Massimo Ambrosini
Encyclopedia
Massimo Ambrosini is an Italian
footballer who plays as a midfielder
and is the captain of Serie A
club Milan
. He is well known for his aerial ability and tackling.
and graduated to their first team at the age of 17 during the 1994–95 season. Milan coach Fabio Capello
then won the race to sign him the following year, and despite facing tough competition to break into the all-star Milan side, Ambrosini was given a handful of games as the team romped to the Serie A
championship. Only used marginally more in 1996–97, Ambrosini was sent on loan to Vicenza
, where he was a key member of the team that successfully preserved their Serie A status. Recalled to the San Siro
, Ambrosini at last made a first-team place his own as Milan won back the Serie A championship in 1999. A regular the following term, he then saw his chances limited by a troublesome knee injury before returning to full fitness to help Milan win the Coppa Italia
and UEFA Champions League
, where he replaced Rui Costa
in the 87th minute at Old Trafford
.
In 2003–04, although unable to establish himself as a first-team starter due to a series of niggling injuries and a loss of form, Ambrosini made 20 Serie A appearances – predominantly as a substitute – and scored one goal as Milan captured their 17th Serie A championship. In March 2005, he renewed his contract at the San Siro, committing himself until June 2008.
In 2004–05, he struggled to break into Milan first team, and only made 22 Serie A appearances, scoring one goal. However, it is his late goal that took Milan to the UEFA Champions League final. With Milan losing 2–0, a scoreline which would have sent the match to extra time as Milan defeated PSV with the same score in the San Siro
, Ambrosini scored a header in second half injury time to bring the score to 2–1 and give Milan the 3–2 aggregate
lead. PSV immedeately responded with a goal of their own to tie the aggregate score at 3–3, but Milan advanced to the final
on the away goals rule
. However, Ambrosini missed the final in Istanbul
with yet another injury as Milan were defeated on penalties by Liverpool
.
In 2005–06, he again suffered a series of injuries which limited him to just 13 Serie A appearances and one goal, thus making him out of contention for Italy squad
for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
in Germany.
In 2006–07, Ambrosini fully recovered from his injury. He was not an immediate first-team choice, but following a series of stunning performances, he eventually made it and forced Carlo Ancelotti
to change his formation from 4–3–1–2 to 4–3–2–1 (alternatively, 4–4–1–1). He has scored two decisive goals from his head in Serie A, against Sampdoria and Atalanta B.C.
. He was also a key member to Milan's victory over Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League, balancing the game for Milan through his vision and leadership skills. It was also his vision that ensured Milan a place in the final. Having stolen the ball from Manchester United, Ambrosini immediately passed to a free Alberto Gilardino
. Gilardino scored to make it 3–0, thus ending United's hope of winning the trophy.
Ambrosini originally intended to join Fiorentina due to lack of first-team choice, but changed his mind after the Champions League semifinal against Manchester United. He renewed his contract with Milan until 2010. Shortly after, he started in the final of the 2006–07 Champions League and played a strong game in Milan's 2–1 win over Liverpool
.
In Paolo Maldini's
absence, Ambrosini was once again the stand-in captain for the European Super Cup Final
against UEFA Cup
winners Sevilla FC, which Milan won 3–1.
Ambrosini was Milan captain in the absence of Paolo Maldini
throughout the 2007–08
campaign. In this campaign, Ambrosini scored four goals. He scored decisive goals against Palermo
and Empoli
, and played very well in the home leg of the Milan derby
against Inter
on 4 May 2008, setting up the second goal for team-mate Kaka
and putting in an excellent performance throughout the game, which Milan won 2–1. Unfortunately, despite winning 4–1 against Udinese
on the final day of the season, Milan could only finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Cup 2008-09.
During the 2008–2009 campaign, Ambrosini was once again a regular fixture in the Milan starting lineup, making 26 appearances in the team's Serie A campaign. During a pre-season friendly tournament against Juventus, Ambrosini was the Man-of-the-Match as he netted twice to secure a Milan victory. His second goal was a superb effort into the roof of the net, past a bewildered Alex Manninger
.
This season was also memorable for him as he had managed a season total of 8 goals (1 in the UEFA Cup), more than he has scored in any season in his career with Milan. The goals included a brilliant header off David Beckham's
free kick against Lazio
, and a well-placed goal in a 5–1 win over Torino. Ambrosini also scored his first brace in a competitive fixture in a 3–2 loss to Roma during Maldini's final home game, and received a standing ovation from the home crowd despite being sent off by the referee for a second yellow card.
On 6 July 2009, as the Milan team reunited for pre-season training, Ambrosini was officially named club captain, inheriting the armband from Maldini. On 8 September 2009, he added one more year to his current contract to 2011. He won Serie A title in 2010-11 season with 3 more games to play. On 19 May 2011, he signed a new 1-year contract.
and was part of the Italian squad
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
and at Euro 2000
, which ended with an appearance as a substitute in the final loss to France
. Ambrosini was unavailable for selection for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
finals through injury and then failed to break into the squad for the Euro 2004
finals.
On 16 August 2006, Ambrosini earned his 23rd cap for Italy after almost 2 years of absence from the Italian squad
. For this match, he was given the captain's armband by coach Roberto Donadoni
in the absence of regular contenders for the armband.
He was called up to Italy's squad for Euro 2008, but has not been called up since Marcello Lippi
was put back in charge, despite putting in battling displays for his club.
National team:
1European competitions include the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
, UEFA Champions League
, UEFA Cup
, and UEFA Super Cup
2Other tournaments include the Supercoppa Italiana
, Intercontinental Cup
and FIFA Club World Cup
>
1999
1
0
2000
7
0
2001
0
0
2002
6
0
2003
5
0
2004
3
0
2005
0
0
2006
1
0
2007
6
0
2008
6
0
Total
35
0
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 as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
and is the captain of 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 Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
. He is well known for his aerial ability and tackling.
Club career
Ambrosini began his career with CesenaA.C. Cesena
Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th...
and graduated to their first team at the age of 17 during the 1994–95 season. Milan coach Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is an Italian football manager and former player. He is the manager of the England national football team.Capello has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every club he has coached throughout his career...
then won the race to sign him the following year, and despite facing tough competition to break into the all-star Milan side, Ambrosini was given a handful of games as the team romped to the 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...
championship. Only used marginally more in 1996–97, Ambrosini was sent on loan to Vicenza
Vicenza Calcio
Vicenza Calcio is an Italian football club based in Vicenza, Veneto. The club was formed in 1902 and currently plays in Italy's Serie B, having spent the entire 1960s and a large part of the 1990s in Serie A...
, where he was a key member of the team that successfully preserved their Serie A status. Recalled to the San Siro
San Siro
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, originally and commonly referred to as the San Siro because of its location, officially given its current name on 3 March 1980, is a football stadium located in the San Siro district in Milan, Italy. It is the home of both A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano...
, Ambrosini at last made a first-team place his own as Milan won back the Serie A championship in 1999. A regular the following term, he then saw his chances limited by a troublesome knee injury before returning to full fitness to help Milan win the Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
and 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...
, where he replaced Rui Costa
Rui Costa
Rui Manuel César Costa, OIH is a former Portuguese football player and current Director of Football for Sport Lisboa e Benfica. An attacking midfielder also capable of playing as a deep-seated defensive midfielder, he most recently played for Portuguese club Benfica...
in the 87th minute at Old Trafford
Old Trafford (football)
Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. With a capacity of 75,811, Old Trafford is the second-largest football stadium in England after Wembley, the third-largest in the United Kingdom and the eleventh-largest in Europe...
.
In 2003–04, although unable to establish himself as a first-team starter due to a series of niggling injuries and a loss of form, Ambrosini made 20 Serie A appearances – predominantly as a substitute – and scored one goal as Milan captured their 17th Serie A championship. In March 2005, he renewed his contract at the San Siro, committing himself until June 2008.
In 2004–05, he struggled to break into Milan first team, and only made 22 Serie A appearances, scoring one goal. However, it is his late goal that took Milan to the UEFA Champions League final. With Milan losing 2–0, a scoreline which would have sent the match to extra time as Milan defeated PSV with the same score in the San Siro
San Siro
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, originally and commonly referred to as the San Siro because of its location, officially given its current name on 3 March 1980, is a football stadium located in the San Siro district in Milan, Italy. It is the home of both A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano...
, Ambrosini scored a header in second half injury time to bring the score to 2–1 and give Milan the 3–2 aggregate
Two-legged match
In sport , a two-legged tie is a contest between two teams which comprises two matches or legs, with each team as the home team in one leg. The winning team is usually determined by aggregate score, the sum of the scores of the two legs...
lead. PSV immedeately responded with a goal of their own to tie the aggregate score at 3–3, but Milan advanced to the final
2005 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2005 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League, Europe's primary club football competition. The showpiece event was contested between Liverpool of England and Milan of Italy at the Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on 25 May 2005...
on the away goals rule
Away goals rule
The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...
. However, Ambrosini missed the final in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
with yet another injury as Milan were defeated on penalties by Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
In 2005–06, he again suffered a series of injuries which limited him to just 13 Serie A appearances and one goal, thus making him out of contention for Italy squad
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...
for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
in Germany.
In 2006–07, Ambrosini fully recovered from his injury. He was not an immediate first-team choice, but following a series of stunning performances, he eventually made it and forced Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti is an Italian football manager, Nicknamed Carletto, Ancelotti played as a midfielder and had a successful career with Roma – captaining the team – with whom he won one Scudetto and 4 Coppa Italia and was part of the legendary late 80's Milan team, with whom he won two Scudetti and...
to change his formation from 4–3–1–2 to 4–3–2–1 (alternatively, 4–4–1–1). He has scored two decisive goals from his head in Serie A, against Sampdoria and Atalanta B.C.
Atalanta B.C.
Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as just Atalanta, Atalanta Bergamo or the abbreviation Atalanta BC, is an Italian football club based in Bergamo, Lombardy.They are nicknamed the Nerazzurri and the orobici...
. He was also a key member to Milan's victory over Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League, balancing the game for Milan through his vision and leadership skills. It was also his vision that ensured Milan a place in the final. Having stolen the ball from Manchester United, Ambrosini immediately passed to a free Alberto Gilardino
Alberto Gilardino
Alberto Gilardino, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Fiorentina and the Italian national team....
. Gilardino scored to make it 3–0, thus ending United's hope of winning the trophy.
Ambrosini originally intended to join Fiorentina due to lack of first-team choice, but changed his mind after the Champions League semifinal against Manchester United. He renewed his contract with Milan until 2010. Shortly after, he started in the final of the 2006–07 Champions League and played a strong game in Milan's 2–1 win over Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
In Paolo Maldini's
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Cesare Maldini is an Italian former footballer who played as a left or central defender. He spent all 25 seasons of his career at Serie A club Milan, before retiring at the age of 41 in 2009, becoming a symbol and a legend of the club...
absence, Ambrosini was once again the stand-in captain for the European Super Cup Final
European Super Cup
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football game between the reigning champions of the two cup competitions organized by UEFA: the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League...
against UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
winners Sevilla FC, which Milan won 3–1.
Ambrosini was Milan captain in the absence of Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Cesare Maldini is an Italian former footballer who played as a left or central defender. He spent all 25 seasons of his career at Serie A club Milan, before retiring at the age of 41 in 2009, becoming a symbol and a legend of the club...
throughout the 2007–08
A.C. Milan 2007-08
During the 2007–08 football season, A.C. Milan will play its 74th Serie A season in the club's existence.-Other information:-First team:As of March 1, 2008.-Captain Hierarchy:# Paolo Maldini...
campaign. In this campaign, Ambrosini scored four goals. He scored decisive goals against Palermo
U.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
and 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...
, and played very well in the home leg of the Milan derby
Derby della Madonnina
Derby della Madonnina, or the Milan Derby as it is sometimes known, is a football match between the Italian clubs Associazione Calcio Milan and Football Club Internazionale Milano. It is a hotly contested local derby and is one of the most followed derbies in football...
against Inter
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
on 4 May 2008, setting up the second goal for team-mate Kaka
Kaka
The New Zealand Kaka, also known as Kākā, is a New Zealand parrot endemic to the native forests of New Zealand.-Description:...
and putting in an excellent performance throughout the game, which Milan won 2–1. Unfortunately, despite winning 4–1 against 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....
on the final day of the season, Milan could only finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Cup 2008-09.
During the 2008–2009 campaign, Ambrosini was once again a regular fixture in the Milan starting lineup, making 26 appearances in the team's Serie A campaign. During a pre-season friendly tournament against Juventus, Ambrosini was the Man-of-the-Match as he netted twice to secure a Milan victory. His second goal was a superb effort into the roof of the net, past a bewildered Alex Manninger
Alex Manninger
Alexander "Alex" Manninger is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Juventus F.C. in the Italian Serie A. He has played for a variety of high-profile clubs, almost always as a substitute....
.
This season was also memorable for him as he had managed a season total of 8 goals (1 in the UEFA Cup), more than he has scored in any season in his career with Milan. The goals included a brilliant header off David Beckham's
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
free kick against 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...
, and a well-placed goal in a 5–1 win over Torino. Ambrosini also scored his first brace in a competitive fixture in a 3–2 loss to Roma during Maldini's final home game, and received a standing ovation from the home crowd despite being sent off by the referee for a second yellow card.
On 6 July 2009, as the Milan team reunited for pre-season training, Ambrosini was officially named club captain, inheriting the armband from Maldini. On 8 September 2009, he added one more year to his current contract to 2011. He won Serie A title in 2010-11 season with 3 more games to play. On 19 May 2011, he signed a new 1-year contract.
International career
Ambrosini made his international debut in April 1999 against CroatiaCroatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
and was part of the Italian squad
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...
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
and at Euro 2000
2000 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2000 UEFA European Football Championship, or Euro 2000, was the 11th UEFA European Football Championship, which is held every four years and organized by UEFA, association football's governing body in Europe....
, which ended with an appearance as a substitute in the final loss to France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. Ambrosini was unavailable for selection for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
finals through injury and then failed to break into the squad for the Euro 2004
2004 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, better known as Euro 2004, was the 12th European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament for European national teams. It was hosted in Portugal, for the first time, between 12 June and 4 July 2004, following its selection by UEFA, in...
finals.
On 16 August 2006, Ambrosini earned his 23rd cap for Italy after almost 2 years of absence from the Italian squad
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...
. For this match, he was given the captain's armband by 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...
in the absence of regular contenders for the armband.
He was called up to Italy's squad for Euro 2008, but has not been called up since Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi, Commendatore OMRI is a former Italian World Cup-winning football manager and former player. He served as Italian national team head coach from 16 July 2004 to 12 July 2006 and led Italy to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was re-appointed as Italian head coach in the summer of 2008...
was put back in charge, despite putting in battling displays for his club.
Honours
Milan:- Serie ASerie 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...
: 1995-96Serie A 1995-96The 1995–96 Serie A title was won by A.C. Milan , with Juventus finishing as runners-up.-Final classification:-Results:-Top scorers:24 goals* Igor Protti...
, 1998-99Serie A 1998-99AC Milan won their 16th Scudetto, led by coach Alberto Zaccheroni. Lazio finished second, losing the title on the last day. Inter with an often Injured or rested Ronaldo had a disastrous season, finishing in 8th position, whereas Juventus impressive start was cut short by a bad injury to Alessandro...
, 2003-04Serie A 2003-04The 2003-2004 season in Italian Serie A football contained 18 teams for the 16th and last time from the 1988-89 season. With the bottom three being relegated, the 15th placed side would face the 6th highest team from Serie B, with the winner playing in the Serie A in 2004-2005.As usual, the top two...
, 2010-11 - Coppa ItaliaCoppa ItaliaThe Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
: 2003 - Supercoppa ItalianaSupercoppa ItalianaThe Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
: 20042004 Supercoppa ItalianaThe 2004 Supercoppa Italiana was a match contested by the 2003-04 winners Milan and the 2003-04 Coppa Italia winners Lazio.The match result was a 3-0 victory for Milan after a hat-trick by Andriy Shevchenko.-Match details:-References:...
, 20112011 Supercoppa Italiana- References :... - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe 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...
: 20032003 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2003 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place at Old Trafford in Manchester, England on 28 May 2003 to decide the winner of the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League. The match was contested by two Italian teams in the shape of Juventus and Milan. The match made history as the...
, 20072007 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2007 UEFA Champions League Final was an association football match between A.C. Milan of Italy and Liverpool F.C. of England on 23 May 2007 at the Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece. The showpiece event was the final match of the 2006–07 season of Europe's premier cup competition, the UEFA... - UEFA Super Cup: 20032003 UEFA Super CupThe 2003 UEFA Super Cup was played on August 29, 2003 between A.C. Milan of Italy and F.C. Porto of Portugal. Milan qualified by beating Juventus in the 2003 UEFA Champions League Final. Porto had made it to the Super Cup after beating Celtic in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. Milan won the match 1–0...
, 20072007 UEFA Super CupThe 2007 UEFA Super Cup was the 32nd UEFA Super Cup, an annual football match between the winners of the previous season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions. The match was held at the Stade Louis II in Monaco on 31 August 2007 and contested by Milan and Sevilla... - FIFA Club World CupFIFA Club World CupThe FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
: 20072007 FIFA Club World CupThe 2007 FIFA Club World Cup was a football tournament played in Japan from 7 December to 16 December 2007. It was the fourth FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament organised by FIFA for the winners of each confederation's top continental club tournament....
National team:
- UEFA European Football ChampionshipUEFA European Football ChampionshipThe UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
Runner-Up: 2000
Career statistics
(correct as of 14 May 2011)| Team | Season | Domestic League |
Domestic Cup |
European Competition1 |
Other Tournaments2 |
Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Cesena A.C. Cesena Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th... |
1994–95 Serie B Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the... |
25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 27 | 1 |
| Total | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 27 | 1 | |
| Vicenza Vicenza Calcio Vicenza Calcio is an Italian football club based in Vicenza, Veneto. The club was formed in 1902 and currently plays in Italy's Serie B, having spent the entire 1960s and a large part of the 1990s in Serie A... (loan) |
1997–98 Serie A 1997-98 Juventus won the title in controversial circumstances. In their match on Sunday, 26 April 1998, against eventual runners-up, Inter, Ronaldo was denied what appeared a clear penalty for Inter after being blocked by Mark Iuliano of Juventus. Had the penalty been awarded and then dispatched, the... |
27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | - | - | 35 | 1 |
| Total | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | – | – | 35 | 1 | |
| Milan A.C. Milan Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others... |
1995–96 Serie A 1995-96 The 1995–96 Serie A title was won by A.C. Milan , with Juventus finishing as runners-up.-Final classification:-Results:-Top scorers:24 goals* Igor Protti... |
7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 14 | 0 |
| 1996–97 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 18 | 0 | |
| 1998–99 Serie A 1998-99 AC Milan won their 16th Scudetto, led by coach Alberto Zaccheroni. Lazio finished second, losing the title on the last day. Inter with an often Injured or rested Ronaldo had a disastrous season, finishing in 8th position, whereas Juventus impressive start was cut short by a bad injury to Alessandro... |
26 | 1 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 29 | 1 | |
| 1999–00 Serie A 1999-00 Lazio won the title on the final day of the season in controversial cirumstances. Juventus, the only other team left in contention on the day lost their match against Perugia in terrible conditions at a rain-sodden Stadio Renato Curi, many considering the pitch unplayable. Pierluigi Collina the... |
29 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
| 2000–01 Serie A 2000-01 In the 2000-01 season, Serie A, the major football Italian professional league, was composed by 18 teams, for the 13th consecutive time from season 1988-89.... |
16 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | - | - | 26 | 4 | |
| 2001–02 Serie A 2001-02 In the 2001-02 season, the Serie A, the major football Italian professional league, was composed by 18 teams, for the 14th consecutive time from season 1988-89.... |
9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 13 | 3 | |
| 2002–03 Serie A 2002-03 In the 2002-03 season, the Serie A, the major football Italian professional league, was composed by 18 teams, for the 15th consecutive time from season 1988-89.... |
21 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 0 | - | - | 37 | 2 | |
| 2003–04 Serie A 2003-04 The 2003-2004 season in Italian Serie A football contained 18 teams for the 16th and last time from the 1988-89 season. With the bottom three being relegated, the 15th placed side would face the 6th highest team from Serie B, with the winner playing in the Serie A in 2004-2005.As usual, the top two... |
20 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 2 | |
| 2004–05 Serie A 2004-05 In the 2004–05 season, the Serie A, the highest professional football league in Italy, was composed of 20 teams for the first time in several years.... |
22 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 4 | |
| 2005–06 Serie A 2005-06 In the 2005–06 season, Serie A, the major professional football league in Italian, was contested for the second year in a row by 20 teams. The league commenced on August 28, 2005 and finished on May 14, 2006... |
13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 18 | 1 | |
| 2006–07 Serie A 2006-07 The Serie A 2006–2007 season began September 10, 2006. It was scheduled to begin on August 26 and 27, but was then postponed due to the Serie A scandal of 2006. It is the 104th Italian championship ever held, the first without the presence of Juventus, and the 75th Serie A league, the first... |
19 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0 | - | - | 34 | 2 | |
| 2007–08 Serie A 2007-08 The 2007-08 Serie A football season was the seventy-sixth since its establishment, and started on August 26, 2007 and ended on May 18, 2008. Internazionale successfully defended the championship on the final day of the season, finishing first with 85 points, three ahead of Roma.-Plusvalenze... |
33 | 4 | - | - | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 4 | |
| 2008–09 Serie A 2008-09 The 2008–09 Serie A was the seventy-seventh season since its establishment. It began on 30 August 2008 and ended on 31 May 2009, with the announcement of the list of fixtures made on 25 July 2008... |
28 | 7 | - | - | 5 | 1 | - | - | 33 | 8 | |
| 2009–10 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | - | - | 39 | 1 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Serie A The 2010–11 Serie A was the 79th season since its establishment, the first under a league committee separate from Serie B. It began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 22 May 2011... |
18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 23 | 1 | |
| Total | 302 | 28 | 34 | 5 | 91 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 433 | 35 | |
| Career Total | 354 | 30 | 37 | 5 | 98 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 495 | 37 | |
1European competitions include the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
, 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...
, UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, and UEFA Super Cup
2Other tournaments include the Supercoppa Italiana
Supercoppa Italiana
The Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
, Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (football)
The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
and FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...