Marco Materazzi

Marco Materazzi was one of the most striking and controversial defenders of his generation. Strong in aerial play and an excellent free-kick and penalty taker, he became an idol at Inter Milan, where he played for a decade and won five Serie A titles and the 2010 Champions League. His consecration came at the 2006 World Cup. In the final against France, he scored Italy's equalizing goal with a header and converted his penalty kick in the shootout that gave the Italians their fourth World Cup title. He was also the involuntary protagonist of the most famous moment of that final: Zinédine Zidane's headbutt to his chest, which resulted in the Frenchman's red card. Before glory, Materazzi built his career at smaller Italian clubs and had a spell at Everton in England. At Perugia, he set a remarkable record for a defender in the 2000-01 season, with 12 goals in Serie A. He ended his career in India, as a player and coach of Chennaiyin FC.