Eighteen years after winning the World Cup in Germany, Italy legend Marco Materazzi has opened up about the infamous headbutt with former Real Madrid player and manager, Zinédine Zidane.
With the game into extra time after a 1-1 scoreline at 90 minutes during the 2006 FIFA World Cup final between Italy and France, Zinedine headbutted Materazzi in the 110th minute after an argument between the pair.
Zidane saw red in what would be his last ever professional football game as a player.
Italy would go on to win the World Cup, winning 5-3 via a penalty shootout.
Reflecting on his career, Materazzi stated in an interview with The Times that the incident doesn’t do justice to what his career was.
He said, “I don’t like it, because it doesn’t do justice to what my career was,” he says.
“That episode should never have happened. In the tension of that final in Berlin, amidst the bickering and insults, Zidane offered me his shirt, and I said no, that I preferred his sister. Then he turned around and reacted as everyone remembers. I never saw Zinédine again.”
Speaking further, he also reflected on the treble-winning team with Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan in 2010. He argued that if Jose Mourinho had stayed at the club, the winning streak would have continued.
“He was, without a doubt. And despite everything, it wasn’t easy to accept my initial situation. I was used to being important, to being the captain, but with Mourinho, I started to lose prominence.
“However, he was honest with me from the very first moment, when he told me that I was going to be less involved. It was a pity we didn’t meet earlier.
“Sometimes words are superfluous and a simple hug explains everything,” he says. “We cried. That moment was tremendously emotional. I asked him why he was leaving. Why was he leaving me alone? I didn’t have a good relationship with the coach who was coming, Rafa Benítez, I didn’t like him.
“I was convinced that with Mourinho, we could continue to win. Maybe not another Champions League, but other titles. But he had already made his decision to leave for Real Madrid.”
When asked to pick the best moment of his career between the 2006 World Cup and winning the Champions League in 2010, he said, “Do you prefer mum or dad? I can’t choose one over the other. They were without doubt the two best nights of my career.”
Manchester City’s João Cancelo is on the brink of completing a transfer to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal in a deal worth €25 million....Read More
According to reports from L’Equipe, the Portuguese full-back is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Riyadh-based club, where he will earn an impressive €15 million per year. Cancelo, who was a key player for City, signed a five-year extension with the Premier League champions in 2022.
However, he found himself struggling to get into Pep Guardiola’s squad, which led to two loan spells, first at Bayern Munich in the latter half of the 2022-2023 season, and then at FC Barcelona the following year.
At Al-Hilal, Cancelo will join an already star-studded lineup that includes his fellow countryman Ruben Neves, as well as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Neymar.
The move represents another high-profile signing for Al-Hilal as they continue to strengthen their squad under coach Jorge Jesus.
Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen wants to join Arsenal this summer and not Chelsea....Read More
Osimhen has already reached an agreement with Napoli to leave the club this summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Super Eagles star has an £86 million asking price to his name, a huge drop from Napoli’s £109 million valuation last summer.
Corriere dello Sport reports that the Emirates is Osimhen’s most favored destination via The Boot Room, and not Stamford Bridge.
Osimhen was said to be moving to PSG with Kylian Mbappe having exited Parc des Princes.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s side are looking for an out-and-out number nine
The Gunners could also turn to their Brazilian frontman, Gabriel Jesus, who lost his starting spot to his German teammate towards the backend of the previous season.
Amid these circumstances, the north Londoners would love to have a big, imposing striker, such as Osimhen.
They will be expected to challenge for the Premier League this year as well after finishing second behind Manchester City two seasons in a row. ...Read More
Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil in their opening match of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in Bordeaux, France, Thursday’s night....Read More
Super Falcons made their long-awaited return to Olympic football after a 16-year absence, but their Paris Games campaign got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 loss to Brazil in their group C opener game.
Despite dominating the first quarter of the game, the Nigerian side could not convert their chances into goals, falling short against a resolute Brazilian defense.
From the start, Nigeria showcased their attacking intent with Rasheedat Ajibade leading the charge. Her dangerous runs kept the Brazilian defense on edge, and she delivered a precise cross to Uchenna Kanu. However, Kanu’s effort was saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper, who was equally quick to deny Christy Ucheibe’s powerful shot from outside the penalty area shortly after.
In the 35th minute, the game seemed poised to swing in Brazil’s favor when legendary forward Marta scored from close range. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR due to an offside call in the build-up. Just moments later, Brazil capitalized on their chance when Gabi Nunes unleashed a powerful strike from outside the penalty area, beating Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and securing a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Nigeria push for an equalizer, with both Christy Ucheibe and Rasheedat Ajibade creating opportunities. Ucheibe’s attempts were thwarted by the Brazilian defense, while Ajibade’s efforts lacked the finishing touch needed to breach the Brazilian goal.
Brazil held on for a hard-fought victory, leaving Nigeria with a challenging path ahead.
The Super Falcons will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next group match against Spain on July 28th, before facing Japan on July 31st.
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Mozambican officials to take charge of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles and Mauritania....Read More
Dique Salvador Muxanga will serve as the centre referee, with his compatriots Angelo Almeida Nguenha and Jonas Chochota Chochato as referees 1 and 2, respectively.
Angolan Eliano Domingos Tito Iacala will be the timekeeper, while Adalberto Luis Fonseca Catambi from Sao Tome and Principe will serve as commissioner.
All the match officials arrived in Kaduna on Thursday.
The encounter will hold at Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna.
The Supersand Eagles won the first leg 5-4 in Nouakchott last weekend.
A draw or victory on Saturday will send the Nigerian boys to the finals in Egypt.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has given his verdict on the club’s summer signing, Leny Yoro....Read More
Maguire believes Yoro will make mistakes because he is still young.
The England international also backed Yoro to have a bright future at the Red Devils.
Yoro recently joined the Premier League giants from French Ligue 1 side Lille after snubbing Real Madrid.
“We must remind ourselves that he is really young,” Maguire said in an interview via The Athletic.
“There are gonna be mistakes, but he has every attribute of a centre-back in the modern game, so I’m sure he is gonna have a bright future.”
John Mikel Obi, a former Super Eagles captain, has hit out at footballers with African roots who choose to play for European countries....Read More
Mikel Obi, speaking on his podcast, insisted that their fatherland should not be a second option.
According to the ex-Chelsea midfielder, such players should not consider playing for Nigeria or their African nation if things don’t work out.
He said: “They say they wanna play for England or France or whatever it is, and then they wait. They keep waiting and keep waiting.
“When they get to 25 or 26 and they don’t get a call up from England, then they call Nigeria. We shouldn’t be treated like second options, we are not second options.
“If you decide you want to play for England, stick to it. Sit and wait. If you don’t get a call-up, you don’t get a call-up. But don’t wait until you’re 29 or 30 and then you call the Nigerian FA to tell them you’re ready to play for them. F*ck off mate.”
Agree or Disagree with Mikel Obi???
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) July 26, 2024
Super Falcons midfielder, Deborah Abiodun was delighted to meet evergreen Brazil international, Marta, DAILY POST reports....Read More
Abiodun was up against Marta at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium, Bordeaux on Thursday.
Marta provided the assist for Gabi Nunes’ goal as the Samba Girls defeated Nigeria 1-0 at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The midfielder had a goal ruled out for offside in the game.
Abiodun and the 38-year-old had a short discussion after the game.
She shared her memorable experience on social media.
“Last night, I had the honour of chatting with the one and only @martavieiras10, whose legacy has inspired generations. Sharing wisdom, experiences and smiles with such an icon is truly unforgettable. Here’s to chasing dreams and making history” she wrote on X.
Former Arsenal Defender, William Gallas has endorsed manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to sign Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna....Read More
Gallas believes the Italian defender would be a good signing for the Premier League North London club.
Calafiori is set to join Arteta’s side imminently after a breakthrough in negotiations was made earlier this week.
The 22-year-old is set to undergo a medical with the Gunners.
“My friend played in Italy for several years and watches Serie A every week – he played for Inter Milan and Lazio, he was a great player, but I’m not going to say who – and he told me that Ricardo Calafiori is really, really good,” Gallas told Gambling Zone.
“He’s young. He has good quality, and he can play as a centre-back or as a left-back. I think he would be a good signing for Arsenal because the club doesn’t really have a left-back at the moment. There are doubts about that position.”
Nigeria’s Super Falcons fell to a 1-0 defeat against Brazil in their opening Group C fixture at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons were in ascendancy early in the game, carving out three good chances in the first 25 minutes.
Chiwendu Ihezuo’s close-range effort was saved by Brazil goalkeeper Lorena.
Lorena also produced a superb save to deny midfielder Christy Ucheibe from outside the box.
Osinachi Ohale then nodded over the bar from Toni Payne’s superb cross.
Brazil captain Martha netted in the 33rd minute but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Brazil took the lead through Gabi Nunes eight minutes before the break.
Nunes slammed the ball into the net after she was set up by Martha.
The Samba Girls dominated the game in the second half, with Martha hitting the upright six minutes after the break.
Lorena made a superb save to deny Ajibade afterwards.
Brazil held on to their lead to move to the top of Group C with Spain, who defeated Japan 2-1 earlier in the day.
The Super Falcons will face world champions Spain in their second game in Nantes on Sunday.
Grand Slam record-breakers Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were placed on an Olympics second-round collision course in the draw for the Paris Games on Thursday....Read More
Nadal, a singles gold medallist at the 2008 Olympics, is playing in his final Games having also won doubles gold in Rio in 2016, while Djokovic was a bronze medallist in singles in 2008.
Serbia’s Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and top seed in Paris following the withdrawal of world number one Jannik Sinner, begins his campaign against Australia’s Matthew Ebden.
“I am excited for this duel in the second round, and I will give it my all,” said Djokovic, who has faced Nadal 59 times over the past 18 years.
“I am aware of the importance of the Olympic Games. I represent my country, which is more responsibility and even more pressure.”
Spain’s Nadal, who has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slams on the clay of Roland Garros, faces Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in his opener
French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, tackles 275th-ranked Hady Habib of Lebanon in the opening round of the tournament, which starts on Saturday.
“Roland Garros is the most special place in the world of tennis for me,” said 38-year-old Nadal, who was defeated in the first round of the French Open by Alexander Zverev last month during an injury-hit season.
“This year I was not able to spend a lot of time at Roland Garros, so I am excited to be back here. It’s another opportunity and a chance to enjoy every single moment.”
Defending Olympic champion Zverev, seeded third, takes on Jaume Munar of Spain.
Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, playing in Paris as a neutral following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, will meet Rinky Hijikata of Australia.
Two-time singles gold medallist Andy Murray, who will end his career at the Olympics after almost two decades on tour, will only play doubles.
The 37-year-old former world number one underwent surgery to remove a cyst on his back before Wimbledon, which also sidelined him from singles at the All England Club.
