PROFILE
Regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe, Alessandro Nesta is powerful ye
t extremely mobile. His elegance conceals his toughness and he possesses an impe
ccable positional sense.

National team
He first starred for Cesare Maldini's UEFA European Under-21 Championship-winnin
g Azzurini in 1996, and he was called into the senior squad for EURO 96 followin
g the withdrawal of Ciro Ferrara but did not play. Nesta made his debut later th
at year and subsequently helped Italy to reach the final of UEFA EURO 2000 where
 he was named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament, and played in the 2002 FIFA Wo
rld Cup.

UEFA EURO 2004 qualifying
Like Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro, Nesta played in all of Italy's eight
qualifying matches. However, unlike those two, Nesta did not finish the last fix
ture against Azerbaijan, as he was substituted on 76 minutes.
                                                                    
Club
Born in the Italian capital, the defender was first given a trial at Lazio as a
ten-year-old, and until his move north to AC Milan had spent his entire senior c
areer at the Stadio Olimpico, where he was a hero to the supporters. A first-tea
m regular from the 1995/96 season, Nesta became the first player in the club's h
istory to lift a European trophy when they claimed the last UEFA Cup Winners' Cu
p in 1999, and the following season led the team to the Serie A title.

2002
When Lazio fans heard of Nesta's 耳0.2m transfer deadline day move to Milan in A
ugust 2002, they demonstrated on the streets of Rome. He was superb in the UEFA
Champions League for his new club, making 14 appearances including a fine perfor
mance in the final defeat to Juventus FC. He also helped the Rossoneri lift the
Coppa Italia.

Did you know
Nesta was selected in the uefa.com users' Team of 2002.