Remember Kids: Practice Your Headbutt

Nelly beat me to the post on Zidane's headbutt. Laurie mentioned it as well. And I thought I could satisfy my endless need for public expression by commenting on their blogs.

However, this headbutt story has gained a lot of traction and I am wondering why. Everyone has an opinion. Generally they break down like this:

Italy Fan: "Zidane is completely insane! He should be locked up in a mental institution forever! Italy won the World Cup! We kicked a bajillion penalty kicks! Why don't we get any respect?"
French Fan: "Zidane is our national hero! He won us the cup in '98; he got us to the final this year. Le headbutt cost us dearly and we're saddened that he didn't come through, but we still love Zidane."
Everyone Else: "Holy Crap! Did that just happen? Zidane is such a badass."

There was something elegant, beautiful about the way Zidane layed into Materazzi. The way he so efficiently humbled Italy's loud-mouthed schoolyard bully. In that moment Zidane elevated himself above mere soccer-great and became (unless you're an Italy fan) something heroic.

The only way Zidanne could have played it better was if, after spearing Materazzi, he had just walked off the field in disgust. However, like a good soccer player he went to the ref and pleaded his case, and was justly thrown out of the game. Fifa should also fine him a great deal and suspend him from international play.

I would like to be disgusted by what Zidane did. If the tables had been reversed and Materazzi had speared Zidane, I would have been absolutely enraged. But Zidane's long-held reputation for good, spirited play (and Materazzi's reputation for being slime) changes the equation. Sometimes good people commit acts of violence and sacrifice to defend themselves and those they love, and sometimes that's the right thing to do.

Also, Materazzi flopped on the headbutt! Even as I am generally disgusted by his antics, I am impressed at his cunning. How very Machievellian.