The Headbutt

Perhaps the most gloried headbutt heard around the world has a statue commemorating the infamous event by French soccer player Zinedine Zidane. The headbutt was responsible for the defeat of France’s in winning the final game in the 2006 World Cup and the ejection of Zinedine Zidane gave the championship to Italy. You would figure the statue would be in Italy, it graces the grounds in Paris. There is no shame in celebrating defeat.  The statue, entitled “Headbutt,” is by Algerian sculptor Adel Abdessemed. 

“This statue goes against the tradition of making statues to honor victories,” said Phillipe Alain Michaud, who directed the exhibition. “It is an ode to defeat… Zidane’s downward glance recalls that of Adam, chased from paradise.”