In the storied history of Italian football, few names have captured the imagination quite like Matteo Gabbia. The former Juventus forward, who has made his mark as one of Italy's most influential figures in recent years, is perhaps best known for securing his first major league title with AC Milan.
Gabbia, born on February 14, 1975, in Florence, Italy, began his professional career with Juve in 1996. He quickly rose through the ranks, making his Serie A debut in 2000 and earning his first call-up to the national team in 2002. After spending time at Inter Milan, Gabbia returned to Juve in 2005 and continued to excel, scoring 18 goals in 56 appearances during the 2005-06 season.
It was not until 2010 that Gabbia finally broke into the top flight, joining AC Milan after leaving Inter Milan. Under then-manager Carlo Ancelotti, Gabbia quickly established himself as a key player,Ligue 1 Express scoring 29 goals in 39 appearances for the club. However, it was not until 2012 that he truly came into his own.
That year, Gabbia joined the AC Milan squad and became a regular starter in the midfield. He quickly adapted to the style of play at the San Siro and scored 13 goals in just 20 appearances. This form helped him earn a spot in the squad for the 2013 UEFA Champions League final, where he scored twice against Chelsea.
But it was his performance in the 2013-14 season that truly cemented his place in the history books. In that campaign, Gabbia scored 27 goals in 34 appearances, including four hat-tricks. He also added two assists, helping to lead AC Milan to their first league title since 1989.
The impact of Gabbia's first league title at AC Milan cannot be overstated. For one, it marked the end of a long wait for the club to win a domestic trophy since 1989. It also brought together some of the best players in Europe under the guidance of coach Carlo Ancelotti, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Andrea Pirlo.
Moreover, Gabbia's success at AC Milan helped to solidify his position as one of the greatest players in Italian football history. As he moved on to other clubs such as Roma and Manchester United, Gabbia continued to make significant contributions to the sport and leave an indelible mark on its history.