There have been few more divisive figures in Calcio’s modern era than Marco Materazzi. Loved and loathed in equal measure, the man affectionately referred to as ‘The Matrix’ has won all there is to win during a ten year spell with Inter, and was a key member of the Azzurri’s victorious 2006 World Cup squad.
Having spent the early years of his career playing in Serie C, Materazzi made his Serie A debut in 1997 for Perugia at the age of 24, and wasted little time in making a name for himself. No stranger to controversy, Materazzi has ruffled more than a few feathers during his career, which has both endeared and enraged supporters across the peninsula, and the wider world.
Here then, are ten defining moments in a career which has been called many things, but never dull.
1. July 1998 – Signs for Everton
Having helped Perugia regain their place in Serie A after a year’s absence, Materazzi was surprisingly sold to Everton, who capitalised on the Grifoni’s reluctance to sell him to a Serie A rival. He cost the Toffees £2.8m, becoming the first ever Italian to play for the club in the process.
Though he quickly became a cult figure amongst the Goodison Park faithful, his one and only season playing in England was a difficult one, and he was sent off three times in just 32 appearances as Everton battled against relegation to the First Division.
A natural ball-player, Materazzi was arguably unsuited to the long ball tactics being employed by boss Walter Smith at the time, and he returned to Perugia in July 1999 for £3m.
2. June 2001 – Record Breaker
The 2000/01 season was a memorable one for Materazzi. In what was an otherwise unspectacular campaign for the Umbrian side, the Matrix scored 12 goals to break the record goal haul for a defender during a single Serie A season, an honour previously held jointly by Inter legend Giacinto Facchetti and former Argentinian international Daniel Passarella.
Having built a reputation as a clinical penalty taker and adept at free kicks, Materazzi’s goals played a crucial part in ensuring the Grifoni would play in the top division for a fourth successive season. His record breaking strike came from the penalty spot on the penultimate weekend of the season, during a 1-1 draw with Reggina, to the delight of the Stadio Renato Curi tifosi.
However, in spite of such a phenomenal achievement, Materazzi recently revealed to FourFourTwo magazine that the achievement holds bitter-sweet emotions.
He said: “That record gave me a little sadness, because I passed Giacinto Facchetti as the top-scoring defender. Daniel Passarella also scored 11 goals, and he was a great champ, but I was little interested in him.”
3. June 2001 – Competitive Azzurri Debut
Also in 2001, at the age of 27, Materazzi finally made his competitive debut for the Azzurri, having previously made one friendly appearance against South Africa two months earlier.
With Italy heading towards victory in their World Cup qualifier in Georgia, Materazzi replaced Alessandro Nesta with just under 20 minutes remaining, and helped steer the side to a crucial 2-1 win.
Though it would be a few more years before he would cement a place in Azzurri folklore, the recognition of Coach Giovanni Trapattoni was a fitting reward for the efforts and achievements of the previous two seasons, and was another watershed moment in increasingly illustrious career.
4. July 2001 – Signs for Inter
Having received glowing reviews during his second spell with Perugia, a move to one of Serie A’s big hitters was inevitable. In the January of his record breaking 2000/01 season, Materazzi ignored the overtures of another European giant in Bayern Munich, and agreed to join Inter.
The deal saw to it that he would play out the season in Umbria before heading to the San Siro that summer.
Perugia were paid €10m to part with their prize asset, and though it would be a few seasons before the sight of Materazzi lifting trophies in an Inter shirt became a regular occurrence, the deal itself was arguably a bargain for the Nerazzurri, as they would go on to receive a decade of exceptional service from one of their most reliable ever signings.
5. July 2006 – World Cup Winner
Ask anyone with only a passing interest in football for the defining moment of Materazzi’s career and the chances are you will hear the words ‘Zidane’ and ‘head butt’. For a few days, Materazzi was one of the two most famous men on the planet for all the wrong reasons, as pictures of Zidane plunging his forehead into Materazzi’s chest circled the globe.
Much has been made of those few seconds of madness, and there was plenty of speculation as to what Materazzi could have said to provoke Zidane into such levels of violence, but this was also the match that saw the Azzurri bring home the World Cup for the first time since 1982, and Materazzi played as great a part as anybody in that achievement.
It was a strange tournament for the defender. Having replaced the injured Alessandro Nesta during the final group game against the Czech Republic, he made an instant impact with his first ever international goal. Four days later, he was sent off during the second round victory over Australia, before returning for the epic, extra-time semi-final defeat of hosts Germany.
With Italy trailing France in the final thanks to Zidane’s early penalty, Materazzi powered home a wonderful header to bring the sides level. Then, having recovered from Zidane’s head butt, he went on to coolly convert his spot kick as the Azzurri emerged victorious on penalties, sparking jubilant scenes of celebration throughout the country.
6. April 2007 – Scudetto Success and Serie A Defender of the Year
Though Materazzi’s first Scudetto came a year earlier in 2006, that triumph has arguably been tainted by the cloud of Calciopoli, particularly as recent revelations suggest the Nerazzurri were not as guilt free as first thought.
However, the 2006/07 campaign was a different matter entirely. In a season of great success for the club, Inter stormed to the Serie A title, finishing 22 points clear of nearest challengers Roma. On a personal level, Materazzi had one of his best ever seasons, contributing 10 goals on his way to being crowned Serie A defender of the year.
His finest hour came at Siena’s Stadio Artemio Franchi, scoring twice in a 2-1 victory as Inter clinched the title on the pitch rather than in the courts.
7. January 2010 – The Berlusconi Mask
Materazzi was involved in many memorable moments during his appearances in the Derby della Madonnina, from scoring the winner and being sent off in a 4-3 thriller in 2007, to his legendary spats with the likes of Shevchenko and Ibrahimovic.
However, one of the most iconic images from his many run-ins with the Rossoneri came in the aftermath of a game in which he didn’t even play.
With the Nerazzurri celebrating a 1-0 victory over their fierce rivals, Materazzi was pictured dancing across the San Siro pitch having donned a rubber mask of Italian Premier and Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi. It was an act that sparked a mixture of amusement and outrage, and the defender was quick to underplay its impact through his website.
He said: “It was just a derby prank, nothing more. There was [no] intention to cause any trouble or to offend, and there was no political intention. As always, what Materazzi does always causes a stir, even though I wore a carnival mask which can be bought anywhere and by anyone.”
Nevertheless, it was an incident that has since gone down in infamy, and confirmed his status as one of the most colourful characters in the history of the Nerazzurri.
8. May 2010 – Inter Clinch Unprecedented Treble
If Inter’s successes of the 2007 season were impressive, then the achievements of 2010 were unprecedented. Under the guidance of José Mourinho, the club completed a remarkable clean sweep of Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Champions League titles, becoming the first club to do so in the process.
Though Materazzi’s appearances were growing increasingly limited, his importance to the squad, and to Mourinho, was never in question. Never was this more apparent than during the Champions League final when, with the Nerazzurri leading Bayern Munich 2-0 in injury time, Materazzi was brought off the Bernabéu bench to play out the final minute of the game.
It was a fine gesture, and one not lost on Materazzi as his career began to wind down. Speaking with FourFourTwo magazine, he said: “That single minute was the finishing line of a two-year process with Mister Mourinho and of 10 with Inter.
“I do appreciate the greatness of a manager who is winning a final and [uses] his last sub just to let that player come on – that manager knows the importance of the details.”
9. May 2010 – Farewell to Mourinho
One of the defining images of Materazzi’s time at Inter was his tearful embrace with Mourinho, who would soon take up the Real Madrid hot seat recently vacated by Manuel Pellegrini.
Pictures of an inconsolable Materazzi bear-hugging the outgoing boss spoke volumes about the reverence in which Mourinho was held at the club, whilst the uncharacteristic display of fragility betrayed the knowledge that this Nerazzurri dynasty’s days were coming to an end.
Ultimately, it was a touching moment between two men whose successes at the club relied heavily on each other, and gave proof if ever proof were needed that Materazzi was never afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve.
10. June 2011 – Departure from Inter
Following a decade of loyal service to the club, Materazzi took the painful decision to terminate his Inter contract with 12 months still remaining.
Having become an increasingly peripheral figure in the side under Rafael Benítez and Leonardo, the Matrix took it upon himself to bow out with his dignity intact.
In a frank interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: “At the end of last season I was told that I no longer fit in the plans of the old coach [Leonardo], and because of him I was not even a part of the Champions League list. It was kind of a “threat” but I don’t know the real reason.
“I felt a little betrayed but I have spoken to him about all these things because I’m not one who speaks behind people’s back. I felt that I was cheated.”
At the time of writing, Materazzi’s future remains uncertain, and speculation is rife as to whether or not he will seek out one final season as a player elsewhere, or return to Inter in a coaching capacity.
However, whatever the future holds for the Matrix, his status as an Inter legend, and as a Legend of Calcio, will never be in doubt.
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