Andrea Pirlo, Historic Ballon D'or Winner: Italy's Best Xi Of The 21st Century
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Loading... - Marc Blaise
- 27 Apr 2022
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International football was rocked this week when Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini announced his retirement from the Azzurri after June’s Finalissima at Wembley Stadium.
The 37-year-old centre-back has had one heck of an international career, namely his role in guiding Italy to Euro 2020 success as Roberto Mancini’s side steamrolled the competition before beating England on penalties in their own national stadium.
Indeed, the veteran defender is a true legend of the modern game and for Italian football in general, and given Chiellini’s incredible achievements for the European giants this century, HITC Sport take a crack at what Italy’s best XI this century would look like.
GK – GIANLUIGI BUFFON
The most obvious player to select for this XI has to be Gianluigi Buffon, who to this day remains Italy’s most capped player and is regarded by many as one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever play the game.
A titan for Italy on an international level, Buffon was a star in the 2006 FIFA World Cup where Marcello Lippi’s side beat France on penalties in Berlin to lift the greatest prize in football, and the 42-year-old’s appearance record could remain unbreakable for decades to come.
CB – GIORGIO CHIELLINI
The man who inspired this XI, Chiellini might not have won a World Cup with Italy, but the Juventus defender played a massive role last summer in the Azzurri’s triumph in London at Euro 2020.
One of the most intelligent defenders to play the game at a top-level this century, Chiellini’s longevity has made the veteran one of the best in the business, and Italy will struggle to replace the Serie A star in the coming years following his retirement.
CB – FABIO CANNAVARO
Whilst Buffon shone in the final for Italy in 2006, it was captain Fabio Cannavaro who was the real star of the tournament, so much so that the centre-back won the Ballon d’Or that year, becoming the only defender this century to win the biggest individual honour in football.
Italy’s second all-time appearance holder, Cannavaro was a staple for Italy from 2000 to 2010, and with Paolo Maldini retiring from international duty in 2002 (the reason the great man doesn’t feature in this XI), the 5’9” centre-back led his nation brilliantly with quality and finesse.
CB – LEONARDO BONUCCI
Leonardo Bonucci and Chiellini has slowly morphed into the centre-back equivalent of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, you can’t play one without the other. And the Italian defender, just like his Juventus teammate, was also incredible at Euro 2020.
Scorer of the crucial equalising goal in the final that took the game to penalties, Bonucci looks set to continue playing for Italy despite Chiellini’s retirement, and the 34-year-old will likely take over as captain for the coming years. Read More...
