PARIS -- Say it ain't so, Zizou.

For many French citizens, the hardest part of France's World Cup final loss to Italy wasn't the defeat itself, but the moment when national hero Zinedine Zidane -- nicknamed Zizou -- ended his career with a brutal act of fury.

With France and Italy tied 1-1 in extra time Sunday, Zidane head-butted Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the chest and received a red card. France went on to lose the game on penalty kicks.

Sports Minister Jean-Francois Lamour said he didn't know what Materazzi said to Zidane, but "we can imagine that there was a provocation." He added that Zidane's act was "unpardonable."

"It's a strange exit for someone who remains an exceptional champion," Lamour told LCI television.

French soccer federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes said he shook Zidane's hand in the locker room afterward to thank him for his career. The two men didn't speak.

"He is unhappy," Escalettes told Le Parisien. "We have to leave him alone. I have nothing to ask him."

The surreal moment left the entire country wondering what made Zidane lose his cool in the final moments of his last-ever match for Les Bleus.

Despite the red card, the France captain won the Golden Ball award Monday for the tournament's best player in voting by journalists.

The French squad received a rapturous welcome back home Monday, with live TV coverage of the team bus speeding into Paris from the airport and of the meeting with President Jacques Chirac. The return drew some national attention away from Zidane's behavior -- at least temporarily.

Zidane and the rest of the team had lunch with Chirac, who had words of comfort for the midfielder, acknowledging that it was an "intense" and "difficult" moment in his career.

"You are a virtuoso, a genius of world football," Chirac said. "You are also a man of heart, commitment, conviction. That's why France admires and loves you."

Former Sports Minister Marie-George Buffet said Zidane's act was unforgivable for its effect on children watching the game.