I LOVE AZZURRI :: Vincenzo Iaquinta

Full Name :Vincezo Iaquinta
Date Of Birth:November 21, 1979 (age 30)
Place of Birth:Cutro, Italy
Height:1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position:Striker
Corrent Club:Juventus
National Debut:2005
Caps:35 (5)

Vincenzo Iaquinta, (born November 21, 1979 in Cutro, Crotone) is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer. He is a tall, strong striker who possesses a good and powerful shot and is great in the air. He can also play on the wing.

Club career
Like many Calabrians in the 1980s, his parents immigrated to Emilia-Romagna, in Northern Italy, because of better job opportunities. Prior to joining Udinese in 2000, Iaquinta played with his brother in the lower divisions for Reggiolo (1996-97), Padova (1998), and Castel di Sangro (1998-2000).

Juventus
Owner of Udinese Calcio Giampaolo Pozzo recently revealed that FC Barcelona had sought the player in January 2006, but Juventus signed Iaquinta on a five-year contract in the summer of 2007 for a fee reported to be €11.3 million.
During the 2007-2008 season he didn't appear for Juventus as much as he nor the fans would have liked, playing second fiddle to that of experienced strikers Del Piero and Trezeguet. It appears as if he may be surplus to requirements next season due to the recent signing of Brazilian striker Amauri and the potential of the uprising star Raffaele Palladino. This has lead to rumours that Juventus may attempt to cash in on him this summer with suitors such Newcastle United, whom are stated to be looking for an established striker, and even a return to Udinese being rumoured. The Juventus fans have also made it known that they would like to keep Iaquinta on their team at all costs. It is well established that Iaquinta would be hesitant to leave Juventus after just one season but the ability to play first team football may prove to be too alluring to resist after being unable to be part of the Italian Euro 2008 squad due to a lack of match fitness from an injury.
During the 2008-09 pre-season, Iaquinta has been one of the most in form players, impressing in most all of the matches he took part in.
He is a fan favourite among the Juventus faithful and on 31 January 2009 against Catania, Iaquinta came on as a substitute and was thought to be his last game for Juventus, but immediately after the game ended, fan's reaction made him stay in Turin. Russian club FC Zenit St. Petersburg wanted Vincenzo's services. But for the time being, he will still be wearing the black and white jersey.

International career
He was a member of the Italian squad that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He scored Italy's second goal in their opening match against Ghana. He played in 5 out of 7 of Italy's matches including the semi-final and final. Iaquinta missed out on Euro 2008, due to an injury suffered over a month before.

Honours
Italy National Team
FIFA World Cup: 2006

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