Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Samuel Eto'o

Arguably the best African player of all time, Samuel Eto'o's scoring record for club and country is second to none. A lethal finisher whose work rate is exceptional, he often played out of position in his first season at Inter but still managed to score his fair share of goals. A product of the Real Madrid youth system, Eto'o enjoyed a successful four-year spell with Real Mallorca, but it was at Barcelona where he made his name, with 108 goals in 145 games. Completed a clean sweep of trophies in his first season at Inter, becoming the only player to have won a treble of league, cup and Champions League titles with two different clubs. At international level, he won Olympic gold with Cameroon at the 2000 Olympics, has played at every Africa Cup of Nations tournament since 2000, and is the competition's all-time top scorer. Won the African Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons in 2003, 2004 and 2005. 


Samuel Eto'o Fils
country: Cameroon [Cameroon] 
born in: Nkon (Cam) on: March 10 1981 
position: Forward
height: 180 cm  weight: 75 kg

Lorenzo Crisetig

Crisetig Lorenzo
country: Italy [Italy] 
born in: Cividale del Friuli on: January 20 1993 
position: Midfielder  
height: 180 cm   weight: 82 kg  

Nwankwo Obiora

A robust midfielder who is adept at breaking up attacks and protecting the defence, rising Nigerian star Nwankwo represented his country at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. Joined Inter in January 2010 and made the jump to the first team in the summer after turning in a series of impressive performances for the club's senior youth team. 

Nwankwo Obiora 
country: Nigeria [Nigeria] 
born in: Kaduna (Nigeria) on: July 12 1991 
position: Midfielder
height: 183 cm weight: 77 kg

Cristiano Biraghi

Biraghi Cristiano

country: Italy [Italy] 

born in: Cernusco s Naviglio on: September 1 1991 
position: Midfielder 
height: 0 cm weight: 0 kg

Amantino Mancini

A versatile player who filled the right-back role in the early stages of his career, Mancini has also played as a striker and in midfield. Renowned for his dribbling abilities and step-overs, his preferred position is on the right or left side of attacking midfield. Started out at Atletico Mineiro in his native Brazil and played five seasons with Roma before transferring to Inter in July 2008. Was part of Brazil's Copa America-winning squad in 2004. 

Faioli Amantino Alessandro Mancini 
country: Brazil [Brazil] 
born in: Belo Horizonte (Bra) on: August 1 1980 
position: Midfielder 
height: 183 cm    weight: 82 kg

Coutinho Inter

At the age of just 18, Coutinho is billed as one of the best young players of his generation. With a lightning turn of pace, two quick feet and agility that leaves opposing players in his wake, he is already part of the Brazilian men's national team, having been called up for a training camp during the September international break. Scored three goals in five games for Brazil at the 2009 South American Under-17 Championship in Chile, winning his first trophy at international level. Completed his switch to Inter from Vasco de Gama in July 2010. 

Coutinho Correia Philippe  
country: Brazil [Brazil] 
born in: Rio De Janeiro (Brasile)  on: June 12 1992 
position: Midfielder 
height: 171 cm         weight: 72 kg

Joel Obi Chukwuma

Often deployed on the left wing in an attacking midfield position, pacy Nigerian youngster Obi is a modern and versatile player who can defend and attack. Is now a fixture in the senior squad after two consecutive pre-season campaigns and numerous friendly matches with the first team. He previously played for Inter's Under-19s and Under-17s, for whom he curled in a brilliant winner against Empoli to win the Allievi Nazionali Scudetto in 2007/08. Made his competitive debut for the first team in a UEFA Champions League match against Werder Bremen in September 2010. 

Obi Joel Chukwuma 
country: Nigeria [Nigeria] 
born in: Lagos (Nigeria)  on: May 22 1991
position: Midfielder 
height: 177 cm   weight: 72 kg

Esteban Cambiasso

Inter's midfield heartbeat. A player who reads the game like few others, the Argentina international offers protection to the defence and thrust in attack with his probing runs and neat distribution. Is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent players in Serie A. At youth and senior level for club and country, Cambiasso has won over twenty titles in his career. His previous clubs are Independiente, River Plate and Real Madrid. 

Cambiasso Esteban Matias
country: Argentina [Argentina] 
born in: Buenos Aires (Arg)  on: August 18 1980 
position: Midfielder  
height: 177 cm  weight: 78 kg

MacDonald Mariga

The Kenya international is a relatively new arrival at Inter, but has shown in his appearances made so far that he is one for the future. An all-round midfielder who excels at breaking up opposition's moves and setting up counter-attacks, Mariga is at his most effective in a holding midfield role. Has a decent long-range shot on him, too. Cut his teeth at Enkoping and Helsingborg in Sweden before sealing a move to Parma in 2007. His co-ownership move to Inter in January 2010 became a permanent one at the end of last season. 

MacDonald Mariga Wanyama
country: Kenya [Kenya] 
born in: Nairobi (Kenya) on: April 4 1987 
position: Midfielder 
height: 188 cm    weight: 86 kg

Sulley Muntari

A skilful central midfielder who can also operate on the left wing, Muntari is one of African football's biggest stars. Often brought on as a substitute to shore up the midfield in the latter stages of games, he is a physically strong, hard-tackling player. A fixture in the Ghana national team since 2002, he was named an All-Star player at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and has played at two World Cups, in 2006 and 2010. Muntari is a product of the Italian footballing school, having risen through the ranks at Udinese. Played for Portsmouth in the English Premier League before completing a switch to Inter in July 2008. 

Muntari Sulley Ali 
country: Ghana [Ghana] 
born in: Konongo (Ghana) on: August 27 1984 
height: 179 cm  weight: 79 kg

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Wesley Sneijder

Possibly the most creative player in the squad, Sneijder is the man who links midfield to attack. Pacy and strong on the ball, the ambidextrous Dutch fantasista is famed for his stunning curling free kicks and killer passes. One of the most influential players in Inter's treble-winning side, he carried off the UEFA accolade for Best Club Midfielder of 2010. Was joint top-scorer at the 2010 World Cup, which saw Holland go all the way to the final. At Inter since August 2009, he previously played for Ajax and Real Madrid. 

Sneijder Wesley 
country: Netherlands [Netherlands]  
born in: Utrecht  on: June 9 1984   
position: Midfielder 
height: 170 cm    weight: 67 kg

Thiago Motta

A complete central midfielder known for his vision, precise passing game and hard tackling ability, Thiago Motta also possesses a strong shot and is good in the air. Thiago Motta started out at Atletico Juventus in his native Brazil, moving to Spain in 1999. After two seasons with Barcelona B he played for the Blaugrana's first team for six years, moving to Atletico Madrid for the 2007/08 season before joining Genoa. He signed for Inter in the summer of 2009 following a successful campaign with the Rossoblu. 

Motta Thiago 
country: Brazil [Brazil] 
born in: Sao Bernardo (Brasile) on: August 28 1982 
position: Midfielder 
height: 187 cm       weight: 83 kg

Dejan Stankovic

A tenacious tackler with bags of personality who is as comfortable behind the strikers as he is in a more orthodox central midfield role, the Serbian international is known for taking opposing goalkeepers by surprise with his long-range blockbusters. The youngest captain in the history of Red Star Belgrade and Serbian football, he was already an idol in his native country at the age of nineteen. He is the only player to take part in three World Cups with three different countries (Yugoslavia in 1998, Serbia & Montenegro in 2006 and Serbia in 2010). Joined Inter from Lazio in January 2004.

Stankovic Dejan 
country: Serbia [Serbia] 
born in: Beograd on: September 11 1978 
position: Midfielder
height: 181 cm    weight: 75 kg

Felice Natalino

Natalino is a versatile defender who combines defensive abilities with those of a midfielder. After five years at Virtus Sambiagio and three with Crotone, he joined Inter at the age of 16. Now part of Inter's Primavera (Under-19) team, he was recently called up to Italy's Under-21 side. He represented Italy at the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup and 2009 UEFA Under-17 European Championship. In September 2010 Natalino was included in Rafael Benitez's squad for the UEFA Champions League match against Werder Bremen. 

Natalino Felice 
country: Italy [Italy]  
born in: Lamezia Terme on: March 24 1992
position: Defender 

Davide Santon

One of the most exciting products to come through the youth ranks at Inter in recent years, Santon has the world at his feet. He was drafted into the first team at the start of the 2008/09 season and quickly made a name for himself in the left-back role, earning a call-up to Italy's Confederations Cup squad. Ambidextrous and technically gifted, he likes to get forward from the full-back position. 

Santon Davide
country: Italy [Italy]  
born in: Porto Maggiore (FE)  on: January 2 1991
position: Defender
height: 187 cm  
weight: 77 kg  

Simone Benedetti

Benedetti Simone

country: Italy [Italy]  
born in: Torino  on: April 3 1992 
position: Defender 
height: 185 cm  weight: 70 kg

Christian Chivu

An accomplished and versatile left-sided player who can play at centre-back, left-back and also in a defensive midfield role when needed, the Romanian's skill at taking set pieces adds a valuable dimension to his game. Has had several lengthy lay-offs due to injury since arriving in Italy in 2004, but remains a valuable asset to both club and country. Chivu became captain of Ajax at the tender age of 21, going on to be skipper of Romania, a captainship he still retains. At Inter since July 2007, Chivu has also played for SM Resita, Universitatea Craiova and Roma. 

Chivu Cristian
country: Romania [Romania]  
born in: Resita (Romania)   on: October 26 1980  
position: Defender 
height: 184 cm   weight: 81 kg

Walter Samuel

One of the most solid central defenders around, Samuel lives up to his nickname: the Wall. An absolute rock at the back, his partnership with Lucio has made the Inter defence almost unbreachable. Also helps out at the other end of the pitch, grabbing crucial goals from corners. A regular in the Argentina national team since 1999, he has made over 50 appearances for the Albiceleste. Samuel played for Newell's Boys, Boca Juniors, Real Madrid and Roma before arriving at Inter in August 2005.

Samuel Walter Adrian 
country: Argentina [Argentina]  
born in: Firmat (Argentina)  on: March 23 1978 
position: Defender 
height: 183 cm  
weight: 83 kg  

Nelson Rivaz

Rivas Lopez Nelson Enrique


country: Colombia [Colombia] 
born in: Pradera (Colombia)  on: March 25 1983 
position: Defender
height: 181 cm   
weight: 84 kg

Marco Materazzi

A ferocious and highly combative central defender who is highly skilled in making tackles, 2006 World Cup-winner Materazzi is virtually infallible when it comes to taking free kicks and penalties. Holder of the record of goals scored by a defender in one Serie A season, he averages a goal every 13 games. Now a veteran of the team, he wears the Inter colours on his chest. From the dusty pitches of Marsala to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Materazzi has also played for Trapani, Perugia, Carpi and English Premier League side Everton. At Inter since June 2001. 

Materazzi Marco 
country: Italy [Italy] 
born in: Lecce  on: August 19 1973
position: Defender
height: 193 cm  weight: 92 kg  

Douglas Maicon

A disciplined defender with an attacking dimension to his game, Maicon has earned himself the reputation of being the planet's finest right-back. He combines his explosive physique and refined technique to motor tirelessly up and down the flank, his overlapping runs and killer crosses posing a constant threat. Won the UEFA Defender of the Year award in 2010 for his outstanding performances in Inter's treble-winning season, and scored one of the best goals at the 2010 World Cup in Brazil's game against North Korea. Maicon joined Inter in July 2006 after four seasons at Cruzeiro in his native Brazil and two years with French side Monaco. 

Sisenando Maicon Douglas
country: Brazil[Brazil] 
born in: Novohamburgo (Bra) 
on: July 26 1981  position: Defender
height: 184 cm  weight: 77 kg

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Inter Milan Logo and Color

One of the founders of Inter, a painter named Giorgio Muggiani, was responsible for the design of the first Inter logo in 1908. The first design incorporated the letters 'FCIM' in the center of a series of circles that formed the badge of the club. The basic elements of the design have remained constant even as finer details have been modified over the years. In 1998, the club came out with a brand-new iteration of the club crest, sticking to the original design while adding minor aesthetic updates.

Colors



Since its founding in 1908, Inter have worn black and blue stripes. It is rumored that black was chosen to represent night and blue was chosen to represent the sky.Aside from a short period during the World War II, Inter continued to wear the black and blue stripes, earning them the nickname Nerazzurri. For a period of time, however, Inter was forced to abandon their black and blue uniforms. In 1928, Inter's name and philosophy made the ruling Fascist Party uneasy. As a result, during the same year the 20-year-old club was merged with Unione Sportiva Milanese. The new club was named Ambrosiana SS Milano after the patron saint of Milan.The flag of Milan (the red cross on white background) replaced the traditional black and blue. After World War II when the Fascists had fallen from power the club reverted to their original name and colors. In 2008, Inter celebrated their centenary with a red cross on their away shirt. Reminiscent of the flag of their city, the pattern continues to be used on their third kit to this day.

Lucio

Strong and technically gifted, the two-footed Brazilian is known for his intelligent reading of the game and his striding runs out of defence. He is a modern, eclectic central defender whose speed and athleticism belies his tall frame and heavy build. A natural leader, he captained Brazil to the Confederations Cup title in 2009 and led the Selecao at the 2010 World Cup. Part of the Brazil side that won the 2002 World Cup, he is now just four caps short of a century. Lucio spent three seasons with Brazil's Interacional Porto Alegre and nine with German sides Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich before joining Inter in July 2009. 

Da Silva Ferreira Lucimar Lucio
country: Brazil [Brazil] 
born in: Brasilia (Bra) 
on: May 8 1978    position: Defender 
height: 188 cm  weight: 84 kg

Javier Zanetti

Inter's longest-serving player by miles with over 700 appearances to his name, Zanetti joined Inter from Argentine outfit Banfield in July 1995. Adored by the fans for his long-standing commitment to the club, the evergreen, versatile Argentine can play at right-back, left-back or midfield. Solid on the ball and never shy of a tackle, the Inter captain is known for winning the ball back in his own half of the pitch and making strong runs to the opposing penalty box, hence his nickname El Tractor. A record holder for club and country, Zanetti is Argentina's most-capped player. 
Zanetti Javier 
country: Argentina [Argentina] 
born in: Buenos Aires 
on: August 10 1973  position: Defender 
height: 178 cm 
weight: 75 kg

Ivan Cordoba

The Colombian international is the club's most loyal servant after his team-mate and friend Javier Zanetti. He is also vice captain of the first team. Naturally a central defender and a world-class man-marker with great pace and sense of timing, he can also play at full-back when needed. At international level, he captained Colombia to the 2001 Copa America title, scoring the winning goal in the final. Now in his twelfth season with Inter, Cordoba played for Deportivo Rionegro and Nacional Medellin in Colombia, and Argentine outfit San Lorenzo before moving to Europe in January 1999. 
Cordoba Ivan Ramiro
country: Colombia [Colombia] 
born in: Medellin
on: August 11 1976  position: Defender
height: 173 cm 
weight: 73 kg

Paolo Orlandoni Profile

Inter's third-choice custodian Orlandoni came through the youth ranks at Inter. He rejoined the club in August 2005 aged 33 after gaining vast experience with over ten different clubs at Serie C, B and A level. 
Orlandoni Paolo
country: Italy [Italy] 
born in: Bolzano 
on: August 12 1972   position: Goalkeeper 
height: 186 cm 
weight: 78 kg