Roberto Donadoni

Basic info

• Full name: Roberto Donadoni
• Nationality: Italian
• Position: Midfielder (primarily right midfielder / playmaker)
• Date of birth: September 9, 1963
• Place of birth: Cisano Bergamasco, Italy

Club career highlights

• AC Milan (1986–1996): Donadoni is best known for his decade at AC Milan, where he was a key creative midfielder in a team that dominated Italian and European football under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello. With Milan he won multiple Serie A titles and European Cups (now UEFA Champions League).
• Later clubs: After Milan he had shorter spells at clubs including Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) and a return to Italy with clubs like Genoa and Napoli.
• NY/NJ MetroStars (loan, 1996): Donadoni spent a brief period in Major League Soccer with the NY/NJ MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) during MLS’s inaugural season in 1996. He joined as a designated star veteran, bringing experience and technical skill to the young league. His time in MLS was short-lived before he returned to play elsewhere.

International career

• Italy national team: Donadoni earned over 60 caps for Italy. He was part of Italy’s squads at the 1990 FIFA World Cup (hosted by Italy) and the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where Italy finished runners-up to Brazil. He scored goals for the national team and was valued for his dribbling, crossing, and technical ability.

Style of play

• Technically gifted right-sided midfielder known for dribbling, quick feet, vision, and accurate crossing. Could play as an advanced playmaker or winger and contributed both goals and assists.

After playing

• Donadoni moved into management after retiring as a player. His coaching career has included roles at several Italian clubs and the Italy national team (he served as Italy head coach from 2006–2008), among other appointments.

Note: The MetroStars were the original name of the MLS franchise now known as New York Red Bulls; Donadoni’s MLS stint was brief compared with his long career in Italy, but it was one of the notable veteran signings in MLS’s early history.