A book about Zinedine Zidane set to be published next week has revealed that the French legend deeply regrets his infamous 2006 head-butt on Marco Materazzi.

Among the secrets in the book, there is a confession by Zidane to his cousin Akbou who lives in Algeria.

The pair spoke about the incident in Algiers in December 2006, and Akbou, a pharmacist of 40 years, said to Zidane that he had “done well” to respond to the provocation of Materazzi.

However, the former number 10 replied: “Do not ever say that I did well to head-butt Materazzi. I did not do well and I am sorry.”

Image via BBC

I happen to be in Houston visiting old buds, watching beautiful tennis and having some cold ones by the pool when I opened the paper today and saw that half the known soccer universe is coming to town for a free payday soccer exibition tomorrow. Although doubtful, it is rumored officials from the Galaxy will meet with Ronaldinho at Reliant Stadium and make an offer.

Image via mylivepage

France might have gotten waxed in the Euros, but that doesn’t diminish how dope this Zinedine Zidane inspired IWC Ingeniur watch is.  Clearly done in the colors of Les Bleus and with Zizou’s face on the back, this watch is a must have for any fan of French football who longs for the days of 1998 when France abused Brasil in the finals to win their one and only World Cup.

Check out the closeups after the jump

[Via Selectism]

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Marco Materazzi has received a public apology and undisclosed damages from The Daily Star after acknowledging their allegations of racist abuse were “wholly untrue”.

A hint of more to come?

image via CBC

The latest in the Zinedine Zidane/MLS saga has surfaced with Red Bull New York being the club of choice since his desire to play 18 months after walking away from the game has returned. IF this is real, then Red Bull needs to make an offer similar to what Beckham was given, a big part of the cut (think jersey sales up 700%).

The league has started to become more visible/relevant throughout the world due to signing like Angel, Beckham and Blanco (think television contracts and revenue that the league is receiving, not paying for), but throw in Zidane and the curiosity worldwide will go nuts. The trickle down effect of the Designated Player has yet to see it’s full impact, something that should happen within the next five years, but throw in the amount of Ex-MLS/National Team players involved in the league and US Soccer (think Nowak, Cabrera and Pareja) that is impacting players at a much YOUNGER age, where we’re at now compared to five years ago is day and night.