2026-05-04 13:31:37
Luca Toni had “goosebumps from the first whistle to the last” when he played in Series A for the first time.
The 48-year-old former striker will never forget how he felt when he turned out for Vicenza for the first time in the 2000 game at AC Milan’s legendary San Siro stadium.
He told FourFourTwo magazine: “I’d always dreamt of making my debut in Serie A.
“I grew up watching the best footballers in the world play in Italy and all of those afternoons training as a kid paid off when I finally debuted in the top flight.
“I had six years toughening up in the second and third divisions before the big moment arrived, at the legendary San Siro, against the might of Milan. I was 23.
“We lost 2-0 but the feelings are unforgettable – I had goosebumps from the first whistle to the last.
“Vicenza were a humble team without great resources, and we were relegated, but I have a nice memory of that day.”
Just as memorable for the former footballer was his debut for Italy, where his side lost 2-0 against Iceland in a friendly in 2004.
He said: “Just before the start of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, I received my first call up as the reward for a wonderful season, scoring 30 goals for Palermo in Serie B.
“It was for a friendly in Reykjavik. We lost 2-0 but I couldn’t stop smiling that day – I was so proud to represent my country.
“I also shared the field with some players who went from idols to teammates overnight – Francesco Totti, Alessando Del Piero and Christian Vieri.
“It was an iconic team that was beginning to prepare to crown themselves world champions two years later.
“This was my first step to joining them on that path.”
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