ZIZOU LOSES HIS HEAD!

FRENCH LEGEND ZIDANE’S ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER ENDS WITH A RED CARD IN FINAL

- BY PAUL ABBANDONATO

Brazil captain Carlos Alberto lifts the World Cup aloft having scored perhaps the greatest goal in the history of the tournament (above)

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 tended to signify.

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

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

His 108th and last appearance for Les Bleus ended in disgrace - sent off for a headbutt on Italian defender Marco Materazzi as France lost the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin to leave the watching world shocked.

It didn't matter that FIFA banned Zidane for three games; he retired straight away in 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, eventually won by the Azzurri on penalties.

Various erroneous theories were spouted, even that Materazzi had called Zidane a terrorist.

In the end, as always, the truth came out. The two were walking upfield when Materazzi made a remark about Zidane's sister Lila.

Zidane suddenly stopped, stooped and violently headbutted Materazzi in the chest, forcing the Italian to the ground.

Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo - who had sent off Wayne Rooney against Portugal in the quarterfinals - consulted his linesman and brandished red again.