Gianluca Pessotto

Gianluca Pessotto

Pessotto in 2006
Personal information
Full name	Gianluca Pessotto[1]
Date of birth	(1970-08-11) 11 August 1970 (age 53)
Place of birth	Latisana, Italy
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Defender, midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1989–1991	Varese	64	(1)
1991–1992	Massese	22	(1)
1992–1993	Bologna	21	(1)
1993–1994	Verona	34	(3)
1994–1995	Torino	32	(1)
1995–2006	Juventus	243	(2)
Total		416	(9)
International career
1996–2002	Italy	22	(1)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Italy UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2000 Belgium-Netherlands
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gianluca Pessotto Cavaliere OMRI (Italian pronunciation: [dʒanˈluːka pesˈsɔtto]; born 11 August 1970) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a defender or midfielder. A former Italy international, he spent the majority of his club career with Juventus, where he won several domestic and international trophies, and is now head of its youth system. He represented his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and at UEFA Euro 2000, reaching the final of the latter tournament.

After his retirement in 2006, Pessotto remained at Juventus as a member of the coaching staff. He is currently the Sporting Director (Direttore Sportivo) of the club's youth academy.^[2]

Pessotto was given the nickname Il Professorino ("The Little Professor") by the fans, due to his glasses, his interest in philosophy and literature, and as he was able to obtain a law degree during his career. His stamina and ability to run very quickly – indeed he was often described as almost "flying" on field in the media – also earned him the nickname "Passerotto" ("Little Sparrow").^[3][4]