Alessandro Nesta

Name: Alessandro Nesta
Nationality: Italian
Date and Place of Birth: Born March 19, 1976 in Rome, Italy
Playing Position: Centre Back
Current Club: AC Milan (Italian Serie A)
Club Career: 1993 - 2002 SS Lazio
2002 - present AC Milan

International Career: 1996 - 2007 Italy

About Alessandro Nesta:

Alessandro Nesta has succeeded in establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world by playing outstanding football for both Lazio and AC Milan during his long illustrious career. Nesta's ability was prevalent from an early age and he joined Lazio's youth academy in order to hone his emerging skills. During his spell at the youth academy Nesta played in various positions until finally deciding he was strongest in defence. Given Nesta's positional skills coupled with an aggressive tackling ability it wasn't long until he was promoted to Lazio's senior squad.

At Lazio Nesta soon solidified his position as a first team regular with impressive defensive performances and earned maximum respect at the club when he was named captain in 1997. At Lazio Nesta tasted success lifting the Coppa Italia, UEFA Cup Winners Cup and the Scudetto during his time there. However, as a result of financial pressures at Lazio Nesta was transferred to fellow Serie A club AC Milan in 2002.

At Milan Nesta continued to impress and in his first year at his new club he succeeded in lifting the Champion’s League playing a vital role throughout the competition. Nesta grew steadily in stature and popularity becoming widely renowned as one of the best defenders in the world and he was again duly rewarded for his efforts lifting a Champion’s League medal in 2007 defeating English side Liverpool in the final. To the relief of AC Milan fans Nesta has pledged his allegiance to the club signing a new contract keeping him at the club to 2011.

Nesta made his debut for the Italian national team in 1996 and since this date he has become a regular for the first team. Nesta was a key member of the squad that qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup but he suffered an injury early in the competition and thus played no further part in Italy’s eventual win. Nesta recently announced he was retiring from international football and his absence will be sorely missed in the Italian team.