I'm a huge Zidane fan, but that was utterly classless. To be sent off of the field in the WC final in the second overtime. If he retires, that has to be one of the worst career finishes ever.

not really, he's scored the pen thats keeping them in the game, if they win he'll be a national hero - not that he isnt already though.

He came up big in this WC and early in this game, but man what a horrid way to finish.

so true, i'm just glad he's already declared retirement.

What a dirty player and isn't the first time that he does things like this

He dont act like that by hasard...before be a football player, he's human...I'm sure this italian player said something that explain zidane behavior...final or not !!

That is true. My guess is something really really nasty was said. Italy seems to be good at [beep!] people off. Still though, I expect more restraint out of Zidane. I'm so disappointed by this ending.

Why did he do that? as they walked away Zidane was smiling then he just lost it big time. Must have been something said but what to provoke that reaction! Regardless theres no excuse for it.

Yes sure that this Materazzi has said something to him but it happens every few minutes in each game and players don't do what zidane has done. And I think that Zidane is the only player that has been sent off twice in WCs (not in this WC, between all the WCs that he has played).

I still can't quite grasp what the heck went on in his head.

Even if France lost, Zidane could've walked out of his carreer gracefully, but he chose not to. And it's such a pity, giving the fact that he is a world class player...

And is a bad loser because he hasn't been in the medals' ceremony

Cant believe that.
Bad provokation but... dammit!

I just hope they wont pardon the clubs in the corruption affair now.
That would be a bad day for football and would prove a lot of bad comments about italy right.

I feel for Zidane because I've been in that situation before. Some f'cking Italian guy talking [beep!] until you lose it. I hope someone gets that Marco Materazzi guy because there are alot of angry Zidane fans out there right now.

I love him even more now, only he could score a goal and get sent off in the World Cup final in his last game for France.

A stupid way to end his career.

Wrong thing to say man,Materazzi did say something wrong to Zidane true and Zidane should never have reacted like he did,but it's not right saying someone should now get hold of Materazzi,remember what happened to poor Andres Escobar for Colombia after 1994 world cup??...some people take things too far and this should remain on the football stage and not in reality

I dunno, he'll never be forgotten now! The man who got sent off and scored a goal in his last international game and in the World Cup, how could you forget that

Actually, if you are sent off, you are not allowed back on the pitch. No exceptions for medals. He was barred. Very sad.

Put yourself into Zidane's shoes, it's overtime and you're dead tired, your arm hurts like hell after the injury, and some a-hole Italian w/ tats all over his arms comes over and says something like "that goal was cheap, you suck, you never were really good, go home, retire already!" I don't know about you guys but there are times when a-holes get under my skin and make me lose my temper too. It takes alot to make me lose it and I'm thinking the same happened to Zidane.

One silly mistake but his still an absolute legend in my eyes.

True, and many of us may have reacted the same way. However, professional players, especially one as highly regarded as Zinedine Zidane are held to higher standards. It's so sad to see him get the red, lose, and not even be able to wave goodbye or receive a medal on the field after the game.

Zidane looked like he was in a strange headspace the whole game, maybe because it was his last. he seemed laid back, arrogant. Look at his cheeky penalty kick! it's like he was detached.

But it's such a shame to think that he almost scored that spectacular header to win the game. A few minutes later he goes out as a disgrace instead. Talk about a fateful few minutes in his life!

Anyway, I believe that something really bad was said to him. Doesn't excuse him losing his cool, but it must have been something really bad. he deserved more respect from the Italian player. it was his last game and the world cup final and he is one of the game's greatest. I just wish Zidane hadn't got sucked in by trash talk.

Tired,totally exhausted,limbs falling off,having your family abused....whatever...i would never ever react in that way..Materazzi twisted Zidane round his finger and used him like a puppet,Zidane should have known better

And moreover Zidane played during some years in Juventus then he should know that italian players say these things. He reacted like if he was insulted for the first time in his life.