Calciatori is my favourite of all the Panini sets! This set hosts some amazing stickers from the golden area of Italian football, the 90’s. The top 10 listed considers the sticker’s value and collectability. Also, because attacking players tend to be more popular they have more value to collectors; this influences the rankings. I have decided to let rookie stickers take precedence over some of the big names because these lists would be pretty boring if we saw the same players all the time. This isn’t a hard and fast rule and sometimes there are exceptions.
Time to get into the list!
The Panini Calciatori 1992-1993 Complete Album
10 – Christian Panucci Rookie Sticker – #157
A very reliable right-back; Christian Panucci had a very good career. He amassed 57 caps and played for big teams such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, Inter and Roma. He was at Roma the longest and played for the Giallorossi 226 times. Panucci was a quick, strong, competitive, and versatile player. Typical of your classic Italian fullback with a focus on defence first.
Here is his rookie sticker at Genoa. His performances this campaign earned him a move to AC Milan. I think this is an interesting piece; I am always happy when defenders can make this list!
9 – Paolo Montero Rookie Sticker – #64
Montero was a monster defender and one of the Juventus greats! He won the scudetto 4 times at Juve and was a key figure and the team. The central defender formed partnerships with the likes of Cannavaro, Thuram, Ferrera, Tudor and Legrottaglie.
Montero played in 3 champions league finals and, unfortunately for him, lost them all! Paolo was a calm and skilful defender and, in his prime, was considered among the best in the world.
He was capped for Uruguay 61 times and was named their captain late in his career.
A great rookie sticker and a must have for Juventus collectors!
8 – Marco van Basten – #220 – Final League Sticker – Rookie Sticker from Panini Voetbal 1981/82
Not much justification need here, van Basten was an absolute beast! Unfortunately, his career was cut short at the age of 28 because due to injuries, and this is his last sticker.
His goal record was astonishing, especially for his era, known for its rock solid defences, especially in Italy. For Ajax he scored 128 goals in 133 games and for Milan he scored 91 in 158 (League games).
These lists highly favour rookies but it would be straight disrespect to leave Marco off this list in his final season. Imagine the numbers he would have put up if he didn’t get injured!
7 – Luigi Di Biagio Rookie Sticker – #130
Di Biagio racked up over 100 appearances for both Roma and Inter. In the late 90s he was considered one of the best central midfielders in the world! He was a key play for Italy in the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship.
Di Biagio was a combative defensive midfielder who excelled at winning the ball and driving the team forward on counter attacks. A very aggressive player and is equal 2nd for the most red cards in Serie A history. Towards the end of his career he played the sweeper role for Brescia; I think this is a testament to his tactical intelligence on the field.
As a modern comparison, I would say Gattuso would be a good pick.
6 – Sinisa Mihajlovic – #286 – Rookie Sticker from Decje Novine Fudbal 1990-1991
If you have never seen this man’s free-kicks, I suggest you go to Youtube immediately! One of the greatest set-piece takers in history, Mihajlović is definitely an icon! He currently holds the record for the most free-kick goals in Serie A history (28).
He started off his career as a midfielder but was moved to a central defence sweeper role and he excelled. His intelligence and technical ability to hit perfect diagonals made him ideal for the position. Think of a David Luiz that was better at dead-balls with a more impressive passing range.
Mihajlović spent his most successful years at Samporia and Lazio, where he first got moved into the sweeper role. He represented both sides over 100 times. He had 63 caps scoring 10 goals for Yugoslavia, which later was Serbia.
At the age of 35 he moved to Inter and won himself a Serie A title!
Sadly, he has passed away. I made a tribute video below.
5 – Enrico Chiesa Rookie Sticker – #311
Enrico, the father of Juventus star Federico, was a prolific goal scorer for multiple Italian clubs. In his Italian footballing career (league games) he amassed a whopping 171 goals! Playing anywhere along the frontline and usually in the central role, Cheisa was a quick, strong, hardworking, and elegant player.
His most successful spell came at Parma where he won the UEFA Cup and the Copa Italia in the 1998/99 season. That year he was the top scorer in the UEFA Cup with 8 goals.
Chiesa, like many others, had problems with injuries and this definitely hampered his career. Very much a journeyman, Chiesa played for 10 Italian clubs. A very much loved and respected player in Italy and, I think, very deserving of the 5th place on this list. Especially because this is his rookie sticker.
4 – Faustino Asprilla Rookie Sticker – #256
Faustino Asprilla was one of the most exciting players to watch play! He was never the most prolific goal scorer but his flair an unpredictability made him a nightmare to defend. Despite being inconsistent, when he turned it on he could do it all. Hugely popular in Colombia and considered by some as one of their best ever players.
He was given the nickname “il polipo” (the octopus) because of his long legs and unpredictability. I personally don’t think Aprilla is the 4th best player on this list. He made this high ranking because of his spectacular goals and the joy he brought fans. In addition to this, his popularity in Colombia makes this a highly collected sticker!
3 – Roberto Baggio – #187 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Calciatori 1985/86
Not much explanation needed. Roberto Baggio is one of the all time great players! Baggio is one of the most collected players in history. This is no where near his rookie sticker but despite this, the demand for this sticker is very high.
For this reason, Baggio makes the number 3 position.
2 – Christian Vieri Rookie Sticker – #458
“Il Toro” (“The Bull”) was one of Italy’s greatest ever strikers. As the name suggest’s Vieri was an extremely physical player and very difficult to defend. Bobo was the perfect pivot striker, your archetypal number 9. Not only did he score loads of goals, he held up the ball and got others involved in the play. He has formed striking partnership with players such as Ronaldo, Crespo and Adriano.
His most success came with Inter, where he scored 103 goals in 143 Serie A matches. He was also prolific for the Italian national, side scoring 23 times in 49 caps; 9 of these goals were from the 1998 and 2002 World Cup’s.
Christian Vieri was named by Pelé as one of the 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004 and this rookie sticker’s value reflects that. Already a very expensive rookie sticker and I expect it to only go up in the future.
1 – Alessandro Del Piero Rookie Sticker – #442
Alessandro Del Piero is the best rookie sticker in Panini Calciatori 1992/92.
It would take a very special sticker to be ahead of Vieri’s rookie sticker, and Alessandro Del Piero is that special sticker! Here is Del Piero’s rookie sticker with Serie B side, Padova. Del Piero is one of the most loved players in history and maybe the most loved Italian footballer!
Maybe the greatest Juventus player of all time, playing 705 games, scoring 290 and assisting 134 (all competitions). Due to his creative style of play, eye for goal, flair, and technical skill, Del Piero was known as a “fantasista” in Italy. He was supremely technical and was one of the world’s best free kick specialist’s, known for his trademark curl and dip.
Del Piero has had a legendary career but it could have been greater. He suffered a horrific knee injury in 1998. He never quite got his dynamism back after this injury. Of course, he was still a class above most players but before this injury, he was on fire. Similar with Ronaldo (R9), Del Piero is a case of “what if”.
This rookie sticker is in my top 10 of all time! I once had this sticker but I had to sell because of financial difficulties. I hope to one day get the amazing sticker again, it is not cheap!
Watch Del Piero’s goal in the 2006 World Cup to put Germany to the sword.
Del Piero’s Career in Stickers!
Honourable Mentions
This great set has a long list of mentions!
Hagi, Francescoli, Batistuta, Sammer, Muzzi(rookie), Gascoigne, Maldini, Zola, Di Canio, Bergomi, Shalimov, Schillaci, Peruzzi, Dino Baggio, Conte, Vialli, Möller, Platt, Fuser, Signori, Tassotti, Costacurta, Baresi(Both), Rijkaard, Gullit, Papin, Ferrara, Careca, Carbone, Hässler, Aldair, Ravanelli, Jugovic, Mancini, Scifo, Sensini, Bierhoff and Türkyilmaz
I am sure I would have missed a few, but you get the idea. This set is absolutely loaded!
Final Word
I had a great time assembling this list and found it very difficult to come with a final 10. The 10 chosen aren’t necessarily the best 10 players but more a ranking of collectible value. There were some mega names left out, so I can appreciate if people take umbrage to the list!
In summary a super set! Two of Italy’s best ever attackers are the top 2 rookies on the list; not often that happens!
Thanks for reading. Comment your thoughts below!
Great article! One of the best in the website!
Thanks for reading ????