Marco Delvecchio (Italian pronunciation:[ˈmarkodelˈvɛkkjo]; sometimes erroneously spelled Del Vecchio; born 7 April 1973 in Milan, Italy) is a retired Italian footballer, who played as a forward. Although he played for several Italian clubs throughout his career, he spent most of it at A.S. Roma, where he is still remembered by the club's fans for his ease in scoring against rivals S.S. Lazio in the Derby della Capitale, and for the contributions he made to the club's league title victory in 2001.[1] At international level, he represented Italy on 22 occasions between 1998 and 2004, scoring 4 goals, taking part at UEFA Euro 2000, reaching the final of the tournament, in which he scored, and at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Delvecchio currently collaborates with a Roman private radio station as football-pundit.[2]
On 10 May 2007, Delvecchio and Ascoli mutually agreed to terminate his contract following a combination of a knee injury and Ascoli's relegation to Serie B, the latter following a 1–0 loss to Torino three days earlier. He scored twice in ten appearances for the club.[3][4]
After one season of inactivity, Delvecchio decided to abandon professional football altogether and accept an offer from Eccellenza Lazio side Pescatori Ostia, where he scored 34 goals throughout the season.[3][4]
He made his international for the Italy senior side debut under manager Dino Zoff on 16 December 1998, in a friendly match in Rome against the FIFA World-Stars, commemorating the first century since the founding of the Italian Football Federation.[8] He was subsequently called up by Zoff for the 22-man Italian squad that took part at Euro 2000, making three appearances throughout the tournament. His first international goal came against France in the Euro 2000 final, although Italy later conceded an equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time, and were defeated in extra-time from a golden goal.[9] Delvecchio travelled to Korea with the 23-man Italian 2002 World Cup squad, but did not play during the tournament under manager Giovanni Trapattoni.[10][11] After the World Cup, he scored a goal in a 2–0 friendly win over Northern Ireland,[12] and on 18 February 2004, he made his final appearance for Italy against the Czech Republic, missing out on Trapattoni's Euro 2004 squad. Delvecchio scored 3 goals in 14 starts for the Italy senior team, scoring 4 goals in 22 total appearances for Italy between 1998 and 2004.[7]
Style of play
Delvecchio was a versatile, powerful, and hard-working forward, who was capable of playing anywhere along the front line, as well as in midfield, as either a winger or as an attacking midfielder, although he was primarily utilised as a centralstriker or as a supporting forward. Due to his height, his main attributes were his aerial ability, as well as his finishing, and his positioning skills. Despite his large, slender frame, he was also a good passer and dribbler, which enabled him to create chances and provide team-mates with assists.[13][14]
Personal life and media
Marco was a contestant on the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars, Ballando con le Stelle 2012, where he placed second alongside professional dancer Sara Di Vaira, with whom he later began a relationship.[15]
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France
Romania
Georgia
Northern Ireland
Italy[18]
