FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

Gattuso started his career at Perugia but the midfielder made his breakthrough at Rangers in Scotland, winning a league title and a Scottish Cup.
In later years, Gattuso developed into a battling midfielder, whose aggression on the pitch earned him the nickname ‘Ringhio’ (growl). After returning to Italy he earned a transfer to AC Milan, where he matured into an industrious force in the Rossoneri midfield, equally comfortable in a central role or on the right wing.

With Milan, he won the 2003 UEFA Champions League as well as the 2004 Serie A title. Gattuso played at the 2000 Olympic Football Tournament and in the successful UEFA European U-21 Championship-winning side in 2000 before starring for the Azzurri at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ and UEFA EURO 2004.

© 2001-2006 FIFA, All Rights Reserved

UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

Italian international midfield player who made his professional breakthrough with Scottish club Rangers FC.

National team
Gennaro Gattuso made his senior bow against Sweden in February 2000 and subsequently played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, where he made two appearances. He was also a member of the victorious Italian team at the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and represented his country at the Sydney Olympics. By UEFA EURO 2004™, however, his starting place was slipping, and in Portugal he started just one game, also coming off the bench against Denmark. Under new coach Marcello Lippi, however, Gattuso returned to the starting lineup for the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Club
Gattuso was a cause célèbre in Italian football when he signed for Rangers on a Bosman free transfer after only ten appearances for AC Perugia.

1997: Moved to Glasgow and played 40 Scottish Premier League games before returning home to join newly promoted Salernitana Sport ahead of the 1998/99 campaign. His form with the southern club then earned him a move to Italian champions AC Milan.

1999: 'Rino' made 22 appearances in his first term at the San Siro and later developed into a mainstay of the Milan midfield. A ball-winner whose aggressive qualities recall his British footballing education, Gattuso was soon revered by the San Siro faithful. In 2002/03 he played a key role in the club's double success when the Rossoneri were crowned European champions and Italian Cup winners and missed just one league game the following term as Milan raced to their 17th Serie A title.

2004/05: Gattuso was a familiar driving force in midfield, playing 45 games in all competitions. He appeared eleven times in the Champions League, including the final defeat against Liverpool FC.

Did you know?
Gattuso names the former Rangers manager Walter Smith as the biggest influence on his career.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

Italian international midfield player who made his professional breakthrough with Scottish club Rangers FC.

National team
Gennaro Gattuso made his senior bow against Sweden in February 2000 and subsequently played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, where he made two appearances. He was also a member of the victorious Italian team at the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and represented his country at the Sydney Olympics. By UEFA EURO 2004™, however, his starting place was slipping, and in Portugal he started just one game, also coming off the bench against Denmark.

Club
Gattuso was a cause célèbre in Italian football when he signed for Rangers on a Bosman free transfer after only ten appearances for AC Perugia.

1997: Moved to Glasgow and played 40 Scottish Premier League games alongside Paul Gascoigne before returning home to join newly promoted Salernitana Sport ahead of the 1998/99 campaign. His form with the southern club then earned him a move to Italian champions AC Milan.

1999: 'Rino' made 22 appearances in his first term at the San Siro and later developed into a mainstay of the Milan midfield. A ball-winner whose aggressive qualities recall his British footballing education, Gattuso was soon revered by the San Siro faithful. In 2002/03 he played a key role in the club's double success when the Rossoneri were crowned European champions and Italian Cup winners. His performance in the UEFA Champions League final victory against Juventus FC was sensational.

2003/04: The driving force in the Milan midfield, Gattuso was one of the main factors behind the Rossoneri's run to their 17th Scudetto. He missed just one league game, and that was after the title had already been secured.

Did you know?
Gattuso names the former Rangers manager Walter Smith as the biggest influence on his career.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.