Massimo Ambrosini (born 29 May 1977 in
Pesaro,
Marche) is an
Italian footballer who plays as a
midfielder and is the captain of
Serie A club
Milan. He is well known for his aerial ability and tackling.
Club career
Ambrosini began his career with
Serie B side
Cesena and graduated to their first team at the age of 17 during the 1994–95 season. Milan coach
Fabio Capello then won the race to sign him the following year, and despite facing tough competition to break into the all-star Milan side, Ambrosini was given a handful of games as the team romped to the
Serie A championship. Only used marginally more in 1996–97, Ambrosini was sent on loan to
Vicenza, where he was a key member of the team that successfully preserved their Serie A status. Recalled to the
San Siro, Ambrosini at last made a first-team place his own as Milan won back the Serie A championship in 1999. A regular the following term, he then saw his chances limited by a troublesome knee injury before returning to full fitness to help Milan win the
Coppa Italia and
UEFA Champions League, where he replaced
Rui Costa in the 87th minute at
Old Trafford.
In 2003–04, although unable to establish himself as a first-team starter due to a series of niggling injuries and a loss of form, Ambrosini made 20 Serie A appearances – predominantly as a substitute – and scored one goal as Milan captured their 17th Serie A championship. In March 2005, he renewed his contract at the San Siro, committing himself until June...
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