Italian footballer Demetrio Albertini: biography, sporting achievements

Demetrio Albertini was one of those legendary Italian midfielders of the nineties who became famous throughout the world for their reliability, their magnificent style. In addition, Albertini became a true legend of one of the most famous clubs in Italy - "Milan". It was there that he spent almost all his career, but climbing to the top was not so simple as it might seem. From this article you will find out what career path Demetrio Albertini has done, what successes he has achieved, in which clubs he played, and what role he played in the national team of his country.

Carier start

Demetrio Albertini was born August 23, 1971 and from early childhood began to get involved in football, showing excellent ability in a defensive game. But do not think that he is from a young age was in "Milan". In the prestigious academy it was accepted only in 1985, when he turned 14 years old. Already at the age of seventeen, he made his first test in the main team of AC Milan, but it was clear that in the star club so early to gain a foothold. But the club management realized that they had a great talent for them, therefore a year later Demetrio offered a formal contract, which is given to the player when they reach adulthood. However, the contract does not guarantee a place in the base - Albertini continued to play for the reserve, appearing on the field for the main team again only once. When he hit 19, the defensive midfielder appeared twice in the Italian Cup, after which it was decided to send the player to the club in the Serie B series called "Padova". It was there that Demetrio Albertini was destined to reveal himself and win the respect of the whole world.

Rent in "Padova"

FC "Milan" did not abandon his player - he gave Demetrio a chance to get a game practice, which he could not even dream of in Milan. His season in "Padova" midfielder held at the highest level, having proven himself with the best side. He returned after 28 games and five goals and immediately got a place in the base. So the climb of the legend of FC "Milan" began - in the next years Albertini will do a lot for his beloved club.

Career in "Milan"

From the age of twenty he began to play for Milan Demetrio Albertini - the footballer won the confidence of the leadership and place in the starting lineup for more than ten years, which he eventually spent in this club. In all for AC Milan, the defensive midfielder played 406 matches in all competitions and scored 28 goals. Someone may say that the goals were too small, but you need to understand that the position of the defensive midfielder implies more defensive, rather than attacking actions. And with defensive functions, Demetrio cope well - he was one of the decisive factors thanks to which "Milan" was able to win four "Scudetto" (the name of the cup that the winner of the championship of Italy) for five years.

In the first season, which Demetrio held in Milan, the club won the Championship and did the same in the next two years. Two more trophies fell on 1996 and 1999. Surprising is the fact that for all 11 years, Albertini with "Milan" has not won a single Cup of Italy, but won three Super Bowl in a row - from 1992 to 1994.

It is also worth noting that Albertini became the player who won two "Champions League" with "Milan" - in 1989, when he was still a reservist, and in 1994, when he already became a key player. Both times, "Milan" also took another and the UEFA Super Cup, so that Demetrio Albertini biography is very rich, and he did not feel the shortage of prestigious trophies. Not all players can boast of such successes. And besides that, Albertini is also the owner of the 1989 Intercontinental Cup.

Rent in "Atletico"

However, no one is eternal, and in 2002 Albertini turned 31 years old, and "Milan" needed to stay on track, so in his place came younger and more promising players. And the club's management decided to give the player a lease in Madrid "Atletico". In the new club, the Italian spent thirty matches, scoring three goals. Unfortunately, in Spain, Albertini's game was not particularly developed, so the Madrid club did not dare to offer a full-fledged contract to the veteran.

New club

32-year-old Albertini did not want to retire, so in 2003 he signed a contract for a year with the Roman "Lazio". There he played 35 matches and won his first Italian Cup - a trophy that never yielded to him in Milan for eleven years.

Going to "Atalanta"

In 2004, 33-year-old Albertini signed a contract for six months with "Atalanta", for which he played 16 matches and scored two goals. On this his adventures in Italy ended - Demetrio decided to return again to Spain, signing a short-term contract with the Catalan "Barcelona".

Completion of career

It would seem that the Italian Cup with "Lazio" was to be the last trophy, which went to Albertini in his busy career. But the contract with "Barcelona" made its own adjustments: although the midfielder played only six matches, in which he could not distinguish himself with a single goal, Barcelona won that year's Championship of Spain, and Demetrio became a full-fledged champion of the country. Immediately after the end of the season in the summer of 2005, Albertini announced his retirement.

National team appearances

Albertini made his debut for the Italian national team in 1991, in the qualifying match against the Cyprus national team, he was immediately entrusted with the place in the base. At the 1992 European Championships, he naturally did not go, because he was too young and inexperienced, but at the 1994 World Cup Albertini played a key role, held almost all the matches on the field from whistle to whistle, including 120 minutes with the Brazilians In the final, where the Italians lost on penalties.

In 1995, Albertini scored his first goal for the national team - in the qualifying match against the Croatian national team, and in 1996 for the first time he put on the captain's armband in a friendly match against the Belgian national team.

At the 1996 European Championships, Albertini again was the player of the base, but that tournament the Italians failed without leaving the group.

At the 1998 World Cup, Albertini went, but did not play all the matches - he missed the group game with Austria.

At the European Championships in 2000, he again became a key player, and even gave two assists (Albertini did not play only one match in the group stage). But even here the Italians could not take the trophy, losing to the French in the finals. This tournament was the last in the career of the midfielder: he still played several qualifying and friendly matches, but he did not go to the 2002 World Championship.

Farewell match Demetrio Albertini took place on March 27, 2002 - then the Italians had a friendly game with the British, and the midfielder last time put on the form of the national team.

Further work

Naturally, after the end of his career, Demetrio Albertini did not leave football as a whole. Many players, tied with playing on the field, continue to work outside of it. Albertini completed his career in 2005, and in April 2007 was invited to the post of vice-president of the Italian team, for which he did a lot. He held this post for seven years, leaving it only in June 2014. The first tournament did not bring success - at the 2008 European Championships, the Italians reached only the quarterfinals. At the 2010 World Cup, there were even fewer successes - the Italians could not even leave the group. But in 2012 they were able to win the silver medal of the European Championship, and at the last tournament, after which Albertini and resigned, the Italians again did not leave the World Cup group.

In April 2015, Albertini was appointed adviser to Parma, a bankrupt Italian club. In this position, he stayed for a couple of months, after which he focused on research for the popular computer football manager Football Manager.

As you can see, the career of the football player was incredibly rich, he has many achievements, and he was remembered absolutely by all fans of football.