Materazzi discusses Ibrahimovic rivalry and childhood idol: “He is a big player”

It is fair to suggest that Marco Materazzi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic aren’t the best of friends, and the former Inter defender spoke about his rivalry with the Swede recently. 

At one point, the duo shared a dressing room, but it would be difficult for that to happen again, given the fierce rivalry that took place between them during their playing careers. The feud started in 2006, according to Ibrahimovic in 2020, but it peaked during the 2010/11 season.

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During the Derby della Madonnina, which Milan won 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Zlatan, the Swede taekwondo-kicked the Italian in the chest, hospitalising him in the process. Whilst the duo perhaps wouldn’t act in the same way today, they likely still don’t see eye to eye.

Materazzi spoke to The Italian Football Podcast during the international break, and he went into detail about his rivalry with the Swede which dates back almost 20 years.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic rivalry…

“I don’t have a relationship with him, but it is not a problem for him or for me because we have our lives. What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. No problem for me.

“He thinks he was the best player in the world. This is not my opinion. But he is a big, big player for me. He has scored a lot of goals historically.

“He won many titles, maybe not the most important titles, because he lost Champions Leagues, World Cups, European Championships, but won maybe 20 scudetti.

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“He is a big player; he is a crack [Spanish slang for top-class player]. He is not Messi, he is not Ronaldo, he is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But in the future everybody will know about him.”

In recent times, the former defender also voiced his hopes for Paolo Maldini to not return to the Rossoneri, aiming a sly dig at the striker in the process, so the rivalry definitely still burns on.

Alongside his words about Ibrahimovic, he also voiced his admiration for some former Rossoneri striker Marco Van Basten.

Who was your idol and toughest opponent?

“Ronaldo, il Fenomeno was my toughest opponent. Marco Van Basten was my childhood idol. I know he was a Milan player but for me he was the best back then.”