Andrea Barzagli bids his Italy career farewell
The 34 year old made his senior Italy national team debut in a friendly match against Finland back in 2004, when Marcello Lippi was sitting on the Azzurri bench. Two years later he lifted the World Cup following a victory against France on penalties.
During his Italy career Barzagli, a four times Serie A champion, has been underrated for a long time since he had to deal with the competition of two among the finest central defenders of all times: Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro. Although his qualities have always been appreciated, he managed to establish himself as the best Italian defender only in the last few years.
The former Palermo and Wolfsburg is still in the hunt for his first senior Italy national team goal, despite having played 52 matches with the Azzurri since his debut in 2004. Netting during the last EURO of his career would only be the icing on the cake of an extraordinary Italy career.
