Brazilian defender Lucio has launched an attack on former Inter teammate Marco Materazzi, labelling him as a ‘nasty’ character who went out to hurt opponents.

The Brazilian was responding to comments made by Materazzi earlier this month in which he claimed that Lucio should have already retired.

The Palmeiras defender has hit back at the Italian 2006 World Cup winner, criticising not only his playing style but also his personality.

“It’s difficult to talk about Materazzi, because I arrived in Italy in 2009 and the last time I saw him play well was in 2006,” the Brazilian told the media.

“Perhaps it hurts him that before I arrived he’d never got past the Champions League round of 16.”

The two players both featured in the Nerazzurri side that won the 2010 Champions League under Jose Mourinho, although Materazzi claimed that the Portuguese tactician had threatened to ‘kill’ Lucio if he ran out of defence with the ball to feet.

The 35-year-old remembers his time under the former Real Madrid coach differently.

“I always had an excellent rapport with Mourinho,” said the former Bayern Munich man.

“In fact, he once said that if he had to go to war, I’d be the first person he’d bring with him. That was reported all over the world and made me very happy.”

Former Everton and Perugia defender Materazzi, who won five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia during his time with Inter, has not been afraid of speaking his mind since calling time on his career in 2011.

“Materazzi is a bit repressed, but on the pitch he was very nasty as he went in to hurt his opponents,” Lucio claimed.

“I played alongside him and heard him say he played to hurt the opposition.

“Now he behaves the same way off the field, as a nasty person.”

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