Massimo Ambrosini (born May 29, 1977 in Pesaro) is an Italian footballer who plays for A.C. Milan as a defensive midfielder. He is a hardworking player, who took time to break into the AC Milan ranks.
He made his international debut in April 1999 against Croatia and was part of the Italian squad at the 2000 Summer Olympics and at Template:Ec2, which ended with an appearance as a substitute in the final loss to France. Ambrosini was unavailable for selection for the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals through injury and then failed to break into the squad for the Template:Ec2 finals.
Ambrosini began his career with Serie B side A.C. Cesena and graduated to their first team at the age of 17 during the 1994/95 season. A.C. Milan coach Fabio Capello then won the race to sign him the following year, and despite facing tough competition to break into the all-star Milan side, Ambrosini was given a handful of games as the team romped to the Serie A championship. Only used marginally more in 1996/97, Ambrosini was sent on loan to Vicenza, where he was a key member of the team that successfully preserved their Serie A status. Recalled to the San Siro, Ambrosini at last made a first-team place his own as Milan won back the Serie A championship in 1999. A regular the following term, he then saw his chances limited by a troublesome knee injury before returning to full fitness to help Milan win the Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League, where he replaced Rui Costa in the 87th minute at Old Trafford.
In 2003/04, although unable to establish himself as a first-team starter due to a series of niggling injuries and a loss of form, Ambrosini made twenty Serie A appearances - predominantly as a substitute - as Milan captured their 17th Serie A championship. In March 2005, he renewed his contract at the San Siro, committing himself until June 2008.
Did you know?
Ambrosini also likes American football. Currently, he is engaged to his girlfriend named Micaela. The Italian magazine Tuttosport praised him as the "Milan captain of the game, the soul of the midfield" for his appearance in the first leg of the 2003 Coppa Italia, A.S. Roma vs. A.C. Milan.