Italian soccer player Marco Materazzi has confirmed that a meeting and handshake between himself and French legend Zinedine Zidane took place in front of a hotel in Milan last month.

The pair have had a long-running feud since the 2006 World Cup final when Zidane was sent off for headbutting Materazzi in the chest. The infamous action was the former France captain’s last act as a professional player.

A Spanish journalist claimed to have seen the pair shake hands and make up last month, although Zidane later denied this. But now Materazzi claims that such an exchange did indeed take place ahead of AC Milan’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the San Siro.

“I went out and found myself in front of Zidane so I took the opportunity to say some things to him, things that he and I know and that will stay between us,” said Materazzi. “Let’s say that it was I who spoke most and at the end when he extended his hand to me I clasped it and didn’t let go until he looked me properly in the eye.”

Zidane claimed the headbutt was in reaction to slurs the Italian directed against his sister.

Zidane now has a coaching and consultation role at Real. Materazzi, who plays for Inter Milan, had gone to Real’s hotel to greet his former boss Jose Mourinho when the encounter reportedly took place.

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