WORLD CUP ROSSONERI: GENNARO GATTUSO

Eight national teams in the almost 100-year history of the World Cup have been able to win the trophy, to bear the title of 'World Champion'. Triumphs that have immortalised the star players of those winning campaigns, athletes becoming myths for entire nations. Several players in Rossoneri history have come close to winning a World Cup while wearing the AC Milan jersey, losing in the final. 

From Nils Liedholm in 1958 - in goal against Pelé's Brazil - to the Azzurri in 1994, many have come close to the joy of lifting the cup. An emotion experienced by some Rossoneri, some of which in 2006. Gattuso, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Nesta, Pirlo. As many as five Rossoneri became World Champions on that Berlin night, with AC Milan being the most represented club (on par with Juventus and ahead of Palermo) in Marcello Lippi's 23-man squad. 

There were two special cases, however: Inzaghi, who scored in his only appearance against the Czech Republic, and Nesta, who was injured against the Czechs. For them, the month in Germany was more of a supporting role than a leading role. A more prominent role was played by Alberto Gilardino, who scored against the United States in the group stage but, most importantly, was the provider of the assist to Del Piero for the final 2-0 in the semi-final against Germany.

That leaves two, of the five, who were on the pitch on the night at the Olympiastadion, and with a starring role. Gennaro Gattuso was only absent in the opener, against Ghana, while Andrea Pirlo belongs to the small group who played every game (together with Cannavaro and Buffon): for both of them, the Berlin evening was not one to miss.

Both, in the course of that month, were nominated at least once as the 'MVP' of a match by FIFA - Gattuso against Ukraine; Pirlo against Ghana, Germany and France - but over the years the legacy and impact in that World Cup month of the former Rossoneri number 8 has perhaps been underestimated. It is enough to think of just how the Azzurri found a balance from a tactical point of view - after the painful victory against the Ghanaians and the draw against the Americans playing with a man down - starting from the match against the Czechs, the first played as a starter by the native of Corigliano Calabro.

Gennaro, Alberto, Filippo, Alessandro and Andrea joined, therefore, that shortlist of players who won a World Cup 'as a Rossoneri'. A goal achieved, before the five of them, by Pietro Arcari in 1934, Franco Baresi and Fulvio Collovati in 1982, Marcel Desailly in 1998 and Roque Júnior in 2002. On 9 July 2006, the sky above the Olympiastadion was undoubtedly blue. But, at the same time, it was also very Rossonero.

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