Nicola Legrottaglie
Encyclopedia
Nicola Legrottaglie is an Italian
footballer who plays for Calcio Catania
in Serie A
, as a central defender.
, Province of Bari
, Legrottaglie began his career with A.S. Bari
, having loan spells at A.C. Pistoiese
and A.C. Prato
. In two years, he made 17 total appearances for his hometown club.
in June 1998, Legrottaglie was sold to A.C. ChievoVerona
in the Serie B
. He appeared rarely in his second season with the team and, in January 2000, moved on loan to A.C. Reggiana 1919
in the third division. With his new club, he also found playing opportunities hard to come by and, after his return to Verona
, moved to the same level and in the same predicament, now with Modena FC
.
In his season on loan at Modena, Legrottaglie was a regular fixture in the starting XI, subsequently returning to ChievoVerona for the club's first ever season in the Serie A
. In his first year, he only appeared in 15 games, as the club qualified to the UEFA Cup. In his second season, the defender established himself as top division player, netting four goals in 32 league appearances, with Chievo again finishing comfortably in mid-table (seventh).
. Juve paid €
7.55million for his services Chievo
, €0.45 million being used in selling 50% of the rights to Giuseppe Sculli
, Matteo Paro
and Daniele Gastaldello
.
Legrottaglie was a full member of the squad in the 2003–04 season, playing 21 games and scoring twice, under coach Marcello Lippi
. However, new coach Fabio Capello
did not provide him with any playing time the following year, and he made just two appearances in five months. Subsequently, he moved on loan to Bologna F.C. 1909
in the 2005 January transfer window
, appearing 11 times - twice in the promotion playoffs - with the Emilia-Romagna
side.
Legrottaglie returned to Juventus in the summer of 2005, but was instantly loaned out to A.C. Siena
for the 2005–06 season, alongside teammate Igor Tudor
and some youth players. While at Siena, he was again a first-team regular, appearing in nearly 30 matches as his club finally avoided relegation. He again returned to Juventus in the summer of 2006 and, as an experienced player, was expected to play a role in the club's attempt to return to the top level following the Calciopoli scandal. However, he would only feature in ten games out of 42, with the addition of a red card
, with the Turin
outfit eventually gaining promotion, as champions.
Under new coach Claudio Ranieri
, and after a failed transfer away from Juventus, Legrottaglie started 2007–08 where he left off, on the substitutes' bench, being behind Jorge Andrade, Domenico Criscito
and Jean-Alain Boumsong
in the pecking order. However, after the serious injury suffered by the Portuguese
, he was promoted to the starting eleven for the game against Reggina Calcio
on 26 September, scoring the opener in a 4–0 routing. Until the season's end, he paired with Giorgio Chiellini
in central defense, as Juventus allowed only nine goals in 14 games since Andrade's injury (and 37 overall), finishing in third place; his contract ran originally run until the 2008 summer but, in October 2007, due to his excellent form, he was awarded a two-year extension.
In the 2008–09 season, Legrottaglie continued to be first-choice, despite the arrival of Swede
Olof Mellberg
(Andrade suffered a second serious knee
injury). In September 2008, one month shy of his 32nd birthday, he signed another contract, until June 2011, and featured in 27 league matches as Juventus finished second, thus qualifying to the UEFA Champions League
.
In the following seasons, veteran Legrottaglie was used mostly as backup. In late May 2010, he was injured during club training, missing Juventus' United States
tour.
, who played in his position, 34-year old Legrottaglie left on a free transfer for fellow top division team A.C. Milan
, signing a six-month contract, but was only able to make one league appearance due to injury, before being released in June.
On 24 August 2011, he joined Sicilian
outfit Calcio Catania
on a two-year contract. He scored on his official debut, a 3–3 away draw against Novara Calcio
.
debut, in a friendly match
with Turkey
in Pescara
, and went on to appear in a further six matches in a one-year span, mostly friendlies.
Following solid performances at Juventus, he received his first cap
in four years, appearing in a friendly against Austria
, filling in for injured teammate Chiellini in an 18 August 2008 contest held in Nice
. His former Juventus coach Lippi was then in charge of the national team.
On 2 May 2010, 33-year old Legrottaglie was included in a 29-men provisional list for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, attending training camp in Rome
, being then dropped from the 30-player list submitted to FIFA
on the 11th, with Villarreal CF
's Giuseppe Rossi
and A.S. Roma
's Daniele De Rossi
taking his place.
Legrottaglie's only major international tournament was the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
in South Africa
, with Italy exiting in the group stage.
Italian footballers, quoting the Bible
as his favorite book, which he credits with having him helped rediscover the joy of living and love for his fellow man.
He has come out strongly against homosexuality
, calling it a "sin".
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
footballer who plays for Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
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...
, as a central defender.
Early years
Born in Gioia del ColleGioia del Colle
Gioia del Colle is a town and comune in the province of Bari, Apulia, Italy. The town is located on the Murge plateau at 360 metres above sea level.- History :...
, Province of Bari
Province of Bari
The Province of Bari is a province in the Apulia region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Bari.It has an area of 5,138 km², and a total population of 1,594,109 . There are 48 comuni in the province, see Comuni of the Province of Bari...
, Legrottaglie began his career with A.S. Bari
A.S. Bari
Associazione Sportiva Bari is an Italian football club founded in 1908, they are based in Bari, Apulia and plays in Serie B. The club have spent many seasons bouncing between the top two divisions in Italian football, Serie A and Serie B....
, having loan spells at A.C. Pistoiese
A.C. Pistoiese
Unione Sportiva Pistoiese 1921 is an Italian association football club, based in Pistoia, Tuscany.At the end of the 2010-11 Eccellenza season, Pistoiese was promoted to Serie D....
and A.C. Prato
A.C. Prato
Associazione Calcio Prato is an Italian association football club, based in Prato, Tuscany.Prato currently plays in Lega Pro Prima Divisione group B, having last been in Serie B in 1964.The team's colors are blue and white.- History :...
. In two years, he made 17 total appearances for his hometown club.
Chievo
Following his return to BariBari
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, and is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas...
in June 1998, Legrottaglie was sold to A.C. ChievoVerona
A.C. ChievoVerona
Associazione Calcio Chievo Verona is a professional Italian football club named after and based in Chievo, a suburb of 2,800 inhabitants in Verona, Veneto, and owned by Paluani, a cake company and the inspiration for their original name, Paluani Chievo...
in the Serie B
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...
. He appeared rarely in his second season with the team and, in January 2000, moved on loan to A.C. Reggiana 1919
A.C. Reggiana 1919
Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919 is an Italian association football club, based in Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna. The club was founded in 1919 as A.C. Reggiana and refounded in July 2005 as Reggio Emilia F.C., but it was renamed A.C. Reggiana 1919 soon after the start of the 2005–06 season. The...
in the third division. With his new club, he also found playing opportunities hard to come by and, after his return to Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
, moved to the same level and in the same predicament, now with Modena FC
Modena F.C.
Modena Football Club is an Italian football club based in Modena, Emilia-Romagna. The club was formed in 1912 and currently plays in Italian Serie B, after being relegated from a two year period in Serie A in the year 2004. The team's previous stay in Italy's top division ended in 1964. The team...
.
In his season on loan at Modena, Legrottaglie was a regular fixture in the starting XI, subsequently returning to ChievoVerona for the club's first ever season in 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...
. In his first year, he only appeared in 15 games, as the club qualified to the UEFA Cup. In his second season, the defender established himself as top division player, netting four goals in 32 league appearances, with Chievo again finishing comfortably in mid-table (seventh).
Juventus
In the 2003 off-season, Legrottaglie was rewarded with a move to Serie A powerhouse Juventus FCJuventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
. Juve paid €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
7.55million for his services Chievo
Chievo
Chievo is a frazione of Verona located to the west of the city, around 4km from the historic city centre, on the shores of the river Adige. It is best known for its football team, A.C...
, €0.45 million being used in selling 50% of the rights to Giuseppe Sculli
Giuseppe Sculli
Giuseppe Sculli is an Italian footballer who plays for Lazio.-Juventus:Sculli made his Serie A debut on 14 September 2002 for Modena against A.C...
, Matteo Paro
Matteo Paro
Matteo Paro is an Italian footballer who plays for Vicenza.-Career:Paro made his Serie A debut in 17 May 2003, in a 2–1 loss to Reggina....
and Daniele Gastaldello
Daniele Gastaldello
Daniele Gastaldello is an Italian footballer who plays as a defender for Serie B club Sampdoria.-Club career:...
.
Legrottaglie was a full member of the squad in the 2003–04 season, playing 21 games and scoring twice, under coach 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...
. However, new 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...
did not provide him with any playing time the following year, and he made just two appearances in five months. Subsequently, he moved on loan to Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
in the 2005 January transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
, appearing 11 times - twice in the promotion playoffs - with the Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia–Romagna is an administrative region of Northern Italy comprising the two historic regions of Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna; it has an area of and about 4.4 million inhabitants....
side.
Legrottaglie returned to Juventus in the summer of 2005, but was instantly loaned out to A.C. Siena
A.C. Siena
Associazione Calcio Siena is an Italian football club based in Siena.The club currently plays in Serie A, having gained promotion from Serie B at the end of the 2010-2011 season....
for the 2005–06 season, alongside teammate Igor Tudor
Igor Tudor
Igor Tudor is a Croatian former football defender. He was considered one of Croatia's best defenders in the period between the late 1990s and mid-2000s....
and some youth players. While at Siena, he was again a first-team regular, appearing in nearly 30 matches as his club finally avoided relegation. He again returned to Juventus in the summer of 2006 and, as an experienced player, was expected to play a role in the club's attempt to return to the top level following the Calciopoli scandal. However, he would only feature in ten games out of 42, with the addition of a red card
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
, with the Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
outfit eventually gaining promotion, as champions.
Under new coach Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri, is an Italian football manager, currently in charge as head coach of Internazionale.He has also managed many other well-known clubs in Europe, including Cagliari, Napoli, Fiorentina, Valencia, Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Parma, Juventus and Roma.-Early life:Ranieri attended St...
, and after a failed transfer away from Juventus, Legrottaglie started 2007–08 where he left off, on the substitutes' bench, being behind Jorge Andrade, Domenico Criscito
Domenico Criscito
Domenico Criscito , is an Italian footballer who plays as a defender for Russian Premier League club FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. He is a versatile defender who started his career as a centre back but now usually plays at left back.-Club career:...
and Jean-Alain Boumsong
Jean-Alain Boumsong
Jean-Alain Boumsong-Somkong is a professional football defender who currently plays for the Greek team Panathinaikos and the French national team.-Early career:...
in the pecking order. However, after the serious injury suffered by the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, he was promoted to the starting eleven for the game against Reggina Calcio
Reggina Calcio
Reggina Calcio are an Italian association football club, the main club of the city of Reggio Calabria. Founded in 1914, they currently play in the Italian Serie B, and play their home matches at the 27,763 seater Stadio Oreste Granillo...
on 26 September, scoring the opener in a 4–0 routing. Until the season's end, he paired with Giorgio Chiellini
Giorgio Chiellini
Giorgio Chiellini is an Italian footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. He is a centre back, who started his career playing as a left back.-Livorno:...
in central defense, as Juventus allowed only nine goals in 14 games since Andrade's injury (and 37 overall), finishing in third place; his contract ran originally run until the 2008 summer but, in October 2007, due to his excellent form, he was awarded a two-year extension.
In the 2008–09 season, Legrottaglie continued to be first-choice, despite the arrival of Swede
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Olof Mellberg
Olof Mellberg
Erik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:...
(Andrade suffered a second serious knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injury). In September 2008, one month shy of his 32nd birthday, he signed another contract, until June 2011, and featured in 27 league matches as Juventus finished second, thus qualifying to 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...
.
In the following seasons, veteran Legrottaglie was used mostly as backup. In late May 2010, he was injured during club training, missing Juventus' United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tour.
AC Milan / Later years
On 31 January 2011, after Juventus signed Andrea BarzagliAndrea Barzagli
Andrea Barzagli, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club Juventus.- Club career :...
, who played in his position, 34-year old Legrottaglie left on a free transfer for fellow top division team A.C. 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...
, signing a six-month contract, but was only able to make one league appearance due to injury, before being released in June.
On 24 August 2011, he joined Sicilian
Sicilian
Sicily is an autonomous Italian island. The adjectival form Sicilian can also refer to:* Sicilian language* Sicilian Baroque, baroque architecture in 17th & 18th centuries on Sicily...
outfit Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania
Calcio Catania is an Italian football club founded in 1908 and based in Catania, Sicily. The club has spent much of its history in Serie B, gaining promotion to Italy's top league Serie A five times...
on a two-year contract. He scored on his official debut, a 3–3 away draw against Novara Calcio
Novara Calcio
Novara Calcio is an Italian football club based in Novara, Piedmont.-History:In December 1908 the F.A.S. was created by eight students of Liceo Carlo Alberto, aged between 15–16 years; among them an engineer, Gianni Canestrini, and a lawyer, Piero Omodei Zorini...
.
International career
On 20 November 2002, Legrottaglie made his ItalyItaly 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...
debut, in a friendly match
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
with 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...
in Pescara
Pescara
Pescara is the capital city of the Province of Pescara, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. As of January 1, 2007 it was the most populated city within Abruzzo at 123,059 residents, 400,000 with the surrounding metropolitan area...
, and went on to appear in a further six matches in a one-year span, mostly friendlies.
Following solid performances at Juventus, he received his first cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
in four years, appearing in a friendly against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
, filling in for injured teammate Chiellini in an 18 August 2008 contest held in Nice
Nice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
. His former Juventus coach Lippi was then in charge of the national team.
On 2 May 2010, 33-year old Legrottaglie was included in a 29-men provisional list for the 2010 FIFA 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...
, attending training camp in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, being then dropped from the 30-player list submitted to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
on the 11th, with Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
's Giuseppe Rossi
Giuseppe Rossi
Giuseppe Rossi is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club Villarreal CF and the Italian national team.- Early life :...
and A.S. Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
's Daniele De Rossi
Daniele De Rossi
Daniele De Rossi, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Roma. He is the current Roma's vice-captain and nicknamed as Capitan Futuro due to his high probabality as heir-apparent to Francesco Totti's captain armband.With Roma he has won the Coppa Italia...
taking his place.
Legrottaglie's only major international tournament was the 2009 FIFA 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...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, with Italy exiting in the group stage.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 30 April 2003 | Geneva Geneva Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland... , Switzerland |
2–1 | Win | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
Honours
- Juventus:
- Second DivisionSerie BSerie 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...
: 2006–07 - Italian SupercupSupercoppa 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...
: 2003 - Italian CupCoppa 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...
: Runner-up 2003–04
- Second Division
- Milan:
- Italian LeagueSerie 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...
: 2010–11
- Italian League
Personal
Legrottaglie is one of the most religiousReligion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
Italian footballers, quoting the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
as his favorite book, which he credits with having him helped rediscover the joy of living and love for his fellow man.
He has come out strongly against homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, calling it a "sin".