Simone Perrotta
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Simone Pasquale Perrotta | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Central Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | A.S. Roma | ||
| Number | 20 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 21 2007 | |||
Simone Perrotta, Cavaliere Ufficiale OMRI[1][2], (born September 17, 1977 is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer midfielder, who currently plays for A.S. Roma in Serie A. He was member of the Italian national football team that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He can operate as a box to box midfielder, on either wing, as a central attacking midfielder and as midfield enforcer. Although he may lack some of the sublime skills of his Italian peers, Simone Perrotta makes up for it with his unlimited energy, tackling ability, teamwork and will to win. He is often used in an attacking role and surges up field and even goes for goal.
Perrotta grew up in the youth system of Reggina Calcio and debuted in Serie B in 1995, becoming an important fixture in their line-up. In 1998 Juventus F.C. decided to pick him up, but with great midfielders like Conte, Deschamps, and Zidane ahead of him he only collected 5 appearances for the Turin club. In 1999 he was loaned to A.S. Bari, where he was a protagonist for 2 seasons. In 2001/2002 he was shipped to A.C. Chievo Verona. There, he was a mainstay in the midfield of the surprising Chievo squad that was 1st place at the winter break. He even gave the winning assist in their famous victory over Inter that season. In 2004 A.S. Roma signed him from the Veneto club. Despite a disappointing first season marred by the problems at the club at the time, he has been one of their best players for the past two seasons. In merit of his fine performances for the capital club, he earned a call-up to Marcello Lippi's World Cup squad, starting all 7 games for the ultimate champions. He recently signed a contract extension with the capital club, keeping him in Rome until 2010.
Under Roma coach Luciano Spalletti's revolutionary 4-2-3-1 formation, he plays behind the first striker in between the left and right winger as an attacking central midfielder.
Perrotta has played at the U-21 level for Italy. At senior level, he debuted in 2002. He played for Italy at the Euro 2004, scoring a goal against Bulgaria, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, winning on penalties against France.
Despite his age, Perrotta states he can improve as a player. He is famous for comparing himself to wine: the older he becomes, the better he gets.
Unlike his position at Roma, Perrotta is often used as a left winger with the Italian national team. He has always said that his dad dreams of him playing at Old Trafford because his dad used to support Manchester United during their stay in Manchester.
Honours
A.S. Roma
- Serie A:
- Coppa Italia:
- Supercoppa Italiana:
- Winner: 2007
- Runner-up: 2006
National Team
- FIFA World Cup:
- Winner: 2006
- UEFA Under-21 European Championship:
- Winner: 1996
External links
References
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- Italian football midfielder stubs
- People from Ashton-under-Lyne
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- 1977 births
- Living people
- Italian footballers
- Italy international footballers
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- Reggina Calcio players
- Juventus F.C. players
- A.S. Bari players
- A.C. ChievoVerona players
- A.S. Roma players
- UEFA Euro 2004 players
- FIFA World Cup 2006 players
- Serie A players
- FIFA World Cup-winning players
- Anglo-Italians