Cristiano Doni facts for kids
Doni in 2009
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 April 1973 | ||
| Place of birth | Rome, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1991–1992 | Modena | 0 | (0) |
| 1992–1993 | Rimini | 31 | (6) |
| 1993–1994 | Pistoiese | 31 | (3) |
| 1994–1996 | Bologna | 54 | (11) |
| 1996–1998 | Brescia | 51 | (8) |
| 1998–2003 | Atalanta | 145 | (55) |
| 2003–2005 | Sampdoria | 44 | (7) |
| 2005–2006 | Mallorca | 24 | (2) |
| 2006–2011 | Atalanta | 151 | (48) |
| Total | 531 | (140) | |
| International career | |||
| 2001–2002 | Italy | 7 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Cristiano Doni (born on April 1, 1973) is a former Italian professional footballer. He played as an attacking midfielder, meaning he helped both score goals and defend. He could play on either side of the field or in the middle.
Cristiano Doni spent most of his long career playing for Atalanta. He played over 300 official games for the club and scored more than 100 goals. He also played in Italy's top league, Serie A, for Brescia and Sampdoria. In total, he played 266 Serie A matches and scored 77 goals.
Doni also represented the Italian national team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Contents
Cristiano Doni's Club Journey
Starting Out in Italian Football
Cristiano Doni was born in Rome, Italy. He began his professional football career at the age of 18 with Modena. After that, he played for several other Italian teams. These included Rimini, Pistoiese, and Bologna.
He made his first appearance in Italy's top league, Serie A, during the 1997–98 season. He played for Brescia in a match against Inter Milan.
Becoming a Star at Atalanta
After two years with Brescia, Doni moved to Bergamo to play for Atalanta. He quickly became a key player for the club. Fans loved his hard-working style and his ability to score goals. In three out of his first five seasons with Atalanta, he scored ten or more goals each time.
Adventures in Spain and Return to Atalanta
After playing two seasons for Sampdoria, Doni decided to try playing football in another country. At 32 years old, he signed with Mallorca in Spain.
However, after just one season in Spain, he decided to return to his beloved Atalanta. Even though he had another year left on his contract with Mallorca, he asked to be released. He was willing to take a pay cut to rejoin Atalanta, showing his strong connection to the club.
Captain and Leader
Doni signed a two-year contract with Atalanta and continued to be a very important attacking player. Even as he got older, he kept scoring goals. He scored 34 league goals in his first three years back with the team. He also became the team captain, leading his teammates on the field.
In the 2010–11 season, when he was 37, Doni scored 12 goals in Serie B. His goals helped Atalanta win the league and return to the top division after one year.
End of a Career
In August 2011, Cristiano Doni faced challenges related to sports integrity. These issues led to him stopping his football career at the age of 38.
Playing for Italy
Doni played seven times for the Italian national team. His first game was on November 7, 2001, in a friendly match against Japan, where he scored a goal.
Later, the national team manager Giovanni Trapattoni chose Doni to be part of the squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Doni started in two matches during the tournament. He played in the opening 2–0 win against Ecuador. He also started in the 2–1 defeat to Croatia, where he helped set up a goal for Christian Vieri.
Doni's Playing Style
Cristiano Doni was known for his excellent vision on the field. He had great technical skills and was very creative as an offensive midfield playmaker. This meant he was good at setting up plays and creating chances for his team.
He was able to both score goals and help his teammates score. He had a powerful and accurate shot from mid-range, which made him a threat from outside the penalty box.
Achievements and Awards
Team Trophies
Bologna
Brescia
- Serie B: 1996–97
Atalanta
- Serie B: 2010–11
Individual Awards
- Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": 2009
See also
In Spanish: Cristiano Doni para niños
