Materazzi says Jesus de Miguel’s death changed how he views Zidane headbutt

Marco Materazzi says the death of Spanish striker Jesus de Miguel has made him grateful that Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final did not cause him serious injury.

De Miguel, a Tenerife forward, died after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Ono during a Segunda Division match earlier this month. The incident initially appeared routine, but the player died the following day.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published on Thursday, former Italy defender Materazzi said: “The death of Jesus de Miguel made me thank God that I was not injured.”

Materazzi was referring to the incident which became one of the most recognisable moments in World Cup history. During the 2006 final, France captain Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the chest and was sent off. Italy went on to win the trophy on penalties.

Twenty years later, Materazzi said De Miguel’s death had forced him to consider how differently the incident in Berlin might have ended.

“What happened to De Miguel made me realise that what I experienced in 2006 could have ended in a completely different way,” the former Inter Milan defender said. “The headbutt was seen by the whole world and was regarded as a moment of anger from Zidane, but it could have become a human tragedy if the blow had landed somewhere else, or had been delivered with a different force.”

Zidane, who is now France manager, said last month that he was not proud of the headbutt but did not regret it. His comments prompted renewed debate about an incident which has continued to define the relationship between the two former players.

Materazzi also recalled a meeting with Zidane before a match in 2010 and described a different side to their relationship.

“When he saw me, he hesitated a little and even turned around to walk back,” Materazzi said. “But I went over and shook his hand, saying: ‘I’m happy to meet you here, where nobody can see us.’

“He replied: ‘Don’t worry, these things happen. It’s all in the past.’”

Materazzi said he was disappointed that Zidane later denied the meeting had happened in the way he described, claiming instead that he had mistaken Materazzi for a supporter.

“It is unfortunate that he denied everything later,” Materazzi said.

The former Italy international’s comments came as France, led by Zidane, were due to face Italy in the Nations League later on Thursday. The fixture was expected to revive memories of the 2006 final, while Materazzi’s reflections underline the potentially lasting consequences of an incident on a football pitch.

Following De Miguel’s death, Materazzi said he now sees the headbutt not simply as a sporting memory, but as a reminder of how vulnerable players can be and how a single moment of anger can develop into an irreversible tragedy.