Massimo Oddo

Lore & Background

Oddo played for several Italian clubs throughout his career, although he is mainly remembered for his time with Lazio, where he won the Coppa Italia, and in particular, AC Milan, where he won several titles, including the UEFA Champions League; he also had a spell on loan with German club Bayern Munich. At the international level, he represented the Italian squad at UEFA Euro 2004 and was also part of the team that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored his first and only international goal for Italy from the penalty spot in a Euro 2008 qualifying match on 7 October 2006 against Ukraine, which ended in a 2–0 victory for the Italians.

Reader's Guide

Oddo started his career at Renato Curi Angolana of Serie D and moved to AC Milan youth team in 1993. After loans to Fiorenzuola, Monza, Prato, and Lecco, he helped Napoli win promotion to Serie A and joined Hellas Verona. He then moved to Lazio, where he became captain for the first half of the 2006–07 season. In January 2007, he transferred to AC Milan for €10.75 million plus Pasquale Foggia. He won the 2007 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup with Milan. After a loan to Bayern Munich, he returned to Milan and later had a season-long loan at Lecce. He ended his playing career after the 2011–12 season. His coaching career includes stints at Pescara (leading them to Serie A promotion in 2016), Udinese, Crotone, Perugia, Padova, SPAL, and Milan Futuro.

Did You Know?

• Oddo completed his obligatory military service while playing for Hellas Verona, spending Monday through Thursday at the barracks and joining training on Fridays.
• At the 2006 World Cup final, Oddo chopped off a large chunk of teammate Mauro Camoranesi's long hair as the squad celebrated their penalty shootout victory over France.
• Oddo attended university to study law but left without graduating; he returned in 2007 to study sports management.