Zidane Headbutt Statue Finds A New Home In Qatar
The Zinedine Zidane headbutt statue recently found a new home in Qatar.
Although it’s unclear if the 2022 World Cup will actually take place in the sovereign Arab state, officials moved to have Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed’s piece transported to the capital. Even if Qatar loses its World Cup bid, chances are the 16-foot bronze statue will remain where it is.
According to the Daily Mail, the Zidane headbutt statue was originally unveiled at the Centre Georges Pompidou art museum in France. Abdessemed painstakingly recreated Zinedine Zidane’s attack on Marco Materazzi that occurred in 2006. Officials believe the statue will be extremely popular with soccer fans and tourists.
Qatar Museums Authority’s Jean Paul Engelen explained:
“We expect a lot of people to want to take photos with it, and of it. It’s an impressive piece. It’s a huge sculpture, and it’s done in the same style as Greek Mythological statues, but this glorifies human defects instead. It shows that although we sometimes treat footballers like gods, they’re not – they’re just human beings.”
AFP reports that workers put the finishing touches on the Zidane headbutt statue on Friday. The Arab Museum of Modern Art is also hosting an exhibition featuring some of Adel Abdessemed’s other pieces. The artwork will be on display from October 6 until January 4.
However, it’s still unclear if Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup. According to Time, the Gulf state is spending close to $100 billion to prepare for the games. This plan reportedly includes the construction of nine air-conditioned stadiums.
After reports surfaced of migrant worker abuse, it’s unclear if Qatar will keep their bid. Questions about worker conditions reached a fever pitch after 44 Nepalese construction workers reportedly died while assisting with projects around the area.
Check out some pictures of Adel Abdessemed’s piece below.
A statue immortalizing the head-butt delivered by Zidane to Materazzi in the World Cup final is on display in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/4mE1cwG1LM
— theScore (@theScore) October 4, 2013
Qatar's Museums Authority have purchased the Zidane-Materazzi Headbutt Statue and are erecting it in Doha Bay #WC2022 pic.twitter.com/VCPCv49prl
— Nik Postinger (@nikpostinger) October 4, 2013
What do you think about the Zidane headbutt statue being moved to Qatar? Do you think the Gulf state should host the 2022 World Cup?
[Image via Wikimedia Commons]
