The Zidane Incident
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He was my hero, my legend, my role model. I can hardly find the right words to describe my affection for him, but they all seem to disappear like smoke in the wind after what he did to his Italian opponent yesterday. I want Zidane to make an open apology. This would teach the world that there is honor in humility. -- Justin
Thank you, Zizou. Thank you for all the years of great football moments. You remain the genius who made football an art. I will always remember your unique touch, control of the ball, dribbling and running techniques and vision of the game. Materazzi will not be remembered in 10, 20 or 100 years as you will. Who else could have taken Zidane out of the pitch apart from Zidane himself? -- Gilbert
This is a sad moment in the history of soccer that will remain in our minds for a long time. Too bad it was one of my heroes that let me down with his act. No provocations or insults of any class should have merited this kind of reactions especially in the final game of the World Cup. I just feel bad about how Zidane must be feeling now after his terrible mistake. But what can we do? After all, we are only humans. -- R. Patricio Valenzuela
Played by humans, not gods
I am not disappointed by Zizou. He's still of the greatest of players. I would have preferred if such an incident had not happened, but it did happen. So what? Soccer is a game for men. The gods will never understand it. We humans -- with red hot blood running through our veins -- play the game. Zidane did exactly what any one of us would have done at that moment: confront the provocation. Chirac said: "France loves you and admires you." Me too, Zizou. -- OneOfTheMilli
Zidane belongs to the top five players in the history of soccer. I would rank him second, behind Ronaldinho, who belongs in a class of his own. Zidane played with dignity and the kind of glory that evoked great respect from every soccer fan. For that, I admire him. -- Angela Cung
I was shocked at what Zidane did to earn himself a red card. I know for sure that he reacted to some bad words but he should have acted professionally. He's had the opportunity of lifting the World Cup in his lifetime, but he did not consider other young players who were also looking forward to such a great opportunity -- Muyatwa
Why is FIFA silent?
FIFA owes the world its own investigation, analysis, and report of the Zidane/Materazzi incident. Where does FIFA stand on what is now reported to have been said before Zidane reacted in the way he did? Why does FIFA appear to be glossing over the matter when other news sources are reporting what really happened? FIFA should have been the first to come up with a statement of some sort. Unless FIFA takes a stand on this matter, it should expect it to continue in the Euro Cup and the next World Cup. -- Zulf M. Khalfan
Does anybody worry about how FIFA gave the top soccer trophy to a nation whose soccer league is the most corrupt in the soccer history? Thanks, Zidane in the name of all the people who like soccer. We know that you belonged, belong and will belong to the gallery of the best of the best. -- Martin Zavaleta
