This page highlights the top 10 stickers from the Panini Calciatori 2002-2003 album, chosen for their significance to collectors in terms of both monetary value and sentiment.
The 2002/03 Serie A season was marked by intense competition among top Italian clubs. Juventus clinched the title with a strong performance, led by players like Alessandro Del Piero (16 goals) and Pavel Nedved. AC Milan and Inter Milan also had formidable squads, with players like Andrea Pirlo and Christian Vieri showcasing their talents.
What stickers will this set give us? Let’s get into the top 10!
10 – Franco Brienza Rookie Sticker – #466
Franco Brienza was an Italian footballer known for his versatility and technical ability on the field. Primarily operating as an attacking midfielder or winger, Brienza possessed excellent dribbling skills, vision, and creativity, allowing him to unlock defences and create goal-scoring opportunities for his team.
Brienza has what is popularly know as a cultured left foot, capable of scoring incredible goals from distance. In 2005, Franco was called up to the Italian National Team, but he only managed two caps. Brienza played for many different teams throughout Italy and has been a goal threat from midfield.
Not a huge player to begin our list, but I think Brienza is an interesting rookie sticker to pick up.
9 – Adriano – #299 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Campeonato Brasileiro 2000
Adriano possessed remarkable strength and agility, making him a formidable presence in the opposition box. His playing style was characterised by his ability to hold up the ball, shield it from defenders, and unleash thunderous shots.
During the 2002/03 season, Adriano played for Parma in Serie A. It was a breakout season for the Brazilian striker as he showcased his goal-scoring prowess, finishing as one of the top scorers in the league with 15 goals. Adriano would go on to earn a move to Inter Milan where he would go onto become one of the world’s most feared strikers. Anyone reading who played Pre Evolution Soccer will be very familiar with how scary this guy was with his 99 shot power!
Most will know Adriano maybe had one of the biggest falls from grace in football history. That being said, his younger years showed us how far he could have gone!
8 – Christian Vieri – #174 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Calciatori 1992/1993
Vieri possessed a powerful physique which he used to dominate defenders in the box. He has a knack for scoring goals with both feet and his head, making him a complete striker. Combined with his world class holding up of the ball, it made Vieri a true number 9!
During the 2002/03 season, Vieri played for Inter Milan in Serie A. It was a successful season for the prolific forward as he continued to showcase his goal-scoring prowess. Vieri’s ability to time his runs, find space in the box, and convert crosses with precision made him a constant threat to opposing defences. His aerial prowess allowed him to win duels against taller defenders and score numerous goals from headers. He finished the campaign with 24 goals, the leagues top scorer!
7 – Andrea Cossu Rookie Sticker – #611
Andrea Cossu was an Italian midfielder known for his creativity, vision, and technical ability on the ball. He primarily operated as an attacking midfielder but could also play on the wings. Cossu possessed excellent dribbling skills, close ball control, and the ability to pick out incisive passes to unlock opposition defences.
His play relied on his intelligence on the field, often finding pockets of space between the lines to receive the ball and dictate the tempo of the game. He played his best football for Cagliari, amassing 257 appearances. Often deployed behind the striker to act as the teams main creator.
Cossu finished his career with 2 caps for Italy. If there are collectors like like to pick up creative players, Cossu’s rookie sticker could be a nice choice.
6 – Rolando Bianchi Rookie Sticker – #21
Rolando Bianchi was a striker known for his goal-scoring prowess and intelligent movement in the box. Bianchi possessed good aerial ability and was adept at positioning himself to capitalise on scoring opportunities. He performed the poacher role, specialising in movement and finishing.
His best football came at Torino after a short stint with Manchester City. He went on to score 71 league goals for Torino and established himself as one of the most reliable strikers in the Serie A.
Despite Bianchi’s excellent record for Italy U21, he never managed a call up to the National Team. Most likely a symptom of the quality Italy had in the striking department. If he was at the peak of his powers in 2024, I think he would make the Italian squad.
5 – Marco Borriello Rookie Sticker – #T27
Marco Borriello was known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and goal-scoring prowess. Borriello was a formidable presence in the box, using his strength and height to outmuscle defenders and win aerial duels. He possessed a keen sense of positioning inside the penalty area, often making well-timed runs to find space and get into goal-scoring positions.
Borriello had the ability to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play, as well as his proficiency in finishing chances with both feet and his head. Additionally, Borriello was adept at using his body to shield the ball from defenders and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
He was never a prolific goalscorer but has a very impression CV! Borriello went on to cap for Italy 7 times and played for big clubs such as AC Milan, AS Roma and Juventus. I think this is a nice rookie sticker to consider.
4 – Sergio Pellissier Rookie Sticker – #95
Sergio Pellissier is an Italian footballer well known for his versatility and longevity in Serie A, primarily playing as a forward. He possesses a well-rounded skill set, combining technical ability, intelligence, and physical presence on the field. Pellissier is adept at playing in various attacking roles, including as a striker, second striker, or attacking midfielder.
Pellissier’s playing style is characterised by his excellent positional sense and movement off the ball, allowing him to exploit spaces in the opposition defence and create goal-scoring opportunities. His physicality is he strongest attribute with his speed and athleticism giving him an advantage over his opponents.
Sergio is so high on the list because he is a Chievo legend! He played a whopping 517 matches for the Italian side, scoring 139 goals! Now that is a club legend!
3 – Sulley Muntari Rookie Sticker – #T94
Sulley Muntari is a Ghanaian footballer known for his versatility and dynamism in midfield. He possesses a strong physical presence, excellent ball-winning abilities, and a powerful long-range shot. Muntari is adept at playing in various midfield roles, including as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder, or box-to-box midfielder.
Muntari had tenacity, work rate, and ability to cover ground effectively, making him a formidable presence in midfield. Muntari is known for his aggressive tackling, interceptions, and ability to break up opposition attacks, providing defensive stability to his team. Additionally, he possesses good passing range and vision, allowing him to distribute the ball efficiently and initiate attacks from deep areas.
Sulley had a very impressive career in Italy playing for Udinese, Inter Milan and AC Milan. He also racked up 84 caps for Ghana scoring 20 goals from midfield! I think this one is an underrated rookie sticker.
2 – Angelo Palombo Rookie Sticker – #566
Angelo Palombo is an Italian footballer known for his intelligence, leadership, and defensive capabilities in midfield. He is a versatile player who can operate as a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder, providing stability and control to his team’s midfield.
He is adept at intercepting passes, breaking up opposition attacks, and initiating counter-attacks with his accurate distribution. Palombo is also known for his tenacity in challenges and his willingness to put in hard tackles when needed.
Palombo was a charismatic leader for Sampdoria. He was at the club from 2002 to 2017 and was their captain. He also capped for Italy 22 times, which is a huge achievement given the quality Italy has in the defensive midfield department.
I personally love this sticker. I think there needs to be more apperciation for clubs legends like Palombo. Players like Mark Nobel come to mind.
1 – Shunsuke Nakamura Rookie Sticker – #366
Shunsuke Nakamura is the best rookie sticker in Panini Calciatori 2002-2003.
Nakamura is known for his exceptional skill as a midfielder, particularly his precision and technique in taking free kicks. He has a unique ability to bend and curve the ball, often finding the back of the net with his free-kick strikes. He is commonly known as one of the greatest ever set-piece takers, capable of scoring goals from any position on the pitch.
Throughout his career, he has been admired for his technical proficiency, composure on the ball, and his knack for delivering crucial goals and assists for his teams. Most notable was his time at Celtic FC. He is a cult hero and still praised there today. He also racked up 98 appearances for Japan, scoring 24 goals.
This is a valuable rookie sticker. Loved all over the world for his skill on the dead ball. I definitely recommend getting this if you can!
Final Word
This was an interesting set to rank, in truth there wasn’t many strong rookies apart from Nakamura. Also interesting that none of the Juventus players made the cut despite them winning the championship. I would say this top 10 list gave voice to a lot of the unsung hero’s like Pellissier and Palombo. Club legends should be recognised!
Thanks for reading.
