Salvatore Sirigu

Early career

Born in Nuoro, Sardinia, Italy, Sirigu started his football career in Venezia's youth system playing as a midfielder. He was known for his powerful back heels, which he used to take penalty kicks. He had been training as an attacker for a local amateur side, Puri e Forti, at 11 years old when coaches concluded that his asthma condition would hinder him too much as an outfield player. Instead, observing Sirigu's extensive hands, they told him to have a go at the goal.

Palermo

In 2002, he joined Palermo's youth system. In the 2006–07 season, he made his debut as a starter in a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria and a UEFA Cup match against Fenerbahçe. Palermo loaned him to Serie C1 club Cremonese on 12 July 2007 to gain some first team experience. He spent the 2008–09 season on loan to Serie B side Ancona, but only played 15 games with his club, as Ancona managers Francesco Monaco, and later Sandro Salvioni preferred Brazilian Da Costa over him. Sirigu successively returned to Palermo as a second-choice keeper, behind new signing Rubinho, for the 2009–10 season. Following a string of unimpressive performances by Rubinho, Palermo coach Walter Zenga, himself a former goalkeeper who was noted for his ability, elevated Sirigu to the starting role for the Week 6 game, an away match against Davide Ballardini's Lazio on 27 September 2009. The game, which also represented Sirigu's official debut in the Italian Serie A, ended in a 1–1 draw, with the…

Youth

Sirigu represented Italy at Under-18 and Under-19 levels. On 21 August 2007, he made his debut with the Italy U-21 squad under manager Pierluigi Casiraghi, in a 2–1 friendly victory against France held in La Spezia, coming on as a second-half substitute for Andrea Consigli. He took part at the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship as the back up of starter Consigli.

Senior

Debut and UEFA Euro 2012

On 28 February 2010, Sirigu received his first call-up for the Italy national team by manager Marcello Lippi for a friendly match versus Cameroon which was played at Stade Louis II, Monaco, but did not play, as Federico Marchetti was chosen to start. In May, he was included in Lippi's 28-man provisional 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, but was not included in the 23-man final squad for the tournament. With Cesare Prandelli serving as national coach, Sirigu was named in his first squad list for the friendly match against Ivory Coast on 10 August 2010, in which the goalkeeper also debuted as Italy lost 1–0. On 3 September, he made his second appearance for the first competitive match, a 2–1 away victory against Estonia for Euro 2012 qualifying. Sirigu was eventually selected to go to UEFA Euro 2012 as the third choice keeper of the Italian team, behind Gianluigi Buffon and Morgan De Sanctis; he did not feature in the tournament as Italy reached the final, losing out 4–0 to Spain.

2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup

For the…

Regarded as one of the best Italian goalkeepers of his generation, Sirigu was considered in the 2010s as the possible 'heir-apparent' of Gianluigi Buffon as Italy's first-choice goalkeeper, due to his consistency, physical strength, composure, strong mentality, explosive reflexes, and shot-stopping ability between the posts. Although he was frequently compared to Zenga in his youth, his former manager at Cremonese, Emiliano Mondonico, compared him to Dino Zoff because of his calm character under pressure. Former Italy goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi has also praised Sirigu for his goalkeeping technique and ability to come off his line quickly to collect the ball. Sirigu is also known for his professionalism and leadership qualities, as well as his ability to motivate his teammates, and is therefore considered to be an influential dressing room personality, which makes him a popular figure with his teams' fans.

Club

As of match played 26 January 2025

International