Big Names Who Revived Their Careers in Italy
Italian football has long been a destination for redemption. From veterans seeking a final renaissance to younger stars needing a tactical reset, Serie A has offered a proving ground to players whose careers had stalled elsewhere. While the league’s reputation has evolved over time, its ability to reinvigorate talent remains.
This article explores notable players who reignited their form in Italy, restoring their reputation and leaving a lasting impression on the domestic game.
1. Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
By the time Pirlo left AC Milan in 2011, many believed his best days were behind him. Injuries had mounted and his influence had waned. Juventus took a gamble, signing him on a free transfer.
What followed was one of the most impressive late-career revivals in modern football. Pirlo became the architect of Antonio Conte’s Juventus revolution, guiding the club to four consecutive Serie A titles. His deep-lying playmaking redefined the regista role, and he re-established himself as a world-class midfielder well into his thirties.
2. Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Lukaku had endured a turbulent spell at Manchester United, struggling for consistency and facing regular criticism. His £74 million move to Inter Milan in 2019 offered a fresh start under Antonio Conte, who had long admired the Belgian striker.
At Inter, Lukaku flourished. He scored 24 goals in his first Serie A season and added another 24 the following year, leading Inter to their first Scudetto since 2010. His movement, physical dominance, and work rate stood out, earning him Serie A MVP honours and reigniting his standing among Europe’s elite forwards.
3. Edin Džeko (AS Roma & Inter Milan)
After fading somewhat at Manchester City, Edin Džeko moved to Roma in 2015. Many questioned whether he still had the hunger or sharpness to succeed at a top level.
He quickly answered those doubts, becoming Roma’s all-time leading scorer in European competitions and netting over 100 goals for the club in all competitions. Even into his mid-thirties, Džeko continued producing, playing a vital role for Inter in both domestic and European campaigns.
4. Carlos Tevez (Juventus)
When Tevez joined Juventus in 2013 from Manchester City, some thought his best years were in the past. He had developed a reputation as a volatile figure, and his fitness had been questioned.
Juventus brought discipline and focus. Tevez responded with a relentless work ethic and clinical finishing. He scored 50 goals in two seasons and was pivotal in their domestic dominance and run to the 2015 Champions League final. His spell in Turin was arguably his most consistent since his Boca Juniors days.
5. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (AS Roma & Inter Milan)
After frustrating spells at Manchester United and Arsenal, Henrikh Mkhitaryan arrived in Rome in 2019. He quickly found comfort in a more technical and tactical setting.
Under Paulo Fonseca and later José Mourinho, Mkhitaryan flourished as a versatile attacking midfielder, contributing goals, assists, and intelligent movement. He later joined Inter, where he continued to feature regularly in a title-challenging side, proving his value in a top European league well past 30.
6. Chris Smalling (AS Roma)
Largely dismissed by Manchester United fans towards the end of his Old Trafford career, Chris Smalling’s move to Roma in 2019 was met with scepticism. But in Italy, his defensive instincts and aerial strength were well suited to Serie A’s slower tempo and emphasis on tactical discipline.
Smalling became one of the league’s most consistent defenders, earning the nickname “Smalldini” from Roma supporters. He played a key role in their 2022 Europa Conference League triumph and cemented himself as a respected figure in Italian football.
7. Diego Milito (Inter Milan)
Before joining Inter Milan in 2009, Diego Milito had enjoyed a productive but largely under-the-radar career. His move to the Nerazzurri at age 30 raised few headlines outside Italy.
Yet Milito delivered one of the most decisive seasons in club history. In 2009-10, he scored both goals in the Champions League final, the winner in the Coppa Italia final, and the decisive strike to clinch the Scudetto. He was central to Inter’s historic treble and elevated himself to legendary status in Milan.
8. Alexis Sánchez (Inter Milan)
Sánchez’s career had nosedived following his move to Manchester United. Injuries, poor form, and an inflated wage packet turned him into a cautionary tale.
But at Inter, initially on loan and later permanently, he rediscovered some of his spark. Though not a guaranteed starter, Sánchez offered valuable contributions off the bench, scoring and assisting in key moments during Inter’s 2020-21 title-winning campaign. He may not have hit Arsenal-era heights, but he restored a sense of purpose and rhythm to his game.
Why Serie A Suits Revival
Serie A rewards tactical intelligence, positional awareness, and experience. The slower tempo, strong defensive foundations, and more flexible systems offer space for players to reinvent themselves. Clubs are also more patient with veterans, focusing on how they fit into the wider tactical picture rather than just raw athleticism.
For many players whose careers have drifted off course in the Premier League or La Liga, Italy offers not only a new challenge but a stage to remind the footballing world of their quality.
Takeaway
Revival stories in Serie A continue to shape the careers of players written off too soon. Whether it’s a last act of brilliance or a middle-career resurgence, Italy has a way of turning fading reputations into lasting legacies. For these players, the move was not just about changing clubs, but rewriting narratives that had prematurely closed.
