Hello, everyone. In this series, I will share my XI of players that I view as underrated. This list will mainly include players I have seen before, so I won't be picking some random player who played alongside Pele or Maradona. This list will focus on players I have seen or I am very well-versed about along with the case of why they were picked. So, without further ado, let's get into today's player.
Gianluca Zambrotta
Zambrotta's name doesn't come up often when talking about the best right-back in the new century with names like Dani Alves, Lahm, and Cafu always taking up the top spot. To be completely honest, I don't think Zambrotta is on that level either, however, this is not my XI of players who are actually the best. You can think of this list as a list of the top 5 players in a position who aren't treated as such.
The reason Zambrotta is underrated, in my opinion, is his mistiming of transfers. Zambrotta left Juventus after the club got relegated, according to him and many claim it wasn't his fault as the club needed the money, but it still deprived him of that popular club fans' backing that was granted to Buffon, Del Piero, and even Chiellini. He also, left for Barcelona in 2006, which is the dark period between past glory and the Pep era, Pep's decision with him was of course to sell him to Milan. This is why you won't see his name mentioned a lot, as he never really built his name to a fanbase.
One of Zambrotta's most underrated qualities is his remarkable versatility. Over the course of his career, he displayed an ability to seamlessly transition between different positions on the pitch. Starting as a midfielder, he later excelled as a full-back, showcasing his adaptability and footballing intelligence. Zambrotta's versatility allowed coaches to deploy him strategically, making him an invaluable asset to any team.
Zambrotta's defensive capabilities were truly exceptional. As a full-back, he demonstrated a perfect blend of tactical awareness, precise tackling, and exceptional positional play. His defensive prowess played a crucial role in thwarting opposition attacks and securing the backline. Zambrotta's commitment to defensive duties often went unnoticed, overshadowed by the glamour associated with attacking players.
Zambrotta's versatility is insane for one player, especially when realizing that he was great in all of the positions he played, he was a right-back, left-back, wing-back, side midfielder, and even midfielder under Ancelotti at certain times. He always showed up and always found himself a place in the team, even when he was surrounded by players who were deemed better at his position, namely Lilian Thuram at Juventus for example. Think of how good Cancelo was for a few years, that's how good Zambrotta was most of his career.
Zambrotta's impact on the Italian national team during their triumph in the 2006 FIFA World Cup is a testament to his underrated brilliance. Playing a pivotal role as a full-back, he contributed significantly to Italy's defensive solidity throughout the tournament. Zambrotta's performances played a crucial role in Italy's success, yet his contributions tend to be overshadowed by the heroics of the goalkeepers and goal scorers.
Gianluca Zambrotta stands as a prime example of an underrated footballing genius. His versatility, defensive prowess, contributions to Italy's World Cup success, technical proficiency, and success at top clubs are aspects of his career that deserve recognition. As football enthusiasts reflect on the legends of the sport, Zambrotta's name should be rightfully included among the unsung heroes who played a crucial role in shaping the beautiful game.