Riccardo Montolivo

• Full name: Riccardo Montolivo
• Date of birth: 18 January 1985
• Place of birth: Caravaggio, Bergamo, Italy
• Nationality: Italian
• Position: Central/defensive midfielder (also played as deep-lying playmaker)
• Preferred foot: Right

Club career (highlights)

• Atalanta (youth and senior debut) — came through Atalanta’s youth system and made his professional debut with the club.
• Fiorentina (2005–2012) — established himself as a creative central midfielder and regular starter; known for passing range and set-piece ability.
• Milan (AC Milan) (2012–2019) — signed from Fiorentina; served as club captain for a period. Played as a central midfield organizer but his time at Milan was impacted by injuries.

International career

• Italy national team debut: 2007
• Caps: 66 (approx.; official counts vary slightly by source)
• Goals: 2
• Tournaments: Represented Italy at UEFA Euro 2012 (Italy finished runner-up) and UEFA Euro 2016; part of several qualifying campaigns.

Playing style and strengths

• Deep-lying playmaker with good vision and passing accuracy.
• Capable of controlling tempo from midfield and delivering long-range passes and set pieces.
• Work-rate and tactical intelligence, though recurring injuries later limited effectiveness.

Notable achievements

• Named in UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament shortlist and played a key role as Italy reached the final.
• Captaincy of AC Milan during his spell at the club.

Retirement

Montolivo’s later career was hampered by injuries; he left AC Milan in 2019 and announced retirement from professional football shortly thereafter.

Legacy

Remembered as a technically gifted Italian midfielder and deep-lying playmaker who combined passing ability and leadership, particularly noted for his Premier years at Fiorentina and his leadership role at AC Milan.