Antonio Di Natale

astonaidan

Just read today that he is retiring at the end off the season, sad to see a legend go, he was one off those players who just seemed to get better with age

Moneymaker

Superb player and a great human being to boot.

Only Messi and Ronaldo have scored more league goals in recent years then him.

I'm sure he'll get the sendoff he deserves, similar level to Del Pieros goodbye at Juve.

The_Kew_Tour

Legend!

Skylinehead

Utterly superb player who never really got enough credit for his goalscoring ability, possibly because he stuck with smaller teams throughout his career.

Toto scored so many of those.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Like a bottle of wine he seemed to get better with age. I know he's 36 but I thought he would continue on for another season or 2 considering he's still banging them in.

mitosis

Might be off to Fiorentina for the rest of the season.

astonaidan

THFC wrote: »

Like a bottle of wine he seemed to get better with age. I know he's 36 but I thought he would continue on for another season or 2 considering he's still banging them in.

Think hes found it harder to score this season, I might be wrong but only 4/5 goals, Id loved to have seen him head to the MLS for a season to Red Bulls

Corholio

astonaidan wrote: »

Think hes found it harder to score this season, I might be wrong but only 4/5 goals, Id loved to have seen him head to the MLS for a season to Red Bulls

I much prefer to see players retire on top if they are still there, I think players are too easy tempted by the easy money at the end of their career, which is what it is despite any playing up of the MLS's quality.

Gringo180

Up with the very best Italian strikers of all time, this fella has been one of the most under rated players in European football in the last 10 years.

hefferboi

A true legend on and off the pitch.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/serie-a/9206293/Udinese-captain-Antonio-Di-Natale-to-look-after-disabled-sister-of-Piermario-Morosini-following-players-death.html

grohlisagod

Brilliant goalscorer. Gambler's dream.

Would have been interesting to see how he'd have gotten on at one of Italy's top clubs or in another league. Certainly had the ability.

Corholio

11 posts in and noone saying " He was overrated or he wasn't no Ronaldo or Messi"

Soccer forum, my faith is very slowly returning :pac:

astonaidan

Corholio wrote: »

I much prefer to see players retire on top if they are still there, I think players are too easy tempted by the easy money at the end of their career, which is what it is despite any playing up of the MLS's quality.

I get yeah totally, what I was saying is even at his age he would be one off those players who would get fans in the seats in a league like the MLS

hefferboi

Corholio wrote: »

11 posts in and noone saying " He was overrated or he wasn't no Ronaldo or Messi"

Soccer forum, my faith is very slowly returning :pac:

Similar to Totti in that they were both very underrated because they didn't play for "top" clubs. Totti was world class though, imo.

Skylinehead

hefferboi wrote: »

Similar to Totti in that they were both very underrated because they didn't play for "top" clubs. Totti was world class though, imo.

Both have been during their career, and consistently. Di Natale 2009-last season, and Totti pretty much since he's started.

ionadnapokot

One of my Favs! Took me a long time to figure out which was his strongest foot. Goals like this didnt help!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK_q5STfmoo

inforfun

Funny.

Most players are slated when they move clubs and here we have Totti and Di Natale who are more or less questioned for their decision to stay faithful to their club

Brilliant player. Good to see him just quit and not go somewhere to play on for a couple of years in some remote league.

And not someone who made mr 15% very rich with transfer fees:

31/07/04 Empoli Udinese € 100K
31/05/99 Viareggio Empoli N/A
31/08/98 Varese Viareggio N/A

SteelyDanJalapeno

He's a player who deserves the upmost respect.

hefferboi

inforfun wrote: »

Funny.

Most players are slated when they move clubs and here we have Totti and Di Natale who are more or less questioned for their decision to stay faithful to their club

Brilliant player. Good to see him just quit and not go somewhere to play on for a couple of years in some remote league.

And not someone who made mr 15% very rich with transfer fees:

31/07/04 Empoli Udinese € 100K
31/05/99 Viareggio Empoli N/A
31/08/98 Varese Viareggio N/A

Ah no I'm not questioning either. I respect both for staying with the clubs they loved and would have loved both at Liverpool in their peak. Just saying that a lot of people, especially premier league fans, won't regard them as top players because they didn't play in the PL or for the likes of Real, Barca, Juve, Milan or Bayern.

grohlisagod

Some absolute beauties here.