Antonio di Natale
Encyclopedia
Antonio Di Natale is an Italian
footballer who plays for Serie A
club Udinese
.
A versatile striker with a lethal eye for goal, Di Natale can play anywhere in the front line, as a lone striker or out wide in an attacking trident. He is notable for his dribbling skills, pace and for his ability to score and create goals. Di Natale earned the prestigious award of being the Serie A 'Capocannoniere
' for the 2009/10 season, as well as the 2010/11 season.
's youth system. He impressed while playing for the Tuscany side in Serie A
.
After having joined Udinese
in the 2004–05 Serie A season, Di Natale partnered with Vincenzo Iaquinta
and David Di Michele
in attack, and the Friulian club finished 4th place at the end of the season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League
for the following year. Di Natale finished his debut season with a record of 33 games and seven goals.
In the 2007–08 season, Di Natale scored 17 goals. The two most notable goals were scored on matchday 4, when Udinese played against Reggina. He scored a brilliant lob in the 5th minute and a terrific volley in the 63rd with his favored left foot. Forming a formidable attacking duo with Fabio Quagliarella
, Di Natale improved his goal tally, becoming the focal point of the attack. In 2007, he was named captain of Udinese and his contract was extended to 30 June 2012.
15 May 2010 saw the conclusion of Di Natale's best-ever season, scoring 29 goals in Serie A, and contributing 54% of Udinese's total goals. He also surpassed Oliver Bierhoff
's club record for most league goals in a season, who had scored 28. A brace against Bari on 9 May 2010 saw Di Natale surpass the 100 goal mark in Serie A. For his performances, Di Natale was voted Italian Footballer of the Year
and finished as the top scorer in Serie A. He also received the Serie A Fair Play award, for interrupting play in a match while Lazio
's Libor Kozak
was injured, with Udinese down 3-2 late in the game.
On 14 November 2010, he scored a hat-trick during a match with Udinese against Lecce and on 28 November 2010, he scored a second consecutive home hat-trick during a match against Napoli. During the 2010–11 season, Di Natale had the best strike rate of any player in Italy, scoring 28 goals in 36 games with a strike rate of 0.78 goals per game. This was also the third best strike rate in Europe, behind Cristiano Ronaldo
and Lionel Messi
.
He made his debut with the Italy national team
on 20 November 2002, in a friendly match against Turkey
. He won few caps in later years, scoring his first goal on 18 February 2004 against the Czech Republic
.
In 2006 he regained a spot with the Azzurri under new coach Roberto Donadoni
, and was involved in the Euro 2008 qualification campaign. He was then called up to UEFA Euro 2008, where he missed a crucial penalty during the quarter-final penalty shoot out against Spain
who went on to win 4-2.
He missed the 2009 Confederations Cup
because of a knee injury, which occurred on 28 March 2009 in an international match against Montenegro
.
He took part at the 2010 World Cup
where he was given the number 10 shirt. On 24 June 2010 he scored a goal in the 3-2 defeat against Slovakia
which resulted Italy finishing bottom of its group
.
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
footballer who plays for Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
club Udinese
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
.
A versatile striker with a lethal eye for goal, Di Natale can play anywhere in the front line, as a lone striker or out wide in an attacking trident. He is notable for his dribbling skills, pace and for his ability to score and create goals. Di Natale earned the prestigious award of being the Serie A 'Capocannoniere
Capocannoniere
The Capocannoniere is the name given to the highest goalscorer in Italian football. The Serie A title is currently held by Antonio Di Natale.-SERIE A:...
' for the 2009/10 season, as well as the 2010/11 season.
Club career
Though born in Naples, Antonio Di Natale moved up north and joined EmpoliEmpoli F.C.
Empoli Football Club is an Italian association football club located in Empoli, Tuscany, founded in 1920 and played its first official match in 1921.In recent years, the club has all too often been bouncing between Italy's two top divisions...
's youth system. He impressed while playing for the Tuscany side in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
.
After having joined Udinese
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
in the 2004–05 Serie A season, Di Natale partnered with Vincenzo Iaquinta
Vincenzo Iaquinta
Vincenzo Iaquinta, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus. He is a strong striker who can also play on the wing.-Reggiolo:...
and David Di Michele
David di Michele
David Di Michele is an Italian footballer who currently plays as a striker for Lecce.-Club career:Di Michele, whose mother is from Casarano, began his career with Lodigiani in the Italian Serie C1 near to his hometown Guidonia, and played for them from 1993 to 1996...
in attack, and the Friulian club finished 4th place at the end of the season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
for the following year. Di Natale finished his debut season with a record of 33 games and seven goals.
In the 2007–08 season, Di Natale scored 17 goals. The two most notable goals were scored on matchday 4, when Udinese played against Reggina. He scored a brilliant lob in the 5th minute and a terrific volley in the 63rd with his favored left foot. Forming a formidable attacking duo with Fabio Quagliarella
Fabio Quagliarella
Fabio Quagliarella is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Juventus and internationally for the Italian national team. He is known for scoring incredible goals from unconventional angles that often catch the goalkeeper by surprise.-Early career:Quagliarella began his...
, Di Natale improved his goal tally, becoming the focal point of the attack. In 2007, he was named captain of Udinese and his contract was extended to 30 June 2012.
15 May 2010 saw the conclusion of Di Natale's best-ever season, scoring 29 goals in Serie A, and contributing 54% of Udinese's total goals. He also surpassed Oliver Bierhoff
Oliver Bierhoff
Oliver Bierhoff is a retired German former football striker, who scored the first golden goal in the history of major international football, for Germany in the Euro 96 final...
's club record for most league goals in a season, who had scored 28. A brace against Bari on 9 May 2010 saw Di Natale surpass the 100 goal mark in Serie A. For his performances, Di Natale was voted Italian Footballer of the Year
Italian Footballer of the Year
The Italian Footballer of the Year is a yearly award organized by the Italian Footballers' Association given to the Italian footballer who has been considered to have performed the best over the previous Serie A season. The award is part of the "Oscar del Calcio" awards event.-Winners:-By...
and finished as the top scorer in Serie A. He also received the Serie A Fair Play award, for interrupting play in a match while Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
's Libor Kozak
Libor Kozák
Libor Kozák is a Czech professional football player, who is a forward who plays for Italian Serie A club Lazio...
was injured, with Udinese down 3-2 late in the game.
On 14 November 2010, he scored a hat-trick during a match with Udinese against Lecce and on 28 November 2010, he scored a second consecutive home hat-trick during a match against Napoli. During the 2010–11 season, Di Natale had the best strike rate of any player in Italy, scoring 28 goals in 36 games with a strike rate of 0.78 goals per game. This was also the third best strike rate in Europe, behind Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
and Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
.
International career
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
on 20 November 2002, in a friendly match against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
. He won few caps in later years, scoring his first goal on 18 February 2004 against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
.
In 2006 he regained a spot with the Azzurri under new coach Roberto Donadoni
Roberto Donadoni
Roberto Donadoni is an Italian football manager and former player, last in charge of Serie A club Cagliari.An attacking midfielder or winger known for pace and technique, he was a pillar of the powerhouse AC Milan teams of the late 1980s and early 1990s and one of the pioneers of Major League...
, and was involved in the Euro 2008 qualification campaign. He was then called up to UEFA Euro 2008, where he missed a crucial penalty during the quarter-final penalty shoot out against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
who went on to win 4-2.
He missed the 2009 Confederations Cup
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup was the eighth Confederations Cup, and was held in South Africa from 14 June to 28 June 2009 as a prelude to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The draw was held on 22 November 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The opening match was played at Ellis Park...
because of a knee injury, which occurred on 28 March 2009 in an international match against Montenegro
Montenegro national football team
The Montenegro national football team represents Montenegro in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Montenegro, the governing body for football in Montenegro...
.
He took part at the 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
where he was given the number 10 shirt. On 24 June 2010 he scored a goal in the 3-2 defeat against Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
which resulted Italy finishing bottom of its group
2010 FIFA World Cup Group F
Group F of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 14 June 2010 and ended on 24 June 2010. The group consisted of reigning World Cup holders Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia. Italy previously met Paraguay in 1950, in which Italy defeated Paraguay 2–0; neither qualified for the next round.Paraguay...
.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Empoli Empoli F.C. Empoli Football Club is an Italian association football club located in Empoli, Tuscany, founded in 1920 and played its first official match in 1921.In recent years, the club has all too often been bouncing between Italy's two top divisions... |
1996–97 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Iperzola (loan) | 1997-98 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 6 |
| Total | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 6 | |
| Varese A.S. Varese 1910 A.S. Varese 1910 is an Italian football club from Varese, founded 22 March 1910. It currently plays in Serie B, ranked one division below Serie A in the Italian football league.-History:... (loan) |
1998 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Viareggio F.C. Esperia Viareggio Football Club Esperia Viareggio known as Viareggio is an Italian football club located in Viareggio, Tuscany.It currently plays in Lega Pro Prima Divisione.Its colors are white and black.-History:... (loan) |
1998-99 | 25 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 12 |
| Total | 25 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 12 | |
| Empoli Empoli F.C. Empoli Football Club is an Italian association football club located in Empoli, Tuscany, founded in 1920 and played its first official match in 1921.In recent years, the club has all too often been bouncing between Italy's two top divisions... |
1999–00 | 25 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 7 |
| 2000–01 | 35 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 10 | |
| 2001–02 | 38 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 18 | |
| 2002–03 | 28 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 14 | |
| 2003–04 | 32 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 6 | |
| 2004–05 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 158 | 49 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 55 | |
| Udinese Udinese Calcio Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa.... |
2004–05 | 33 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 11 |
| 2005–06 | 35 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 48 | 15 | |
| 2006–07 | 31 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 13 | |
| 2007–08 | 36 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 18 | |
| 2008–09 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 30 | 16 | |
| 2009–10 | 35 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 29 | |
| 2010–11 | 36 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 28 | |
| 2011–12 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 11 | |
| Total | 239 | 121 | 17 | 11 | 22 | 9 | 278 | 143 | |
| Career Total | 460 | 188 | 37 | 17 | 22 | 9 | 519 | 216 | |
Individual
- Serie A Top ScorerSerie ASerie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
(2): 2010, 2011 - Italian Footballer of the YearItalian Footballer of the YearThe Italian Footballer of the Year is a yearly award organized by the Italian Footballers' Association given to the Italian footballer who has been considered to have performed the best over the previous Serie A season. The award is part of the "Oscar del Calcio" awards event.-Winners:-By...
: 2010