ZIZOU LOSES HIS HEAD!

WITH THE WORLD CUP JUST MONTHS AWAY, WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE TOURNAMENT

- BY PAUL ABBANDONATO

A screengrab of the moment Zidane headbutts Materazzi which, right, floors the Italian

BEFORE Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo burst onto the scene, Zinedine Zidane was arguably the greatest footballer of his generation - as three FIFA World Player of the Year awards show.

The midfield maestro scored two goals to spark France's 1998 World Cup triumph and also won the Euros with his country, while he dazzled as Juventus and Real Madrid won Italian and Spanish League titles.

Given the above, rarely can a world star of such talent have ended his stellar career on such an ignominious note as the man the French affectionately dubbed Zizou.

His 108th and last appearance for Les Bleus ended in disgrace, with Zidane sent off for a headbutt on Italian defender Marco Materazzi and France losing the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin.

They were actions which left the watching world shocked. He retired straight away - it was a sad way to go.

Zidane and Materazzi remained coy for a number of years about the reason for the French talisman’s meltdown, which happened off the ball during extra-time of the 1-1 clash which was eventually won by the Azzurri on penalties. Various erroneous theories were spouted, even that Materazzi had called Zidane a terrorist. In the end, the truth came out. The two men were walking upfield when Materazzi made a remark about Zidane's sister Lila.