PARIS, Sept 26: The historic head-butt that marked the end of France great Zinedine Zidane´s international football career is now more than just a memory.
A 5-meter-high bronze statue portraying Zidane aiming his shaven head at Italian opponent Marco Materazzi´s torso has been erected in front of Paris´ Centre Pompidou modern art museum.[break]
Zidane lit up the field playing for Real Madrid and other professional teams and helped France to victory at the 1998 World Cup. But in the 110th minute of a riveting World Cup final in 2006 against Italy, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi´s chest, knocking him to the ground.
Zidane, who had been planning to retire after the World Cup, later apologized to viewers and said he was responding to repeated insults.