1. Simone Perrotta was a member of the team that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup and represented Italy in two UEFA European Championships.
17 Facts About Simone Perrotta
1. 2.
Simone Perrotta was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, England, in the same hospital as England's 1966 World Cup winner Geoff Hurst.
3.
Simone Perrotta grew up in the youth system of Reggina and debuted in Serie B in 1995, becoming an important fixture in their line-up.
4.
In 1999, Simone Perrotta was farmed to Bari in a co-ownership deal for 3 billion Italian lire, as part of Gianluca Zambrotta's deal, where he played for two seasons, breaking into the first team.
5.
Simone Perrotta even provided the winning assist in their famous victory over Internazionale that season.
6.
Simone Perrotta signed a new one-year extension to his contract with Roma in October 2009, extending his stay at the club until 2011.
7.
On 20 February 2012, Simone Perrotta signed a new one-year extension to his contract with Roma that will keep him at the club until 2013.
8.
Simone Perrotta was substituted on for striker Dani Osvaldo in the 81st minute and eight minutes later, in the 89th minute, he scored a goal that sealed the match.
9.
On 29 June 2013, Simone Perrotta announced his retirement from professional football.
10.
Simone Perrotta made his debut for the Italy under-21 team under Marco Tardelli, making 6 appearances and scoring a goal.
11.
Unlike with Roma, Simone Perrotta was often used as a left winger with the Italy national team under Lippi, or as a "front-lying" defensive midfielder, as he was in the 2006 World Cup.
12.
Simone Perrotta went on to take part at UEFA Euro 2008, often appearing as an attacking midfielder, where Italy lost out to eventual champions Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals.
13.
Simone Perrotta was usually used in the centre, and often in a holding role in front of the defence, where he was adept at pressing opponents, breaking down plays, and subsequently distributing the ball to team-mates after winning back possession, or even linking up with other players through his passing to help start attacks.
14.
Simone Perrotta is of Calabrian origins and was born in England.
15.
Simone Perrotta lived in England until the age of five, attending the former St Ann's RC Primary School on Burlington Street in the electoral ward of St Peter's in Ashton-under-Lyne.
16.
Simone Perrotta is married and he has a son called Peter.
17.
On 22 December 2010, a statue of Simone Perrotta was unveiled in Ashton-under-Lyne, close to Curzon Ashton FC's Tameside Stadium in the Roy Oldham Sports Village, Richmond Street.