Claudio Marchisio

At 38 years old, Claudio Marchisio has this physical status:

Club career

Marchisio played as a forward and as a trequartista (offensive midfielder), based on his childhood hero Alessandro Del Piero, until he was moved to a deeper midfield role at the age of 16. He was called up to train with the first squad several times by Fabio Capello and given a squad number during the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons. He was on the bench for the game against Cagliari, but he was also an unemployed replacement. In his last full season with the Primavera squad, he captained the Primavera team to their first Campionato Nazionale Primavera title in 12 years and a runner-up finish at the Viareggio Tournament in 2012.

Marchisio was promoted to the first team permanently following Juventus' relegation to Serie B due to the Calciopoli scandal, which earned him the number 15 shirt after being included in the preseason friendlies. In a 3–0 victory over Martina on August 19, he made his first team debut in the Coppa Italia third round, appearing as a late substitute for Matteo Paro. He captained the Primavera team for the last time in the Supercoppa Primavera in September, defeating longtime rivals Internazionale 5–1. He made his league debut against Frosinone on October 28th as a late replacement for David Trezeguet and made his first appearance against Brescia in the following match. He landed himself in Didier Deschamps' side and finished the season as the first-choice central midfielder. He captained a fine season by contributing to Del Piero's match opener in Arezzo's 5–1 thrashing of Arezzo, which resulted in immediate promotion to Serie A mathematically.

Marchisio was loaned out to Empoli for the 2007-08 season with good friend and fellow youth product Sebastian Giovinco to gain first-team experience on July 25, 2007. He made his Serie A debut against Fiorentina on August 26th and on his European debut against FC Zürich the following month. Despite not scoring any goals, he did not score any goals and was a consistent starter for the Tuscan club under both Luigi Cagni and Alberto Malesani. Empoli were unable to avert relegation, and new boss Claudio Ranieri was recalling him to Turin.

Marchisio rode his way to Juventus for the 2008–09 season, making a memorable Champions League debut while playing the full 90 minutes against Artmedia Petralka in the Champions League third qualifying round, second leg, after his impressive results for Empoli. "Marchisio has everything needed to play at the best level," Stefano Borgonovo, a former Milan and Fiorentina striker, wrote about him on La Gazzetta dello Sport in November: "He] has a personality that reminds me of the great Marco Tardelli." He eventually emerged as the first-choice under Ranieri due to injuries and weak results from other midfielders. Since a man-of-the-match game against Milan that brought him rave reviews from the media, he's settled himself in the starting eleven. On the club's website, he quickly became a fan of Bianconeri football, who elected him as their Player of the Month for December. He scored his first Serie A goal against Fiorentina on Friday, five days after his 23rd birthday. He was awarded with an extended five-year contract extension less than a week. In April, his season was interrupted by a string of minor injuries, which culminated in him being out for almost a month, but he returned to the starting eleven for the penultimate matchday against Siena, ensuring that the Bianchi were in second place for the second time. He was still playing for various clubs during the season, but Sport Director Alessio Secco put an end to all speculation by listing him as one of the "untouchable" players. His good results were not unnoticed by Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi, who later gave him his first international debut.

Marchisio's first choice under Ciro Ferrara and later Alberto Zaccheroni, largely due to his versatility and consistency in midfield. He had a good run of form in the 2009–10 season, winning Man of the Match awards in four consecutive games and being named Player of the Month by registered members of the Club website, but he suffered from a knee injury in the loss to Palermo at the start of October. He was sidelined for one month and a half before being ruled out for a month and a half and made his comeback as a last-minute replacement in the Champions League group stage match against Bordeaux on November 25. He won by 2–1 home over Internazionale in the Derby d'Italia, where he demonstrated superb poise to drag the ball with both feet before diving for the stranded Jlio César on December 5th. In the decisive Champions League 1–4 home loss to Bayern Munich three days later, he ordered David Trezeguet to score the first goal of the game. Fans on the club website named him Player of the Year for 2009 at the end of the year. He captained the team for the first time as vice-captains Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini were forced to leave the game due to injury, and Del Piero was an unused substitute. On the second day of Juventus' poor season, he scored an equalizer against Catania on the second day to keep the team in a Europa League spot, and was one of the few players to avoid mass skepticism from the media.

Marchisio was first-choice under new manager Luigi Delneri's disappointing 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign. After a slow start to the season, he began to excel in his role as a wide midfielder. With a goal against Udinese in a 4–0 victory, he made his 100th appearance in a Juventus shirt. In April, he started his first match as captain against Roma. Marchisio announced on May 17th, 2011 that he had signed a new, five-year deal with the club. Fans on fansite vecchiasignora.com said his semi-bicycle kick against Udinese in January was voted Goal of the Season by the fans.

Marchisio began the 2011–12 season by scoring Juve's last goal in the club's inaugural match, a 4–1 victory over Parma on September 11, 2011. The media and fans of former Juventus legend Antonio Conte were accompanied by Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo's to great effect, earning the tag "M-V-P" midfield. In the 2–0 victory over Milan over the first time he had ever scored more than one goal in a match, he scored a late double to break the deadlock. He scored in his second straight league game and tied his season record of four goals by scoring the last goal in a 3–0 victory over Palermo on November 20. He scored his first Coppa Italia goal, the match winning goal over Bologna in extra time, sending Juve to the quarter-finals. He has been nominated for the Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year award and a spot in the Year's Serie A team. With a header in Fiorentina's 5–0 thrashing and dedicated it to his second son, who was born earlier this week. In his 200th career match, he scored his ninth goal of the season against Lecce, raising his season total goal total figure to 2-010. He won his first Scudetto after Juve defeated Cagliari 2–0 and runners-up Milan lost 4–2 in the Milan Derby against Inter, although Juventus were defeated by Napoli in the Coppa Italia Final. He scored ten goals in league and cup matches last season.

It was expected that Marchisio would "inherit" the number 10 jersey following the departure of captain and club legend Alessandro Del Piero in June 2012, but the number 10 jersey was not sold, and that he was not a striker, not a striker, and that it had grown accustomed to his number 8. In the absence of captain Gianluigi Buffon and first vice-captain Giorgio Chiellini, he captained the team against Parma in the first match of the season. In November, he scored his first goal in a UEFA club competition against Nordsjlland. He was also responsible for Fabio Quagliarella's equalizer against Chelsea. He was one of four Juventus players nominated for the 2012 UEFA Team of the Year, and he was chosen to the Serie A Team of the Year at the Oscar del Calcio awards. Despite playing fewer games this season due to illness and a minor injury, Juve's captain scored some key goals, including the match winner against Siena and a brace against Torino, which were his second straight league titles. In the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, Marchisio scored 5–0 on aggregate, and Juventus then advanced to the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by eventual champions Bayern Munich.

Marchisio was most active with French youngster Paul Pogba for a spot in the midfield three during the 2013–14 season. He suffered with an ankle injury during the club's 2013 Supercoppa Italiana victory, and was mainly used as a back-up during the first half of the season, starting in Champions League/Europa League matches instead. Marchisio's first games in the first few months of the season were largely due to Arturo Vidal's absence due to knee surgery. He made his Serie A debut against Bologna in April. On the last matchday of the season, Juve defeated Cagliari 3–0, scoring Juve's last goal of the season. Juventus won their third straight title and their 30th overall, with an Italian record of 102 points. Juventus were disqualified in the Champion's League's group stage, but the club did qualify for the Europa League's semi-finals, where they were defeated by Benfica.

The 2014–15 season for the midfielder saw him reach many milestones: his 200th (Serie A) and 300th (all sports) appearances for Juve, as well as his first Coppa Italia title and Champions League final appearances. On September 13, Marchisio scored his first goal of the 2014–15 season under new boss Massimiliano Allegri's reign, defeating Udinese 21-0. In a 2–2 draw against Cesena on February 15, he made his 200th appearance in Serie A with Juventus, scoring a goal. Marchisio recovered from a short injury layoff for the second leg of the Coppa Italia's second leg against Fiorentina on April 7, 2015, defeating Juventus 3–0 and allowing them to progress to the final of the tournament. However, his yellow card in the game would have him suspended for the final, a 2–1 extra time victory over Lazio. In a 3–2 home win over Fiorentina on April 29, Marchisio made his 300th appearance in all competitions for Juventus. Marchisio is occasionally deputized as the designated corner and indirect free kick taker in the absence of Andrea Pirlo due to injury. He was involved in Juventus's 1–0 victory over Sampdoria on May 2nd, allowing the club to win the Serie A title for the fourth time in a row. He scored the winner over Inter in the Derby d'Italia on May 16th, the first time he had scored from the penalty spot during a match. He started the counterattack with a backheel pass that resulted in lvaro Morata's equalizer, but the eventual winners won 3–1. Marchisio was one of three players to make the most appearances for Juventus during all competitions this season, with 52 appearances. Despite the fact that he did not score as many goals as in previous three seasons, he did not have the second most assists, although not by one less than top scorer Carlos Tevez. He was named in the UEFA Champions League squad of the season and named Player of the Season for 2014-2015 by registered users of vecchiasignora.com, the country's largest Italian-language Juventus fansite.

Marchisio's existing deal was due to end next year at the end of the season. On July 6, 2015, he signed a five-year contract, extending him at his hometown club until the 2019-20 season. Marchisio was out for a month after suffering an injury to an adductor muscle in his right leg in his first league appearance of the season on September 12, 2015, as Juventus defeated Chievo 1–1. Marchisio was nominated for the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year on November 24. On March 15, 2016, it was announced that Marchisio would miss the second round of the Champions League against Bayern Munich due to a muscular injury in his left calf. In a 1–0 home win over Empoli on Tuesday, he returned to action on April 2nd. Marchisio sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Juventus' 4–0 home victory over Palermo on April 17th, putting him out for the remainder of the season and the forthcoming UEFA Euro 2016 tournament. It was announced on April 19 that he would be out for six months after undergoing a fruitful knee surgery. Juventus captain and goalkeeper Buffon won the match to Marchisio after the club claimed their fifth straight Serie A crown on April 25.

Marchisio's home victory over Sampdoria on October 26, 2016, after six months on the sidelines. In a 3–1 victory over Sevilla during the Champions League group stage, he scored his first goal since his injury. Marchisio made two major debuts in the season. In a 2–0 away victory over Pescara on April 15, he made his 250th appearance in Serie A for Juventus. He began playing in his final home game of the season against Crotone, who lost 3–0 to make Marchisio one of only six players to have been in the squad for all six seasons. Marchisio returned as a replacement in his second Champions League Final in three years on June, but Juventus was defeated 4–1 by defending champions Real Madrid.

On August 19th, Marchisio sustained another knee injury in the first match of the 2017-18 season against Cagliari. In a 2–1 home win over Benevento, he didn't make it to the starting line until November 5th. Marchisio had left Juventus ahead of the 2018–19 season on August 17, 2018, putting an end to the 25 years Marchisio spent in the Juventus system. He made 389 appearances for the club, scoring 37 goals, 43 assists, and drawing only one red card out of a total of 489, with 43 goals, 43 assists, and just one red card.

He joined Zenit Saint Petersburg, a Russian Premier League club, on September 3rd. Marchisio made his Zenit debut against Orenburg in a 2–1 away win on September 16, 2018, his first appearance for the 71st minute. Marchisio had left the club after his deal was terminated by mutual consent on July 1, 2019.

Marchisio's resignation from football was announced at a press conference at Juventus Stadium on October 3, 2019.

International career

Marchisio was initially called up to the Italy under-21 squad for the 2007 European Championships in early May, but he was forced to withdraw due to injury. He made his under-21 debut in June 2007, the group's opening game of the 2009 European Championship qualifying season, but his debut came just ten minutes later when trying an attempt on goal, but Robert Acquafresca's opener seconds came later. Eventually, he became first-choice in the campaign's latter stages. He scored a 12-yard volley at the 2008 Toulon Tournament against Turkey in a 2–1 victory, as Italy went on to win the tournament and was then invited to the Olympics, but he was forced to return home due to a back injury. Pierluigi Casiraghi selected him in the final squad for the 2009 Under-21 European Championship in May 2009. He started every game and, despite being suspended from the semi-final defeat to Germany, was one of many Azzurrini players selected to make the senior squad and was also named to the Tournament's Team.

Marchisio made his senior debut on August 12, 2009, starting in a friendly against Switzerland that ended goalless and was praised by Marcello Lippi during the post-match interview. Lippi later revealed that he had intended to summon Marchisio sooner but decided to transfer the youngster to Casiraghi's U-21 squad until the European Championships' end. Marchisio appeared in his first competitive match for the Azzurri against Bulgaria in his hometown stadium and became a first-choice pick for Lippi's squad. However, after being diagnosed with a knee meniscus injury that needed surgery, he was forced to withdraw from the remaining qualifying matches against the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus. He was named in the 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup but he had a tumultuous tournament due to Lippi's preference for playing him in a new playmaker role.

Marchisio scored his first international goal against Serbia on October 7th, just a minute after kick-off. It was the 250th goal scored by a Juventus player for Italy's national team.

Marchisio was selected in the final squad for UEFA Euro 2012 by Cesare Prandelli, following a fruitful qualifying season with Italy, and he started every match with Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi in midfield, losing 4–0 by reigning European and world champions Spain.

Marchisio's father, Federico Marchisio, became a permanent member of Italy's national team under Prandelli, and he was selected in the final squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which Italy finished third. Marchisio came on as a replacement and assisted Sebastian Giovinco's match winning goal in Italy's second group match against Japan, which allowed Italy to progress to the Confederations Cup semi-finals for the first time in history.

Marchisio was later selected to be a member of the Italy squad that will be competing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup after being a regular during Italy qualifying matches. Riccardo Montolivo, the match's captain, was able to captained the senior team for the first time during the pre-World Cup friendly against the Republic of Ireland on May 30.

Marchisio scored his first international goal at a major UEFA/FIFA tournament and Italy's first goal of the World Cup, winning by 25 yards against England in Group D's second opening match, a result that was eventual 2–1. He appeared in Italy's next two group matches, which resulted in 1–0 losses to group champion Costa Rica and runners-up Uruguay respectively. In the final group match against Uruguay, he was handed a straight red card in the 59th minute, his first red card as an international. Luis Suárez's resentment for biting Giorgio Chiellini, as well as Uruguay's win 1–0 after scoring from a corner immediately after the earlier incident contributed to the uproar. For the second time in a row, Italy came third in third place in their group and was barred from the World Cup in the group stage.

Marchisio sustained an injury during a training session with the Italian national team ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier against Bulgaria on March 27. Despite initially fearing that he would need to repair his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which would have put him out for six months, it was later revealed that the injury was a sprain and would not be out for several weeks. However, Antonio Conte, the former Juventus coach and now the national team coach, has received death threats from irate Juventus supporters, according to John Elkann, the president of FIAT and Juventus, and his cousin Andrea Agnelli. Marchisio was disqualified from UEFA Euro 2016 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Marchisio was on the starter in a 3–0 friendly victory over Uruguay over Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on June 7, 2017, but Ricardo Montolivo replaced him after suffering a injury in the first half.

Marchisio made 55 appearances for Italy between 2009 and 2017, scoring five goals in total.

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