First, that guy is a lame-brained idiot. Second, it's the World Cup which means it's huge internationally but doesn't carry near the weight of the ACC basketball tournament or the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs in this country.

Zidane is a magician. He is such a gracious player, that's why his headbutt shocked so many.
But they way he kicked in that penalty was of amazing beauty.
The guy has two faces, but thankfully we got to see the most of the genius side of his personality.
Thank you, Zidane!

From an American perspective, this is a small deal. As a kid who grew up in the '60s & '70s, soccer frustrated me because I wanted to use my hands. This soccer guy doesn't even use them when he wants to hit a guy. Back then I could have taught him a witty retort; I am rubber your are glue........

Zidane: No Capri Sun for you.

I am amazed that in a typical NFL game, human body parts have to be severed before someone leaves the game. But in soccer, every time two players graze fannies, it results in yet another visit by the stretcher bearers onto the pitch.

It may have changed the outcome of the whole thing, but it was a cool headbutt.

The World Cup championship game is the biggest sporting event in the World, and Zidane's headbutt will be the most enduring memory for most people from Germany 2006. Maybe one of the all-time bonehead moves in sports.

It was big everywhere else but here in America. . .in two weeks no one here will remember his name. . .

What made the headlines today was that the Italian dude allegedly called Zidane a dirty terrorist. Tell you what, if he did anything aside from punch Zidane in the balls, Zidane's actions were completely inexcusable. He has the entire country of France to answer to. And how many people watched the World Cup, 1 billion? Everyone now knows that Zidane is a moron. Who cares what the other guy said; most people don't know who the other guy is, but he is now most likely a national hero in Italy. Is a little self-pride worth it to cost your country a championship as Zidane most likely did?

For me, it was the highlight of the game. From what I've heard, it was in response to a racial slur from Materazzi (Zidane is of Algerian ancestry) and that fancy boy Italian was lucky he walked away with his teeth. Zidane was in position to smash him in the face - not just the chest - so by my book, he let the guy off easy.

All the talk of a blemish on his career? Please, the guy cast spells for over ten years on the pitch - he's more than just one act - though it's the thing that Americans will always remember him for.

The fact that many folks in North America couldn't give a damn, doesn't make this a huge story.

The World Cup is easily the most popular and widely watched sporting event on the planet, and for one of the true legends of the game to end his career in such a thuggish fashion (no matter the provocation) in the showpiece event is a major story.

I am sorry I missed it. I was watching Gilligan's Island. I wonder if Gilligan, the Skipper and the rest are ever going to get off that island?

I agree with Magellan. His rash act started a ball rolling that eventually cost France the game.. and the cup. Of course, it didn't help that they also pulled Frank Ribery from the game. Tired as he may have been he was still a huge asset. Certainly moreso than Treziguet, a mediocre player who ended up missing his penalty kick.

You have to wonder what it was that Matarazzi said that could have brought on such a reaction from Zidane who is normally a gentleman and a good sport. I'm sorry for Zidane, and for the sport, that his legacy will forever be tarnished by such a foolish act.

Zidane's self-destruction will go down as a far bigger story than the game itself.

Zidane is larger than life - one the biggest heroes of the most popular sport on the planet. For him to go out like a common thug in what was supposed to be his farewell tribute, in front of a billion viewers, is almost inconceivable.

We're talking about one of soccer's biggest stars, and possibly the most important French ambassador to the world. He disgraced himself, his game, and his country. And cost the French team the Cup.

I'm trying to think about what the equivalent would be in the US sports scene. What if Cal Ripken Jr during his victory lap around the stadium had stopped and punched a fan? What if he had paused to urinate against the outfield fence?

How about Michael Jordan? What if he had stomped on the Utah defender after sinking the title winning jump shot?

This will turn out to be a big story folks... I'm curious to watch the fall out. Zidane may have just indelibly tarnished his legacy.