Former Inter defender Marco Materazzi discussed his career with Inter, complicated relationship with Rafael Benitez and the Treble winning campaign in an interview with former Inter goalkeeper Sebastien Frey on Instagram earlier today. His words were noted by Italian media outlet FcInterNews.
“I wouldn’t have given Benitez anything. I’d appreciate a guy who doesn’t shake my hand because I’m being a bother. It’s better that respect remains, that must always be there. A strong relationship is a beautiful thing, but it has to be felt naturally, not forced. In fact, I haven’t had it with everyone.”
The former Italy defender discussed the Champions League final in 2010 and coach Jose Mourinho’s half-time talk.
“He told us, ‘We’re playing too well, we have to play worse.’ José is a phenomenon, he wanted to keep the tension high.”
He spoke about his fondness for Fiorentina and whether he thought about joining the club.
“I was really tempted when I left Inter. I proposed it to Della Valle, even for free, Fiorentina would have been a treat and Florence is a place that I’ve always liked. But then I decided to end my career with Inter.”
Materazzi spoke about his former teammate Ronaldo and his move to AC Milan later in his career.
“I’ll tell you one thing, he would have wanted to come back to us, I know that for sure. He didn’t even want to leave in 2002. In the locker room I knelt down in front of him and asked him to stay but he replied, ‘No, it’s either me or Cuper.’ And that’s when I knew he was leaving.”
He touched on former Inter striker Diego Milito.
“A phenomenon, he was humble in front of everyone. But the Inter environment was never a problem. You knew you were joining a family there.”
Materazzi also spoke about former Inter striker Samuel Eto’o.
“He was a big signing, like Angelino Di Livio, another phenomenon. I had a good relationship with Samuel before he came to Inter. The first time I met him was at a friendly match in Murcia, Real Madrid-Perugia. Anelka, McManaman, Seedorf, Casillas, Morientes, Salgado were there. I scored with a header from a corner kick, then 20 minutes from the end he entered, he was 17 years old and humiliated Mauro Milanese. In the end, they won on penalties. He contributed a lot to Inter Samuel.”
The former Inter and Perugia defender spoke about his derby goal against AC Milan.
“The crowning glory of a dream as an Inter player, I scored one but it was a good one.”
The 2006 World Cup winner revealed that he could have joined the Rossoneri in his career.
“Yes, but I stayed because Giacinto Facchetti asked me to.”
Finally, he spoke about his regrets regarding the career of former Inter striker Adriano.
“An incredible potential was wasted. One of the strongest players I played with, he could do much more.”
