Marco Materazzi has reignited his long-standing rivalry with Zlatan Ibrahimovic by mocking the Swede's current role at AC Milan, joking that his chaotic rebuild of the Rossoneri makes him 'the biggest Inter fan in history'.
A Barb From the Treble Winner
Speaking to Gazzetta, the former Inter defender reflected on their heated clashes during their playing days, downplaying the animosity as purely professional. But he could not resist a swipe at Ibrahimovic's struggles as a senior advisor at Milan, where a summer of upheaval has left the club without a clear direction.
'For me, it was just an on-the-field matter. I don’t know about him. I can’t really say anything about him because, with what he’s doing, he’s the biggest Inter fan in history,'
Materazzi, a hero of Inter’s 2010 treble under José Mourinho, clearly enjoys the chaos unfolding across the San Siro divide.
The Roots of a Rivalry
The bad blood dates back to 2009, when Ibrahimovic pushed for a move to Barcelona, eventually departing in a swap deal involving Samuel Eto’o. Materazzi and Ibrahimovic had famously clashed on the pitch, with the centre-back often riling the mercurial forward.
While both went on to win major honours—Ibrahimovic with multiple clubs, Materazzi with the Champions League and World Cup—their mutual respect has always been laced with needle.
Ibrahimovic’s Turbulent Return to Milan
Ibrahimovic’s second act at Milan, this time in the boardroom, has been fraught. After sacking coach Massimiliano Allegri and directors Giorgio Furlani, Geoffrey Moncada and Igli Tare at the end of the 2025–26 campaign, the Rossoneri were left scrambling. They eventually appointed Ruben Amorim as head coach, but missed out on key managerial targets Ralf Rangnick and Markus Krösche, leaving the sporting director role vacant and the club’s summer plans in disarray.
Materazzi’s jibe plays on the narrative that Ibrahimovic’s missteps are inadvertently aiding Inter, who continue to dominate Serie A. The comment echoes a common refrain among rival fans that Ibra’s heart still belongs to the Nerazzurri, where he won three Scudetti between 2006 and 2009.
Key Takeaways
- Marco Materazzi poked fun at Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s turbulent spell as AC Milan’s senior advisor, calling him 'the biggest Inter fan in history'.
- The remark revives a rivalry that began when Ibrahimovic left Inter for Barcelona in 2009.
- Ibrahimovic’s Milan tenure has been marked by a botched rebuild, including a coaching change and failure to land key sporting director targets.
- Materazzi’s light-hearted taunt underscores the ongoing chaos at Milan as Inter continue to assert dominance in Serie A.
Quick Facts
Player: Marco Materazzi
Current Role: Retired (2006 World Cup winner, 2010 treble winner with Inter)
Target: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Context: Ibrahimovic’s role as senior advisor at AC Milan amid a chaotic summer rebuild
League: Serie A
