Born in Ashton-under-Lyne in 1977, Simone Perrotta pursued a professional football career primarily within the Italian league system. Representing the Italy national team on 48 occasions, he became a central figure in the squad that secured the 2006 FIFA World Cup. His club tenure spanned over a decade, marked by significant contributions to Roma and Chievo.
Development in the Italian League
Perrotta began his career within the youth system of Reggina, making his Serie B debut in 1995. In 1998, he transferred to Juventus. Facing competition from established midfielders including Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, and Antonio Conte, he recorded five league appearances for the Turin club. During his time there, he participated in the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup. He subsequently moved to Bari in a co-ownership deal, gaining consistent first-team experience over two seasons before joining Chievo in 2001. At Chievo, he established himself as a key midfield component alongside Eugenio Corini, helping the side reach fifth place in Serie A and qualify for the UEFA Cup.
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In 2004, Roma acquired Perrotta for €7.2 million. While his initial season involved a defensive role under various managerial shifts, the appointment of head coach Luciano Spalletti transformed his position. Operating within a 4–2–3–1 formation, he functioned as an attacking central midfielder. This tactical shift allowed him to achieve notable scoring success, including 13 goals in all competitions during the 2006–07 season. He contributed to Roma winning consecutive Coppa Italia titles in 2007 and 2008, as well as the 2007 Supercoppa Italiana. He remained with the club through multiple contract extensions until his retirement on 29 June 2013.
International Representation
Eligible for both Italy and England due to his birthplace, Perrotta chose to represent the Italian national team. His international progress included winning the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. He made his senior debut under Giovanni Trapattoni on 20 November 2002 against Turkey. His international career peaked in 2006 when he started all seven matches for the squad that won the FIFA World Cup under manager Marcello Lippi. Beyond this, he appeared in two UEFA European Championships, notably scoring against Bulgaria during the 2004 tournament.
Fast facts
- Born: 1977, Ashton-under-Lyne
- Citizenship: Italy
- Primary Position: Midfielder
- World Cup Winner: 2006
- Major Club: Roma
- Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: 2006
- Retirement Date: 29 June 2013
Questions readers ask
Did Simone Perrotta play for England?
No, despite being born in England, he represented the Italy national team.
Which clubs did he play for?
His career included stints at Reggina, Juventus, Bari, Chievo, and Roma.
Achievements
- Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic — 2006
- Worked as association football player
