Famous Italian Sportspersons

Find out more about the greatest Italian Sportspersons, including Valentino Rossi, Carlo Ancelotti, Claudio Ranieri, Mario Balotelli and Francesco Totti
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 1 
Gianluigi Buffon
(One of the Greatest Goalkeepers of All Time)
Gianluigi Buffon
35
Birthdate: January 28, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Carrara, Italy
Gianluigi Buffon is an Italian footballer, often considered the greatest goalkeeper of all time. The first goalkeeper to receive the Golden Foot Award, Buffon was included in Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004. He is also well-known for his charity work; in 2019, he was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations' World Food Programme.
 2 
Valentino Rossi
(Italian Former Professional Motorcycle Road Racer and Nine-time Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing World Champion)
Valentino Rossi
13
Birthdate: February 16, 1979
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Urbino, Italy

Valentino Rossi is an Italian motorcycle road racer. Having won nine Grand Prix World Championships, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest motorcycle racers ever. Apart from being a famous racer, Valentino Rossi also owns the Sky Racing Team VR46, which competes in the Moto3 and Moto2 classes.

 3 
Francesco Totti
(Italian Former Professional Football Player Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder and as a Forward)
Francesco Totti
15
Birthdate: September 27, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rome, Italy

Italian footballer Francesco Totti is known for his 25-year stint with Roma. Nicknamed “The Golden Boy” and “The Gladiator,” he led Roma to win the Serie A and the Coppa Italia. He was also part of the 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning Italian team. He was named to Pele’s FIFA 100

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 4 
Roberto Baggio
(Italian Former Professional Football Player Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder or as a Forward)
Roberto Baggio
13
Birthdate: February 18, 1967
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Caldogno, Italy
Italian former footballer Roberto Baggio is the only Italian to score goals in three World Cups, in 1990, 1994, and 1998. He was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993. Nicknamed “The Divine Ponytail" for his peculiar hairstyle, he also became the Goodwill Ambassador of the UN’s FAO.
 5 
Paolo Rossi
(Italian Professional Footballer Who Played as a Forward)
Paolo Rossi
9
Birthdate: September 23, 1956
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Prato, Italy
Died: December 9, 2020
 6 
Alessandro Nesta
(Italian Professional Football Manager and Former Football Defender)
Alessandro Nesta
8
Birthdate: March 19, 1976
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
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 7 
Franco Baresi
(Football Coach and Football Player)
Franco Baresi
8
Birthdate: May 8, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Travagliato, Italy
 8 
Paolo Maldini
(Italian Former Football Player Who Played as a Defender)
Paolo Maldini
9
Birthdate: June 26, 1968
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Milan, Italy

Paolo Maldini is an Italian former professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest ever defenders. He played primarily as a left-back and central defender and was affiliated with Milan and the Italian national team. Currently, he is serving as the technical director for Milan. He is also the co-owner of the USL Championship club Miami FC.  

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 9 
Carlo Ancelotti
(Italian Former Professional Footballer Regarded as One of the Greatest Managers of All Time)
Carlo Ancelotti
17
Birthdate: June 10, 1959
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Reggiolo, Italy

Carlo Ancelotti had humble beginnings as a midfielder in Italian club football. He was part of the Italian national squad in two World Cups and one UEFA Euro, and is one of three managers who have won the UEFA Champions League thrice, twice with Milan and once with Real Madrid.

 10 
Andrea Pirlo
(Italian Professional Football Coach and Former Player Who Played as a Midfielder)
Andrea Pirlo
16
Birthdate: May 19, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Flero, Italy

Italian professional football coach and former player. Andrea Pirlo, is currently the head coach of football club Juventus. As a player, he was known for his ball control. He retired after playing 116 matches for the Italian national football team. He was elected into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

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 11 
Giancarlo Fisichella
(Italian Professional Racing Driver)
Giancarlo Fisichella
3
Birthdate: January 14, 1973
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Rome, Italy

Giancarlo Fisichella, also known as Giano, has three Formula One World Championship wins in his kitty. The popular racing driver also captains the Nazionale Piloti football team. Throughout his career, he has raced for teams such as Renault, Force India, and Ferrari. He is related to a Sicilian noble family.

 12 
Franco Columbu
(Italian Bodybuilder and Actor)
Franco Columbu
2
Birthdate: August 7, 1941
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ollolai, Italy
Died: August 30, 2019
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 13 
Claudio Ranieri
(Football Manager)
Claudio Ranieri
13
Birthdate: October 20, 1951
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rome

Claudio Ranieri is an Italian football manager and the current head coach of Sampdoria, a football club which competes in Serie A. As a manager, Ranieri has won several honors, such as the 2016 LMA Manager of the Year and the Best FIFA Men's Coach. A former player, Ranieri was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

 14 
Frankie Dettori
(Jockey)
Frankie Dettori
5
Birthdate: December 15, 1970
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Milan, Italy
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 15 
Mario Balotelli
(Italian Football Player Who Plays as a Striker)
Mario Balotelli
28
Birthdate: August 12, 1990
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Palermo, Italy
The talented but crazy Italian striker Mario Balotelli is one of the most intriguing and exciting footballers around. Love him or hate him, TIME Magazine in 2013 called him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
 16 
Alessandro Del Piero
(Italian Former Professional Football Player Who Played as a Deep-Lying Forward)
Alessandro Del Piero
11
Birthdate: November 9, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Conegliano, Veneto, Italy

Alessandro Del Piero is an Italian former football player. Renowned for his creativity, he is often counted among the best players of his generation. He is also widely regarded as one of Italy's greatest players of all time. A prolific goal-scorer, Del Piero scored 346 goals during his playing career, making him the second-highest Italian goal-scorer of all time.

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 17 
Giacomo Agostini
(Italian Multi-Time World Champion Grand Prix Motorcycle Road Racer)
Giacomo Agostini
3
Birthdate: June 16, 1942
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brescia, Italy

Giacomo Agostini is an Italian world champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He amassed 122 Grand Prix wins and 15 World Championship titles in a career spanning 17 years. Industry experts consider him one of the greatest Grand Prix riders of all time. In 2010, he was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements.  

 18 
Christian Vieri
(Italian Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Centre Forward)
Christian Vieri
7
Birthdate: July 12, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bologna, Italy
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 19 
Alberto Ascari
(Italian Racing Driver and a Two-Time Formula One World Champion)
Alberto Ascari
4
Birthdate: July 13, 1918
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Milan, Italy
Died: May 26, 1955

A multitalented racing driver and twice Formula One World Champion, Alberto Ascari began his racing career with motorcycles, eventually shifting to automobiles, making his debut at Mille Miglia. Later, he started participating in other events, winning a total of thirteen races, including 1951 German Grand Prix and 1953 Swiss Grand Prix before passing away at the age of 36 while testing a car.  

 20 
Gianluca Vialli
(Italian Football Player and Manager Who Played as a Striker)
Gianluca Vialli
6
Birthdate: July 9, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Cremona, Italy
Died: January 6, 2023

Gianluca Vialli is an Italian former football player who played as a striker. He scored 286 goals in more than 500 appearances and is the  tenth-highest scoring Italian footballer in all competitions. After his retirement, he became manager of the English football club Chelsea and was one of the club's most successful managers.

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 21 
Vincenzo Nibali
(Italian Former Professional Road Bicycle Racer)
Vincenzo Nibali
4
Birthdate: November 14, 1984
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Messina, Sicily, Italy
 22 
Jarno Trulli
(Italian Formula One Driver)
Jarno Trulli
3
Birthdate: July 13, 1974
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pescara, Italy
Born to motorsport fan parents, legendary Italian racing driver Jarno Trulli was named after Finnish Grand Prix champion Jarno Saarinen and had begun karting at age 9. An extremely successful racer, he has raced for teams such as Minardi, Renault, Jordan, and Toyota, and won the 1991 Karting World Championship.
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 23 
Fabio Capello
(Italian Former Professional Football Midfielder and Manager)
Fabio Capello
7
Birthdate: June 18, 1946
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: San Canzian d'Isonzo, Italy

Fabio Capello is a former footballer and manager. As a player, he won several trophies in a career that spanned over 15 years. Renowned for creating opportunities for his teammates, Capello is considered one of the best Italian footballers of his generation. He also had a successful career as a manager and is considered one of the greatest managers ever.

 24 
Danilo Gallinari
(Basketball player)
Danilo Gallinari
7
Birthdate: August 8, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Sant'Angelo Lodigiano, Italy
 25 
Federica Pellegrini
(Swimmer, gold medal winner at the 2008 Beijing Olympics)
Federica Pellegrini
3
Birthdate: August 5, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Mirano, Italy
 26 
Giorgio Petrosyan
(One of the Greatest Kickboxers of All Time)
Giorgio Petrosyan
4
Birthdate: December 10, 1985
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Yerevan, Armenia

Giorgio Petrosyan is an Armenian-born Italian professional kickboxer who currently competes in the middleweight division. Counted among the greatest kickboxers of all time, Petrosyan is renowned for his supreme defensive prowess, ringsmanship, and technical skills. Nicknamed The Doctor, Giorgio Petrosyan's skills have helped him defeat some of the world's best strikers while taking little-to-no damage.

 27 
Marco Pantani
(Italian Road Racing Cyclist and One of the Greatest Climbing Specialists in the History of the Sport)
Marco Pantani
4
Birthdate: January 13, 1970
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Cesena, Italy
Died: February 14, 2004
 28 
Max Biaggi
(Italian Former Professional Grand Prix Motorcycle Road Racer)
Max Biaggi
4
Birthdate: June 26, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Rome, Italy

Max Biaggi is an Italian retired professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He is a former racing world champion who won the 2010 and 2012 World Superbike Championship. He also won the 250cc World Championship four consecutive times. His brilliant racing career earned him the nicknames 'il Corsaro' ('the Corsair') and 'the Roman Emperor.' 

 29 
Nico Mannion
(Basketball player)
Nico Mannion
4
Birthdate: March 14, 2001
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Siena, Tuscany, Italy
 30 
Federico Macheda
(Italian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Federico Macheda
8
Birthdate: August 22, 1991
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
 31 
Fabio Borini
(Italian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Winger)
Fabio Borini
6
Birthdate: March 29, 1991
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bentivoglio, Italy
 32 
Giuseppe Farina
(Italian Racing Driver and First Official Formula One World Champion)
Giuseppe Farina
3
Birthdate: October 30, 1906
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Turin, Italy
Died: June 30, 1966

Giuseppe Farina, or Nino Farina, was not just a Formula One racer but also boasted of a doctorate degree in engineering. He became the first winner of the world driving championship as per the modern point system. He died in a car accident while on his way to watch a race.

 33 
Alberto Tomba
(Former Italian World Cup Alpine Ski Racer)
Alberto Tomba
3
Birthdate: December 19, 1966
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: San Lazzaro di Savena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
 34 
Riccardo Patrese
(Italian Former Racing Driver)
Riccardo Patrese
3
Birthdate: April 17, 1954
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Padua, Italy

Padua-born Riccardo Patrese had begun karting at age 9 and was equally skilled in swimming and skiing. In the 1990 British Grand Prix, he became the first Formula One driver to earn 200 Grand Prix starts. He has six Formula One race wins in his kitty and took to showjumping post-retirement.

 35 
Gianni Rivera
(Italian Politician and Former Footballer Who Played as a Midfielder)
Gianni Rivera
3
Birthdate: August 18, 1943
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Alessandria, Italy
 36 
Alex Zanardi
(Italian Motorsports Racing Driver)
Alex Zanardi
4
Birthdate: October 23, 1966
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bologna, Italy

One of Italy’s best-known paracyclists and race car drivers, Alex Zanardi has four Paralympic gold medals in his kitty, apart from his 12 World Championship gold medals. Following a 2001 race car accident, he lost both his legs. The former Formula One racer has won CART Championships, too.

 37 
Gennaro Gattuso
(Italian Professional Football Coach and Former Player Who Played as a Defensive Midfielder)
Gennaro Gattuso
3
Birthdate: January 9, 1978
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Corigliano Calabro, Italy
Italian former footballer Gennaro Gattuso is best known for his stint with Milan and won titles such as the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup with them. He was part of Italian squad that won the FIFA World Cup 2006. He now manages the football club Napoli.
 38 
Domenico Berardi
(Italian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Domenico Berardi
6
Birthdate: August 1, 1994
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Cariati, Italy
 39 
Antonio Giovinazzi
(Racing driver)
Antonio Giovinazzi
3
Birthdate: December 14, 1993
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Martina Franca, Italy
 40 
Flavia Pennetta
(The First Italian Tennis Player to Be Ranked World No. 1 in Doubles)
Flavia Pennetta
5
Birthdate: February 25, 1982
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brindisi, Italy
 41 
Fabio Cannavaro
(Italian Professional Football Coach and Former Football Player Who Played as Centre-Back)
Fabio Cannavaro
5
Birthdate: September 13, 1973
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Naples, Italy

Italian former football star Fabio Cannavaro was part of his country’s 2006 World Cup-winning team and now coaches the Chinese football club Guangzhou. He has won awards such as the Ballon d'Or and was the only defender to earn the FIFA World Player of the Year tag.

 42 
Andrea Barzagli
(Italian Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Centre-Back)
Andrea Barzagli
6
Birthdate: May 8, 1981
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Fiesole, Italy
 43 
Andrea Bargnani
(Basketball player)
Andrea Bargnani
5
Birthdate: October 26, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
 44 
Gaetano Scirea
(Association football player, Scout, Association football manager)
Gaetano Scirea
4
Birthdate: May 25, 1953
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cernusco sul Naviglio
Died: September 3, 1989
 45 
Ciro Immobile
(Italian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Ciro Immobile
7
Birthdate: February 20, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Torre Annunziata, Campania, Italy

Ciro Immobile is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker. He is currently affiliated with Serie A club Lazio and the Italian national team. He began playing football as a young boy and made his professional debut in his late teens. He has played with several teams, including Juventus, Genoa, Torino, and Sevilla in the past. 

 46 
Marco Verratti
(Italian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Central Midfielder)
Marco Verratti
2
Birthdate: November 5, 1992
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Pescara, Italy

Best known as a central midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and the Italian national team, Marco Verratti was part of his country’s 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He began his career with Pescara and worked his way up with hard work. He was knighted by the Italian government.

 47 
Gino Bartali
(Italian Road Racing Cyclist)
Gino Bartali
3
Birthdate: July 18, 1914
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ponte a Ema, Italy
Died: May 5, 2000
 48 
Luciano Spalletti
(Italian Football Manager and a Former Football Midfielder)
Luciano Spalletti
7
Birthdate: March 7, 1959
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Certaldo, Italy
 49 
Giuseppe Bergomi
(One of the Greatest Italian Defenders of All Time)
Giuseppe Bergomi
4
Birthdate: December 22, 1963
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Milan, Italy
 50 
Giacinto Facchetti
(Italian Footballer Who Played as a Left-Back)
Giacinto Facchetti
4
Birthdate: July 18, 1942
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Treviglio, Bergamo, Italy
Died: September 4, 2006