The 2009–10 Serie A season saw Inter Milan emerge as champions, securing their fifth consecutive Scudetto! Under manager José Mourinho, Inter had a strong defensive record and a clinical attack particularly from Diego Milito, Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o who were key to their success. Inter’s success was part of their historic treble that season, as they went on to win the Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League, making the 2009-10 season one of the most iconic in the club’s history!
I’m very excited to review the Panini Calciatori 2009-2010 collection.
Let’s get into the Top 10!
10 – Adem Ljajic Rookie Sticker – #A27

Adem Ljajić was a Serbian attacking midfielder and winger known for his technical ability, dribbling, and creativity. He was a skillful playmaker who deployed anywhere along the front 3. Ljajic had excellent ball control, quick feet, and the flair to beat his man. He was an intelligent player with good vision, capable of providing key passes and creating scoring opportunities for teammates.
Despite his talent, consistency was sometimes an issue, as he could drift in and out of games. However, when in form, he was a dynamic and unpredictable attacker. He played for several other Serie A clubs, including Fiorentina, Roma, Inter Milan, and Torino, and was an important player for the Serbian National Team, with 9 goals in 47 caps.
9 – Emanuele Giaccherini Rookie Sticker – #529

Emanuele Giaccherini was an energetic midfielder known for his versatility, work rate, and tactical intelligence. He could play as a winger, attacking midfielder, or central midfielder, making him a valuable asset in various tactical systems.
Giaccherini’s playstyle shaped by his high energy, quick movement, and ability to exploit spaces. Despite his small stature, he was a dynamic player with excellent dribbling skills and agility, making him a slippery player to mark. He was also a disciplined player who contributed defensively, pressing opponents and tracking back when needed.
His technical ability, combined with his relentless work ethic, made him a favourite of Antonio Conte. He played for Conte at Cesena and Juventus. He also played a key role for Conte’s Italy in Euro 2016 playing as the left wing back in the 352 system.
8 – David Beckham – #A52 – Rookie Sticker from Merlins Premier League 1995/96

David Beckham was a legendary English midfielder known for his exceptional passing, crossing, and free-kicks. He primarily played as a right midfielder in the 442 era but could also operate centrally, using his vision and technique to dictate play.
Beckham’s pinpoint accuracy on long passes and crosses was possibly the best the world has seen! He had an outstanding ability to deliver dangerous balls into the box from deep wide areas, making him one of the best crossers in football history! His free-kick technique, featuring his signature curling strikes, was one of his most iconic traits.
Beckham had incredible work rate, intelligence, and leadership. His ability to control the tempo of the game and provide decisive assists made him a key player for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. He was also a crucial figure for the England National Team, captaining them for several years and delivering memorable moments, including his legendary last-minute free kick against Greece to secure qualification for the 2002 World Cup!
7 – Emmanuel Badu Rookie Sticker – #A79

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu was a Ghanaian midfielder known for his energy, physicality, and box-to-box playing style. He primarily played as a central or defensive midfielder. Badu had strong tackling, unlimited stamina, and ability to break up opposition attacks. He was a tenacious ball-winner who covered a lot of ground, making him an essential player on the transition.
He spent the best years of his career at Udinese, where he became a key player in Serie A. He spent 10 years with Udinese and helped the club with some of their best ever Serie A seasons. He was also an important figure for the Ghana national team, playing in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2014 World Cup. He was capped 78 times scoring 11 times.
6 – Antonio Di Natale – #477 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Calciatori 1999/2000

Antonio Di Natale was an iconic forward known for his exceptional finishing, intelligent movement, and technical skill. He primarily played as a striker or second forward, using his agility and sharp instincts to find space and score goals. Di Natale had clinical finishing, quick dribbling, and ability to score from almost any position. Despite not being the tallest or most physical striker, he compensated with excellent positioning, precise shooting, and creativity. He was particularly dangerous in one-on-one situations and had a knack for scoring spectacular goals, including volleys, long-range strikes!
A loyal club legend for Udinese, he became their all-time top scorer and was Serie A’s leading goalscorer in 2010/11 season with 29 goals. Despite receiving offers from bigger clubs, he remained at Udinese, leading them to European qualification multiple times. An amazing individual season lands the sticker in the 6th place!
5 – Marco Parolo Rookie Sticker & Ezequiel Schelotto Rookie Sticker – #529

Marco Parolo
Marco Parolo was a central midfielder known for his versatility, tactical intelligence, and work rate. He was a well-rounded player making him a good box-to-box option. Parolo had endless stamina which complimented his abaility to arrive in the box late, giving an attacking threat. He also had a strong shot from distance.
His best football cam with Lazio, where he spent 7 seasons. He won 1 Coppa Italia with Lazio and won 36 caps for the Italian National Team.
Ezequiel Schelotto
Ezequiel Schelotto was an Argentine-Italian winger and wing-back known for his speed, dribbling, and crossing ability. He was a dynamic wide player who could operate as a right midfielder, winger, or full-back.
Schelotto had the ability to get up and down the right flank all game. He offered endless overlapping runs and a decent cross to to go with it.
Ezequiel is a bit of a nomad, playing for many clubs, the most notable including Atalanta, Inter Milan, and Sporting CP. He also earned a call-up to the Italian national team in 2012, though he only made one appearance.
Parolo in this sticker holds the most weight collectability wise, but Schelotto is a nice bonus!
4 – Thiago Silva – #296 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Campeonato Brasileiro 2006

Thiago Silva is a legendary Brazilian central defender known for his exceptional defensive intelligence, composure, and leadership. He has been one of the most consistent and technically gifted center-backs of his generation. Silva’s game was shaped by his positioning, anticipation, and ability to read the game. Unlike defenders who rely purely on physicality, Thiago Silva uses his tactical awareness and sharp decision-making to intercept passes and shut down attacks before they become dangerous.
A key aspect of his game is his ability to play out from the back. He is comfortable on the ball, capable of making precise short and long passes to initiate attacks. His calmness under pressure makes him a perfect fit for possession-based teams.
He has had an ilustrious career thus far, and at the time of writing, is currently playing at boyhood club Fluminense. Thiago SIlva has played for huge clubs such as Milan, PSG and Chelsea, and has 8 league titles and a champions league! He has also been the best defender for Brazil in his generation, capping 113 times and winning the Copa America once.
This sticker marks his first in Europe and a big collectors piece!
3 – Wesley Sneijder – #211 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Voetbal 2003/04

Wesley Sneijder was a Dutch attacking midfielder known for his vision, passing ability, and powerful shooting. He was a classic No. 10 who dictated play from midfield, creating chances with his precise distribution. Sneijder’s playstyle was characterised by his superb technique, ability to control the tempo of a game, and lethal long-range shooting. He was an expert at delivering through balls, switching play, and finding teammates in dangerous positions. His set-piece ability, particularly from free kicks, was also a key weapon.
He played for top clubs like Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray, but his most iconic season came in 2010 with Inter, when he led the team to a historic treble under José Mourinho. This sticker marks that historic season! Sneijder was also a key figure for the Netherlands national team, playing a crucial role in their run to the 2010 World Cup final, where he was joint top scorer of the tournament.
Considering the season he had for club and country, as well as a 4th placed finish in the Ballon d’Or, this sticker is a really amazing one for the collection.
2 – Juan Cuadrado Rookie Sticker – #A78

Juan Cuadrado is a Colombian winger and wing-back known for his exceptional dribbling and explosive pace. He has been a dynamic presence on the wings because of his explosive acceleration, quick footwork, and flair. He excels in one-on-one situations, using his agility to torment defenders. Beyond his attacking qualities, Cuadrado is a hard-working player. In his early career he was more used as a wing back until he became more of a winger. His stamina and tactical discipline allow him to cover a lot of ground, making him a valuable asset in both offensive and defensive phases.
He has played for clubs such as Fiorentina, Chelsea, Inter, Atalanta and Juventus, where he became a key figure, especially in Juventus’ domestic dominance. He has also been a vital player for the Colombian National Team, featuring in multiple World Cups and Copa America tournaments with 114 caps!
A tough rookie sticker to find as its apart of the update set. One I am keen to add to my collection.
1 – Diego Milito – #215 – Rookie Sticker from DS Futbol Argentina 2001

Diego Milito was an Argentine striker known for his clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and composure under pressure. Milito was the ideal poacher, capable of finding pockets of space and burying goals.
Milito had sharp instincts, technical ability, and deadly finishing. He wasn’t the fastest striker, but his excellent positioning and off-the-ball movement allowed him to exploit defensive gaps effectively. He was also strong in hold-up play, linking up well with teammates.
Role in Inter’s 2010 Treble-Winning Season
Milito played a decisive role in Inter Milan’s historic treble-winning season (Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League) under José Mourinho in 2009–10. He was the team’s most crucial goal scorer, delivering in key moments:
- Coppa Italia Final: Scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Roma.
- Serie A Title Decider: Scored the winning goal against Siena on the final day, securing the Scudetto.
- Champions League Final: Scored both goals in the 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich, cementing his legacy as the hero of the treble.
In the 2009/10 season he scored a total of 25 goals in all competitions which isn’t Ronaldo/Messi numbers, but the weight of his goals were huge! In the major moments Milito was there to win Inter the silverware.
Considering the importance of competitions won and goals in those competitions have a huge impact on the Ballon d’Or rankings, it may surprise you to learn that Milito didn’t even make the 23 man shortlist for the award! An absolute disgrace in my opinion!
In any case, this sticker makes one of the greatest individual seasons in football history and a must for the collection!
Check out Diego Milito’s career in stickers!
See Milito’s 2nd goal in the UCL Final vs Bayern
Summary
Not the biggest collection for rookie stickers but a great one for some historic individual seasons. Not often a player nearly 10 years passed his rookie lands the top spot, but, in my opinion, Milito deserves it! Cesena was an unexpected team to pop up with 3 players making the list!
Thanks for reading!