Stefano Sorrentino

Stefano Sorrentino (born 28 March 1979) is an Italian former footballer. A professional goalkeeper for his whole career, he is currently a football agent.

Stefano Sorrentino
Sorrentino in 2012
Personal information
Full name Stefano Sorrentino
Date of birth (1979-03-28) 28 March 1979
Place of birth Cava de' Tirreni, Italy
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1996–1997 Lazio
1997–1998 Juventus
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2005 Torino 89 (0)
1999–2000 → Juve Stabia (loan) 0 (0)
2000–2001 → Varese (loan) 0 (0)
2005 → AEK Athens (loan) 14 (0)
2005–2009 AEK Athens 36 (0)
2007–2008 → Recreativo (loan) 38 (0)
2008–2009 → Chievo (loan) 32 (0)
2009–2013 Chievo 131 (0)
2013–2016 Palermo 117 (0)
2016–2019 Chievo 103 (0)
2019–2020 F.C. Cervo
2020–2021 Torinese
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 February 2020

Sorrentino played for several Italian clubs throughout his career, being mainly known for his time with Torino, Chievo and Palermo, winning a Serie B title and promotion to Serie A with the latter side in the 2013–14 season. Abroad, he represented AEK Athens in Greece and Recreativo in Spain.

Club career

Early years / Torino

Born in Cava de' Tirreni, Campania, Sorrentino started playing football with S.S. Lazio, finishing his youth training with Juventus FC in 1997 and failing to collect any official first-team appearances during his one-season spell. In the summer of 1998 he joined Torino FC in Serie B, only playing once in the league.

In the next two years, Sorrentino played in Serie C1, representing S.S. Juve Stabia and A.S. Varese 1910 on loan. He returned to Torino in the 2001 off-season, being a backup in the top division (twelve games) and an undisputed starter in the second level during his tenure; in his final campaign he made 43 league appearances for Toro, who finished second and promoted via the playoffs, only to be denied due to financial irregularities.[1]

AEK

In the 2005 off-season, however, the Turin-based club declared bankruptcy and released all its players. Sorrentino then signed with AEK Athens F.C.[2] but, after the birth of his daughter, he asked president Demis Nikolaidis to let him return to Italy because his wife was not feeling comfortable enough in Greece. However, no ideal offer was made, and the player made it clear that if he had to stay in the country, he would be 100% professional; on 21 November 2006 he had a top-notch performance in a 1–0 home win against AC Milan for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, also being named Player of the match.[3]

In July 2007, after failing to win any silverware in two seasons, Sorrentino was loaned to Recreativo de Huelva, with the Spanish side having the option to sign him on a full basis at the end of the campaign.[4] He made his La Liga debut on 26 August in a 1–1 home draw to Real Betis,[5] and eventually appeared in all league games as the Andalusians eventually avoided relegation, ranking 16th.[6]

Chievo

After Recreativo did not exercise the buying option, Sorrentino returned to his country and signed with A.C. ChievoVerona – freshly promoted to the top flight – initially on loan. He played in 32 league games during the season as the team retained their newly found status, and the move was made permanent on 12 June 2009.

On 30 June 2010, Chievo was reported to have agreed with Genoa C.F.C. to swap Sorrentino for Riccardo Meggiorini,[7] as well as signing Brazilian Rubinho as their new goalkeeper. However, the deal collapsed as Meggiorini moved to Bologna FC 1909; in the following campaigns, he continued to perform solidly.[8]

Palermo

On 25 January 2013, after a long negotiation, Sorrentino signed a 3+1⁄2-year contract with U.S. Città di Palermo for €4 million.[9][10][11][12][lower-alpha 1] He made his debut two days later, in a 1–1 draw at Cagliari Calcio.[13]

Return to Chievo

On 1 July 2016, 37-year-old Sorrentino agreed to a two-year deal with former side Chievo for an undisclosed fee. He continued to be first-choice during his second spell at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.[14]

In April 2019, it was announced that Sorrentino's contract would not be renewed, meaning that he would be leaving after eight seasons.[15][16] He did not appear in any of the final matches, however, as he was left out of the squad once their top-tier relegation had been sealed mathematically, and posted on Twitter before the final fixture: "I would have liked to wear these gloves tomorrow. To say goodbye to my fans and my teammates. 271 appearances with this shirt. I would've imagined a different ending. An ending with the 'Eyes of the Tiger.' But beyond the players, there is the shirt. For this, I will always say: THANK YOU, CHIEVO!" In total, he collected 271 appearances with the club in all competitions,[15][17][18] with his final appearance coming in a 3–1 home loss to SSC Napoli on 14 April, a result which sealed the team's fate.[19] Ahead of their final fixture of the campaign, where they finished last,[20] he posted on Twitter: "I wish to whoever will take my place, to whoever will take my locker, to whoever will wear the Chievo shirt after me, to sweat, struggle, and fight. Always with the eyes of the tiger. Because I will always carry this shirt and this changing room in my heart. Thank you to everyone." However, he also later announced that he would not be retiring from football and that he would continue to play and look for a new team after becoming a free agent, in the hope of playing his 400th Serie A match.[15][16]

Retirement and amateur career

On 21 January 2020, Sorrentino announced his retirement from professional football on Sky Sport's television program Calciomercato.[21] However, on 27 January 2020, Sorrentino announced his transfer to Seconda Categoria side Cervo, coached by his father Roberto, and that he would play as a striker.[22]

In June 2021, he retired permanently and fully engaged in his new career as a football agent, representing Palermo goalkeeper Alberto Pelagotti.

In March 2022, he acquired a majority stake of Serie D club Chieri.[23] He left the club in July 2023.[24]

Style of play

A talented and acrobatic goalkeeper, Sorrentino was known for his penalty-stopping abilities as well as his extraordinary shot-stopping, reflexes and ability to produce spectacular and decisive saves. Experienced and consistent, he also drew praise for his work-rate, determination, leadership and longevity.[17][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] With 14 stops in 363 appearances between 2001 and 2019, he has parried the joint–seventh–most penalties in Serie A history, alongside Francesco Antonioli.[34]

Sorrentino noted that his position on the pitch tended to change depending on whether he was playing behind a three or four-man back-line; in the former case, he usually played in a deeper position closer to the goal.[35] Antonio Di Natale described him as one of the best Italian goalkeepers of his generation.[36]

Although primarily a goalkeeper, Sorrentino came out of retirement to play as a striker in the lower divisions of Italian football.[22]

Three-sided football

Sorrentino played in a three-sided football tournament held in Madrid, in June 2018.[37]

Personal life

Sorrentino's father, Roberto, was also a goalkeeper, who acted as captain for Calcio Catania.[38] He has two brothers.[36]

On 9 June 2002, Sorrentino married Antonella Parrella in Turin – the couple had already been living together for ten months. Together they had three daughters, Carlotta, Matilda and Maria Vittoria; they later separated.[26][39][40]

Sorrentino has been in a relationship with Sara Ruggeri since 2012.[26][41] He and his partner[42] have a daughter, Viola, who was born on 16 September 2013.[43][44] On 31 December 2018, he proposed to her by giving her a pair of his goalkeeping gloves with the text "Sara, mi vuoi sposare?" (Sara, do you want to marry me?). He later announced his engagement on his official Instagram account by posting a picture of Ruggeri with the gloves and her engagement ring, with the caption "HA DETTO SÌ!!!!" ("She said yes!");[45][46] the couple were wed on 27 May 2019.[47]

In March 2017, Sorrentino released his autobiography: Gli occhi della Tigre ("The eyes of the Tiger," in Italian).[36]

Career statistics
As of match played 14 April 2019[48]
Club League Season League Cup Europe Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Torino Serie B 1998–99 1000––10
Juve Stabia (loan) Serie C 1999–00 0060––60
Varese (loan) 2000–01 0020––20
Torino Serie A 2001–02 4020––60
2002–03 8020––100
Serie B 2003–04 43000––430
2004–05 33030–40400
Total 8907000401000
AEK Athens Super League Greece 2005–06 2501020–280
2006–07 2500090–340
Total 5001011000620
Recreativo (loan) La Liga 2007–08 38000––380
Chievo Serie A 2008–09 32000––320
2009–10 37010––380
2010–11 37000––370
2011–12 37000––370
2012–13 20010––210
Palermo 2012–13 15000––150
Serie B 2013–14 32020––340
Serie A 2014–15 35000––350
2015–16 35010––360
Total 11703000001200
Chievo Serie A 2016–17 34020––360
2017–18 38010––390
2018–19 31000––310
Total 26605000002710
Career total 5600240110405990

Honours

Palermo

Notes
  1. Palermo used special tactics to book the contract value of Sorrentino, with Palermo borrowing him for €2 million with the obligation to buy for €1 million. Additionally, Palermo also bought back 50% of Gabriele Zerbo's rights for €1 million, which the club would use to book €2 million of his contract's accounting value as well as a financial income due to co-ownership for €999,500. The temporary deal was partially counter-weighed by the financial income. Thus, the operation gave Palermo a capital cost of €3 million but split over two players in separate amortization schedules.

References
  1. Livraghi, Giuseppe (23 June 2018). "Il 23 giugno 2005 il Toro, vincendo a Perugia, "ipotecava" la Serie A." [On 23 June 2005 Toro, winning in Perugia, "said no" to Serie A.] (in Italian). Torino Granata. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  2. Saffer, Paul (7 November 2005). "Sorrentino settling well in Athens". UEFA. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  3. "AEK Athens 1–0 AC Milan: Julio Cesar free kick". ESPN FC. 21 November 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  4. "El Decano cierra con el AEK griego la cesión del portero Sorrentino" [The Dean agree loan of goalkeeper Sorrentino with Greece's AEK]. Marca (in Spanish). 16 July 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  5. "Igualada a todo en el derbi andaluz" [All square in Andalusian derby]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 26 August 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  6. Ubric, Ricardo (22 February 2013). "Sorrentino, un portero sobrio que ayudó a la permanencia albiazul y ahora la busca con el Palermo" [Sorrentino, sober goalkeeper who helped the white-and-blues stay up and wants to do the same with Palermo now] (in Spanish). Huelva 24. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  7. "L'Arena: "Rubinho è gialloblu. Anche il Palermo vuole Meggiorini"" [L'Arena: "Rubinho is gialloblu. Palermo also wants Meggiorini"] (in Italian). Chievo Calcio. 30 June 2010. Archived from the original on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  8. Sorrentino – Chievo; Forza Italian Football, 31 December 2012
  9. A.C. Chievo-Verona S.r.l. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2013 (in Italian), CCIAA
  10. U.S. Città di Palermo S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2013 (in Italian)
  11. "Sorrentino è del Palermo" [Sorrentino is a Palermo player] (in Italian). U.S. Palermo. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  12. "Zamparini: "Con il Chievo limati dettagli Sorrentino"" [Zamparini: "All details worked out with Chievo regarding Sorrentino"]. Tuttosport (in Italian). 23 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  13. "Ilicic illude, poi è beffa Ribeiro – Maledizione Palermo: 1–1 al 90'" [Ilicic deceives, then Ribeiro jests – Palermo curse: 1–1 in the 90th] (in Italian). Palermo Today. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  14. Chaudhary, Vyom (4 July 2017). "Serie A Goalkeeper Club Review – Chievo". Euro Fantasy League. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  15. Alaimo, Alessio (25 April 2019). "TMW – Chievo Verona-Sorrentino, sarà addio: a fine anno niente rinnovo" [TMW – Chievo Verona-Sorrentino, it will be goodbye: no renewal at the end of the year] (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  16. "Chievo, Sorrentino lascia lo spogliatoio: "Auguro gli occhi della tigre a chi prenderà il mio posto"" [Chievo, Sorrentino leaves the dressing room: "I wish the eyes of the tiger upon whoever will take my place"] (in Italian). Sportmediaset. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  17. Bernabei, Simone (19 April 2019). "Nuovo ciclo Chievo. Ma l'esclusione di Sorrentino lascia l'amaro in bocca" [A new Chievo cycle. But Sorrentino's exclusion leaves a better taste in one's mouth] (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  18. "Serie A, addio amaro per Sorrentino: "Avrei voluto un finale diverso"" [Serie A, bitter goodbye for Sorrentino: "I would've wanted a different ending"] (in Italian). Fox Sports. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  19. Carci, Francesco (14 April 2019). "Chievo-Napoli 1–3: Koulibaly rinvia la festa Juve, clivensi retrocessi in B" [Chievo-Napoli 1–3: Koulibaly postpones Juve's party, clivensi relegated to B]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  20. Turcato, Enrico (27 May 2019). "Il pagellone della Serie A 2018/19: Atalanta divina, bocciate Milan e Roma, disastro Fiorentina" [The report card of Serie A 2018/19: Divine Atalanta, Milan and Roma failed, Fiorentina a disaster] (in Italian). Eurosport. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  21. ""Mi fermo qui": Stefano Sorrentino annuncia l'addio al calcio in diretta su Sky" (in Italian). sport.sky.it. 22 January 2020.
  22. "Sorrentino in Seconda categoria: farà l'attaccante nel Cervo allenato dal padre". gianlucadimarzio.com (in Italian). Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  23. "Chieri Calcio, Stefano Sorrentino è il nuovo proprietario" (in Italian). Corriere della Sera – Torino. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  24. "Stefano Sorrentino lascia la presidenza del Chieri" (in Italian). Quotidiano Piemontese. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  25. Del Monte, Adrian (12 June 2009). "Chievo 'keeper Sorrentino would join Roma 'in an instant'". Goal. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  26. Carere, Barbara (26 February 2015). "...Stefano Sorrentino" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  27. "EXCLUSIVE Palermo preparing new contract for Stefano Sorrentino". Calcio Mercato. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  28. Digby, Adam (15 April 2016). "Mario Mandzukic vs. Stefano Sorrentino will be key Juventus vs. Palermo battle". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  29. Barbagallo, Anthony (25 December 2018). "Stefano Sorrentino: Chievo's unheralded old-timer". Breaking The Lines. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  30. Schiavone, David (21 January 2019). "Cristiano Ronaldo misses a penalty in Juventus' win over Chievo". Marca. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  31. Bernabei, Simone (23 January 2019). "Il Corriere di Verona esalta Sorrentino: "I segreti di mister para-rigori"" [The Corriere di Verona praises Sorrentino: "The secrets of Mr. penalty-stopper"] (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  32. "Gli occhi della tigre: Stefano Sorrentino compie 40 anni" [The eyes of the tiger: Stefano Sorrentino turns 40] (in Italian). Mandragora. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  33. Vernazza, Sebastiano (15 April 2019). "Chievo, ciao Serie A. La nostra Top Undici gialloblù" [Chievo, bye Serie A. Our top yellow-and-blue eleven]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  34. "Handanovic come Pagliuca, la classifica dei migliori pararigori della storia della Serie A" (in Italian). sport.sky.it. 12 January 2020.
  35. "Sorrentino: "Cosa cambia per me difesa a 3 o 4"" [Sorrentino: "What changes for me in a 3 or 4-man defence"] (in Italian). Mediagol. 25 February 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  36. Sorrentino, Stefano; Dell'Olio, Marco (2017). Gli occhi della Tigre [The eyes of the Tiger] (in Italian). Mandragora. ISBN 9788874613267.
  37. Taylor, Peter (28 June 2018). "A hidden conflict". BBC. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  38. "Sorrentino: "Sono più forte di mio padre"" [Sorrentino: "I'm better than my father"] (in Italian). Mediagol. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  39. Carere, Barbara (26 February 2010). "L'altra metà di...Stefano Sorrentino" [The other half of...Stefano Sorrentino] (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  40. "Peluso, Marchetti, Sorrentino e Tiribocchi in Costa Smeralda con le loro "wags"" [Peluso, Marchetti, Sorrentino and Tiribocchi on the Emerald Coast with their "wags"] (in Italian). Lady Blitz. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  41. "Marchetti, Peluso e Sorrentino in vacanza in Costa Smeralda" [Marchetti, Peluso and Sorrentino on holiday on the Emerald Coast] (in Italian). Sportmediaset. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  42. "Sorrentino partner slams Juventus". Football Italia. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  43. "Palermo: è nata Viola Sorrentino" [Palermo: Viola Sorrentino is born] (in Italian). Mediagol. 17 September 2013. Archived from the original on 17 September 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  44. "Esercitazioni tecniche a Carini. Domani allenamento pomeridiano" [Technical exercises for Carini. Tomorrow afternoon training session] (in Italian). Palermo Calcio. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  45. Sorrentino, Stefano (31 December 2018). "stefanosorrentino HA DETTO SÌ!!!!" [stefanosorrentino SHE SAID YES!!!!] (in Italian). Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2019 – via Instagram.
  46. "Chievo goalkeeper Sorrentino uses his gloves for marriage proposal". Marca. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  47. Magistrato, Luciana (27 May 2019). "Sorrentino e Sara finalmente sposi, ecco le foto" [Sorrentino and Sara finally wed, here are the photos]. Corriere Spione (in Italian). Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  48. Stefano Sorrentino at Soccerway

Bibliography
  • Stefano Sorrentino, Marco Dell'Olio, Gli occhi della Tigre, Florence, Mandragora, 2017, ISBN 978-88-74-61326-7 (The eyes of the Tiger). (in Italian)
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