[canzano55]

Lupi Diavoli 3rd pick and 20th pick overall



Antonio Cabrini

Born: 08.10.1957
Height: 1.78
Position: Fullback

Honours:

6 x Serie A Championship :
1976-1977, 1977-1978, 1980-1981, 1981-1982, 1983-1984, 1985-1986 2 x Italian Cup : 1978-1979, 1982-1983 1 x UEFA Cup : 1976-1977 1 x Cup Winners Cup : 1983-1984 1 x European Cup : 1984-1985 1 x European Super Cup : 1984 1 x Intercontinental Cup : 1985 1 x World Cup : 1982 International Record : 73 Caps, 9 goals
(http://soccer-europe.com/Biographies/Cabrini.html)

Total Goals scored: 33 (inlcuding 9 for the Azzuri which is a national record for a defender)



One of the revelations of the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina, Antonio Cabrini began his long international career in the Azzurri's opening 2-1 victory over France in Mar del Plata on 2 June. It was a baptism of fire for the young newcomer, but his unflappable character saw him through and he never looked back.
Knowing his players as intimately as he did, Italy’s then coach Enzo Bearzot had not the slightest doubt about Cabrini's ability to cope. Despite his age and inexperience, the elegant defender was started at left-back and fully justified his manager's faith by going on to make the role his own for the next decade.
To hold down such a specialist position in the national team at the age of 20 was all the more remarkable considering that the Cremona-born prodigy had made his professional debut for Juventus just 16 months before – against Lazio on 13 February 1977. Before that, he had taken the well-worn local route of turning out for Cremonese and later Atalanta, where he was playing when the Turin giants came calling in 1976.
Plying his trade with the dominant force in Serie A and the team that provided the backbone of the Squadra Azzurra probably helped him break into the international arena so quickly, but there is no denying that Cabrini was an exceptional player. Moreover, he was one of a handful of pioneering full-backs who emerged to revolutionise the role around that time.
Indeed, not only was the handsome Antonio the natural successor to Italy legend Giacinto Facchetti, he revitalised his role in the side. Faultless defensively and a tireless ball-winner, he was also supremely gifted going forward and loved nothing more than surging down the flanks before whipping in a pinpoint cross or shooting at goal himself.
In total, he scored 33 times during his career, including nine goals for his country in 83 appearances (44 wins, 23 draws and 18 defeats). To emphasise that achievement, the next most prolific defender in Italian history is Paolo Maldini, who struck seven times but from 126 appearances.

[Spartak]

Team: Squadra Incognito(Spartak, Hawkz)
Round: 3rd
Overall: 21st



José João Altafini
24.07.1938, Piracicaba [ SP ]
Forward
International caps: Brazil 8 caps/4 goals, Italy 6 caps/5 goals

Clubs
1954-1956: XV de Piracicaba-SP
1956-1958: Palmeiras-SP
1958-1965: Milano AC - Italy
1965-1972: Napoli - Italy
1972-1976: Juventus di Torino - Italy
1976-1979: Chiasso - Switzerland
1980-1981: Mendrisio Star - Switzerland

Honours
Roca Cup: 1957
Italian League: 1959, 1962, 1973, 1975
FIFA World Cup: 1958
European Champion's League: 1963

Italian league's top scorer: 1962
European Champions League's top scorer: 1963

José João Altafini (born July 24, 1938 in Piracicaba, Brazil) was a Brazilian-born Italian footballer. He is the joint-third highest scorer in Serie A history (along with Giuseppe Meazza) with 216 goals.

Altafini played for a number of Brazilian teams, including Palmeiras, before he began his career in Italy with AC Milan in 1958. He made his debut on September 21, 1958, and, in his first season, he played 32 games and scored 28 goals, winning the title along the way. His first league goal came on October 5 in a win against Bari. Milan won the title again in 1962, when Altafini was the league's joint top scorer with 22 goals in 33 games.

In 1965, Altafini joined Napoli, where he stayed until 1972. In 1972, Napoli ironically lost 2-0 in the final of the Coppa Italia to Altafini's previous club, Milan.

After his time at Napoli, he joined Juventus and lost another cup final in 1973. He did, however, win two more league titles: in 1973 and 1975. By the time he left Juventus in 1976, Altafini had played 459 games in Serie A and had scored 216 goals, although he had scored most of these in the early part of his career. In fact, he only scored 53 goals in his last 8 seasons in Italy, whereas he had scored 134 in his first 8.

He joined Chiasso and then Mendrisio Star (both in Switzerland) after leaving Italy and played for four more seasons before retiring at the age of 42.

Born in Brazil, Altafini played international football for both Brazil and Italy. In Brazil he was nicknamed 'Mazzola' for his resemblance to the Turin forward Valentino Mazzola. He played in the 1958 World Cup for winners Brazil, but didn't play in the later stages, having been replaced by Vava. His Italy debut came against Israel on October 15, 1961, a game in which he also scored. He played in the 1962 World Cup for Italy, where they were knocked out in the first round.

From Wikipedia

[Dante]

With our third pick, Irriducibili FC pick

Tarcisio Burgnich





Born: born April 35, 1939 in Ruda, Italy
Position: Defense
Serie A debut: Bologna 2-2 Udinese, 9/8/57
Last Serie A game: Napoli 0-2 Fiorentina, 5/22/77
International debut: Italy 1-1 Soviet Union, 11/10/63
Last cap: Italy 1-2 Poland, 6/23/74
International caps: 66
International goals: 2

Clubs:
1958 - 1960 : Udinese Calcio S.p.A. (Italy)
1960 - 1961 : Juventus F.C. (Italy)
1961 - 1962 : U.S. Citta di Palermo S.p.A (Italy)
1962 - 1974 : Internazionale Milano F.C. (Italy)
1974 - 1977 : S.S. Napoli (Italy)

Honors:

European Championship (1968)
Scudetto (1961, 63, 65, 66, 71)
Coppa Italia (1976)
European Cup (1964, 65)
European Super Cup (1984)
Anglo-Italian Cup (1977)
World Club Championship (1964, 65)

After short spells at Udinese, Juventus and Palermo, it was with Internazionale that this sweeper/right-back found his spiritual home in the 1960s. He played 467 times for the Nerazzurri, scoring 6 goals, and his aggressive, determined style was ideally suited to the catenaccio system operated by Helenio Herrera throughout Inter's glory years. Five Italian championships, two European Cups and two World Club Championships tell the tale of how successful Burgnich was.

He was also a pillar of the Italian national team for more than a decade and helped them pick up their one and only European Football Championship title in 1968. He played a total of 68 times for his country.

He once was quoted of saying something regarding the famous Brazilian soccer star Pele, at the 1970 World Cup Finals: "I told myself before the game, 'he's made of skin and bones just like everyone else' — but I was wrong".

[Sempre]

Team: I Bimbi d'Oro
Pick: 3rd
Player: Bruno Conti
Position: Centocampista/ winger
Caps: 47 (5 goals)



Many say that Bruno Conti was the outstanding player of the 1982
World Cup. He scored the goal of the tournaments vs. Peru, menaced
defenses with his dribbling and creativity, and in the final vs. Germany
drew a penalty and set up the third, clinching goal.

Bio

Conti was born March 13, 1955 in Nettuno, province of Rome, and is an
Italian ex-soccer player and coach who was coach of the Serie A team
A.S. Roma from 14 March 2005 to 30 June 2005.

During his domestic league career, he played for AS Roma from 1973 to
1990, winning the scudetto in 1983 and Coppa Italia four times. Following
the depature of coach Luigi Del Neri, Conti moved up from his position as
head of the club's youth teams to first team coach during the 2004-2005
season. Conti does not possess a coaching licence however World Cup
winners are exempted from taking coaching exams. Remarkably, he led Roma
to the Coppa Italia final, and to a UEFA Cup berth. His short term role as
caretaker manager finished when A.S. Roma appointed Luciano Spalletti
as coach.

Versatile and capable with both feet, Conti could play as a left or right
winger or wide man in a more conservative midfield.

[The Bergamister]

Piazza D'Armi 3rd pick:

Giampiero Boniperti

Birthplace: Barengo, Italy 1928, Italy

Position: Striker, attacking midfielder (winger)

Club: Juventus 1946-1961, a true one club man



JUVENTUS:
He arrived at Juventus aged 16, with the reputation of a big goal scorer, seeing as he had scored 11 goals in one match. After a try-out in which he scored seven goals, the journalist Carlin wrote: "A boy wonder is born to Juve". He began as a centre forward, then he moved to inside forward, to side midfielder and right wing, demonstrating great tactical flexibility .A legendary figure in Italian football, and the history of Juventus, where he played 444 League games over 15 years. A forward who could also play as an attacking midfielder, Boniperti was the heart of the Juventus side throughout the 1950s and picked up five Scudetti for his troubles. In 1948 at the age of just 20 he was the League’s top scorer ahead of Valentino Mazzola. He was a complete player,

His 178 strikes for Juventus remained a club record for a long time before a certain player passed that record in January this year

Also became President of the club before quitting in the 1990s.

First match in serie A: 02-03-1947: Juventus-Milan 1-2
First goal in serie A: 08-06-1947: Sampdoria-Juventus 0-3

Season – Club - Games Goals
1946/47 Juventus (ITA) 6 5
1947/48 Juventus (ITA) 40 27
1948/49 Juventus (ITA) 32 15
1949/50 Juventus (ITA) 35 21
1950/51 Juventus (ITA) 38 22
1951/52 Juventus (ITA) 33 19
1952/53 Juventus (ITA) 29 7
1953/54 Juventus (ITA) 30 14
1954/55 Juventus (ITA) 27 9
1955/56 Juventus (ITA) 31 6
1956/57 Juventus (ITA) 24 4
1957/58 Juventus (ITA) 34 8
1958/59 Juventus (ITA) 26 8
1959/60 Juventus (ITA) 31 7
1960/61 Juventus (ITA) 28 6
--------------------------------------
TOTAL 444 178


Azzurri

Caps Goals Date Venue Opponent Score

2 1 22.05.49 Firenze Austria 3-1
12 1 25.11.51 Lugano Switzerland 1-1
21 2 24.01.54 Milano Egypt 5-1
23 1 17.06.54 Lausanne Switzerland 1-2
25 1 16.01.55 Bari Belgium 1-0
27 1 18.12.55 Roma West Germany 2-1
38 1 10.12.60 Napoli Austria 1-2

First match in the italian national team: 09-11-1947: Austria-Italy 5-1


A great player and leader who was unfortunate to play with the Azzurri in one of the worst periods for the Italian National Team (1947 - 1960). Although considered by many as one of the best Italian players of all time, he never won any major individual award. Making his debut in the Azzurri after playing only 14 matches in the Serie A, he played a total of 38 games in Azzurro, 24 of them as Captain, and scoring 8 goals..

Note: Only Italian for the game of the Centenarian of the Football Association, Wembly, England. Giampiero Boniperti played skillfull on the wing made two goals.

[Duck Manson]

Round 4, Pick 1, Overall pick 25

Raimondo Bibiani Orsi



Regarded as the best winger to ever play in Italy

Born: December 12th 1901, Buenos Aires, Argentina – Died April 6th 1986

Position: Winger, Forward

Height / weight: 169cm / 68kg


‘Mumo’ was one of the scoring kings of the great 1930s Juventus side which won five titles in a row. Signed from Independiente, his dribbling and close control were amongst the best of the era. His 77 Serie A goals in 177 games did enough to have Italy officials checking up his ancestry and, despite 15 caps for Argentina, he was drafted into the Azzurri set-up for 35 games and 13 goals. His finest hour came in 1934 when, along with fellow South Americans Enrico Guaita and Luisito Monti, he helped Italy secure the World Cup on home soil. - Football Italia
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Azzurri Career (1929-1935)
35 caps (oriundi record) / 13 goals (13th all time, second all time by a oriundi)
World Cup games: 7 / 1934
Argentina Career
13 caps / 3 goals
World Cup games: 0 / 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
In the 1928 Olympic Games in Holland, the Italian national team is beaten in the semifinals by Argentina (3-2). The latter is then overcome in the final by the Uruguayan team, title holders and futures World Champions. Despite this defeat, there was an Argentinian player that unanimously was the best player of the tournament: we are talking of Raimundo Orsi. A winger of such grace, pace and dribling ability he illuminated all competition. Italians Juventus are the first ones to engage the player, nicknamed "the Amsterdam Star" since his performances in the Olympic Games. The club Directors did everything in their power to attain his services. Orsi was offered a dazzling salary for the era (8000 lire) and a Fiat with his personal driver for good measure. He accepted.

Despite signing a contract in 1928, Orsi was not authorized to to play with the bianconeri during the 1928/1929 season. Since 1927, only foreign players having an Italian descent (called "oriundi") could participate in the Italian Championship. Once his oriundo background was established, Orsi could begin playing the following season (1929/1930). The Argentinian attacker quickly makes everyone forget the delay. As early as Juventus second game in the championship the crowd get to admire his phenomenal dribles. He registered his 15th goal at the end of his first Italian season and is voted the clubs best player. The following seasons he would only confirm his immense class as they took the crown away from Inter: again voted the teams best player in 1931 and 1932. He mesmerized the Italian public with his extraordinary technique that among other things allowed him to score directly from corner kicks. Not since the Hungarian Hirzer (1925-1927) had Juve had such gifted offensive player. His play alongside the talented Ferrari, Vecchina and Borel II tears defeses appart. They are unstoppable. Thanks to this potential incomparble offensiv, Juve remain irreproachable in championship between 1930 and 1935 as they won 5 consecutive titles.

Orsis talent was so immense that the Italian National team coach Pozzo called upon him to play with Italy (as an oriundo, Orsi could play for Italy despite his Argentinan nationality). The Argentinian winger continued his success with Italy as they build up for their participation in the 1934 World Cup. As hosts, Italy end up winning the tournament after Orsi equalise the Czechoslovakie lead in the Final and then help create the winner for Schiavio in extra time. Orsi has a great tournament, scoring three goals in five games while also creating goals for his teammates. He leaves Juve in 1935 after seven seasons, and returns to play in South-America. The Bianconeri supporters will have to wait more then 20 years and the arrival of another Argentinian artist, Omar Sivori, to see a player as gifted as Orsi.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Club career
Season – Club – Games – Goals
1921-1922 Independiente
1922-1923 Independiente
1923-1924 Independiente
1924-1925 Independiente
1825-1926 Independiente
1926-1927 Independiente
1927-1928 Independiente
1928-1929 Juventus 0 / 0
1929-1930 Juventus 34 / 15
1930-1931 Juventus 34 / 20
1931-1932 Juventus 33 / 20
1932-1933 Juventus 32 / 10
1933-1934 Juventus 24 / 8
1934-1935 Juventus 21 / 4
1935-1936 Independiente
1936-1937 Boca Juniors
1937-1938 Almagro
1938-1939 Peñarol
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raimondo Orsi was one of the earliest of the Argentine greats. He was an outstanding left winger with great speed and control and a powerful shot. He had a second international career with Italy and he is remembered to this day as the man who hit a sensational equaliser for Italy in the World Cup Final of 1934 against Czechoslovakia. ‘Mummo’ as he was called, was the son of Italian immigrants, a factor that played a prominent role when he shifted his loyalties to Italy.. – newindpress
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Debut for Juventus in Serie A: 06/10/1929 (Juventus - Napoli 3-2)
Debut for Juventus in European Cup: 13/7/1931 (Juventus – Sparta Prague 2-1)

Games for Juventus in all competitions: 194 / 88
League games for Juventus: 177 / 77 (12th all time)
Italian Cup games for Juventus: 0 / 0
European Cup games for Juventus: 17 / 11 (13th all time)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A first-class attacker, "Mumo" was capable of extraordinary feats, such as scoring directly from the corner flag. At the Olympics in Amsterdam he was celebrated as a real living legend. He was part of the World Cup winning team in 1934.. - figc
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Trophies & Tournaments
World Cup winner (Italy): 1934
International Dr. Gero Cup (Italy): 1930, 1935
Italian League Title: 5 / 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935
Argentinian Champion: 1922, 1926
Argentinian Cup: 3 / 1924, 1925, 1926
Copa America winner: 1927*
Uruguayan Champion: 1938
Rio de Janeiro Cup: 1939

*Did not play

(if anyone has info on his club career outside of Juventus, let me (or one of the mods) know and we can include it in this post. any errors in the post, also let us know)

[Sempre]

Team: I Bimbi d'Oro
Pick: 4th
Player: Alessandro Altobelli
Position: Centravanti/ Center-forward
Caps: 61 (25 goals)

Brief bio from Wikipedia

Alessandro Altobelli (born November 28, 1955 in Sonnino, Latina) is
a former Italian football player.

Nicknamed Spillo ("Needle") for his slender build, Altobelli was one
of the most effective Italian forwards of the late 1970s and 1980s.
Following spells at Latina (Serie C) and Brescia (Serie B), he was
signed by Internazionale, for whom he played 466 times, scoring
209 goals (132 in Serie A) and massively contributing to his team's
scudetto of 1980. For Italy he was capped 61 times, scoring 25 goals:
the most notable of which is the third goal in the 1982 World Cup,
which he won. Altobelli also played at Euro 80, the 1986 World Cup,
and Euro 88, where he played as team's captain.

[Dante]

With our fourth pick, Irriducibili FC choose

Fabio Cannavaro





Born: September 13, 1973 in Napoli, Italy
Position: Central Defense
Serie A debut: Juventus 4-3 Napoli, 3/7/93
International debut: Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland, 1/22/97
International caps: 91
International goals: 1

Clubs:
1992 - 1995 : S.S. Napoli (Italy)
1995 - 2002 : A.C. Parma (Italy)
2002 - 2004 : Internazionale Milano F.C. (Italy)
2004 - present : Juventus F.C. (Italy)

Honors:
Scudetto (2005)
Coppa Italia (1999, 2002)
Super Coppa Italia (2000)
UEFA Cup (1999)
UEFA U-21 Championship winner (1994, 96)

Fabio Cannavaro is an Italian football player, as of 2005 the captain of the Italian national team. Although being not tall for a central defender (176 cm), Cannavaro is considered one of the best defenders of the 1990s and early 2000s. As for his career in Serie A, he's played for Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan and Juventus.

Cannavaro, alongside Alessandro Nesta, forms one of the best defences for a national team in the world. Cannavaro is especially noted for his reading of the game, an ability that often sees him make countless interceptions during games. It is this attribute that has compensated for his lack of height, making him one of the finest centre-backs to have come out of Italy.

As for Italy, Cannavaro has earned over 90 caps. He played for his country in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, as well as Euro 2000 and Euro 2004.
His younger brother, Paolo Cannavaro, is also a central defender, and currently plays for Parma A.C.. The two brothers played alongside each other at Parma from 2000 until 2002, when Fabio left for Inter.

[Spartak]

Team: Squadra Incognito(Spartak, Hawkz)
Round: 4th
Overall: 28th

Full name: Gianfranco Zola
DOB: July 5, 1966
Birthplace: Oliena, Italy
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 64 kg

Position: Forward [R, C]
Clubs: Nuorese, Torres, Napoli, Parma, Chelsea, Cagliari
International debut: November 1991, v Norway
Caps: 35
Goals: 9
World Cups: USA 1994

Honours:
European Super Cup (94, 98)
UEFA Cup (95)
UEFA Cup Winners` Cup (98)
Italian Serie C2 (87)
Italian Serie A (90)
Italian Super Cup (91)
English Cup (97, 00)
English League Cup (98)
English League Footballer of the Year (97)

Season Club Country Level Apps Goals
2004-05 Cagliari ITA A 31 9
2003-04 Cagliari ITA B 0 0
2002-03 Chelsea ENG A 38 14
2001-02 Chelsea ENG A 35 3
2000-01 Chelsea ENG A 36 9
1999-00 Chelsea ENG A 32 4
1998-99 Chelsea ENG A 36 13
1997-98 Chelsea ENG A 27 8
1996-97 Parma ITA A 8 2
1996-97 Chelsea ENG A 23 8
1995-96 Parma ITA A 29 10
1994-95 Parma ITA A 32 19
1993-94 Parma ITA A 33 18
1992-93 Napoli ITA A 33 12
1991-92 Napoli ITA A 34 12
1990-91 Napoli ITA A 20 6
1989-90 Napoli ITA A 18 2
1988-89 Torres Sassari ITA C1 34 11
1987-88 Torres Sassari ITA C1 24 2
1986-87 Torres Sassari ITA C2 30 8
1985-86 Nuorense ITA INT 27 10
1984-85 Nuorense ITA C2 4 0


It's hard to hear anything negative said about Gianfranco Zola. In fact it’s nigh on impossible to recall reading or hearing anything other than praise for the Sardinian star in the last 15 years or so. Zola has by now attained hero status, and after being presented with such prestigious awards as the OBE last November, and the annual Senatore Salvatore Mannironi prize just a month later for being the Sardinian citizen who's done the most to raise public opinion and esteem of the island, it's impossible to see how the little star can possibly be celebrated further.

His hero status is not just down to genius and skill on the pitch but rather for his combination of skill, professionalism, utmost humility and a determination to improve - even now at the ripe old age of 38. To trace the evolution of a hero, it's necessary to go back to the beginning.

Aged 18, Gianfranco took his first steps in professional football, for local team Nuorese. Previously he’d served his apprenticeship with Corrasi, the modest team of his small hometown Oliena. It wasn’t until 1989 and his move to Napoli, thanks to current Juventus and former Napoli director, Luciano Moggi, that the Italian public at large got to know Zola.

With Napoli he was lucky enough to play in a squad boasting South Americans such as Antonio Careca, Alemao and Daniel Fonseca, but more importantly, he was in the unique position to play substitute to the legendary Diego Armando Maradona. Whilst keeping himself a very respectable distance from all Maradona's personal intrigues, the young Zola made sure to glean as much as possible from the Argentine genius on the field. The training sessions where the two forwards stayed on to practise penalties, swapping feet so Maradona would have a go with his less favoured right foot, while Zola shot with his left, became legendary.

"I learnt everything from Diego," insists the diminutive Sardinian. "I used to spy on him every time he trained and learned how to curl a free-kick just like him. After one year I had completely changed. I saw him do things in training and in matches I had never even dreamed possible. He was simply the best I’ve ever seen. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have been a good player if I had not played with him at that stage of my career but I do know I wouldn’t be the player I am now."

After winning the Scudetto in his first season in the top flight, Zola gained a personal career boost the following spring as Maradona left Naples, handing over the coveted No 10 shirt to his Sardinian successor. Zola did well in Naples, scoring 32 goals in his four seasons there, and was well respected by new Coach Claudio Ranieri and the local supporters.

Unfortunately, due to financial reasons, Napoli had to sell their mercurial attacker. His move to Parma started off well, but after a few seasons and with competition from Hristo Stoichkov, Enrico Chiesa and Hernan Crespo, Coach Carlo Ancelotti found little use for him in his natural position, and the Sardinian felt himself sinking into the shadows.

Zola made the decision to go to London and join Ruud Gullit’s revolution at Stamford Bridge, at a cost of £4.5m. There began seven happy seasons with the Blues, where Magic Box – as he became known - scored 80 goals, and was named Premier League Player of the Year in 1997 and Best Loved Chelsea Player Ever. Once again financial reasons, just before the intervention of Russian magnate Roman Abramovich, forced the champion to consider potential moves, but Zola knew exactly where he was going. At the age of 37 it was time to go home. Gianfranco became a man on a mission - to bring joy and enthusiasm to the whole of his home island. Something he had done at Chelsea for seven years.

"Zola was undoubtedly one of Chelsea’s greatest players ever," said former chairman Ken Bates. "He’s been a joy to watch and a great influence both on and off the field, particularly because of his great interest with young fans. We owe him a hell of a lot of thanks."

In many ways Zola epitomises the Sardinian character. Strong minded, bordering on the stubborn with a hardworking loyal streak, dignity, respect and an ingrained love of his island and fellow islanders, as well as a great belief in family values. These characteristics make him exemplary as the unofficial ambassador for Sardinia, particularly thanks to his position in the public eye giving him the ability to transmit such values through his words and, even more so, through his actions.

The move to Cagliari was a wise one. Apart from the desire to bring his career to an end at home, the decision to take a step down into Serie B, with the inevitable cut in wages, by a player still at the height of a tremendous career is uncommon. But it paid off. Thanks to their new captain, Cagliari streaked through Serie B, finishing second to Sicilian side Palermo and securing a return to the top flight after a four-year absence. The joy throughout the island was tangible, and lead man Zola had the satisfaction of helping make his and their dreams come true.

With more money in the bank, Chelsea did ask for a return of Magic Box to London. Zola, his wife Franca and their three children Andrea, Martina and Samuele, had all grown extremely fond of life in Britain and the British had certainly grown fond of Zola. When Zola left London, Ranieri said that the aspect he most missed about him was how rival fans would applaud when he stepped from the Blues’ coach at away matches. Napoli also made an offer to bring Zola back. The Rossoblu captain stuck to his guns, though, and after a few days of speculation, the announcement came that he was staying on to lead his team in the top flight.

Apart from his loyalty to Cagliari, Zola also wanted his children to experience growing up in Italy. The Blues’ fans, however, have proved just as loyal to their hero as he was to his island. Match after match a handful of Londoners would turn up at the Sant'Elia to follow Zola’s progress, and the Chelsea merchandising shops quickly saw the opening and copies of his No 10 Cagliari shirt were put on sale in London.

Now that he’s an OBE, Zola feels his ties to Britain are even firmer. His award was given for services to the British game, and he was described as an excellent ambassador for football and an ideal model for young fans, as well as the most enduring and popular foreign player in the history of Chelsea Football Club. The work he does for charity was also praised. Receiving the OBE left Zola almost speechless, but he did manage to say how honoured he was and how sorry he was to leave Britain.

At a time when it’s generally the bad boys who make the headlines, when stadium violence is once again a problem in Italy, and player behaviour leaves a lot to be desired, someone like Zola - with his wholesome, enthusiastic and sportsman’s attitude - is a breath of fresh air. Those Sardinian characteristics of his, particularly his integrity and belief in family values, have helped him along the way, and the knowledge that he has honesty on his side gives him the confidence to speak out when he thinks it right.

"My greatest satisfaction is off the pitch for the way people consider me and the respect they give me," insisted Zola. "Many people excel in games but when you have achieved that level of respect it is something special. Money can give you many things but respect cannot be bought. What I have achieved in the way people regard me, in my mind, is remarkable."

Zola will never be forgotten in Cagliari. In the hero stakes he's already up there alongside the Rombo di Tuono - Gigi Riva - who led the Rossoblu to their only championship title back in 1970. Riva has been declared an honorary Sardinian, and was celebrated with enormous banners displayed by the public at the friendly between Italy and Russia in February. Undoubtedly Zola – the Ambassador for Calcio – will be given a similar tribute now that his time has come.

Bio from Calcio Italia

[Tottino]

Alessandro Del Piero
Lupo Diavoli 4th Pick

Nickname: Pinturicchio

Born: November 9, 1974

International Caps: 25
International Debut: 25.03.95 Italy vs Estonia
Serie A goals: 193


6 Italian Championships: 1994/95, 96/97, 97/98, 2001/02, 02/03, 04/05
4 Italian Supercups: 1995, 97, 2002, 03
1 Coppa Italia: 1994/95
1 Champions League: 1995/96
3 Champions League runners-up: 1996/97, 1997/98, 2002/03
1 European Supercup: 1996
1 Intercontinental Cup: 1996
1 Intertoto Cup: 1999
U-21 European Footballer of the Year
MVP of the Intercontinental Final Award 1996
Best Italian Player Award 1998
Best Overall Player Award 1998
UCL Top Scorer 1997
UCL Top Scorer 1998
Most Popular Italian Player Award
Most Charismatic Striker in Italy 2001
UEFA Champions League 10 Years Jubilee Poll Best Attacker
Best Goal Scorer of Juventus of All Times 2006

Captain of Juventus
He usually plays as a forward or between the midfield and the strikers. He is not the tallest of forwards, and is more of a creative forward rather than a "goal poacher". Del Piero is renowned for his deadly finishing, and the ease in which he dribbles past defenders. He is an expert in dead ball situations, and seems to have the ability to hit the target from almost anywhere on the pitch.
Del Piero started his professional career in 1991 with Padova of Italian Serie B. In 1993, he transferred to Juventus, and has been there ever since. With the Turin club, he won the Serie A championship six times (1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2005), the Champions League (1996), and the Toyota Cup (1996). His best season was in 1997-98, when he scored 21 goals in Serie A and finished top scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 10 goals, which included a peach of a freekick against Monaco in the semi finals. Del Piero struggled for form at the beginning of the 1998-99 season, whilst many doping allegations were wrongly aimed at him. In October he picked up a serious knee injury in the 2-2 draw with Udinese. This kept him out of action for the remainder of the season. Juventus struggled without him and limped home to a lowly 6th place in Serie A. Many people claim that Del Piero has never fully recovered from this injury, and therefore never quite fulfilled the potential he had shown at a very young age. His nickname is Pinturicchio, in reference to a joke by Gianni Agnelli when he belittled the emerging Del Piero to the master Roberto Baggio in a parallel between modest painter Pinturicchio from Perugia and the great Raphael.
One of Del Piero's greatest strengths as a footballer is his versatility, which allows him to play in a variety of attacking positions. While he started his club career playing as a full-fledged striker, he very quickly matured into a more influential role, occupying the pivotal playmaker's position just behind the strikers. It is in this zone that his prowess as a creator of goals came to the fore. His creative abilities and potential were best utilised after Marcello Lippi took over as Juventus coach in the late 1990s. Lippi's incisive coaching acumen and his love for playing the "trident" in attack led him to give Del Piero increased opportunities to play the free role in a position the Italians like to call the trequartista - a different kind of playmaker who plays just behind the strikers, yet not quite in midfield. Del Piero very quickly made this position his own, combining effectively with the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Filippo Inzaghi to form an ultra-creative Juventus strike force. Later on, his partnerships with Pavel Nedved in midfield and David Trezeguet upfront contributed enormously to Juve's continued success in Italy and Europe, as the club conquered two successive Scudettos (in 2002 and 2003) and finished runners-up to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League (2003).
Despite a great amount of success on the club level, Del Piero has generally disappointed playing for the Italian national team. Coming into the 1998 World Cup with huge expectations, he competed with fan favorite Roberto Baggio for a spot, and had some troubles because of a recent injury he picked up during the Champions' League final whilst playing for Juventus. Most notably, he incredibly missed several clear-cut chances against Norway. Two years later Del Piero became the main culprit for Italy's last minute loss in Euro 2000 final, again missing 2 clear-cut chances, which would have killed France off. However, he returned to the international scene in World Cup 2002 on the back of a very impressive season in Serie A, in which he lead Juventus to the title. He scored a goal against Mexico with his first touch of the game seconds within coming on as a substitute to send Italy through to the second round, but they would get no further. Even if Del Piero was one of Italy's best players in the tournament he was never really given the chance that he deserved. This was shown in the second round match against South Korea where Del Piero was substituted by the defensive minded coach, Giovanni Trapattoni. Del Piero also played for the Italian national team at Euro 2004.
After Euro 2004, Del Piero faced another tough moment after Juventus replaced their Coach Marcello Lippi with Fabio Capello. Capello was not convinced of Del Piero's abilities and favoured the new signing from Ajax, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However The Juve captain, fought back and scored 14 goals in Serie A that season(Ibrahimovic scored 16), helping Juventus to their 28th Scudetto. Fabio Capello is still not convinced of Del Piero's abilities, and leaves him often on the bench. Experts agree that Del Piero is back to his best in the 2005-2006 season having already scored 16 goals in all competitions as of February 18, 2006. However, his role at Juventus has changed this season as coach Capello prefers using him as a substitute for an 'immediate impact', as Capello puts it [1]. As of March 25, 2006 Del Piero is also one goal away from equalling José Altafini's Serie A record of 6 goals as a substitute. Del Piero himself is ambivalent about his ability to get goals off the bench, stating that "I want people to know me for more than being able to come off the bench to change a game", and in late March of 2006 revealed his openness to finishing his career with a club outside of Italy if it would guarantee him a place as a starting forward.
On January 10, 2006 Del Piero became the all time leading goalscorer for Juventus when he scored three times in a Coppa Italia match against Fiorentina and took his total goals for the club to 192. The previous record holder was Giampiero Boniperti, who scored 182 goals for the club.