ARIEL ORTEGA vs Edwin van der Sar | 1998 | Former Argentina star Ariel Ortega planted one of the most gruesome headbutts ever seen in football when he launched himself into the snout of Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar at the 1998 World Cup. The former Parma and River Plate midfielder was kneeling on the ground and took exception to Van der Sar's taunts, hurtling upwards into the Dutchman's face.
LIONEL MESSI vs Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa | 2015 | France international Mapou lost his temper with Barcelona's Lionel Messi in a Champions League bout and leaned his head in towards the Argentine star. It didn't go down well with Messi, who responded by throwing his head at his much taller opponent before grabbing him by the throat. The pair needed to be broken up, with Roma's Brazilian defender Leandro Castan standing étyu as peacemaker, and Messi remarkably escaped sanction.
DUNCAN FERGUSON vs John McStay | 1994 | Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson forged a reputation as a 'bad boy' and that was only enhanced during his time at Rangers, where he was involved in a headbutting incident with Raith Rovers' John McStay. The imposing Scot escaped the attention of the referee on that occasion, but could not elude the law as he received a three-month prison sentence.
MANUEL AMOROS v Jesper Olsen | 1984 | There are senseless sendings-off and then there is Manuel Amoros' dismissal at Euro '84. France were 1-0 up in their opener against Denmark when their right-back was taken down by Jesper Olsen. The then-Ajax winger initially appeared to have made a genuine attempt to play the ball but it was the perceived follow-through which enraged Amoros. The Frenchman first tried to bounce the ball off Olsen’s head and having failed dismally to do so, he then decided head-butt the Dane – right in front of the referee. To top it all off, Amoros actually had the temerity to dispute the inevitable red card which followed.
LUIS FIGO vs Mark van Bommel | 2006 | Former Real Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Figo escaped punishment for a moment of rage during the infamous 2006 World Cup 'Battle of Nuremburg' between Portugal and the Netherlands. The midfielder clashed heads with Mark van Bommel, but ended up staying on the pitch in a tempestuous affair which yielded four red cards. Portugal went on to win the game 1-0. They beat England in the next round, but crashed out at the semi-final stage against France.
KYLE BECKERMAN vs Daniel Paladini | 2011 | Former United States international Kyle Beckerman was handed just a three-game ban and a risible fine for his headbutt on Chicago Fire's Daniel Paladini.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE vs Marco Materazzi | 2006 World Cup final | Perhaps the most famous headbutt in the history of football, Zinedine Zidane's assault on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. The former midfielder had scored to put France in the lead against Italy, but Materazzi equalised soon after. With the game ticking into its final stages, 'Zizou' lost his cool after provocation from Materazzi and astonishingly planted his head into the Italian's chest. France went on to lose the game on penalties.
PABLO AGUILAR vs referee Fernando Hernandez | 2017 | After a Copa MX match that saw Club America eliminated, the centre back lowered his head and made contact with the official, one of two incidents during that round of cup contests that led Mexican referees to go on strike for a week this season.
MAROUANE FELLAINI vs Ryan Shawcross | 2012 | The Belgian has previous when it comes to headbutts and was plunged into controversy during his time as an Everton player when he hit Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross with his head while challenging for the ball. He received a retrospective three-match ban, but later apologised.
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