Marco Borriello

Posted January 27, 201015 yr

Marco Borriello (born 18 June 1982 in Naples) is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Milan. He has previously played for other Italian clubs including Sampdoria, Treviso, Reggina, Empoli, Triestina and Genoa. He is strong, physical target striker known for his rocket left leg, commanding aerial presence, ability to track back on defense, and his penchant for scoring spectacular volleys.

He grew through the ranks of Milan but, having never received quality playing time, he was transferred to Treviso in joint-ownership bid. He made his professional debut for Triestina at Serie C2. His 10 goals in 27 Serie C1 games made Milan bring him back in June 2002.

Career

Milan

At Milan first team, he made his Serie A debut on 21 September 2002 against Perugia.

He played 3 Serie A games for Milan in 2002-03 before he left on loan for league rival Empoli. Borriello returned to Milan for the 2003-04 season, playing 4 Serie A games for Milan. In the 2004-05 season Borriello was sent on loan to Reggina. In the 2005-06 season Borriello was once again sent on loan, this time to Sampdoria along with Milan team mate Samuele Dalla Bona, before leaving Sampdoria in January 2006 for a six-month loan stint at Treviso. At Treviso, he scored his career high of 5 Serie A goal.

Borriello was recalled to the Milan first team in summer 2006 after Milan sold star striker Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea F.C. and Marcio Amoroso was released from the club.

On December 21, 2006, while serving his first full Milan season, he tested positive for a drug test for prednisolone and prednisone after the 11th matchday of the 2006/2007 Serie A season. After being confirmed of the given test in January 2007, he was suspended until March 21.

Genoa

On June 21, he was sold to Genoa in a co-ownership deal with Milan.

On September 26, 2007, Borriello helped Genoa accomplish their first win of the season back in Italy's top flight, netting his first hat-trick at the expense of Udinese Calcio. The game ended 3-2, with the striker scoring from the spot in the 76th minute. Incidentally, in the return game, played on February 24, 2008, in Udine, Borriello hit another hat-trick, in a 5-3 away success, reaching 15 league goals in the process. He finished the season at 19, third behind Juventus pair Alessandro Del Piero and David Trézéguet.

Return to Milan

As Alberto Gilardino was sold to Fiorentina, On May 29, 2008 it was confirmed that Borriello would return to Milan as a replacement, in a deal that would include 50% rights of Davide Di Gennaro move to Genoa plus reported €10 million.

Shortly before the eventual signing of Ronaldinho to Milan, Borriello's agent claimed his client may look for playing time at another club if another striker was bought. The situation was resolved when the club bought Ronaldinho who plays as supporting striker or as an attacking midfielder.

Borriello made seven appearances in a Milan shirt, managing to find the net against Reggina in the league and F.C. Zurich in the UEFA Cup, but an unfortunate injury eventually kept him out of action for the rest of the season. After star man Kaka left the club in the summer transfer window of 2009 Borriello chose to move to the shirt number he wore at Genoa, 22.

On 1 November, 2009, Borriello scored his first ever brace for the Rossoneri in their 2-0 win over Parma. On November 25th, Borriello scored his first Champions League goal against Marseille in a match that finished 1-1. Ahead of a fine run of form, Borriello scored another brace in Milan's 5-2 defeat of former club Genoa. The following week Borriello scored a lovely goal against A.C. Siena. A 30 yard chipped pass from Pirlo was hooked into the top corner first time from an acute angle in a move that brought back memories of Marco Van Basten's strike for Holland against the USSR in Euro 1988.

International career

Borriello received his first Italian national team call-up for a friendly against Portugal, which took place on February 6, 2008, in Zürich, Switzerland. He replaced Luca Toni for the final twenty minutes. Italy won the match 3-1. He also played the next two friendlies, all replaced Toni and called up to UEFA Euro 2008, but did not play.

Personal life

Borriello grew up in the area of San Giovanni a Teduccio in Napoli. His father died in his teens, and he was raised along with siblings Fabio and Piergiorgio by his mother Margherita. He has dated an Argentinian model Belén Rodríguez.

Honours

Serie A: 1

Milan: 2003/04

UEFA Super Cup: 1

Milan: 2003

UEFA Champions League: 1

Milan: 2006/2007

Quote

January 27, 201015 yr

Author

MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 19: AC Milan Football Player Marco Borriello attends the Giorgio Armani Milan Menswear Autumn/Winter 2010 show on January 19, 2010 in Milan, Italy.