The 2006/07 Serie A season in Italy was marred by controversy due to the Calciopoli scandal, which implicated several top clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Lazio, in match-fixing allegations – Juventus’ punishment resulted in relegation to the Serie B. By the end of the season Juventus had won the Serie B and automatic promotion to the Serie A and Inter Milan comprehensively won the Serie A title
This set is especially interesting because Panini decided to make the Serie B sticker regular individual stickers, rather than the usual double player stickers. Because one of the most followed teams in Italy (Juventus) was in the Serie B, Panini changed how the set would be designed.
With that in mind, let’s get into the top 10!
10 – Juan Manuel Vargas- #76 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Clausura 2005
Juan Manuel Vargas is renowned for his powerful left foot, which makes him a potent threat during set-piece situations, such as free-kicks and corners. His ability to deliver precise crosses and dangerous shots from various positions on the left side of the pitch sets him apart. His great left foot has given us many spectacular long shots for highlight reels!
Juan Manuel Vargas primarily operates as a left-sided midfielder or left-back, showcasing dynamic runs down the flank, and exceptional crossing ability. He often looks to push forward to support the attack, utilising his pace and dribbling skills to bypass opponents.
7 years in the Serie A is not bad at all! I think a nice sticker of his first season in Europe.
9 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic – #174 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Fotboll. Allsvenskan 2000
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, known for his physical presence, technical ability, and audacious skill, epitomizes the modern striker. His playing style combines strength, agility, and creativity. Ibrahimovic possesses remarkable ball control and dribbling skills for a player of his size, often using his strength to shield the ball from defenders while orchestrating attacks. His unique ability to score goals with both feet, his head, and from long distances makes him a versatile and lethal forward.
Zlatan moved to Inter following Juventus’ relegation to the Serie B. He hit the ground running, scoring 15 goals and leading Inter to the Serie A championship. Probably some of Zlatan’s best football and well worthy of making the top 10!
8 – Kaka – #260 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Campeonato Brasileiro 2002
Kaka, renowned for his exceptional dribbling skills, vision, and goal-scoring prowess. His playing style was characterized by his explosive pace, close ball control, and ability to orchestrate attacks from midfield. Kaka possessed a lethal combination of creativity and finishing ability, often cutting through defences with his precise passes or dribbling past opponents with ease.
It was another great season for Kaka as he was at his devastating best. In truth it was a poor season for AC Milan in the Serie A but it was their UCL title that turned their year around. In the UCL campaign, Kaka was the top scorer with 10 goals and was close to unplayable!
7 – Ignazio Abate Rookie Sticker – #645
Ignazio Abate is an Italian former professional footballer known for his versatility and athleticism, primarily playing as a right-back. He had incredible speed, agility, and stamina, which made him a potent threat on the right flank.
Abate possessed excellent defensive capabilities, often using his pace to track back and recover possession effectively. This was made possible because of his blistering pace.Offensively, Abate was known for his overlapping runs, providing width and support in attack. His pace allowed him to stretch defences and create space for his teammates.
While an AC Milan player and youth product, in the 2006/07 season, played all the league matches while on loan at Modena. Abate made it to the AC Milan first team in 2009 and went on to feature 306 times for the Italian giants!
Milan collectors need this rookie sticker!
6 – Pablo Osvaldo Rookie Sticker – #615
Pablo Osvaldo was an Argentine-Italian striker known for his physicality, technical skill, and eye for goal. He possessed excellent ball control and dribbling ability, often using his strength to hold off defenders and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Osvaldo was also proficient in the air, with a keen sense of positioning and timing that made him dangerous during set-piece situations. His powerful and accurate shooting from various angles and distances made him a constant threat in front of goal. Osvaldo had the ability to produce unexpected spectacular goals.
In the 2006/07 season, Osvaldo played for Lecce in Serie A, where he showcased his goal-scoring prowess and versatility as a forward. His formed earned him moves to Fiorentina, Bologna and Espanyol; eventually getting his big move to AS Roma – where he impressed.
Later in his career he didn’t produce the form he showed in his younger years. With an impressive list of teams played for (Juventus, Inter, Roma, Southampton and Boca) and goals fans will never forget, this is an iconic rookie sticker.
5 – Ronaldo – #A72 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Voetbal 1994/95
Everyone knows the quality of this man!
Renowned for his explosive pace, dribbling skills, and clinical finishing, Ronaldo possessed a unique blend of strength, agility, and technical ability. He had a low center of gravity that enabled him to change direction quickly, making him elusive and difficult for defenders to mark. Ronaldo’s acceleration and burst of speed allowed him to accelerate past opponents with ease, while his exceptional ball control and close control in tight spaces made him a formidable dribbler. His finishing ability was unmatched, characterised by powerful and accurate shots with both feet.
Here is his first sticker with AC Milan and unfortunately the start of his sharp decline. His injury history caught up top him but that takes nothing away from the player that most people believe to be the greatest ever striker.
4 – Francesco Totti – #350 – Rookie Sticker from Calciatori 1994/95
Francesco Totti, often referred to as the “King of Rome,” was a legendary Italian footballer who spent his entire professional career at AS Roma. Totti was renowned for his exceptional vision, creativity, and technical prowess, making him one of the most talented playmakers of his generation.
His playing style was characterized by exquisite dribbling skills, precise passing, and a deadly eye for goal. Totti possessed remarkable ball control and close control, allowing him to navigate through tight spaces and glide past defenders effortlessly. He had the ability to dictate the tempo of the game, orchestrating attacks with his intelligent movement and incisive passing.
In the 2006/07 season, Totti continued to be a driving force for AS Roma, leading the team with his leadership and offensive contributions. He was at his lethal best, scoring 26 league goals, winning the golden boot and helping Roma to a second place league finish.
Given Totti’s popularity and this being his best ever season in terms of goal production, this is a must have sticker!
3 – Alessandro Del Piero – #599 – Rookie sticker from Panini Calciatori 1992/93
Alessandro Del Piero was renowned for his elegant playing style and exceptional technical ability. As a forward, he possessed remarkable dribbling skills, close ball control, and precise finishing. Del Piero was known for his versatility, capable of playing as a central striker or in a withdrawn forward role behind the main striker. His vision and creativity allowed him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates, in addition to his prolific goal-scoring prowess.
One of the best to ever do it in a Juventus shirt, and probably to most reading, this is no surprise he’s on the list. What makes this sticker so interesting is that this is in the Serie B! Yes you read correctly the Serie B! This sticker stands as the second sticker Del Piero has in the Serie B, the first, all the way back to his rookie sticker with Padova!
Del Piero won the Serie B golden boot with 20 goals and led Juventus to the Serie B title. For history alone this is one of the top stickers!
2 – Edinson Cavani – #A77 – Rookie Sticker from 2006 Punta Ballena Goles Dobles y Triples
Edinson Cavani is a Uruguayan striker enowned for his exceptional work rate, physicality, and predatory instincts inside the box. His ability to hold up the ball, make intelligent runs, and finish chances with clinical precision makes him a deadly striker.
Cavani possesses remarkable aerial ability, making him a threat in the air during set-piece situations. He is also known for his tireless work ethic, often tracking back to contribute defensively and pressing opposition defenders relentlessly. Most of all, it is his world class off the ball movement that makes Cavani one of the world’s best strikers in his era.
In the 2006/07 season, Cavani was still in the early stages of his professional career, playing for Palermo, recently trasferred from Danubio FC in Uruguay’s Primera División. During this time, he began to showcase glimpses of his potential as a prolific goalscorer, displaying his knack for finding the back of the net with timely goals.
Cavani has gone onto become a regular goalscorer at huge clubs such as: Napoli, PSG, Manchester United, Valencia and Boca Juniors. One of the best rookie stickers in the 2000-2010 period!
1 – Marek Hamsik Rookie Sticker – #516
Marek Hamsik is the best Rookie Sticker in the Panini Calciatori 2006-2007 set.
Marek Hamsik, a Slovakian midfielder, is renowned for his versatility, vision, and goal-scoring prowess. His playing style is characterized by his exceptional passing range, intelligent movement off the ball, and ability to dictate the tempo of the game from midfield.
Hamsik possesses excellent technique, allowing him to control the flow of play and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He is also known for his tireless work rate, contributing both defensively and offensively. He has that knack for arriving in the area late to score goals from midfield. I would say similar to Frank Lampard
In the 2006/07 season, while playing for Brescia in Serie B, Hamsik showcased his talent as a promising young midfielder, scoring 10 goals. Hamsik’s performances garnered attention from top clubs, eventually leading to his move to Napoli, where he would go on to become a club icon and one of the most revered midfielders in Serie A history.
In terms of Napoli legends, Hamsik is only second to Diego Maradona! That is the best possible company a player can have and a testament to the great career Hamisk has had! it goes without saying, this is a big rookie sticker!
Summary
I really enjoyed making this top 10 given the historical significance of this year in Italian football. In truth not the strongest of sets, but I think the top 3 are really “must haves” for collectors!
How do you think I went? Comment below or get in contact on Instagram.
