Profile Football Stars | Gianluca Zambrotta | Zambrotta began his professional career with his hometown club, Como Calcio at the age of 17 in 1994. In his first season, he played only one match. In 1995, however, Como were Promoted to Serie B and Zambrotta started to play more regularly for the first team. In the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons, he made 47 appearances and scored 6 goals.
In 1997, Zambrotta's Serie A career began when his great potential was spotted by Bari boss Eugenio Fascetti. Zambrotta was snapped up by Fascetti after Bari had won promotion to Serie A. In his first year in the top flight, Zambrotta played on the left wing and scored two goals in 27 appearances. In the 1998-99 season, following the departure of Nicola Ventola, Zambrotta exploded on to the scene. After the transfer to Juventus on 1 July 1999, Zambrotta continued his upward momentum. He made 32 league appearances with one goal in the first season he played for Juventus. In his second season for Juventus, 2000-01, Zambrotta made 29 league appearances and scored three goals.
On 4 August 2006, after his holiday Following the World Cup, Zambrotta reported to his new club for the first time in Los Angeles, United States where FC Barcelona stayed for Their pre-season tour in the U.S. Zambrotta's official debut in Barça shirt was on 17 August against local rivals Espanyol in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. On 17 March 2007, he scored his first goal in the league game against Recreativo. He also netted goals in matches against Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderon Stadium (Atlético record home loss - 0-6) and Tarragona. In two seasons with the club, Zambrotta made 58 league appearances, scoring three goals, before his return to Italy. He was Heavily tipped to join Milan, or return to former club, Juventus.
On 31 May 2008, Zambrotta signed a three-year contract with Milan. Zambrotta would reportedly be earning € 4 million per year. Later That year he won the Serie A title with Milan, and the Super Cup. Decided not to renew Milan the contracts of Several of Their veteran players and Zambrotta was one of Those along with Filippo Inzaghi, Mark van Bommel, Alessandro Nesta and Gennaro Gattuso. He played his final game for Milan against Novara on 13 May 2012 .
In his second game for the U21 against Wales on April 22, 1998, he scored the 2nd goal of Italy on the 43rd minute and helped Italy to win the game 2-1. On 9 July 2006, Zambrotta played his first major final tournament with the national team after he missed the Euro 2000 final. Coincidently, France was Italy's opponents on both Occasions. Zambrotta's ability to play in multiple positions on either flank contributes great flexibility to the Italian squad, and earned him a place in the 23 man 2006 World Cup All-Star squad. Zambrotta was also selected for the 2010 World Cup but was Unable to help the team progress to the second round. Although Italy in 2010 has a poor performance he remained the only bright spot for the team.
Personal information
Full name Gianluca Zambrotta
Date of birth 19 February 1977 (age 35)
Place of birth Como, Italy
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 1/2 in)
Playing position Full back
Club information
Current club Free Agent
Senior career
years Team
1994-1997 Como 48 (6)
1997-1999 Bari 59 (6)
Juventus 1999-2006 217 (6)
2006-2008 Barcelona 58 (3)
2008-2012 Milan 84 (2)
National team
1999-2010 Italy 98 (2)
Honours
Club
Juventus
Serie A: 2002, 2003, 2005 (canceled), 2006 (canceled)
Supercoppa Italiana: 2002, 2003
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999
FC Barcelona
Supercopa de España: 2006
AC Milan
Serie A: 2010-11
Supercoppa Italiana: 2011
International
FIFA World Cup: 2006
Individual
UEFA Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament
UEFA Team of the Year: 2006
FIFPro World XI: 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
Orders
Omri Ufficiale BAR.svg
4th Class / Officer: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: (2006)
Cavaliere Omri BAR.svg
5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: (2000)
