Marco Amelia

2.1. Early career (Livorno and loan spells)

Amelia began his professional career as a youth product of AS Roma. In 2001, he left the Giallorossi to join Serie C1 club Livorno on a loan deal. During his first season with the Tuscan side, he made only one appearance. However, Livorno confirmed his transfer permanently in the 2002-03 season for 2.80 M EUR. This transfer was part of a larger deal that also saw Livorno acquire half of Giorgio Chiellini's registration rights for 3.10 M EUR. Following this, Amelia was promoted to a regular starting position by head coach Roberto Donadoni during the club's successful Serie B comeback campaign.

After establishing himself at Livorno, Amelia experienced two loan spells in Serie A. He first moved to Lecce for the 2003-04 season, making 13 appearances, and then briefly to Parma in 2004, where he did not make any league appearances. He returned to Livorno in June 2004 and became one of the team's mainstays. During this period, he also made his debut in European competition in the 2006-07 UEFA Cup. A memorable moment occurred in November 2006, when he scored an injury time header to secure a 1-1 draw against Partizan in the group stage.

2.2. Palermo

In July 2008, following Livorno's relegation to Serie B, Amelia transferred to Palermo for a fee of 6.00 M EUR. During his season with the club, he gained recognition for saving Ronaldinho's penalty in a 3-1 victory against Milan. However, he also faced criticism for failing to deal with a 49-yard strike from Giuseppe Mascara in the Derby di Sicilia, which resulted in a 0-4 home loss for Palermo.

2.3. Genoa

In August 2009, Amelia moved to Genoa as part of a player exchange deal that saw Rubinho move in the opposite direction. Both players were valued at 5.00 M EUR in the transaction. During his time at Genoa, Amelia was the team's first-choice goalkeeper, featuring in 30 league matches, with only a few games played by backup Alessio Scarpi.

2.4. Milan

On June 23, 2010, following the sale of goalkeeper Marco Storari to Juventus, Amelia was signed by Milan on a loan deal that included an option to purchase him permanently at the end of the year. Despite only making a handful of appearances as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Christian Abbiati, Milan exercised their option on May 24, 2011, purchasing Amelia for 3.50 M EUR on a three-year contract.

Amelia made his debut in the 2011-12 Serie A season on November 28, 2011, against Chievo, replacing Abbiati, who had sustained a shoulder injury. He went on to make 14 appearances for Milan during that season. In the 2012-13 season, his third year at Milan, he remained second-choice to Abbiati and featured in 11 first-team matches. Milan did not renew his contract at the end of the 2013-14 season. During this period, an incident occurred on May 19, 2014, when Amelia was involved in an altercation with teammate Daniele Bonera during the return journey from the opening of Milan's new headquarters, Casa Milan. Amelia later clarified that it was only an argument, not a physical fight.

2.5. Later career

Amelia became a free agent on July 1, 2014. He briefly joined the amateur side Rocca Priora, where he served as both a player and honorary president. On February 9, 2015, he returned to professional football with Serie B club Perugia.

On August 23, 2015, Amelia took on the role of honorary president and player for newly promoted Lega Pro club Lupa Castelli Romani. He made two appearances for the club in the 2015-16 Coppa Italia Lega Pro before his contract was cancelled on August 31, 2015.

On October 8, 2015, Amelia moved abroad for the first time in his career, signing with English Premier League club Chelsea on a free transfer. He was brought in as a backup goalkeeper to Asmir Begović due to an injury to Thibaut Courtois. However, he did not make any appearances for the club. On June 10, 2016, it was announced that Amelia would leave Chelsea upon the expiry of his contract.

His final professional playing stint came on February 27, 2017, when he signed a six-month contract with Serie B club Vicenza. He made four appearances for Vicenza before retiring from professional play.

3.1. Youth national teams

Amelia's international journey began with the Italy U-15 side in March 1998, participating in a tournament held in France. He continued through the youth ranks, making five appearances for the Italy U-16 team (1998-1999) and three appearances for the Italy U-19 team (2000-2001).

With the Italy U-21 side, Amelia was the starting goalkeeper in Claudio Gentile's squad that won the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Later that year, he was part of the Italy U-23 squad that secured a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, serving as a back-up to Ivan Pelizzoli. Overall, he made 19 appearances for the Italy U-21 team between 2002 and 2004.

3.2. Senior national team

Amelia made his senior debut for the Italy national team at the age of 23 on November 16, 2005. He came on as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 friendly draw against the Ivory Coast in Geneva. He subsequently became a permanent member of Marcello Lippi's squad and was called up as Italy's third goalkeeper for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, behind Gianluigi Buffon and Angelo Peruzzi. Italy went on to win the tournament, although Amelia did not feature in any matches during the competition.

Following Peruzzi's retirement, Amelia became Italy's second-choice goalkeeper behind Buffon. He was included in the squad as Buffon's backup for UEFA Euro 2008 by manager Roberto Donadoni and for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup by Lippi, who had returned as manager. Amelia's final appearance for Italy came on June 10, 2009, in a 4-3 friendly victory against New Zealand in Pretoria. In total, Marco Amelia earned nine caps for the Italy senior national team.

8.1. Club honours

• Serie A: 2000-01
• Serie C1: 2001-02
• Serie A: 2010-11
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2011

8.2. International honours

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2004
• Summer Olympics Bronze medal: 2004
• FIFA World Cup: 2006

8.3. Orders and special recognitions

Marco Amelia received several prestigious orders and recognitions for his contributions. In 2004, he was honored as a Knight (5th Class) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana).

Two years later, in 2006, he was further recognized as an Officer (4th Class) of the same order (Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana).

Also in 2006, the CONI awarded him the Golden Collar of Sports Merit (Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo).

9.1. Club statistics

9.2. International statistics

9.3. Managerial statistics