Antonio Di Natale

Antonio Di Natale, born on October thirteenth, nineteen seventy-seven, is a distinguished Italian football coach and former professional player renowned for his prowess as a striker. His football journey began in the youth ranks of Empoli in nineteen ninety-four, leading to his professional debut with the senior team in nineteen ninety-five. Di Natale's tenure at Empoli lasted until two thousand four, during which he played a pivotal role in the club's promotion to Serie A in the two thousand one–two thousand two Serie B season, netting sixteen goals.

His breakthrough season came in two thousand three, where he scored thirteen goals in Serie A, helping Empoli stave off relegation. Despite a less prolific season thereafter, his consistent performances earned him a transfer to Udinese in two thousand four. At Udinese, Di Natale's exceptional skill and leadership were instrumental in securing third and fourth-place finishes in Serie A, as well as qualification for the UEFA Champions League. He was appointed captain in two thousand seven.

Di Natale's remarkable goal-scoring ability saw him achieve double figures for nine consecutive seasons, earning the Serie A top goalscorer award in two thousand ten and two thousand eleven, along with the Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year accolade in two thousand ten. Notably, he thrived in his thirties, ranking third in league goals scored between two thousand nine and two thousand eleven, trailing only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. In two thousand fifteen, France Football recognized him as one of the ten best footballers over the age of thirty-six.

As Udinese's all-time leading appearance maker and goal-scorer in Serie A, Di Natale amassed one hundred ninety-one goals in three hundred eighty-five appearances, and seventeen goals in thirty-seven UEFA club competition matches. With a total of two hundred nine goals, he ranks as the sixth-highest goal-scorer in Serie A history and eighth among Italian players across all competitions.

On the international stage, Di Natale represented Italy forty-two times from two thousand two to two thousand twelve, scoring eleven goals. He participated in UEFA Euro two thousand eight, the two thousand ten FIFA World Cup, where he found the net once, and Euro two thousand twelve, contributing another goal as Italy reached the tournament final.