Zidane's Highlights From A Friendly Match Shows He Still Had It At 42

Zinedine Zidane's retirement from football is one of the most famous in the history of the game but looking at highlights from the Frenchman in 2015 it's possible to think that he called it a day far too soon.

He was one of the best players in the world with his silky smooth skills, incredible ability to pass the ball and a penchant for a brilliant goal. Unfortunately the lasting memory of Zidane's playing career proved his other penchant, for his angry streak.

Of course the Frenchman was infamously sent off for his country in the World Cup final in 2006 against Italy for headbutting Marco Materazzi. That picture of him walking past the World Cup trophy on his way to the changing room is utterly iconic.

Sadly that was his last competitive match as a footballer as he retired after the tournament. Now he's Real Madrid manager and doing a damn fine job of it too.

In 2015 he was still boss of the Castilla side and played in a friendly against Liverpool Legends, for Real Legends, and his highlights prove he very much still had it:

Materazzi, on the other hand, treasures it dearly to this day - so much so he's shared a piece of artwork relating to the incident, that is on the wall of his house.

The 44-year old took to Instagram to reveal the work of art, which has been created using a whole lot of lights and bulbs. It features Zidane headbutting the former Inter defender, who is proudly holding the World Cup aloft.

So, just what did Materazzi say to Zidane to prompt that violent reaction? Talking about the fracas, he said, via MARCA, he said:

"I decided to publish a book about this event because everyone asked me what I had told him [Zidane] to react like that. My words were stupid but did not deserve that reaction. In any neighbourhood of Rome, Naples, Turin, Milan Paris, I hear much more serious things.

"I talked about his sister not his mother, like I have read in some newspapers. My mother died while I was a teenager, I would never insult his."

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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