'I just wanted to play the ball' - Nigel De Jong reflects on Xabi Alonso kung-fu tackle

It became one of the most iconic moments of the 2010 World Cup. Nigel De Jong landing a kung-fu kick clean on Xabi Alonso's chest during the final is unlikely to be forgotten.

But the Dutchman, speaking to FourFourTwo, protested his innocence eight years on and hopes a time will come where he and the Spaniard can laugh over it.

'I just wanted to play the ball – that was my only focus,' the 33-year-old said.

'I didn't see Alonso coming because he was on my blind side. We've seen each other but we've never spoken about that moment – it's just a moment in football history.

'Maybe one day we'll see each other, have a beer and laugh about it. Ultimately, he won the game. I think he had the last laugh.'

The match in Johannesburg ended with Spain winning 1-0 after extra time as Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta got the winning goal.

But more remarkable than the winner was the fact that De Jong remained on the pitch having taken out Alonso in astonishing fashion.

Officiated by English referee Howard Webb, he feels the Englishman aired on the side of leniency - much to his relief.

'I didn't expect to get sent off at the time because I felt it was obviously an unfortunate incident,' he added.

'I was lucky that an English referee was in charge, because he'd seen many hard challenges in the past. I thought he would give me the benefit of the doubt because I put my hands up immediately.'