1984 European Championship Final: France vs Spain

Lore & Background

Aquilani began his career with Italian side Roma and, after a brief loan spell at Triestina, returned to the Serie A club where he became a regular in the Roma side during the 2005–06 season, earning the nickname 'Il Principino' (The Little Prince), due to his resemblance to former Roma legend Giuseppe Giannini, both in terms of appearance and playing style, who was known as 'Il Principe' (The Prince). During the following season, he suffered a thigh injury and was ruled out for several months. In 2007 and 2008 he won consecutive Coppa Italia titles with Roma, as well as the 2007 Supercoppa Italiana.

Reader's Guide

Aquilani moved to English club Liverpool for the start of the 2009–10 season but in August 2010, having received only limited playing time at Anfield due to injury, he returned to Italy and joined Juventus on loan until the end of the 2010–11 season. Aquilani returned to Liverpool at the end of the season as Juventus did not take up their purchase option. He went on loan again in 2011, playing for Italian club Milan for the 2011–12 season, and was subsequently sold to Fiorentina in 2012, where he remained until his transfer to Portuguese club Sporting CP in 2015; he returned to Italy in 2016, joining Pescara, and was later loaned to Sassuolo for the second half the season. In 2017, he joined Spanish club Las Palmas, but was released by the club at the end of the season. After a year without a club, he announced his retirement in 2019.

Did You Know?

• Aquilani made his senior international debut for Italy in November 2006 in a 1–1 draw against Turkey.
• He represented Italy at Euro 2008, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup (winning a bronze medal), and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
• Aquilani scored his first goal for Liverpool on 15 March 2010 against Portsmouth.
• He was voted man of the match by fans on Liverpool's official website after scoring against Portsmouth.