Ten years after the infamous Zinedine Zidane head-butt in the 2006 World Cup final former Italian defender Marco Materazzi has finally revealed what he said to the legend back then.
Materazzi and his side went on to win the final 5-3 via the penalty shoot out after Zidane was red carded during extra time.
The then 32-year-old had provoked Zidane with his words, which caused him to react that way.
Media reports suggested that Materazzi had insulted the French captain's mother, but the Italian insisted it wasn't so.
"What I said was stupid," Materazzi told L'Equipe. "But it didn't deserve that reaction."
"You would hear stronger words said on the streets of Naples, or Milan, or Paris, much more serious things. My mother died when I was 15, so I would never have insulted his," he added.
"I spoke about his sister."
The incident overshadowed the 2006 World Cup final and is believed to have cost Zidane the chance to bag the golden ball. Materazzi wishes that he was remembered more for scoring in the penalty shootout as Italy went on win the World Cup.
"But it doesn't matter, I don't hold any grudges and never will," he remarked.
--IANS
dd/ajb/bg
