Gennaro Gattuso

Gennaro Ivan 'Rino' Gattuso is an Italian footballer who currently features for the Italian and European powerhouse AC Milan. He usually plays as a defensive or box-to-box midfielder and won the 2006 World Cup with Italy and the UEFA Champions League in 2003 and 2007 with Milan.

Gattuso commenced his professional career at Italian side Perugia in 1994 and was transferred to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers in the summer of 1997 when he was only 19 years of age when the legendary Scot Walter Smith was in charge of the Old Firm club. But he was sold to Italian minnows Salernitana at the start of the 1998-1999 season for 4 million pounds and couldn't prevent his new club from relegation to the Italian Serie B that season.

AC Milan then came calling and signed Gattuso in the summer of 1999 for 8 million pounds. It was at Milan that Gattuso developed into one of the most fierce footballers on the planet. His combative style and propensity to cover the entire pitch combined with his passin made him an instant fan favourite.

At club level, Gattuso has won the Italian Serie A (2003-04, 2010-11) and the UEFA Champions League (2003, 2007). He of course was a vital member of the Italian national team that won the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Gattuso and several of his teammates shaved their heads during a post-match celebration after winning the 2006 World Cup. He kept his hair cropped for a season in honour of the occasion but has since grown his hair back.

Gattuso has also featured at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 and has over 50 international caps to his credit.