Haven't spoken to Zidane since 2006 final: Materazzi

CHENNAI: Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi is excited about his new assignment and in an exclusive chat with TOI, spoke about his plans for the ISL club, his thoughts on Italian and world football and the famous head-butt incident by Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.
Excerpts:
You were the hero of 2006 World Cup final with a goal in regulation time and the tie-breaker.Eight years down the line, do you think it would have been better if the headbutting incident with hadn't happened?
I don't know. I remember my goal, me lifting the Cup and my family celebrating. I was happy, my nation was happy and that's what matters.
Have you made peace with Zidane?
After the incident, we have never spoken to each other. I don't have a problem with him, but it was his action, isn't it? Let him come first and speak to me...
But do you think Zidane is one of the best you have played against?
(Shrugs)...I am lucky I never played against Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. However, the best ever was Brazilian Ronaldo. When I played against him, he was in AC Milan. Ronaldo of 2002 was the most difficult to contain.
Do you think ISL will help change the landscape of Indian football?
I think so. At the moment cricket is the religion in India but we quickly want to change that. It's still some way to go but we want to ensure that India follows football, which is the most popular sport in the world.
You have played under some great managers like Marcello Lippi and Jose Mourinho. Whose philosophy would you like to bring to the Chennai team?
With Mourinho I won everything that a player can dream of.
With Lippi, I have won the World Cup. A mix of the two will be perfect and that's what I want to bring to Chennai. But there are a lot of stars in the team - Elano is former Man City, Bernard played for PSG and Silvestre and Bojan for Man United. I don't think they need my training (laughs).
What makes Mourinho so special?
Professionalism is the key for Mourinho and if he sees something lacking on that front, he can be ruthless. If you deserve to play, then you play. His rule is if you are not serious about your training, you can stay in the stands.
Do you think Mourinho will be able to do with Chelsea what he did with Inter?
When he was in Inter, the big game never bothered him. He would never lose two in a row. He never sticks to a club for more than two seasons and looks to develop a lot of players. Fabregas was amazing at Arsenal and his combination with Costa now seems to be working well at Chelsea. Had they won against Man City on Sunday, I would have said they would be the overwhelming favourites to win the EPL.
You have been one of the best defenders of the last decade. What made you special?
Defending came naturally came to me. I had to grow a good understanding with the goalkeeper. But I think a defender adds a new dimension to the game when he can go up and score. I could do that, I did that in the 2006 World Cup final.
Italy used to be an unbelievable defensive unit. But it doesn't look so assured these days. Why is the shift?
A lot of things have changed. Earlier, we used to mark a striker and that was it. Now it's more about covering zones than marking one player, these days if you are concentrating on one player, then somebody else will score. Spain have brought in this game and that's why some of the Spanish defenders look so good.
Who's the best defender playing at the moment?
Thiago Silva. I find him an absolutely complete defender.