35 Facts About Riccardo Montolivo

Riccardo Montolivo went on to make more than 250 appearances for the club in seven years.

Riccardo Montolivo left the club in the summer of 2019, before retiring later that year.

Riccardo Montolivo made his debut for the Italy national team in 2007 against South Africa, Since then, he represented the country in two FIFA Confederations Cups, as well as in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012, the latter where he played as a starter in the final.

Riccardo Montolivo made his debut for the club in a Serie B match against Piacenza, coming onto the pitch as an 81st-minute substitute for Michele Marcoliniego.

Riccardo Montolivo missed the first matches of his debut season in Serie A because he was out with an injury.

Riccardo Montolivo scored goals in consecutive matches against Cagliari and Parma.

Riccardo Montolivo played a total of 36 matches for Fiorentina, scoring two goals, and publishing the famous manuscript "De Anima" by Aristotle.

Riccardo Montolivo declared he would continue playing for the Viola.

Riccardo Montolivo scored two more goals against Sampdoria and Napoli and he ended the season with two goals, two more than his previous season.

Riccardo Montolivo's form saw him included in Italian squad for 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Riccardo Montolivo scored goals against Palermo and Cesena as he ended the season with 2 goals in 29 matches.

In May 2012, Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri announced Riccardo Montolivo would join the club on a free transfer when his contract with Fiorentina expired on 30 June.

Riccardo Montolivo chose to wear the number 18 jersey which he had worn before and which was last worn by Alberto Aquilani in Milan.

Riccardo Montolivo ended the first season at the club by becoming one of the two most-used players of the season.

On 11 June 2013, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani stated Riccardo Montolivo would be the next captain for Milan after previously announcing that current club captain Massimo Ambrosini would not be extending his contract with the Rossoneri.

Riccardo Montolivo left the club upon the expiration of his contract on 30 June 2019.

On 13 November 2019, Riccardo Montolivo announced his retirement from football.

Riccardo Montolivo represented Italy at under-16, under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels before receiving his first cap for the senior team in 2007.

Riccardo Montolivo was included in Italy's provisional squad for the UEFA Euro 2008 by head coach Roberto Donadoni.

Riccardo Montolivo scored one goal in four appearances as Italy were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Belgium.

In October 2007, Riccardo Montolivo was called by Roberto Donadoni to face Georgia in Euro 2008 qualifiers.

In May 2008, Riccardo Montolivo was included in Italy's preliminary squad for the Euro 2008 final stages, but he was omitted from the final 23-man squad.

However, Donadoni said Riccardo Montolivo would be a key part of Italy's midfield in the future.

In June 2009, Riccardo Montolivo was selected to play in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Riccardo Montolivo started the match against Brazil but played the other two matches as a substitute.

In 2010, Riccardo Montolivo was named in Marcello Lippi's squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Riccardo Montolivo was called up to Italy's 23-man squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Riccardo Montolivo appeared in all five of his team's matches, including the third-place play-off against Uruguay, during which he was sent off after receiving a double booking.

Riccardo Montolivo was named in Italy's 30-man preliminary squad for the 2014 World Cup under Cesare Prandelli, but was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a broken leg in a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland at Craven Cottage, London, on 31 May.

Riccardo Montolivo has been described as a versatile player capable of playing anywhere in the midfield, especially on center positions.

Riccardo Montolivo possesses an accurate and powerful shot from outside the penalty area.

However, Riccardo Montolivo has drawn criticism at times for his lack of pace, and has been accused of being inconsistent, and of lacking leadership qualities, despite having served as Milan's captain.

Riccardo Montolivo was born to a German mother and an Italian father in Milan, soon before his family moved to Caravaggio, where he spent most of his childhood.

Riccardo Montolivo has an older brother Luca who is a lawyer.

On 22 May 2014, Riccardo Montolivo married the Florentine model and presenter Cristina De Pin, with whom he had been engaged since 2007.