Zinedine Zidane headbutt statue to be re-installed for World Cup in Qatar

A statue immortalising Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the World Cup final will return in Qatar after it was removed in 2013.

The Middle East nation will host the World Cup this winter and the five metre tall monument - known as "Coup de tete" - will be on show in a museum. It was erected nine years ago but then removed within days amid a backlash which claimed it encouraged violence.

"Evolution happens in societies. It takes time and people may criticise something to begin with, but then understand it and get used to it," said Qatar Museums Chairperson Sheikha al-Thani, who is the sister of Qatar's ruling emir. Zidane's infamous moment in 2006 is etched into football's history books.

The Frenchman was looking to win his second World Cup in eight years having played a staring role in Les Bleus' 1998 triumph, scoring twice in the final. He'd opened the scoring in Berlin in 2006, notching an audacious Panenka penalty before Italy equalised through Marco Materazzi.

The Italian centre-half would then be on the receiving end of Zidane's headbutt, which would earn his opponent a red card. Materazzi had made a derogatory about his opponent's sister that prompted Zidane's reaction. The game in Germany's capital would be Zidane's last before retiring.

Zizou remains a hugely influential figure in the football world and has proven himself in the dugout, guiding Real Madrid to a hat-trick of Champions League titles whilst also claiming LaLiga on several occasions. He has been linked with the France job, which is currently occupied by Didier Deschamps.

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Zidane was among those to endorse Qatar's World Cup bid and retains the affection of the country. Al-Mayassa has said previously: "Zidane is a great friend of Qatar. And he's a great role model for the Arab world. Art, like anything else, is a matter of taste. Our goal is to empower people."

The Madrid and France legend said on his decision to back their bid: "When I stopped playing football (in 2006), Qatar approached me and wanted me to play there. (I was offered) a blank check, I could have written whatever sum I wanted. (But) I didn't want to go and play in Qatar. Why shouldn't they have the right to organise a World Cup?"

France are defending champions heading into the tournament this winter and will be among the favourites following their success in Russia. Brazil, Copa America champions Argentina, England and Spain are also among those who will fancy their chances.