Marco Materazzi is an Italian former professional footballer and manager who rose to prominence in his early career when he played for Everton, as well as numerous Italian teams in Serie B and C. He has won the Supercoppa Italiana an outstanding four times.

Materazzi started his playing career with Lazio before moving on to the Messina Peloro youth teams in 1990. He spent two periods at Perugia; in 1995 for three seasons and 1999 for one before signing for Internazionale for €10 million in 2001. At club level, Materazzi won countless major honors with Inter, including a FIFA Club World Cup title, a UEFA Championships League, four Coppa Italia titles and in 2006-2010, five consecutive Serie A league titles.

From Materazzi’s debut in Italy in 2001 until 2008, he earnt 41 caps. He played in two European Championships and two World Cups and was a significant player when playing against France in the FIFA World Cup Final in 2006, scoring Italy’s goal. Later on in the game’s extra time, Materazzi received a headbutt from Zidane, who was punished with a red card. Materazzi was key in Italy’s World Cup win after the penalty shoot-out, during which Materazzi scored.

As a provocative and controversial figure in football, Materazzi is remembered for his aggressive style as a defender, as well as his strong tackling and tight marking. In The Times’ 50 hardest footballers in history roundup, Materazzi was placed at number 45, his mark deeply etched in footballing history.