Paolo Montero

] ; he currently holds the record for the greatest number of red cards received in Serie Acite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldcup2002/uruguay/s554112.htm|author=BBC Sport|title= Montero the key for Uruguay Information |accessdate=2007-02-12|format=|work=] . However, he has also been described as "skillful on the ball and calm under pressure", and a "wonderfully talented and intelligent footballer". His international reputation is one of a man who was "fearsome, immovable and essential, in a back line that conquered Italy and Europe."cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=79275|author=Goal.com|title= The Great Centre-Backs|accessdate=2007-02-12|format=|work=]

Biography

Montero was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, into a footballing family; his father is former Uruguay international Julio Montero. As a child, Paolo had to maintain good grades at school, otherwise his father would not allow to him to attend football practice. As a professional, Montero played for Peñarol and Atalanta prior to joining Juventus in 1996. It was here that he achieved great success with the club, winning four "scudetti" with the Turin club, which he left in 2005cite web |url=http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fo/profiles/4293.html|author=Yahoo|title= Paolo Montero Profile|accessdate=2007-02-13|format=|work=] ; Montero was believed to have been Zinedine Zidane's best friend during the pair's time together at Juventus.

After his tenure at Juventus, he moved to Argentinian club San Lorenzo. His time at San Lorenzo was short lived however, as he constantly missed games due to injuries. Montero also captained his country in their bid to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in an intercontinental playoff against Australia, the country the Uruguayans defeated on route to qualify for the 2002 tournament four years before. Sadly for Montero, he limped off with a hamstring injury during the second game in Sydney, and Australia qualified for the World Cup winning 4-2 on penalties. After the defeat, Montero immediately announced his international retirement, saying " [w] hat happened today was such a pity as this group of players deserved to be at the World Cup finals."cite web |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/051116/1/59mi.html|author=Yahoo|title= A sad farewell for Montero|accessdate=2007-02-13|format=|work=]

In 2006, offers came in from clubs such as Olympiakoscite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/juventusfootball/rumors6.htm|author=Geocities/Juventus Football club|title= Rumors|accessdate=2007-02-13|format=|work=] ; however, Paolo chose to go to his personal childhood club (and where he began his career), Uruguayan Peñarol.

Retirement

Paolo Montero reportedly retired in late May after attending a team training session in order to say goodbye to his teammates. His current squad are trying to persuade him to come back to football, with teammate Ruben Capria saying that " [i] t's a tough blow to lose our captain".cite web |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKL222151420070522|author=Reuters|title= Uruguay hardman Montero reported to have retired|accessdate=2007-05-31|format=|work=] cite web |url=http://www.supersoccer.co.za/default.asp?id=216133&des=article&scat=supersoccer/international|author=SuperSoccer|title=Montero reported to have retired|accessdate=2007-05-31|format=|work=]

Honours

References

External links

* [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/montero-intl.html International statistics] at rsssf
* [http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=8396 Career statistics] at National Football Teams
*es icon [http://www.tenfieldigital.com.uy/servlet/hprfchsj?0,2,2%2F43%2F,1,490 Profile] at Tenfield
*es icon [http://www.futbolfactory.futbolweb.net/index.php?ff=historicos&f2=00001&idjugador=1324 Profile] at Futbol Factory