Issues Of The Head

• If you had watched the World Cup final which saw Italy win their 3rd world cup through penalty shoot-outs, or if you have been following the news, you would have known that something major happened. No, its not the Azzuris winning the world cup, or the way Zidane scored the penalty. Its still about Zidane, but its about him head-butting Materazzi, the italian player who scored the equaliser and eventually scoring the last penalty that cost France their world cup.
• For those who don't know, it was 20 minutes into extra time, 10 minutes before the penalty shoot-out when Materazzi fall onto the ground. No one knows why, but referee stops play. The 4th official then goes up to the referee to speak to him. Zidane gets red card. Video replay show that Zidane planted his head into Materazzi's chest, hard. It was like that dinosaur famous for head butting each other.
• Of course, the question we want to know is, why? Why did Zidane do that to make his career end in such a way? Why did he do that to leave the French team fighting desperately without him? Why?
• Many people call Zidane irresponsible, rough, violent, senseless. That his actions cost the French their world cup. But is he all that? We must look the issues from a different point of view.
• First of all, let us all know that this is his last game as a professional footballer. Who don't want to end his career on a high? I am sure everybody, including Zidane looks forward to finishing their football career on a high, without a card. If so, why did Zidane do that?
• I am sure he knows that when he headbutted Materazzi, a red card would be coming his way. An experienced player, great footballer, Zidane definitely knew the rules. He was definitely mature at the age of 34. With all these in mind, something real bad must have caused Zidane to do what he did.
• What happened? Lip-readers speculate that Materazzi called him "Son of a terrorist whore", but Zidane claimed yesterday that it was not the case. Instead, he claimed that Materazzi insulted his mother and sister.
• Zidane's story: Apparently, both players were groping each other in the penalty box and Materazzi was pulling Zidane's shirt. So Zidane said that if he wanted the shirt, he could have it after the match(people exchange jerseys in views of friendship). Then Materazzi insulted his mother and sister. Materazzi repeated it and Zidane walked away. Materazzi then followed Zidane and repeated what he said again. It was then that Zidane lost his cool and ram his head into Materazzi.
• Materazzi's story: Apparently, they were getting into alot of physical contact. Zidane then looked at Materazzi with an air of pride, saying that if he wanted the shirt that badly, he could have it. Materazzi said he then insulted Zidane but not his mother.
• Should Zidane have done that? I say yes. Zidane did something wrong, but its something that Materazzi deserved it. No regrets by Zidane. He was just concerned about his pride. Not just his, his family as well.
• People say that he should have kept his cool and just accept it, coz its the world cup final and the cup is at stake. But should he? If he did, he is showing that what Materazzi said was right, and his family pride will be compromised. There are things that you can swallow down but there are some that you just can't. Zidane is very proud of his family and I respect him for that.
• Its not that Zidane's action is one that he should be proud of, but its not one to be regretted either. Yes, what he did would have misled many children watching the worldcup, but isn't the wrestling doing a better job at it? Besides should children learn that it is ok to insult people's family and get away with it? That is ok not to respect people because you want to win a golden trophy?
• There are things bigger than football. Yes, it is the world cup. But so? Must you swallow insults directed at your family just because you want to win a trophy made of gold? So you are saying your family is smaller than a cup that comes once every 4 years?
• Many people blame Zidane for losing the world cup. But is that the case? Did he cause France to lose?
• Wait, now think about it. Who brought them to the finals in the first place? Who led the team to victories after victories? Who scored the goals? Who scored the penalty in the final so that they are draw to Italy in the 1st place? Zidane. Its Zidane that helped them to win and get this far. Now why do people want to blame Zidane?
• Yes, what Zidane wasn't right. But it isn't too wrong either. He simply knew that his family was before football. Zidane has given much to football, football is a big part of his life but this is just too much.
• Besides, Italy is playing very cheaply. Knowing that Zidane will react to such insults, it is only normal to think that they will try to throw Zidane off the pitch by making him get a red card. Yes they did it. They won the world cup by doing this. But I am definitely no convinced.