Andrea Ranocchia is hoping to not let Marco Materazzi down after he was handed Matrix's No 23 jersey at Inter.

Materazzi rescinded his Nerazzurri contract earlier this summer and his squad number will now be worn by the young Italian international defender.

Andrea Ranocchia is hoping to not let Marco Materazzi down after he was handed Matrix's No 23 jersey at Inter.

Materazzi rescinded his Nerazzurri contract earlier this summer and his squad number will now be worn by the young Italian international defender.

"I'm happy with the shirt," the January arrival from Genoa noted. "I thanked Materazzi personally for it.

"I now just hope to honour this number and this jersey for as long as possible."

Materazzi, a 2006 World Cup winner, spent a decade at San Siro after joining the club from Perugia in 2001.

Materazzi recently named Ranocchia as his heir at the club.

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