'I will never stop thanking Inter for what it has given me' - Interview with Marco Materazzi

Marco Materazzi is a true Inter fan, not only because he has won everything possible with the Nerazzurri jersey, but also because of how he still continues to support the team. We saw him in the corner in the semi-final return match against AC Milan, chanting along with his former team-mate Wesley Sneijder to push Inter back into the Champions League final thirteen years after the Triplete with Mourinho on the bench. And just in anticipation of the challenge against Manchester City in Istanbul, we met him at HOPE Alkazar, Nike's multifunctional space that combines sport, culture, arts with a focus on inclusiveness and sustainability. 

What does Inter represent for you?


Everything. For me Inter is everything, I will never stop thanking the fans and the club. I have given so much but I have received so much more.

How do you judge Inter's progress in this Champions League?



Beautiful. In the match against Barcelona I was in connection with Inter TV and I said that that was the turning point, we had to make a run at a team and for me it was them, otherwise we would have gone to the Europa League. Bayern for me was more of a team. Not so much the home game, but the one away with Barcelona made you realise the real value and where you could go.



Is there a match that made you realise you would make it to the final?



The derby in the first leg gave me the certainty that we would reach the final.

What does this team have in common with the 2010 team?


The desire to be together, the desire to amaze and above all they don't listen to what is said on the outside. The competitive nastiness that only the great teams know how to put on the pitch, it's no coincidence that they have made so many clean sheets on this run, I think this can make the difference on Saturday too.

What does it feel like to play a Champions League final and how do you experience the moments leading up to it?



It was a bit traumatic because we were losing the league title we won and we had to get back up. Then slowly we won everything, five league titles, Coppa Italia, the Champions Supercup, the World Cup. And then it was the icing on the cake. When you get to these games it's like when you are a child and you start playing football of a dream. The dream is to play national.

It's to play a World Cup, to win a World Cup, to play Champions League, because it means you are at a big club and to win it. So when then as I did, you win the World Cup, you win the Champions League, I think there is nothing else to hope for.

Personally we lived those moments as a family, we joked, we laughed, we talked in the coach because there was a unique atmosphere. Perhaps we suffered more in the semi-final against Barcelona, but I think the final was really a celebration. We arrived at the stadium singing, laughing and joking because we knew we were strong and aware of our means.

Is there a player from today's Inter in whom you see yourself?



Defensively I would say Bastoni, because he is a true Inter player and we play the same role. But I also like Barella and Di Marco, both Inter players, and Nicolò has my number.

Have you already predicted how it will end?

No it's unpredictable, they can't even say I hope the best will win because I'm not sure they are better than us. Because in a dry final anything can happen and Inter have shown they can play this type of match. Then how it will go I don't know, I hope the cup returns to Milan.