Legendary Italy 2006 FIFA World Cup Champion Sings Praises Of Current Inter Milan Team: “More Beautiful Than Treble-Winning Team” | OneFootball

Legendary Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi waxed lyrical about the current Nerazzurri squad during his latest interview.

In an interview made for the Menu di Giornata series by JustEat via FCInterNews, Materazzi confessed he nearly joined AC Milan.

Marco Materazzi spent ten years at Giuseppe Meazza.

During his trophy-laden spell at Inter, he won 14 major titles, including an unprecedented treble in 2010 under Jose Mourinho.

Indeed, Materazzi was part of the team that won five consecutive Serie A trophies between 2006 and 2010.

Furthermore, he won the Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup before leaving the club in 2011.

Known as a fierce competitor, Materazzi inspired fear among rivals and was among Europe’s finest defenders.

However, he nearly swapped Inter for Milan on the eve of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

“I wasn’t getting much playing time at Inter and I wanted to go to the World Cup in Germany,” he stated.

“I didn’t want to lose my spot, so I spoke to Marcello Lippi.

“He told me that even if I only played once every ten matches, he would still call me up.

“Giacinto Facchetti, who was like a father to me, told me to stay at Inter and not to go to the other side of Milan because they needed my help.

“He promised I’d play enough to make the World Cup squad.

“It wasn’t easy for me because Inter fans loved me, and the other side hated me.

“But waiting for me over there was Gennaro Gattuso, who’s a great friend of mine.”

Inter Milan Legend Marco Materazzi Praises Current Nerazzurri Team

SIENA, ITALY ? APRIL 22: Marco Materazzi celebrates after scoring one of Inter’s two goals during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Siena and FC Inter Milan at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 22, 2007 in Siena, Italy. Inter Milan beat Siena 2-1 to win their 15th Italian Serie A championship title. (Photo by NewPress/Getty Images)

Simone Inzaghi could replicate Mourinho’s heroics this season and bring another treble to the San Siro.

However, the road is long and treacherous, with Inter facing numerous obstacles.

For instance, they must overcome runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Yet, as the competition’s best defense, Inzaghi’s charges look well-prepared for this challenge.

“Inter have already kept eight clean sheets in the Champions League, which is incredible,” Materazzi said.

“But the next round against Bayern won’t be easy because the two teams are on the same level.

“And they have Harry Kane, who’s aiming to win his first trophy.

“I think this Inter play better than mine, but if the two teams faced each other, we’d still beat them!

“We may not have been the prettiest to watch, but we were strong enough to score.

“Who knows, maybe it’d end 1-0 – but definitely not 3-0.”

Finally, Materazzi compared himself to Virgil van Dijk and Alessandro Nesta.

While acknowledging the qualities of the two football greats, he believes he falls into the same category.

“I’m the one who scared people the most on the pitch – I’m great, and I hate losing.”