Interview with Marco Materazzi

When we arrive at Piazza Roosevelt in Bologna, Marco Materazzi is waiting for us in front of Space23, wrapped in his Nike sweatshirt with a white swoosh in plain sight. Matrix still has the appearance of the grim defender who gave us the world cup in 2006, but in the middle of all those sneakers seems at ease as was defending San Siro's boxes. Since Matrix has left the football - first as a player and then as manager- he focused on his other passion: streetwear and sneakers. Together with Stefano Mancinelli - basketball player at Fortitudo Bologna - he opened Space 23, a point of reference for sneakers and streetwear, which now has 5 stores throughout Italy. We meet him in the Bologna store at the beginning of the Sneaker Market: a temporary event that will last until Sunday 4 March dedicated to sneakerheads that will end with a secret party in the center of Bologna. We took the opportunity to have a chat with Matrix about the Jordan XI, the football-fashion phenomenon, Ronaldo - guess which one - and the state of Italian football.

#1 Since we are here in Space23 - surrounded by sneakers - can you tell us how did first get into this world?

It was in ‘95 when I moved to Perugia, I was 22 years old and I started collecting Jordan. I was mental about MJ, I choose 23 as shirt number because of him. If I have to name a sneaker that I’m really attached to I would probably say the Jordan XI Concord, they were the first gift from my wife.

#2 So everything started with your passion for basket and NBA?

Yes, I started to follow NBA when there were the highlights on Italia 1. We spent every Saturday afternoon even before games, watching NBA games. Now it’s a little bit more difficult to be updated with the league because there are so many games, I normally watch just the playoffs.

#3 Football has recently started to experiment the contamination with fashion… Just look at Gosha Rubchinskiy and Virgil Abloh. What do you think about football jerseys on the runways and the football-fashion issue in general?

I like it, especially because I see that there’s some research behind it and it’s not just aesthetic. I’m very fond of Virgil Abloh and Off-White’s work, which is retracing Nike’s history. As for football shirts, after a friendly match against Portugal in Sar Siro, I asked Figo’s shirt (the red one, with the number 7 on the back) and I used to wear it on the streets of Milan, and we’re talking about 15 years ago.

#4 Aesthetically speaking, which is your favorite football shirt?

My heart says Inter’s Centenario one. But I also like all Sampdoria shirts, as they got to preserve the design through the years.

#5 Your favorite sneaker and football boot of the last years?

I’m telling you: for the sneaker, I’m going with the Nike Superfly x Off-White. As for the boot, I get the Nike Mercurial R9 that was released a while back, retracing the history of an unprecedented champion.

#6 Talking about actual football, we have to talk about the Nazionale and the World Cup that we won’t play this summer. Some say that the crisis of our football started in 2006, after that the World Cup triumph delayed the renewal of Serie A.

So, it’s our fault, uh? (He laughs, but not no much). No, I know what you’re saying but the approach has to be different: it’s just like when someone scores to you and it’s never the goalkeeper’s fault or the defender’s fault. It’s a combination of mistakes. It’s too easy to blame the old people that rule football or the young players that don’t work hard enough.

#7 What do we have to change in our football?

I think the priorities should be the infrastructures, starting from the ones for the young players. I’ve been in a low-level league (the Indian one), and they had the obligation to have 5 Indian players on the pitch and as a manager, I can assure you that is no easy task. You have to find players that can be useful to the team, and with better football academies everything is easier.

#8 How was your experience in India?

It was good, it gave me the chance to learn how to be a manager, while I wouldn’t be able to do that in Italy.

#9 Are you ever going to coach in Italy?

Right now, I’m telling you that I won’t. But never say never.

#10 Who’s going to win the Scudetto this year?

I hope Napoli will because they’re the most entertaining team. The strongest one is Juve, I said seven years ago that they were a decade ahead of anyone else.

#11 Which team surprised you the most and which one let you down?

I’m disappointed by Sassuolo, because they have an amazing club organization, but they were unlucky at the beginning of the season. I’m surprised by Napoli, for the unbelievable pace it has.

#12 Who’s the best player in Serie A right now?

I say Pjanic and Higuain.

#13 The best Italian player right now?

I’ll go with Immobile and Insigne.

#14 Who’s the best player you ever faced in your career?

Lucky for me, I never played against Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. I played with the first Ronaldo, Il Fenomeno, but in the second part of his career, when he was at AC Milan and he was different. He was also a friend and he knew he mustn't embarrass me. But I think he was the best.

#15 Is Inter going to reach the Champions League?

It has to, but it’s a nice fight. It will depend on where Lazio will go in Europa League because it has the chance to reach the final stages with the great players it has. Just like Felipe Anderson, that is one of the best in the league in my opinion.

#16 And who will win the Champions League?

I think it’s time an English club does.

#17 Some random thought on PSG, both on a technical and corporate level?

The team is made of champions and the shirt is one of the most iconic, that was cool also twenty years ago when nobody in European football knew anything about the club.

#18 Let’s finish this with a nostalgic question: the best and worst memory of your career?

I have to say the best is the night of Berlin when I scored two goals and got headbutted in the same night. The worst may be May 5th at the Olimpico Stadium.

cover and space23 photos: Nico Ruatta, @nicodsn