Gianluca Zambrotta

Gianluca Zambrotta was born on 19 February 1977 in Como, Italy.

Gianluca’s professional career started in 1994 in Calcio Como. The club and the youth academy where Gianluca had studied were located in his hometown. The young defender was periodically put in the starting lineup, but wasn’t able to establish himself as a key player. Despite inconsistency in his play, Gianluca had always been among the top substitute picks. From 1994 to 1997 Zambrotta played in 48 matches and scored 6 goals.

In 1997 Gianluca signed a contract with A.S. Bari and became a center-back in the starting lineup. From 1997 to 1999 Zambrotta played in 59 matches and scored 6 goals.

After a successful season in the Italian club, Gianluca received a number of proposals from the top European clubs. Zambrotta saw himself as a Juventus player and thus signed a long-term contract with the Turin club. Starting from the very first season in Juve Gianluca assumed a position of the key defender and made 217 appearances. For 7 years in Juventus, Zambrotta had become a role model for defenders with the top European clubs widely tipped to sign him.

In 2006 Gianluca signed a contract with F.C. Barcelona. For 2 years at the club Zambrotta played practically all important matches of La Liga and UEFA Champions League. From 2006 to 2008 the Italian defender made 58 appearances and scored 3 goals.

Zambrotta later transferred to A.C. Milan for 9 million Euros and signed a long-term contract with the Rossoneri. Zambrotta was one of Milan’s key defenders and made 85 appearances.

From 1999 to 2010 Gianluca Zambrotta was the first-choice defender of the Italian national football team, with 98 appearances and 2 goals netted.