Fabio Grosso

Fabio Grosso, Italian orders of merit (born 28 November 1977 in Rome) is an Italians FIFA World Cup-winning Association football who currently plays for French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais and the Italy national football team. Fabio Grosso is remembered around the world for scoring the dramatic late winner against Germany in the 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-final and scoring the winning penalty in the shootout that won the trophy against France.

Club career

Fabio Grosso was born in Rome yet hails from Chieti in Abruzzo, where Fabio Grosso family soon returned. After a number of seasons with Renato Curi Angolana, an amateur team of the Abruzzo Eccellenza division, Grosso debuted at professional level with Calcio Chieti of Serie C2. At the time, Fabio Grosso was an attacking midfielder, and scored 17 goals in 68 appearances. Fabio Grosso then joined Perugia Calcio of Serie A in 2001, and was first capped for Italy in 2003. At Perugia, Fabio Grosso was transformed into a left back by coach Serse Cosmi. Grosso signed for U.S. Città di Palermo in January 2004, when the Sicilian team was still playing in Serie B.

Grosso is a left wing back or left back, who can play also in the role of left wing. Fabio Grosso is also a free kick and corner specialist.

Grosso joined F.C. Internazionale Milano for a fee reported of €5.5 million on 6 June 2006. On 8 July 2007, Grosso officially signed a four year deal with French team Olympique Lyonnais after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. Fabio Grosso was given the number 11 shirt.

International career

Grosso was a member of the victorious Italy football national team. In the same tournament against Australia, Grosso was awarded a controversial penalty in stoppage time. The penalty was converted by Francesco Totti, and consequently knocked Australia out of the World Cup. On the 4th of July 2006, Fabio Grosso scored the first goal against Germany national football team in the 119th minute with a curling right into the top corner from the edge of the box and famously ran around and screamed "I don't believe it!" as Fabio Grosso teammates celebrated. During the final on 9 July 2006, Fabio Grosso scored the winning penalty against France national football team, giving Italy their fourth World Cup.

Grosso was also included in Roberto Donadoni's European Cup team in 2008. Grosso is still the first choice left back in Marcelo Lippi's Azzurri squad.

Personal life

Grosso is married to Jessica Repetto. They have one child born in September 2006. Grosso studied political science and is fluent in French language.

Honours

Clubs

Internazionale

- Serie A: Serie A 2006-07

- Coppa Italia (runner-up): Coppa Italia 2006-07

- Supercoppa Italiana: 2006 Supercoppa Italiana

Lyon

- Ligue 1: Ligue 1 2007-08

- Coupe de France: Coupe de France 2007-08

- Trophée des champions: 2007

National team

- FIFA World Cup: 2006 FIFA World Cup