painful situation and this is why I didn’t want him to remember that.”