Zlatan Ibrahimović, the Swedish striker known for his extraordinary talent and fiery temperament, has been involved in several on-field incidents throughout his career.
On November 15, 2010, during the fierce Milan derby of the 2010–11 Serie A season, a dramatic moment unfolded at San Siro. AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimović and Inter defender Marco Materazzi collided in a heated exchange.
In the 67th minute, Zlatan unleashed a powerful taekwondo-style kick, described by many as a kung-fu move, propelling Materazzi to the ground and ultimately sending him to the hospital for evaluation.
The Immediate Aftermath
Zlatan was booked with a yellow card for the incident. Inter coach Rafael Benítez attempted to downplay the severity, stating that Materazzi’s injury didn’t seem serious. Materazzi was carried off the field on a stretcher and admitted to the hospital. By the following night, he was discharged and returned home.
The episode was far from a spontaneous act of aggression. In a later interview with GQ, Zlatan admitted that the assault was premeditated. This was revenge for a brutal tackle made by Materazzi during a Juventus-Inter match in 2006.
Materazzi’s Response
After the incident, teammate Dejan Stanković reportedly asked Zlatan why he struck Materazzi. Zlatan replied that he had been waiting for that moment for four years.
Materazzi later responded with characteristic sarcasm. On social media, he posted an image of Inter’s 2009-2010 Champions League winning squad with a caption that basically “thanked” Zlatan for what happened.
In hindsight, this fiery exchange between two Milan giants remains one of the most visceral moments in modern Serie A history. It wasn’t just a foul; it was four years of simmering frustration unleashed in a derby moment that has been described as singular, unforgettable, and quite memorable.
Source: Daily Mail