The Final Bow

Perhaps a billion people in the world, including myself, are in a great state of shock and disappointment. It was supposed to be a happy ending, the perfect way to say goodbye. Legendary football genius Zinedine Zidane was going to play his last professional match, in no less than the greatest football stage, the World Cup Final. He was supposed to lead the overachieving France team versus the three-time champion Italy.

Three hours ago, at about 2:00 AM Philippine time, I got out of bed, and went straight to where all the action is - Coco Amigos. It was the only place in Dumaguete that was alive and kicking. The place was packed and everyone was filled with excitement for one reason. The World Cup Final will be aired live. There was no entrance fee, you just have to order a drink or two.

I came there with my classmate Rommel. He was wearing a France jersey. I, on the other hand, couldn't find my Zidane shirt, so I opted to wear a shirt bearing France's primary colors - blue, white, and red. I also had an adidas (the French outfitters) cap with the same colors. It was pretty obvious then that we were on the same side. Another law classmate of ours, Nabi, was already there. And he was on the other side, wearing an Italia shirt, an Italy pin, plus a miniature Italy jersey keyholder. Quite a number of familiar faces were there too. From Tito Bing Merced to Kuya Moe Atega, high school classmates to law upperclassmen, and soccer players to basketball players. It was a viewing party that only comes once in four years.

I came there to watch the end of one of the greatest football careers ever. I was rooting for France because of one man - the man who wears France's number 10, coincidentally my favorite number. It was no other than the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Zinedine Zidane, or Zizou for short. To me, he is the greatest football player of his generation.

I was looking forward for perfect farewell picture - Zidane lifting the World Cup trophy. It was like Michael Jordan posing as he made the shot in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. Jordan was on top when he left the game (at least we all thought - if it wasn't for his disappointing Washington comeback). Coincidentally again, that same month that year, Zidane lifted the World Cup trophy, leading France over favorites Brazil. Will he repeat that moment today? Will he have the perfect ending? We were going to find out in a couple of hours.

The match looked like what I was hoping for. Zidane opened the scoring with a seventh-minute penalty after Marco Materazzi’s trip on Florent Malouda. The football gods seemed to be smiling on Zidane. It was gonna be destiny.

That's what I thought. A few minutes later, Materazzi made amends as he headed in the equalizer from Andrea Pirlo’s corner. The match was tied 1-1 with still 70 minutes remaining.

The match was up-and-down for the rest of the half. Glimpses of football flair and roughness made it entertaining. Both teams had their chances. When France goes on a break, the pro-France group in Coco Amigos begin to scream. When Fabio Cannavaro makes a good stop, the pro-Italy side respond with their own yells. It seemed like the crowd present there were evenly distributed. But it was clear that the people there were respectful and intellectual fans. They applaud in delight for every good play - even though it was by the opposing team. I enjoy being with people who are appreciative of the sport itself, and wouldn't be swayed by personal biases for a team. You could root for a team, but that doesn't mean you have to boo or curse the opposition.

The second half was better for me. France dominated the possessions and had a lot of great chances. Somehow, shot after shot, Italy was able to thwart the waves of French attacks. There were thrilling moments, attempts that almost beat the Italian goalkeeper. But still Italy was able to hold its ground.

The game ended in a 1-1 tie, and went into a 30-minute extra time. It was more of the same in the extension period, with France getting the better shots on goal. The closest was Zidane's header that was barely tipped by the goalkeeper to divert the ball inches above the crossbar. Had that gone in, the perfect ending I envisioned would have been reality.

But then the match suddenly took a dramatic wrong turn. From out of nowhere, Zidane had another header. This time, however, it was a headbutt directed on Materazzi. Was it visions of "Running of the Bulls" from his days in ? Zidane must have seen red as he powerfully rammed his head on Materazzi's chest. As it turned out, the only red thing he saw was the card the referree showed him a few seconds later. What happened really? What was on Zidane's mind? Was he that exhausted? Did he hallucinate? What did Materazzi do to justify the unsportsmanlike conduct? Dumbfouding really. From the replays, it seemed unexplainable. Unexcusable. Zidane was disappointingly yet deservingly thrown out of his final match. Personally, I think he was provoked. I don't think Zidane would react that way if he wasn't insulted.

The French were reduced to 10 men and would eventually be defeated in the Penalty Shootout. Italy went on to claim their 4th World Cup trophy.

As for Zidane, it was a major disappointment, and not because of the defeat. A loss would still have been respectable since he played a decent last game. It was that moment of shame that would be etched in every football fan's minds from quite some time. How sad is it for an athlete to build up his legendary career for so many years and to lose it all in a few seconds? It was like Mike Tyson biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear. Zizou ruined his valedictory with that one second lapse of judgement. The fairytale ending has to be rewritten. The farewell song ends in a sour note.

To the very end of his career, Zidane still displayed his elegant control of the ball. In the World Cup Final, he lost control of his temper.

Instead of Zidane lifting the trophy, it was the referee who lifted the red card. Instead of Zidane's entry into record books, it was a disgraceful early exit in his final game. Instead of replicating Jordan's farewell, Zidane did a Dennis Rodman.

The parting image for the France captain will forever be him rearing back in anger, lowering his head and launching his balding crown into the chest of Materazzi after the two exchanged heated words while walking down the field in extra time.

When shown the red card, Zidane barely protested. Slowly, he turned toward the exit leading to the locker room and began the long walk. And so the closest he would come to the World Cup trophy on this night was passing within arm's reach of the pedestal where it sat on display a few steps ahead of the exit.

For all the trophies he hoisted, all the glory he brought France, all those sparks of magic that flew off his feet game after game, year after year - all of a sudden, it seems like they never happened. All because of one moment of uncontrolled temper.

It's a shame. He's final bow on the world's biggest sporting stage turned out to be one directed to the chest of an opponent. Such a disappointing end to a fabulous career.