The best (and worst) of Zinedine Zidane | CNN

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The best (and worst) of Zinedine Zidane

Published 8:20 AM EDT, Thu September 27, 2012
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The moment French football superstar Zinedine Zidane headbutted Italy's Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final has been immortalized in a five meter bronze statue. The statue, positioned outside of Paris' Pompidou Museum, is the work of Algerian-born artist Adel Abdessemed.
Zizou's bronze butt —
The moment French football superstar Zinedine Zidane headbutted Italy's Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final has been immortalized in a five meter bronze statue. The statue, positioned outside of Paris' Pompidou Museum, is the work of Algerian-born artist Adel Abdessemed.
Getty Images
The headbutt, which occured in the second half of extra-time, stunned the football world. Zidane scored from the penalty spot to give France a 1-0 lead, before Materazzi equalized. After 120 minutes of play and with the scores still level, the match went to penalties. Italy prevailed to win a third World Cup. The assault was the last action of Zidane's incredible career.
Out with a bang —
The headbutt, which occured in the second half of extra-time, stunned the football world. Zidane scored from the penalty spot to give France a 1-0 lead, before Materazzi equalized. After 120 minutes of play and with the scores still level, the match went to penalties. Italy prevailed to win a third World Cup. The assault was the last action of Zidane's incredible career.
Getty Images
Eight years earlier, Zidane had an altogether different World Cup experience. With an expectant French crowd looking on at the Stade de France, Zidane scored two first-half headers as France beat Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 final.
Brilliant brace —
Eight years earlier, Zidane had an altogether different World Cup experience. With an expectant French crowd looking on at the Stade de France, Zidane scored two first-half headers as France beat Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 final.
Getty Images
Zidane and his teammates, including Thierry Henry and Marcel Desailly,  ensured France were crowned world champions for the first time.
Allez Les Bleus! —
Zidane and his teammates, including Thierry Henry and Marcel Desailly, ensured France were crowned world champions for the first time.
Getty Images
Four years later, Zidane painted his masterpiece at Hampden Park in Glasgow. With the scores level at 1-1 between Zidane's Real Madrid and Germany's Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 European Champions League final, the Frenchman expertly dispatched a Roberto Carlos cross with a stunning volley from the edge of the penalty area. The sumptuous strike was enough to secure Real a ninth European crown.
Hammer at Hampden —
Four years later, Zidane painted his masterpiece at Hampden Park in Glasgow. With the scores level at 1-1 between Zidane's Real Madrid and Germany's Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 European Champions League final, the Frenchman expertly dispatched a Roberto Carlos cross with a stunning volley from the edge of the penalty area. The sumptuous strike was enough to secure Real a ninth European crown.
Getty Images
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