The final act of a proud warrior

Like most members of the French classe politique, Jacques Chirac has never come close to matching the popularity and respect enjoyed by Zinedine Zidane. But few would take issue with his graceful valediction to Zizou as someone "who represents all the most beautiful values of sport". Okay, that head butt, an ugly reminder of Zidane's tough upbringing on the meaner streets of Marseilles, was inexcusable, but it's interesting that the President made his comment after the end of the game.

The exit of Zidane - who nevertheless won the Golden Ball for best player of the tournament - seemed less of a walk of shame than that of a proud warrior with no regrets. As the Saudi player whom he trampled on during the 1998 World Cup discovered, there is a point beyond which a red card is no deterrent for a man who will not tolerate being denigrated.