Editing Zinedine Zidane (section)

==International career==
Both France and Algeria consider Zidane a [[Multiple citizenship|citizen]]. It was rumoured that coach [[Abdelhamid Kermali]] denied Zidane a position for the [[Algeria national football team|Algerian squad]] because he felt the young midfielder was not fast enough.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/sports/2006/jul/10sld-zid1.htm |title=The scarred French messiah |work=Rediff.com |access-date=28 April 2011 |archive-date=9 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709142627/http://specials.rediff.com/sports/2006/jul/10sld-zid1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Zidane dismissed the rumour in a 2005 interview, saying that he would have been ineligible to play for Algeria because he had already played for France.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070614013751/http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sanstitre15bu.jpg Le Buteur magazine] 7 May 2005</ref>

Zidane was a member of the French under-21 squad that won a bronze medal at the [[Football at the 1993 Mediterranean Games|1993 Mediterranean Games]] in [[Languedoc-Roussillon]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Zinedine Zidane 'The best player ever in History' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pk280bcN8hIC&pg=PA69 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605192930/https://books.google.com/books?id=Pk280bcN8hIC&pg=PA69 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 June 2021 |publisher=epubli |pages=69– |id=GGKEY:L6NR6UY3RQ0 }}</ref>
He earned his first [[Cap (sport)|cap]] with France as a substitute in a [[Exhibition game#Association football|friendly]] against the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]] on 17 August 1994, which ended in a 2–2 draw after Zidane scored twice to help France erase a 2–0 deficit. After [[Eric Cantona]] was handed a year-long suspension in January 1995 for assaulting a fan, Zidane took over the [[playmaker]] position.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cantona and Ginola omitted by France |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cantona-and-ginola-omitted-by-france-1348207.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cantona-and-ginola-omitted-by-france-1348207.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |date=16 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Euro 1996===
Despite not being at his best during the tournament, France reached the last four. Zidane was not yet fully established in the French team and his level was quite average during the whole event, but he managed to score in the penalty shootout in both the quarter-final and semi-final. France was eliminated in the [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 96]] semi-finals in a [[Penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]] against the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Czechs prevail on penalties to reach final |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b2e29cedb-16d78790a71e-1000--czechs-prevail-on-penalties-against-france-to-reach-euro-96-/ |publisher=UEFA |date=16 April 2015 |access-date=16 April 2015 |archive-date=12 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012155750/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1996/matches/round=224/match=52915/postmatch/report/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===1998 World Cup===
[[File:ArcoTriunfo.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.81|Following France's World Cup win, an image of Zidane was projected on the [[Arc de Triomphe]] (''pictured'') along with the words "Merci Zizou".<ref name="Merci Zizou">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jul/02/euro2000.sport2 "Zizou top"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129062540/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jul/02/euro2000.sport2 |date=29 November 2014 }}. ''The Guardian''. London. Retrieved 21 November 2013.</ref>]]

The [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] was the first World Cup that Zidane participated in; the tournament was held in his home country, France. The French team won all three games in the group stage, with Zidane setting up Christophe Dugarry's goal in the opening match against [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]] from a corner, and contributing to Thierry Henry's opening goal in the second match against [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]]. He was [[Ejection (sports)#Association football|sent off]] in the latter match for a stamp on [[Fuad Anwar]], becoming the first French player to receive a [[List of FIFA World Cup red cards|red card in a World Cup Finals match]].<ref name="The 10 best players of France 98">{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/best-players-world-cup-france-98-zidane-ronaldo-thuram-bergkamp-suker |title=Ranked! The 10 best players of France 98 |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Wilson |first1=Jonathan |date=21 March 2020 |access-date=1 April 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303053903/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/best-players-world-cup-france-98-zidane-ronaldo-thuram-bergkamp-suker |url-status=live }}</ref> Without their playmaker, France proceeded to win 1–0 in the round of sixteen game against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] and, on his return to the side, defeated [[Italy national football team|Italy]] 4–3 on penalties after a goalless draw in the quarter-finals, with Zidane netting the first spot kick in the shoot-out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.raisport.rai.it/eventi/francia98/incontri/ita_fra.htm|title=Italia-Francia, 1998 0-0 (3-4)|trans-title=Italy–France, 1998 0–0 (3–4)|website=rai.it|publisher=Rai Sport|language=it|last1=Di Gennaro|first1=Dario|access-date=13 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616003113/http://www2.raisport.rai.it/eventi/francia98/incontri/ita_fra.htm|archive-date=16 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> France then defeated [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] 2–1 in the semi-final. Although Zidane had played a role in the team's accomplishments, he had yet to score a goal at the World Cup.<ref name="The 10 best players of France 98"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-zinedine-zidanes-france-won-world-cup-98/|title=How Zinedine Zidane's France Won World Cup '98|publisher=Vice Sports|author=Will Magee|date=23 June 2017|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-date=26 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226050020/https://sports.vice.com/en_au/article/gyp7jw/how-zinedine-zidanes-france-won-world-cup-98|url-status=live}}</ref>

Zidane and France went on to play against defending champions and favourites [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] at the [[Stade de France]] in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup Final]]. France dominated Brazil from the kick-off, with Zidane scoring two similar goals, both headers from corner kicks taken by [[Emmanuel Petit]] and [[Youri Djorkaeff]]. Courtesy of Zidane's two goals, France went into the half-time break 2–0 up with one hand on the [[FIFA World Cup Trophy|World Cup trophy]].<ref name="Fifa Profile"/> Petit added a third goal deep in stoppage time to seal the 3–0 win and France's first World Cup. Named man of the match, Zidane became an instant national hero and would receive the [[Legion of Honour]] later that year.<ref name="Merci Zizou"/> More than one million people lined the [[Champs-Élysées]] in Paris, with celebrations centred around the [[Arc de Triomphe]].<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup98/articles/party.htm "For Joyous French, a Night to Remember"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018220203/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup98/articles/party.htm |date=18 October 2020 }}. ''Washington Post''. Retrieved 21 November 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-08-13/zidane-calls-time-on-international-career/2025020 "Zidane calls time on international career"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027192645/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-08-13/zidane-calls-time-on-international-career/2025020 |date=27 October 2016 }}. ABC. Retrieved 21 November 2013.</ref>

===Euro 2000===
[[File:Maillot Zidane.jpg|thumb|upright|Zidane's France jersey from Euro 2000]]

Two years later France won [[UEFA Euro 2000|Euro 2000]], becoming the first team to hold both the World Cup and the European Championship since [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] in 1974. Zidane finished with two goals, a [[Curl (football)|bending]] free kick against [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]] in the quarter-final and the [[golden goal]] in the semi-final against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] with a penalty.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/805574.stm |title=Raul miss sends France through |work=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2000 |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=28 July 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030728034640/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/805574.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/810547.stm |title=Zidane sends France through |work=BBC Sport |date=28 June 2000 |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903162622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/810547.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He also set-up Henry's goal in a 3–0 win over [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] in their opening group match.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/france-shuts-out-denmark-in-euro-2000-1.208072 |title=France shuts out Denmark in Euro 2000 |work=CBC Sports |last1=Evagora |first1=Andreas |date=11 June 2000 |access-date=22 April 2024 }}</ref> UEFA named Zidane [[UEFA Euro 2000#Awards|Player of the Tournament]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17760487 "Euro 2000: The French Revolution"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526152915/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17760487 |date=26 May 2015 }}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 August 2014.</ref>

Zidane himself believes he was at his peak during the tournament, while the [[UEFA]] website states, "In Belgium and the Netherlands, Zidane dominated a major championship in a way no individual had managed since Diego Maradona in 1986. From the opening game against Denmark to the final against Italy, 'Zizou' shone brightly, casting a spell on his opponents with clever flicks, mesmerising stepovers, slaloming runs and masterful vision."<ref>{{cite news |title=Zidane basks in his golden summer of 2000 |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/memories/newsid=1757816.html |access-date=15 July 2018 |publisher=UEFA |archive-date=13 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713153926/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/memories/newsid=1757816.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2002 World Cup===
As reigning world and European champions, France entered the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] in Japan/Korea as favourites but a thigh injury sustained in a warm up match before the tournament prevented Zidane from playing in France's first two matches and without their talisman, the French team failed to score in either match, losing 1–0 against [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]], and holding [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] to a goalless draw. He was rushed back prematurely for the third game against Denmark, despite not being fully fit, but could not prevent France from losing 2–0, and being ignominiously eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal; the worst performance by a defending champion in the history of the competition.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/07/28/frances-failure-at-world-cup-2002/ |title=The story of France's failure at World Cup 2002 |last=Bland |first=Gareth |date=28 July 2015 |website=These Football Times |access-date=31 May 2018 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208162040/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/07/28/frances-failure-at-world-cup-2002/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Euro 2004===
At [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]], France topped their group with wins over England and Switzerland. In the opening match against [[England national football team|England]], Zidane scored a free kick and penalty in stoppage time to turn impending defeat into a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3787491.stm |title=France 2–1 England |work=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2004 |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=5 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005173918/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3787491.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/euro-moments-zidane-quick-on-the-double-to-down-england-1.2650665 |title=Euro Moments: Zidane quick on the double to down England |newspaper=The Irish Times |location=Dublin |date=27 May 2016 |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=13 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713152901/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/euro-moments-zidane-quick-on-the-double-to-down-england-1.2650665 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following group match against Croatia, his free-kick was deflected by defender [[Igor Tudor]], who scored an own goal; the match ended in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7b43fc35c7-f77277b8ddb7-1000--battling-croatia-rattle-holders-france-in-euro-2004-group-b/ |title=Battling Croatia rattle holders France in EURO 2004 Group B |publisher=[[UEFA]] |date=17 June 2004 |access-date=22 April 2024 }}</ref> In France's final group match, Zidane opened the scoring in an eventual 3–1 win over [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/21/euro2004.sport17 |title=Switzerland 1 - 3 France |work=The Guardian |date=21 June 2004 |access-date=22 April 2024 }}</ref> However, France were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual champions [[Greece national football team|Greece]] in a surprise 1–0 loss.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3830575.stm |title=France 0–1 Greece |work=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2004 |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=14 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614211300/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3830575.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> After France's elimination, Zidane announced his retirement from international football.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Zidane quits French national team |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/football/08/12/zidane.retirement/ |publisher=CNN |date=12 August 2004 |access-date=11 July 2006 |archive-date=17 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717013255/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/football/08/12/zidane.retirement/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2006 World Cup===
{{quote box |width=33% |source=[[Thierry Henry]], on Zidane's return.<ref>{{cite web |title=France's unlikely journey to the 2006 World Cup final |url=http://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/05/09/frances-unlikely-journey-to-the-2006-world-cup-final/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170923042827/http://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/05/09/frances-unlikely-journey-to-the-2006-world-cup-final/ |date=5 Sep 2017 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |last=Bland |first=Gareth |work=These Football Times}}</ref>
|quote=What I am going to say may sound over the top, but it's the truth. God exists and he has returned to the France team.
}}
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With the mass retirement of veteran key players such as [[Bixente Lizarazu]], [[Marcel Desailly]], [[Claude Makélélé]] and [[Lilian Thuram]], France struggled to qualify for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]]. At the urging of coach [[Raymond Domenech]], Zidane came out of retirement and was immediately reinstated as team captain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4743069.stm |title=Zidane & Makelele back for France |work=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2005 |access-date=26 January 2019 |archive-date=16 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816155457/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4743069.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Zidane, along with Thuram and Makélélé, made his competitive return for France in a 3–0 win over the [[Faroe Islands national football team|Faroe Islands]] on 3 September 2005. The trio helped France rise from fourth place to win their qualifying group.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France 3–0 Faroe Islands: Cisse double strike |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=178912 |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=3 September 2005 |access-date=11 July 2006 |archive-date=2 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402075815/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=178912 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 27 May 2006, Zidane earned his hundredth cap for France in a 1–0 friendly win over [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], in what would also be his last match at the [[Stade de France]]. Zidane became France's fourth player to reach [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|100 caps]], after Desailly, Thuram and [[Didier Deschamps]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Malouda leads France past Mexico |first=Jerome |last=Pugmire |agency=Associated Press |date=27 May 2006 }}</ref>

France had a slow start to the 2006 Finals and, after being suspended for the third match of the group stage, Zidane returned to set up a goal for [[Patrick Vieira]] and score one himself in the second round match against [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991524.stm |title=Spain 1–3 France |work=BBC Sport |date=27 June 2006 |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909010412/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991524.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the quarter-final France held Brazil to just one shot on goal in the rematch of the 1998 final. Zidane assisted [[Thierry Henry]]'s deciding goal and was named [[Man of the Match]] by FIFA.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991616.stm |title=Brazil 0–1 France |work=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2006 |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122073411/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991616.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Man of the Match: Stage 2 |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/mom/s2.html |publisher=FIFA |date=1 July 2006 |access-date=2 July 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060711212605/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/mom/s2.html |archive-date=11 July 2006}}</ref> France faced Portugal in the semi-final and, as in [[Brussels]] six years earlier; once again, Zidane's penalty kick decided the contest and sent France to another major final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jul/06/worldcup2006.match |title=Zidane and France seize their final chance |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 July 2006 |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301213827/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jul/06/worldcup2006.match |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Guardian"/>

Having already announced he was to retire after the expiration of his Real Madrid contract at the end of the 2005–06 season, the world of football already knew Zidane's second World Cup final was to be the last match of his career. Seven minutes into the [[2006 FIFA World Cup Final|2006 World Cup final]] in Berlin, Zidane put France ahead with a [[Panenka (penalty kick)|Panenka]]-style penalty kick which struck the crossbar and bounced just over the goal line<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1655278/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628113325/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1655278/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2012 |title=The cult of the Panenka penalty |publisher=FIFA |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=12 January 2018}}</ref> to become only the fourth player in World Cup history to score in two different finals, along with [[Pelé]], [[Paul Breitner]], and [[Vavá]], in addition to being tied for first place with Vavá, Pelé and [[Geoff Hurst]] with three World Cup final goals apiece, a record at the time, later broken by compatriot [[Kylian Mbappé]] in [[2022 FIFA World Cup final|2022]]. He almost scored a second goal during the first period of extra time but his header was saved by Italy's goalkeeper [[Gianluigi Buffon]]. Zidane was then [[Dismissal (football)|sent off]] in the 110th minute of the game after [[2006 FIFA World Cup Final#Provocation of Zidane analysis|headbutting Marco Materazzi]] in the chest,<ref name="report">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/matches/match/97410064/ |title=Italy – France |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=9 August 2016 |archive-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412060648/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/matches/match/97410064/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="headbutt">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/aug/18/newsstory.sport2 |title=And Materazzi's exact words to Zidane were... , Football, guardian.co.uk |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=18 August 2007 |access-date=27 March 2011 |archive-date=26 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426205721/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/aug/18/newsstory.sport2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smale |first=Simon |date=18 December 2022 |title=Kylian Mbappé nets World Cup final hat trick to prove his class, but there has to be a winner and a loser |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-19/kylian-mbappe-fifa-world-cup-final-hattrick-messi/101787976 |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=Abc.net |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218052637/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-19/kylian-mbappe-fifa-world-cup-final-hattrick-messi/101787976 |url-status=live }}</ref> so he did not participate in the penalty shootout, which Italy won 5–3.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373706&cc=5901 |title=Materazzi admits to insulting Zidane |website=ESPN Soccernet |access-date=16 November 2009 |archive-date=15 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115071331/http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=373706&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This marked the 14th overall [[Misconduct (association football)#Sending-off offences (red card)|expulsion]] of Zidane's career, and joined him with [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]'s [[Rigobert Song]] as the only players ever to be sent off during two separate World Cup tournaments.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Buckingham |title=1998 World Cup – France |publisher=Sky Sports |url=http://home.skysports.com/worldcup/historyarticle.aspx?hlid=373681 |access-date=11 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703033753/http://home.skysports.com/worldcup/historyarticle.aspx?hlid=373681 |archive-date=3 July 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Something curious about Zidane's expulsion was that [[Horacio Elizondo|the referee]] didn't even see the headbutting, so he went to ask the linesmen, who didn't see anything either. But the fourth referee did see the play, and convinced of his expression, he sent off the 10th of the French team. He also became the fourth player red-carded in a World Cup final, in addition to being the first sent off in extra time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zidane sent off in extra time for head butt |publisher=ESPNsoccernet |date=9 July 2006 |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373588&cc=5901 |access-date=11 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060811220022/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373588&cc=5901 |archive-date=11 August 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Zidane's actions made headlines all over the world, while in France ''[[Le Figaro]]'' called his head-butt "odious", and the front page of ''[[L'Équipe]]'' asked, "What should we tell our children, for whom you have become an example for ever? ... How could that happen to a man like you?"<ref name="Guardian"/> Zidane had received plaudits for his performances during the tournament, with [[Pep Guardiola]] writing he exerts so much influence on the team that "France are never disorganised".<ref name=lee1>{{Cite web |title=The evolution of Pep Guardiola, decade by decade |url=https://theathletic.com/2322975/2021/01/17/the-evolution-of-pep-guardiola-decade-by-decade/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529133029/https://theathletic.com/2322975/2021/01/17/the-evolution-of-pep-guardiola-decade-by-decade/ |date=17 January 2021 |archive-date=29 May 2021 |work=The Athletic |last=Lee |first=Sam}}</ref> The day after the final, Zidane was awarded the [[FIFA World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the player of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/2006-fifa-world-cup-official-fifa-awards-zidane-wins-adidas-golden-bal-16415|title=2006 FIFA World Cup Official FIFA Awards: Zidane wins adidas Golden Ball award|publisher=fifa.com|date=10 July 2006|access-date=19 April 2020|archive-date=14 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714151444/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/2006-fifa-world-cup-official-fifa-awards-zidane-wins-adidas-golden-bal-16415|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=left|quote="The match you played last night was full of talent and professionalism. I know that you are sad and disappointed but what I want to tell you is that the whole country is extremely proud of you. You have honoured the country with your exceptional qualities and your fantastic fighting spirit, which was your strength in difficult times, but also in winning times."|source=—President of France, [[Jacques Chirac]], pays tribute to Zidane in Paris after the 2006 World Cup.<ref name="Guardian">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/11/world-cup-moments-zinedine-zidane-head-butt "World Cup: 25 stunning moments … No5: Zinedine Zidane's head-butt"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118143748/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/11/world-cup-moments-zinedine-zidane-head-butt |date=18 November 2020 }}. ''The Guardian''. London Retrieved 16 May 2013.</ref>
}}

Upon his return to France, the [[Place de la Concorde]] in Paris was filled with thousands of fans waving flags and rhythmically chanting "Zizou! Zizou!", and tributes were led by the French president [[Jacques Chirac]].<ref name="Guardian"/> Chirac's words reflected the feeling of the French public, with polls done in the immediate wake of the incident showing support for Zidane: 61% of French people said they had already forgiven him for his actions while 52% said they understood them.<ref name="Guardian"/> According to French journalist Philippe Auclair, Zidane's performances in the knock-out rounds were "ranked among his finest in a blue shirt."<ref name="Guardian"/> As the player of the tournament, Zidane had given the team hope, with the French daily newspaper ''[[Libération]]'' stating, "For a month, France was dreaming with Zidane."<ref name="Guardian"/> Zidane remained an icon to the French public, and one French writer stated, "It's good for us to see our national hero is fallible."<ref name="Guardian"/> It was later revealed through interviews that [[Marco Materazzi]] had insulted Zidane's sister, which led to Zidane's heightened anger and reaction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marco Materazzi: I used 'stupid words' before Zinedine Zidane head-butt |url=http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/2910348/marco-materazzi-i-used-stupid-words-before-zinedine-zidane-head-butt |website=ESPN FC |date=9 July 2016 |access-date=2 February 2017 |archive-date=16 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116043552/http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/2910348/marco-materazzi-i-used-stupid-words-before-zinedine-zidane-head-butt |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010, Zidane said that he would "rather die than apologize" to Materazzi for the headbutt in the final,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/749212/ce/uk/?cc=5739&ver=global |title=Zidane: I'd "rather die" than say sorry |date=1 March 2010 |website=ESPN Soccernet |access-date=1 March 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304145802/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/749212/ce/uk/?cc=5739&ver=global |url-status=dead }}</ref> but also admitted that he "could never have lived with himself" had he been allowed to remain on the pitch and help France win the match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ww38.momento24.com/en/2009/12/22/zidane-is-glad-he-was-sent-off-in-the-2006-world-cup-final/comment-page-1/|title=Zidane is glad he was sent off in 2006 World Cup final|website=ww38.momento24.com|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803202919/http://ww38.momento24.com/en/2009/12/22/zidane-is-glad-he-was-sent-off-in-the-2006-world-cup-final/comment-page-1/|archive-date=3 August 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later said, "If you look at the fourteen red cards I had in my career, twelve of them were a result of provocation. This isn't justification, this isn't an excuse, but my passion, temper and blood made me react."<ref>{{cite web |title=Zinedine Zidane |url=http://www.esquireme.com/zinedine-zidane/ |website=Esquire |access-date=16 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416133836/http://www.esquireme.com/zinedine-zidane/ |archive-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

Following his red card in the final, Zidane retired from professional football and confirmed that he would not go back on his decision.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm |work=BBC Sport |title=I'm sorry but no regrets – Zidane |date=12 July 2006 |access-date=4 July 2010 |archive-date=23 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923064441/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He was sentenced by FIFA to complete three days of community service with children in one of FIFA's humanitarian projects rather than three-match suspension for the red card given that he already retired.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/20/fifa.zidane/ |title=FIFA bans Zidane for head butt |publisher=CNN |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505164315/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/07/20/fifa.zidane/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140514020245/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=104545/index.html "Zidane/Materazzi disciplinary proceedings: suspensions, fines, community service and regret"]. FIFA. Retrieved 13 May 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bose |first=Mihir |date=21 July 2006 |title=Zidane case sets disciplinary precedent |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/2341128/Zidane-case-sets-disciplinary-precedent.html |access-date=7 December 2013 |work=Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Rob |date=2006-07-21 |title=Suspensions in World Cup Head-Butting Incident |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/21/sports/soccer/21soccer.html |access-date=2024-06-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Zidane ended up tying with Brazil's [[Cafu]] for the record for most cards given in World Cup matches, with six.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/06/12/counting-the-cards-at-the-world-cup/ |website=U.S. News & World Report |title=Counting Cards at the World Cup |date=12 June 2014 |access-date=19 September 2017 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021084330/https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/06/12/counting-the-cards-at-the-world-cup |url-status=live }}</ref>