Zidane's Final Chapter: In the 2006 World Cup Final, you can keep his artistic and audacious 'Panenka' penalty, but you must also accept the infamous headbutt on Materazzi and the resulting red card. Alternatively, you can erase the red card, allowing him to finish his final career match with dignity, but the Panenka would also vanish. Which version of Zidane's legend would you choose?

This is a near-perfect "trolley problem" that forces us to choose between "divinity" and "demonic nature," striking directly at the most complex and fascinating core of legendary superstar Zinedine Zidane's personality.

Faced with this choice, I would unhesitatingly select: Preserve the Panenka penalty and accept the fatal headbutt.

I choose not a flawless, impeccable "football idol," but a complete, flesh-and-blood "Zinedine Zidane." Because it is precisely the coexistence of these dualities—ultimate elegance and ultimate ferocity—that forms his unique, awe-inspiring yet heartbreaking legend.

Why Must We Preserve the "Panenka Penalty"?

This is not merely a goal; it is the ultimate expression of Zidane's artistic football philosophy.

Ultimate Confidence and Courage: In the most important match of his career, facing Gianluigi Buffon—one of the world's finest goalkeepers—under immense pressure just 7 minutes into the game, choosing the "Panenka," a high-risk and potentially humiliating technique, requires extraordinary self-belief, composure, and audacity. This embodies the unflappable composure of a true maestro.
Perfect Fusion of Artistry and Technique: That delicate chip traced an elegant arc, struck the underside of the crossbar, and nestled into the net. It is a footballing work of art, demonstrating that football transcends power and speed—it can also be imagination and beauty.
Defines the "Zidane Moment": Like his two headers in the 1998 World Cup final or his volley in the 2002 Champions League final, this penalty is a defining "divine miracle" of his career. Erasing it would be like removing the Mona Lisa's smile—diminishing his legend beyond measure.

Why Must We Accept the "Fatal Headbutt"?

Though this headbutt marked his exit in the most undignified manner, it also completed the mosaic of his personality from another dimension, transforming him from a "god" back into a "human."

Ultimate Authenticity and Humanity: Zidane was often portrayed as an introverted, silent, elegant artist. But this headbutt tore away all pretense, revealing the inner warrior—raised on the streets of Marseille, fueled by Algerian blood—who would never tolerate insults to his family. It showed us he was no marble statue; he possessed rage, impulse, and mortal flaws. This raw authenticity resonates far deeper than any sanitized "perfect idol."
Creates a Greek-Style Tragic Hero: The power of Greek tragedy lies in the coexistence of a hero's greatness and their "fatal flaw" (Hamartia). In this final, Zidane first ascended to godhood with his "divine" Panenka, only to plummet from grace due to uncontrollable "human" fury. This dramatic fall from heaven to hell cemented his status as football's quintessential tragic hero—steeped in destiny and literary power.
Leaves an Eternal Enigma: Had Zidane finished the match gracefully, France might have won or lost—a normal, logical conclusion. But this headbutt gifted the world an eternal mystery: "What exactly did Materazzi say?" and an enduring debate: "Can dignity justify sacrificing everything?" It elevated the 2006 World Cup final beyond sport into a sociological case study on humanity, honor, and impulse.

Conclusion: A Complete Legend Trumps a Perfect Ending

Erasing the red card would yield a "politically correct," flawless farewell. Zidane would retire like a saint amid applause. Beautiful, yet profoundly dull. We would lose all discourse on his complex humanity; his image would flatten into blandness.

Preserving both the Panenka and the headbutt gives us an authentic, contradictory, complete Zidane.

He is both the artist conjuring Marseille turns with his feet.
And the warrior defending family honor with his head.

In 90 minutes, he displayed his full spectrum: genius, composure, rage, vulnerability. The Panenka was his love letter to football; the headbutt his declaration of war to the real world.

I choose a tragic hero etched in eternal regret over an artificially perfected idol. Football's magic lies not just in trophies, but in unpredictable, profoundly human moments that ignite endless debate. Zidane's final act stands as their ultimate embodiment.