Who is Luca Toni?

Luca and Marta

The Dutch team has a lot of respect for Luca Toni, the Italian striker. But, who is this former amateur?

Solemnly, Toni looked straight nto the camera and addressed his old coach Casavin: “Should I have listened to you for once, I never would have been here. Because I would have retired from football altogether.” Toni was just presented with his Golden Boot and took it out on the coach who never believed in him.

Ten years ago, Toni was a sub at the amateur club of Emilia Romagna. 21 years old. He didn’t get any playing time and went to look for a job. Truck driver.

But, things panned out differently. Toni improved, year by year. From the amateurs to Lodigiani, Treviso, Vicenza, Brescia, Palermo, Fiorentina and now Bayern Munich.

Luca TOni was born in Modena, the country of Ferrari. He wasn’t very gifted as a kid. Long, thin and limited in his skills. The only coach who believed in him was a former Juve player. “I thought he had something, but I never believed him to be able to reach the Italian squad.”

Toni isn’t revered among his county-men. They don’t adore players in the rich north. But when Toni helped Palermo on Sicily to get back into the Serie A, the southerners found themselves a new God.

He became a national icon at the WC2006. With his smooth face and friendly smile, he was the personification of a new, clean Italy.

Mark van Bommel: “Luca is a bright, friendly and soft-spoken lad. He is a big star, but he doesn’t behave like one. The fans love him. Because of his value for the team, but also because of his character and mentality.”

The glamour world found Toni. His girlfiend is famous model Marta Cecchetto and Toni drives a Ferrari. Like most people from Modena, it’s a dream to actually own a car from the nearby factory.

The striker gained respect through his long way to the top. “I wasn’t good enough when I was young. It’s as simple as that. I decided to work hard and keep on learning.”

“In a way, that coach – Casavin, was important for me. He made me crazy and I realized there was only one person who could help me make it: me.”