Today Marco Materazzi, the former centre-back for Perugia, Inter and the Azzurri, and a World Champion in Germany in 2006, turns 46 years old.

Born in Lecce on 19 August 1973, he rose up through the youth teams at Lazio and Messina before playing for Marsala and Trapani between 1993 and 1995.

After signing for Perugia he spent a season on loan at Carpi before making a return to the Umbrian capital for a year. In 1998 he tried his hand in England at Everton, staying there for just one season once again. He returned to Perugia the following year, playing two seasons before signing for Inter, where he would go on to become a club legend.

In ten years with the Nerazzurri Materazzi won five league titles, four Coppa Italia, four Italian Super Cups, a Champions League and a Club World Cup. He made his national debut in April 2001 against South Africa, taking part in each of the World Cups and European Championships between 2002 and 2008.

A left-footed central defender, hugely strong in the air and dangerous from set pieces, he became a World Champion with the Azzurri in 2006, scoring two decisive goals in the World Cup against the Czech Republic in the group stage and against France in the final (where he also scored one of the historic penalty kicks).

Our "Matrix" made 41 appearances for the National Team, and on behalf of Azzurri fans all over the world we would like to wish him a very happy birthday today.