- Alesanddro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta is an Italian footballer born on the 19th of March, 1976.
Nesta who now is the head coach of Miami FC of the North American Soccer League (NASL), is widely considered to be one of the best centre-backs of his time and also as one of the greatest defenders ever.
He was best known for his pace, artistic tackles, elegance on the ball, distribution and tight marking of opponents.
He made over 400 Serie A appearances in a 20-year career spread between Lazio and Milan, winning domestic and European honours with both clubs as well as playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the Montreal Impact.
He also had a stint with Chennaiyin FC of the Indian Super League.
Nesta is a four-time Serie A Defender of the Year and a four-time member of the annual UEFA Team of the Year.
In 2004, he was named as one of the Top 100 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA’s 100th anniversary celebration.
Nesta was a member of the Italy national team for a decade from his debut in 1996, earning 78 caps in total. At international level, he competed at the 1996 Olympics, three UEFA European Championships, and three FIFA World Cups.
Nesta was a member of the Italian team that won the 2006 World Cup, and he also represented the Italian side that reached the final of Euro 2000.
At Lazio he won: Serie A (1999–2000, Runner-up 1994–95, 1998–99. Coppa Italia: 1997–98, 1999–2000. Supercoppa Italiana : 1998, 2000).
He also won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup : 1998–99, as well as the UEFA Super Cup : 1999
Nesta was also part of the Lazio team that was UEFA Cup runner-up for the 1997–98 season.
While at Milan, Nesta won 2 Serie A, 1 Copa Italia, 2 Supercoppa Italiana.
In European football, Nesta helped Milan win: (UEFA Champions League 2002–03, 2006–07, they were runner-up in the 2004–05 season).
Nesta also won the UEFA Super Cup twice.
Internationally, with the Italian team, he won : FIFA world cup 2006, FIFA Club World Cup in 2007, and was runner-up in 2003.
Individually, Nesta has won: (Serie A Young Footballer of the Year, 1998; Serie A Defender of the Year, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003; Serie A Team of the Year, 2010–11; UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament 2000; UEFA Team of the Year 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, ESM Team of the Year 2000–01; FIFPro World XI 2005, 2007; FIFA 100; UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll #47)
He has been inducted into the A.C. Milan Hall of Fame, a member of the all-time UEFA European Under-21 Championship dream team 2015, as well as the UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year (published 2015).
Ufficiale OMRI BAR.svg 4th Class / Officer: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana:(2006)
Cavaliere OMRI BAR.svg 5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana:(2000)
Nesta is a holder of the Friedrich Order.pngCONI: Golden Collar of Sports Merit which was awarded him in 2006.
He is truly a defenders defender.