Zinedine Zidane says he’d rather die than apologize for famous head-butt

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It has been nearly four years since the head-butt heard (and seen) around the world, but don’t expect an apology from former French soccer star Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane told a Spanish newspaper that he’d rather die than apologize to Italian defender Marco Materazzi for head-butting him during the 2006 World Cup final. He expressed shame for his action but emphasized he would never apologize to Materazzi, saying Materazzi provoked the incident by ridiculing him.

‘After the game, I went into the dressing room and told [his teammates], ‘Forgive me. This doesn’t change anything, but sorry everyone,’ Zidane told the newspaper.

‘But to [Materazzi] I can’t. Never. Never. It would be to dishonor me. ... I’d rather die.’

Materazzi reportedly told an Italian newspaper he is still angry about being head-butted and that he is waiting for Zidane to apologize to him.

‘If it was Kaka, an ordinary guy, a good guy, of course I would have apologized,’ Zidane said. ‘But to this one! If I ask forgiveness of him, I lack the respect for myself and for all those I love with all my heart.’

-- Austin Knoblauch