Luca Antonini

Early career

Antonini started his career at Milan, originally as a winger, playing for 11 years in their youth teams. At the start of the 2001–02 season, he was loaned out to Serie C2 side Prato, where he made his professional debut, totalling 26 appearances and scoring 3 goals. The following year, he made 17 appearances and scored one goal in his first Serie B season, during a loan spell at Ancona. The team got promoted to Serie A and Antonini's contribution was significant, as he became a regular in the second half of the season.

Sampdoria (2003–2004)

In June 2003 he moved to Sampdoria in a co-ownership deal with the Rossoneri, for €2 million. In exchange, Ikechukwu Kalu moved to Milan in co-ownership deal for €1 million. He did not get much playing time, as he served mainly as a backup winger for Gasbarroni. However, he made his Serie A debut on 14 December, in an away match against Perugia.

Various loan spells (2004–2007)

The following season, he returned to play in Serie B, being first loaned out to Modena and then switching, during the January transfer window, to Pescara. Still seeking more playing time, for the 2005–06 season he moved to Arezzo on another loan spell, where he finally managed to play regularly throughout the whole season, making 39 appearances and scoring 3 goals. At the beginning of the 2006–07 season, the then 24-year-old midfielder was sent to Siena on a fourth consecutive loan spell and faced his second Serie A season,…

Antonini made up a total of 5 caps with Italy U-17 and U-18, between 1999 and 2001. However, he did not receive any further call-up at higher levels of youth international football. Nine years later, Antonini got his first call-up for the senior team; newly appointed coach Cesare Prandelli named him in the squad for a friendly against Ivory Coast, to be played on 10 August 2010. However, he was left as an unused substitute.

Antonini used to be a dynamic and versatile footballer who had been employed as a winger in his youth and as a full-back later in his career. Although naturally right-footed, he was good on the ball with his left foot and could play on either flank. His running speed and stamina allowed him to contribute both offensively and defensively.

Antonini is married to Benedetta Balleggi, whom he first met at the time he was in Prato. The couple have two daughters, Sofia Vittoria (b. 2007) and Viola Maria (b. 2010).