Thiago Motta

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Thiago Motta
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Motta playing with PSG in 2013
Personal information
Full name Thiago Motta
Date of birth (1982-08-28) 28 August 1982 (age 41)
Place of birth São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Paris Saint-Germain
Number 8
Youth career
1997–1999 Juventus-SP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2001 Barcelona B 84 (11)
2001–2007 Barcelona 96 (6)
2007–2008 Atlético Madrid 6 (0)
2008–2009 Genoa 27 (6)
2009–2012 Internazionale 55 (11)
2012– Paris Saint-Germain 115 (7)
International career‡
1999 Brazil U17 3 (1)
2003 Brazil 2 (0)
2011– Italy 25 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 May 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 March 2016

Thiago Motta (Brazilian Portuguese: [tʃiˈaɡu ˈmɔtɐ]; Italian: [ˈmɔtta]; born 28 August 1982) is a Brazilian-born Italian professional footballer who plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain F.C. mainly as a central midfielder.

He spent his early career at Barcelona, where he was injury-prone.[1] He also played two-and-a-half seasons with Internazionale before joining Paris Saint-Germain, winning 21 major titles between the three clubs combined.

Born in Brazil, Motta is also a citizen of Italy.[2] He represented the latter national team since 2011, appearing at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup and finishing second in the first tournament.

Club career

Barcelona

File:FCBarcelona.JPG
Motta (back row, third from right) lining up for Barcelona during the 2005–06 season.

Born in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Motta signed with FC Barcelona in 1999 at age 17, from local Clube Atlético Juventus, initially being assigned to the club's B-side. He eventually graduated to the first team in 2001, making his official debut on 3 October against RCD Mallorca in a 3–0 home win.[3]

In the 2001–02 edition of the UEFA Champions League, Motta made seven appearances and helped his team to the semi-finals. In the 2002–03 season in La Liga, he appeared in a career-best 21 games (with three goals) as Barça could only finish in sixth position, and also played an important part in the following season's long UEFA Cup run, which was eventually ended by Celtic; in the first leg, a 0–1 loss in Glasgow (0–1 on aggregate), he was sent off during half-time after hitting out at opposing goalkeeper Robert Douglas, who was also shown the red card, in an incident that happened in the tunnel.[4]

Motta was also dogged by several injuries, particularly one suffered on 11 September 2004 against Sevilla FC, which sidelined him for seven months,[5] during his time at Barcelona. He would eventually need surgery to rebuild the anterior cruciate and lateral ligaments in his left knee, but was able to make a swift recovery and made an emotional comeback, taking to the field to rapturous applause as eventual league champions defeated Getafe CF 2–0 on 17 April.[6]

Atlético Madrid

In late August 2007 Motta signed a one-year contract with Atlético Madrid, for an undisclosed fee.[7] Once again he began the season on the sidelines, injured; in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal match against Valencia CF he was ejected after only 25 minutes, and the Colchoneros lost the away fixture 0–1 and subsequently the tie.[8]

Due to injury to regular starter Raúl García and the departure of Maniche in January 2008, Motta's opportunities increased. In March, however, the recurrent knee problems reappeared, and his season was over, followed by a successful surgery and rehabilitation in the United States;[9] following his release he trialed with Premier League side Portsmouth, but did not sign for the club.[10]

Italy

File:Thiago Motta.JPG
Motta training with Inter in 2010

In September 2008 Motta joined Genoa C.F.C. on a free transfer, after passing a medical.[11] During his debut campaign he performed consistently well and was a regular in the starting eleven, under coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

On 11 April 2009, Motta scored two goals (one of them in the first half's injury time) in a final 3–2 home win over Juventus FC.[12] He finished the year with a career-best six goals, and his club qualified for the Europa League.

On 20 May 2009 La Gazzetta dello Sport confirmed that Motta, alongside teammate Diego Milito, transferred to Internazionale, who paid €28 million for the latter and €10.2 million for the former[13][14][15][16] while as part of the deal, Genoa received five Inter players: Robert Acquafresca, Francesco Bolzoni, Leonardo Bonucci, Ivan Fatić and Riccardo Meggiorini.[17][18] Motta's agent, Dario Canovi, later revealed that his Genoa contract with the club included a buy-out fee of €10 million.[19]

Motta's debut came in the 2009–10 season's opener, a 1–1 home draw against A.S. Bari, and his first goal came the next round as he opened the scoresheet in the Derby della Madonnina after an assist by Milito, as Inter defeated A.C. Milan 4–0.[20] Having been in and out of the team for the duration of the campaign, he netted his first brace for Inter in a 3–0 win against Bologna F.C. 1909 on 3 April 2010.[21]

Motta also appeared in eight games during the club's victorious Champions League campaign, including the 0–1 loss at former side Barcelona for the semifinals (3–2 aggregate win). During that match, he was sent off after apparently striking Sergio Busquets in the face with his hand; the incident gathered attention due to Busquets' apparent feigning of injury.[22][23]

On 23 October 2011, from a corner taken by Wesley Sneijder, Motta scored through a header in a 1–0 win against A.C. Chievo Verona, which was Inter's first home win in 2011–12.[24]

Paris Saint-Germain

On 31 January 2012, in spite of Inter manager Claudio Ranieri indicating shortly before he was confident the player would remain with the club until the end of the season, having called him to the upcoming league match against U.S. Città di Palermo,[25][26] Motta signed with Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in France, for a fee believed to be around €10 million.[27] Following his move, he revealed that he dreamt of playing for the club ever since fellow Brazilians such as Raí, Leonardo and Ronaldinho shone in the French capital;[28] he also revealed that he was not happy at Inter, refusing to further elaborate on his reasons to leave.[29]

Four days after signing for the club, Motta made his debut for PSG, against Evian Thonon Gaillard F.C. in a 3–1 home win, being booked in the process.[30] On 22 April 2012, in another home fixture, he scored his first goal in Ligue 1, contributing to a 6–1 victory over FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.[31]

On 21 February 2014, aged 31, Motta extended his contract until June 2016.[32] In August, he was left with a broken nose after being headbutted by SC Bastia's Brandão in the tunnel, as his opponent went on to be suspended for six months.[33]

International career

File:SPA-ITA Euro 2012 Italy NT.JPG
Motta lining up for Italy at Euro 2012.

Motta made his debut for Brazil in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Although he played with the U-23 team, it was a full international competition, hence the international cap gained was fully recognized by FIFA;[34] he went on to appear in another two games in the tournament, and previously represented the nation at the 1999 South American Under-17 Football Championship.

Motta missed the 2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament due to injuries,[35] but appeared for the U23 team in November 2003 against Santos FC.[36] Subsequently, there were claims that he wanted to be called up for Italy and possibly to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as he possessed dual nationality – his paternal grandfather being Italian.[37] His great-grandfather, Fortunato Fogagnolo, left for South America from Polesella in the early 1900s.[38] FIFA granted players to have one chance to change their representing nation if they had dual nationality, but not for players who have already played in a competitive "A" match (non-friendly).[39]

File:Thiago Motta injury Euro 2012 final.jpg
Motta leaving the field during the Euro 2012 final.

On 6 February 2011 Motta received his first call-up from Italy, for a friendly against Germany, but an official statement from the Italian Football Federation declared it subject to FIFA clearance,[40] which was granted two days later;[41] he was replaced in the 63rd minute of the 1–1 draw by Alberto Aquilani.

On 25 March 2011, in only his second international, a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier in Slovenia, Motta scored the game's only goal, following a 73rd-minute combination with Federico Balzaretti.[42] He was selected to the finals in Poland and Ukraine, starting in three group stage matches for the Azzurri and adding two substitute appearances, against Germany in the semifinals (2–1 win) and Spain in the final: in the decisive match, after having again replaced Riccardo Montolivo, in the 55th minute, he suffered a hamstring injury after only five minutes and had to be himself carried off, leaving his team with ten players – he was the third player brought in by manager Cesare Prandelli – in an eventual 0–4 loss.[43]

Motta was named in a 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on 13 May,[44] and also made the final list. He played his first-ever game in the tournament at the age of nearly 32, coming on in the 57th minute of the 2–1 group stage win over England.[45]

On 31 May 2016, Motta was named to Antonio Conte's 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2016, and was handed the number 10 shirt.[46]

Style of play

A combative and experienced player, Motta is usually deployed as either a defensive or central midfielder, but he is capable of playing in various other midfield positions due to his tactical intelligence and versatility.[47][48] In the Italian national team, under Prandelli, he was on occasion deployed as a deep-lying playmaker or an attacking midfielder, due to his ability to set the tempo of his team's play in midfield with his passing.[48][49][50][51][52] His most prominent traits are his ball control, vision and passing range, although he has also been praised for his tackling, ability to read the game, and consistent defensive attributes as a ball winner.[47][51][52][53] Due to his physical strength and heading accuracy, he excels in the air,[47][53] and also possesses a powerful long-range shot.[47] Despite his skills, he has also been criticised for his aggression on the pitch, and for his lack of pace.[47][52]

Statistics

Club

As of 28 February 2016[54][55]
Club Season League Cup [nb 1] League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona
2001–02 18 1 0 0 — 7[lower-alpha 1] 0 — 25 1
2002–03 21 3 0 0 — 13[lower-alpha 1] 2 — 34 5
2003–04 20 1 0 0 — 5[lower-alpha 2] 1 — 25 2
2004–05 8 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 8 0
2005–06 15 1 0 0 — 7[lower-alpha 1] 0 0 0 22 1
2006–07 14 0 2 0 — 7[lower-alpha 3] 0 2[lower-alpha 4] 0 25 0
Total 96 6 2 0 — 39 3 2 0 139 9
Atlético Madrid
2007–08 6 0 0 0 — 2[lower-alpha 2] 0 — 8 0
Total 6 0 0 0 — 2 0 — 8 0
Genoa
2008–09 27 6 0 0 — — — 27 6
Total 27 6 0 0 — — — 27 6
Internazionale
2009–10 26 4 5 0 — 8[lower-alpha 1] 0 1[lower-alpha 5] 0 40 4
2010–11 19 4 3 0 — 5[lower-alpha 1] 1 2[lower-alpha 6] 0 29 5
2011–12 10 3 1 0 — 2[lower-alpha 1] 0 1[lower-alpha 5] 0 14 3
Total 55 11 9 0 — 15 1 4 0 83 12
Paris Saint-Germain
2011–12 14 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 16 2
2012–13 12 1 1 0 0 0 2[lower-alpha 1] 0 — 15 1
2013–14 32 3 2 1 3 0 9[lower-alpha 1] 2 1[lower-alpha 7] 0 47 6
2014–15 27 0 2 0 2 0 6[lower-alpha 1] 0 1[lower-alpha 7] 0 38 0
2015–16 26 1 1 0 1 0 5[lower-alpha 1] 0 1[lower-alpha 7] 0 33 1
Total 111 7 10 1 6 0 22 2 2 0 151 10
Career totals 293 30 20 1 6 0 78 6 8 0 408 37
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 All appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 All appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. ↑ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Super Cup
  4. ↑ All appearances in Supercopa de España
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana
  6. ↑ Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Appearance in Trophée des Champions

International

As of 29 March 2016[56]
Brazil
Year Apps Goals
2003 2 0
Total 2 0
Italy
Year Apps Goals
2011 6 1
2012 7 0
2013 5 0
2014 5 0
2015 0 0
2016 2 0
Total 25 1

Honours

[57]

Club

Barcelona
Internazionale
Paris Saint-Germain

Country

File:Funny Balotelli - Euro 2012.jpg
Motta, Mario Balotelli and Alessandro Diamanti in training at Euro 2012
Brazil
Italy

Individual

Notes

  1. ↑ Includes cup competitions such as Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia, and Coupe de France

References

  1. ↑ Second foot op for Motta; UEFA.com, 5 August 2005
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Police probe Celtic scuffle; BBC Sport, 12 March 2004
  5. ↑ Motta misfortune hits Barça; UEFA.com, 12 September 2004
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Redknapp unsure over Motta; Football.co, 29 August 2008
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Genoa CFC report and accounts on 31 December 2009 (Italian) Require purchase in CCIAA
  14. ↑ FC Internazionale Milano report and accounts on 30 June 2009 (Italian) Require purchase in CCIAA
  15. ↑ FC Internazionale Milano report and accounts on 30 June 2010 (Italian) Require purchase in CCIAA
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Paris Saint-Germain 6–1 Sochaux; ESPN Soccernet, 22 April 2012
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Seleção Brasileira Restritiva (Brazilian National Restrictive Team) 2000–2003; RSSSF Brasil
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Thiago Motta at ESPN FC
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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