Fabrizio Ravanelli

2.1. Early career in Italy

Ravanelli began his professional club career with his hometown club Perugia in 1986. He made his senior debut in the Serie C2 at the age of 18. During the 1986-87 season, he made 26 appearances and scored 5 goals. The following season, 1987-88, he significantly improved his goal-scoring record, netting 23 goals in 32 matches and becoming the league's top scorer. In the 1988-89 season, Perugia was promoted to Serie B, where Ravanelli continued his strong form, scoring 13 goals in 32 appearances. During this period, he played alongside Angelo Di Livio, who frequently provided him with assists.

In 1989, Ravanelli moved to Avellino, also in Serie B, but his spell was brief and less successful, with 7 appearances and no goals. Later that year, he was loaned to Casertana in Serie C1, where he found his scoring touch again, registering 12 goals in 27 matches. In 1990, he joined Reggiana in Serie B, spending two seasons there. In 1990-91, he scored 16 goals, helping the team come close to Serie A promotion. Although his goal tally decreased to 8 in 32 matches in the 1991-92 season, his performances caught the attention of Juventus, a club he had admired since childhood.

2.2. Juventus

Ravanelli joined Juventus in 1992, fulfilling a childhood dream. At the club, he formed a formidable attacking partnership with players such as Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli, Paolo Di Canio, Pierluigi Casiraghi, Andreas Möller, and Alessandro Del Piero. He was affectionately known as 'The White Feather' (Penna Bianca^Italian) due to his prematurely white hair, a nickname previously associated with former Juventus legend Roberto Bettega. He was also known as 'Silver Fox'.

Initially, Ravanelli struggled for a starting spot under manager Giovanni Trapattoni due to intense competition from other strikers. However, he eventually broke into the main lineup. In his first season, 1992-93, he scored 9 goals in 33 official matches and contributed to Juventus winning the UEFA Cup. In the 1993-94 season, following Casiraghi's departure, Ravanelli saw increased playing time, scoring 12 goals in 38 official appearances.

Under manager Marcello Lippi in the 1994-95 season, Ravanelli played a crucial role in an attacking trident alongside Vialli, and either Baggio or Del Piero, as the club achieved a domestic double. He scored 15 league goals, second only to Vialli's 19, contributing significantly to Juventus winning the Serie A title. He was also the top scorer in the Coppa Italia with 6 goals, including one in the final's second leg against Parma, as Juventus secured the trophy. This season, he was the team's highest scorer with 30 goals across all competitions. On 27 September 1994, he famously scored all five goals for Juventus in a 5 1 victory over CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Cup. His impressive performances in 1995 led to him being ranked 12th in the Ballon d'Or standings.

In the 1995-96 season, Ravanelli was the team's top scorer with 18 goals. He notably scored the opening goal for Juventus in the 1996 UEFA Champions League Final against Ajax at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Although Ajax later equalized, Juventus ultimately won the match through a penalty shootout, securing the UEFA Champions League title. In total, Ravanelli made 160 appearances for Juventus, scoring 69 goals, before the club decided to sell him.

2.3. Middlesbrough

In 1996, Fabrizio Ravanelli transferred to Premier League club Middlesbrough under manager Bryan Robson for a fee of 7.00 M GBP, which was the third-highest transfer fee in British history at the time. He made an immediate and significant impact, scoring a hat-trick on his league debut against Liverpool on the opening day of the 1996-97 season.

Despite Ravanelli being one of the league's top scorers, Middlesbrough faced relegation to the First Division in his first year. Nevertheless, he played a crucial role in helping the club reach the final of both domestic cup competitions that season. He started in the FA Cup Final, where Middlesbrough lost 0 2 to Chelsea. He also featured in the League Cup Final against Leicester City, scoring the first goal in the initial meeting, only for Emile Heskey to equalize, leading to a replay which Leicester won 1 0.

Ravanelli's time at Middlesbrough was also marked by controversy. Despite being the highest-paid footballer in the Premier League at the time, he frequently complained and criticized the club's training regime, facilities, and even the town itself, which led to a strained relationship with his teammates and fans. During his tenure, he resided in the small North Yorkshire village of Hutton Rudby, a place where several other notable Middlesbrough football figures, including Paul Merson and Gordon McQueen, also lived.

2.4. Marseille

Following Middlesbrough's relegation, Ravanelli moved to French club Marseille. He chose to play for Marseille despite receiving an offer from Tottenham Hotspur. In the 1998-99 season, Marseille finished as runners-up in Ligue 1 (then French Division 1), just one point behind champions Bordeaux. The following season, Olympique de Marseille participated in the 1999-2000 UEFA Champions League, with Ravanelli scoring one goal against Sturm Graz at the Stade Vélodrome. Over his two-and-a-half seasons with Marseille, he made 84 appearances and scored 31 goals. He also helped the club reach the UEFA Cup final in 1999, where they were defeated by Parma.

2.5. Lazio

In December 1999, Fabrizio Ravanelli returned to Italy, signing with Lazio. Although he often played as a reserve player during this period, he added more major titles to his collection. Lazio ended the 1999-2000 season as Serie A champions, securing Ravanelli's second Scudetto. The club also won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. In his two seasons with Lazio, Ravanelli made 42 appearances and scored 10 goals.

2.6. Derby County

In July 2001, Fabrizio Ravanelli joined English club Derby County on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal. However, despite his contributions, he was unable to prevent the club's relegation from the Premier League in 2002. Derby County subsequently faced significant financial problems, which led to the club deferring Ravanelli's wage payments. These deferred payments were reportedly paid out over several years after his departure.

2.7. Dundee

After his contract with Derby County ended, Ravanelli moved to Scottish club Dundee in 2003. His spell in Scottish football was brief, and he was released after the club decided to cut costs by releasing their highest earners. Ravanelli only scored in one game for Dundee: a Scottish League Cup match against Clyde, where he remarkably scored a hat-trick. He made 5 league appearances for the club without scoring.

2.8. Return to Perugia

In 2004, Ravanelli returned to Italy to finish his playing career with his hometown club, Perugia, the same club where he began his professional journey. This return fulfilled a promise he had made to his late father. His primary aim was to help save the club from relegation from Serie A. Despite his efforts, Perugia was unable to avoid relegation that season. He remained with the team for the subsequent Serie B season and retired from professional football at the age of 36 after the 2004-05 season.

4.1. Style of play

Fabrizio Ravanelli was characterized as a quick, dynamic, physically strong, and hardworking left-footed striker. He possessed a notable temperament and was known for his keen eye for goal. Beyond his offensive prowess, Ravanelli was recognized for his high energy and significant defensive contribution, often dropping back into deeper positions to help his team regain possession.

While not initially considered the most naturally talented or skillful player, he substantially improved his technique and movement during his tenure at Juventus, where he solidified his reputation as a top-tier striker. He was a prolific goalscorer, adept in aerial duels, and capable of powerful and accurate shots. In addition to his ability to score goals himself, Ravanelli was also an effective team player, known for his link-up play. This, combined with his other attributes, made him a complete forward. His versatility allowed him to play in various supporting roles, including as a second striker or even a winger, where he often utilized his aerial ability to challenge for high balls and create scoring opportunities for other strikers through headed assists.

4.2. Goal celebrations

Fabrizio Ravanelli's signature goal celebration involved him pulling his shirt over his head and running across the field. This iconic celebration reportedly began on 7 March 1993, after he scored a goal in a match against Napoli, his first start for Juventus. He was a vocal opponent of the new FIFA regulation that prohibited players from removing their shirts during post-goal celebrations, a rule that penalized violators with a yellow card.

5.1. Juventus (youth team)

Fabrizio Ravanelli began his coaching career with the Juventus youth team. He officially joined the club's coaching staff in July 2011 and remained in this role until 2013, marking his initial foray into football management at the club where he enjoyed significant playing success.

5.2. Ajaccio

On 8 June 2013, Fabrizio Ravanelli was appointed as the new head coach of Ligue 1 club Ajaccio, signing a two-year contract. His tenure, however, was brief and challenging. On 2 November 2013, he was sacked from his position after the club suffered its fifth consecutive Ligue 1 defeat, a 3 1 home loss against Valenciennes. This result left Ajaccio in 19th position, second from bottom in the Ligue 1 standings, with a record of one win, four draws, and seven defeats in 12 league matches.

Alain Orsoni, the president of Ajaccio, expressed the difficulty of the decision, stating, "It is not an easy decision... I really appreciated Fabrizio Ravanelli, I really wanted it to work. I do not remember seeing a staff work that much, from morning till night without stopping. You know what football is like. If things are not going well, the only solution is to change the staff."

5.3. Arsenal Kyiv

On 22 June 2018, Fabrizio Ravanelli signed a contract to become the manager of Ukrainian Premier League club Arsenal Kyiv. However, his time with the club was also short-lived. On 22 September 2018, Ravanelli resigned from his post following a string of unsuccessful results.

6.1. Media career

Following his retirement from professional football, Fabrizio Ravanelli transitioned into a career in sports media. He worked as a football pundit and commentator for various prominent sports broadcasting outlets, including Sky Italia, Fox Sports, and Mediaset.

8.1. Club

8.2. International

Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ravanelli goal.

8.3. Managerial