Materazzi awaits a handshake from Zidane

Materazzi, who received a two-game ban for inciting Zidane in the World Cup final match, says he has heard great things about the Frenchman, who has since retired from soccer.

Marco Materazzi is still awaiting a handshake from Zinedine Zidane.

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The Italy defender was headbutted in the chest by Zidane after insulting the France captain's sister in the World Cup final on July 9 in Berlin. Zidane got red-carded and Italy went on to win the title in a penalty shootout.

"I have made my apologies. In return I have never received the offer of a handshake," Materazzi said on Wednesday in an interview with French radio station RTL.

"Let's not forget, I'm the one who received the headbutt."

Materazzi, who received a two-game ban for inciting Zidane, called himself "a great guy", and said he has heard similar things about the Frenchman, who has since retired from soccer.

"When someone makes an effort to get to know me, they will see that, off the field, I am a great guy," Materazzi said.

"When I asked what he (Zidane) is like, I was told the same thing.

"We are two brave guys, and we did not deserve all that happened after the World Cup," Materazzi added.

Since the World Cup, the Italian has published a book called "What I actually told Zidane".