Gianluigi Buffon has broken two decades of silence to acknowledge his indirect role in Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, describing the moment as one where his own goalkeeping brilliance may have pushed the French legend over the edge.
The Italian goalkeeper, who made 176 appearances for the Azzurri, revealed in a recent interview with The Guardian that his world-class save moments before the incident denied Zidane what appeared to be a certain goal, triggering the frustration that culminated in the headbutt.
“I remember it well,” Buffon said. “When Zidane hit the ball he headed with such strength and a kind of nastiness. It was as if he had connected with his foot rather than his head because it was so fast. I knew he was convinced he had scored. So he was frustrated that I saved it but, being the incredible champion he is, I believe he as well appreciated my save in the end.”
Buffon’s admission comes nearly 20 years after the dramatic finale in Berlin, where Italy defeated France 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Zidane, playing in his final professional match, was sent off in the 110th minute for headbutting Materazzi, leaving France to play the remainder of extra time and the penalty shootout with ten men.
The veteran goalkeeper was one of the few players who witnessed the actual altercation. Positioned approximately 15 meters away, Buffon heard the distinct thud of contact and immediately recognized the severity of the incident.
“If he had done that to anyone else, they would have been knocked out,” Buffon explained. “The linesman didn’t spot it. The only one who witnessed it was me. So I ran to the referee and assistant in order to attract their attention. Materazzi was on the ground, Zidane was motionless, I was protesting, and finally the game stopped.”
Buffon emphasized that his actions were driven by sporting duty rather than animosity, noting the mutual respect that had always existed between himself and Zidane throughout their careers.
“I was shaken up and caught between mixed emotions,” he continued. “I knew it was Zidane’s last game, and he was one of the greatest and classiest players in the history of football. And I was sorry that it was ending for him in that way.”
The goalkeeper revealed that he and Zidane have never discussed the incident in the two decades since, characterizing it as “a matter of respect” between two competitors who shared elite status in the sport.
Buffon’s reflections were shared during promotional activities for his autobiography, ‘Saved’, which was released earlier this month. The book delves into his illustrious career, including his experiences with Juventus, the Italian national team, the Calciopoli scandal, and of course, the 2006 World Cup final.
Aside from Italy’s triumph in the tournament, the 2006 final is perhaps best remembered for Zidane’s moment of madness, which earned him a straight red card in his final ever game as a professional footballer.
The Azzurri’s victory in Berlin remains Italy’s most recent World Cup success, adding historical weight to Buffon’s retrospective account of the evening’s events.
While Zidane has previously addressed the incident in various interviews, Buffon’s recent comments provide a rare perspective from an opponent who was directly involved in the sequence of events that led to the headbutt.
The goalkeeper’s willingness to speak openly about the matter two decades later underscores the lasting impact of that single moment on both players’ legacies and on football history more broadly.
As football fans continue to debate and analyze one of the sport’s most infamous incidents, Buffon’s account adds an important layer of context to understanding how the events unfolded in the dying moments of extra time in Berlin.
The 2006 World Cup final remains a defining match for both nations, with Italy celebrating their fourth world title and France reflecting on what might have been had Zidane remained on the pitch for the penalty shootout.
For now, Buffon’s mea culpa offers a candid reflection from one of football’s most respected figures on a night that will forever be remembered for both triumph and controversy.
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