10 Footballers Who Recovered From World Cup Disgraces

2. Zinedine Zidane

Whatever was said between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi (something about the former's sister) during extra time of the 2006 World Cup Final in Germany, it resulted in a colossal head butt from Zizou to the Italian. Right on the 110-minute mark, Zidane was sent off by the ref and forced to watch as Italy beat his beloved France on penalties.

Watching Materazzi celebrate with the World Cup trophy Zidane himself had lifted eight years earlier must have been hard. Worse, it was the end of the Frenchman's glittering playing career, and it was no way for such a legend to bow out.

Not to worry though, because Zinedine's story was far from over.

Surprisingly installed as Real Madrid's new manager in January 2016, following a few years working in the club's youth system, Zidane went on to win an unprecedented three back-to-back Champions League titles with the Spanish side. Not bad for someone who, at one point, was considered disgraced by his violence on the pitch.