"I yesterday sent a personal letter to Zidane in my name and in the name of all the Algerian people," said Bouteflika at a Downing Street press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"It was a letter of solidarity, a letter of friendship, a letter of consolation," he said, adding that in his opinion, Zidane remains "the best player in the world".

Zidane, the French-born son of Algerian immigrants, who was playing in his last World Cup tournament, stunned fans when he was given a red card during Sunday's final after he head-butted Italian defender Marco Materazzi.

Italy went on to beat France 5-3 on penalties.

Speculation on what might have provoked Zidane has focused on alleged racist remarks from Materazzi, who according to lip readers called him "the son of a terrorist whore" on the pitch. Materazzi denies uttering such a thing.

Bouteflika, who arrived in London earlier Tuesday for the first official visit to Britain ever by an Algerian head of state, said Zidane was a footballing hero who had never lost "his human dimension".

What happened to him during Sunday's final in Berlin "could have happened to any man," he said, adding that "our duty is not to judge; our duty is to understand" what happened.

"It is perfectly clear that he has our solidarity because he is of Algerian heritage and because he is the best (football) player in the world," the president said.

To underline the point, Bouteflika -- who spoke in French -- then repeated three times: "He is the best player in the world, the best player in the world, the best player in the world."