Marco Ballotta

Early years

Born in Casalecchio di Reno, Emilia Romagna, Ballotta emerged through Bologna's youth system before starting out as a senior with hometown club Boca San Lazzaro. In the 1984 summer he joined Modena, where he remained for the next six years. In January 1991 he transferred to Cesena, but only stayed for six months before being purchased by Parma also in Serie A. Ballotta was in top form during 1992–93, as Parma won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and finished third in the league. However, his momentum did not continue into the next season and he only made three league appearances. He did start both legs in the team's 2–1 aggregate win over AC Milan in the UEFA Super Cup, but was benched in favor of Luca Bucci for the 1993–94 Cup Winners' Cup, as Parma reached the final for the second consecutive year, only to be defeated by Arsenal.

Rise to success

Ballotta signed with Brescia in 1994, being relegated in his sole season. He then spent the following campaign in Serie B with Reggiana, achieving promotion at the first attempt. After being immediately relegated, he left for Lazio for 1997–98, initially as third-choice. After three seasons with the Biancocelesti, Ballotta enjoyed a brief stint with Inter Milan, who acquired the player as part of Angelo Peruzzi's multi-billion lire move to Lazio. Inter claimed the transfer fee for Ballotta and Peruzzi were 7 billion and 40 billion respectively (thus 33 billion plus Ballotta), while La Gazzetta dello Sport…

Club

Modena

Serie C: 1985–86, 1989–90 Parma

Coppa Italia: 1991–92 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1992–93 UEFA Super Cup: 1993 Lazio

Serie A: 1999–2000 Coppa Italia: 1997–98, 1999–2000 Supercoppa Italiana: 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1998–99 UEFA Super Cup: 1999 Records

Serie A: Oldest player to play in a game, at 44 years and 38 days (for Lazio, vs. Genoa, 11 May 2008) UEFA Champions League: Oldest player to play in a game, at 43 years and 252 days (for Lazio, vs. Real Madrid, 11 December 2007) Oldest debutant for Inter