Tutti Pazzi Materazzi (all Mad About Materazzi)

Although Zidane confirmed to FIFA investigators that the insult wasn't connected to race or religion, the media damage had been done. "I was scared," says Daniela. "The [British tabloid] press quoted Zidane's mother saying she wanted [Marco's] balls on a platter. We have a lot of Muslim friends, and they told us to be careful because this can be an instigation." She held her breath when Inter visited Bahrain for a game in January. "Every time I touched the ball, the whole stadium was whistling and booing me," Materazzi recalls. "They were obviously influenced by what I had not said."

With unbeaten Inter rolling toward the Serie A Scudetto, Materazzi wants to move forward. And if Zidane were to walk into the room? "I would hold out my hand," Materazzi says. "In life you should never have enemies. He was my enemy in one sports struggle, but that's it. Let's meet and take pictures. He can even bring me his jersey."

He shrugs again. Smiles. If Zizou and the Matrix could finally make up, wouldn't life be beautiful?