The Top 10 – Panini Calciatori 1996-1997

David Di Michele was a talented forward known for his flair, versatility and technical skills. Primarily deployed as a forward or attacking midfielder, Di Michele showcased a unique playing style that combined flair, agility, and a keen eye for goal. He possessed excellent ball control and dribbling ability, making him a slippery opponent. He had a quick turn of pace and exceptional acceleration, which enabled him to burst past opponents. He was particularly dangerous from distance, capable of blasting long range curlers into the top bins!

The 1996/97 season was a breakthrough year for Di Michele, as he was establishing himself as a promising young talent in Italian football getting minutes at Foggia in the Serie B. In 1998 he was signed by Salernitana, who had just been promoted to the Serie A.

After impressive years at Salernitana (40 goals in 92 League matches), Di Michele signed for Udinese where he probably played his best football. A bit of a nomad, after Udinese, David played for Reggina, Palermo, Torino, West Ham, Lecce, Chievo, Reggiana and Lupa Roma.

He was never quite a superstar but always capable on something spectacular! He finished his career with 625 appearances and 172 goals. Furthermore, he was capped 6 times for Italy between 2005-2006. This was right before the World Cup win so he was competing with some top top forwards! Not a bad career if you ask me!

Filippo Inzaghi, also known as Pippo Inzaghi, was a prolific striker renowned for his poaching instincts, lethal finishing ability, and exceptional positioning in the penalty area. Inzaghi is known for sitting on the defenders shoulder to beat the offside trap, once through on goal, it was often converted into goals.

The 1996/97 season was one of Inzaghi’s most memorable campaigns. He finished as the top scorer in Serie A with 24 goals, winning the golden boot. The following season he was signed by Juventus!

In 2001 Pippo signed for AC Milan from Juve, and he would spend 11 seasons at the club, scoring 126 goals in all competitions. Inzaghi won 3 Serie A titles and well as 2 UCL titles – and don’t forget about the 2006 World Cup! This sticker marks the season of his best ever goal output. A nice one for an Italian icon.

Fabio Cannavaro was a legendary central defender known for his exceptional defensive skills, leadership, and tactical intelligence. Despite being relatively short for a center-back (standing at 175 cm), Cannavaro’s excellent positioning, anticipation, and aerial ability made him a formidable defender. He was also known for his strong tackling, quick pace, and ability to read the game effectively.

In the 1996/97 season, Cannavaro was in fine form and established himself as one of the top defenders in the league. His performances were crucial in helping Parma finish second in Serie A. It was a breakthrough season and an unexpectedly high finish for Parma!

Cannavaro is one of the most distinguished players in football and the only defender to win the Ballon d’Or (2006). Mainly due to his charismatic performances in the World Cup 2006, leading Italy to the title! He finished his career with 695 appearances and multiple titles.

Cristiano Zanetti was a solid and reliable central midfielder. He was known for his work rate, physicality, and versatility on the field. Zanetti was a tireless midfielder who’s main role was to break up the play and distribute the ball effectively on the transition. Zanetti could cover a large area of the pitch due to his stamina and endurance, complimented by exceptional work rate and relentless pressing, he was an effective ball-winning midfielder.

The 1996/97 season was an important period for Zanetti’s development as a player as it was the first season he got regular football. He was playing for Italian Serie B side Venezia and featured 27 times in the league.

Zanetti, not to be confused with Javier Zanetti (Inter legend), had a very impressive CV, playing for the like of AS Roma, Inter Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina. Additionally, he was capped 17 times for Italy, where they had an extremely strong midfield spine during his career (Pirlo, Gattuso, Perrotta, Ambrosini and De Rossi). He finished his career with 2 Serie A titles, 1 with Roma and 1 with Inter. An overlooked player and a pretty cool rookie sticker!

Alessandro Del Piero was an iconic forward known for his creativity, vision, and technical skill. He was renowned for his dribbling ability, precise passing, and exceptional free-kick taking. His ability to strike the ball was unrivalled, capable of scoring from literally anywhere in a variety of different ways!

During the 1996/97 Serie A season, Del Piero played a pivotal role in Juventus’ successful campaign, as the won the Serie A title. Incredibly, he was Juventus’ joint top scorer with only 8 goals! His contributions were critical in both domestic and European competitions. He was instrumental in their attack, providing key assists and scoring crucial goals. This era probably marks where Del Piero was at his creative best, where in the following season he would score 21 Serie A goals. Not long after, he would suffer a horrible injury where he would never be quite the same player.

Del Piero’s legacy is huge and could be Juventus’ greatest ever player! He spent 19 seasons with Juve, winning 6 Serie A titles and a UCL title! Any Del Piero sticker is highly sought after, and this one is no different!

Juan Sebastian Veron supremely talented creative midfielder! He was regarded as one of the most talented midfielders of his generation and possessed a wide range of skills that made him a complete player in the middle of the pitch. He defined by his exceptional passing ability, vision, and tactical intelligence. He had remarkable technical skills and was known for his precise and incisive passing, both over short distances and with long-range accuracy, allowing him to dictate the game.

The 1996/97 season saw Veron sign for Sampdoria, moving from Argentinian side Boca Juniors. He was a revelation in the Serie A, quickly becoming one of the best midfielders in the league. After two seasons he was signed in a mega money move to Parma, and 1 season after that, he signed in another mega money move to Lazio.

His best football was at Lazio, where he won the Serie A. He was signed by Manchester United, and began his European footballing downfall. For whatever reason, it didn’t click at United and he bounced around a couple clubs (Chelsea, Inter) before returning to boyhood club Estudiantes. One of the most talented midfielders of his generation, with a similar ending to Riquelme. Decided to move back home despite being far too good for the league. Sometimes footballers choose passion over money and ambition.

A really nice sticker which marks his first in Europe!

Hernan Crespo, one of Argentina’s greatest ever strikers, had a distinctive playing style that made him a potent and prolific goalscorer. Known for his intelligent movement, technical skills, and clinical finishing, Crespo was a true poacher in the box. He had a natural instinct for getting into promising areas, and often hitting the back of the net by head or foot.

The 1996/97 season was a significant one for Crespo as, like Veron, marked his first in Europe. Crespo vital role in Parma’s attacking line, helping Parma finish second, scoring 12 goals! During the initial 4 seasons he spent at Parma, he bagged 80 goals, before sealing a record move to Lazio – also like Veron.

Crespo has had an illustrious career playing for the like of River Plate, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Lazio, Parma, Genoa and Chelsea. Furthermore, he scored 35 in 64 caps for Argentina! For a long time I thought this was the Hernan Crespo Rookie Sticker, but actually it is from a 1995 set in Aregntina for River Plate. Nonethless, a really cool sticker!

Gianluigi Buffon, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, has consistently displayed exceptional skills, composure, and leadership throughout his career. Known for his agility, shot-stopping ability, commanding presence Buffon will be remembered for years to come!

The 1996/97 season was a breakout season for Buffon, as he cemented himself as the Parma first-choice goalie! Despite his young age, Buffon displayed remarkable composure and maturity beyond his years and was crucial in Parma’s title charge. Unfortunately, the finished second, just behind Juve.

Here his second year sticker, for more details on his career, visit my blog on Panini Calciatori 1995/96.

Pavel Nedved, a Czech football legend, was known for his exceptional technical skills, versatility, work rate, and incredible ability with both feet. He had a unique ability to glide past opponents with ease, using his quick feet and excellent balance. Furthermore, he had a deadly long shot, capable of leaving goalies dumbfounded! Nedved was deployed on the left side of midfield or through the middle. He was especially dangerous on the left as he could put in accurate crosses with his left foot, but could also cut inside and bury goals with his right.

The 1996/97 season big for Nedved as he joined Lazio from Sparta Prague, following his incredible Euros tournament. In his debut season in Serie A, Nedved made an immediate impact, having a fantastic season, scoring 7 goals from midfield! He was immediately a key player and was the driving force for Lazio for 5 seasons before signing for Juventus.

He spent 8 seasons at Juve and his a club icon! In his career, he won 3 Serie A titles, 1 with Lazio and 2 with Juve. 2003 was the biggest year of his career as he won the Ballon d’Or. I think controversially, as Thierry Henry should have won! But, that has nothing to with Pavel and he definitely had an amazing year!

He finished his career with 91 caps and as a Serie A legend. A huge sticker, making his first with a club!

Zidane, many believe, is the greatest ever midfielder to grace the game! He was known for his exceptional dribbling skills, often gliding past opponents effortlessly. Zidane had an exceptional first touch, which enabled him to bring the ball under control instantly and set himself up for further actions. One of Zidane’s defining traits was his playmaking ability. He possessed exceptional vision and passing range, often threading through balls or delivering pinpoint crosses. Zidane had an innate understanding of the game, and his ability to read the play and make split-second decisions made him a midfield maestro. Probably the best thing about Zidane is his ability to step up to the moment! He was truely a big game player, always showing up, often driving his teams to victory!

The 1996/97 season was a significant one for Zidane and Italy as he joined Juventus from Bordeaux. In his debut season with the Italian giants, Zidane made an immediate impact, helping the team secure the Serie A title! His performances were nothing short of exceptional, as he showcased his immense talent and became a key figure in Juventus’ midfield.

Many will know how big this guys career is, playing for Juventus and Real Madrid and bringing in big trophies! What comes to mind for me in the goal in the UCL final against Leverkusen and his double in the 1998 World Cup Final! What a player and what a greta sticker this is, his first at a big team in Europe!