World Cup, tested statue of Zidane in Materazzi will be exhibited again in Doha

The art installation was on the Doha waterfront to sponsor the 2022 World Cup but was later “locked” in a museum

Everyone still remembers a bad episode that happened during the World Cup final won by Italy in 2006 against France. The blue defender Marco Materazzi was headbutted by Zinedine Zidane, with the French who was sent off in the second extra period just before reaching the penalty lottery with the victory of Marcello Lippi’s national team. Over the years, many have wondered what Materazzi really said to his rival to unleash his anger. Later that unsportsmanlike gesture was immortalized in a statue.

THE STATUE – It was known today that the sculpture that immortalizes the head of the Franco-Algerian football player at the 48-year-old from Lecce will return to Doha for the next 2022 World Cup. This was confirmed on Monday by the head of the Qatar Museums. The Coup de Tete sculpture by the Franco-Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed, was taken away from the Corniche, the main bay of Doha, after receiving much criticism in the conservative Islamic emirate that will host the World Cup. Some residents of the small Gulf country defined the statue as a hymn to violence, while others regard it as anti-Islamic, like all depictions of human beings according to the principles of Islam. The Museum Authority then ordered to transfer the artwork to the Museum of Modern Arab Art (Mathaf) in Doha. But now he has backtracked and during the World Cup the 5-meter bronze work will be back on display in a sports museum that will host the World Cup.