Paolo Montero

Paolo Rónald Montero Iglesias (born September 3, 1971 in Montevideo) is a former Uruguayan footballer who played as a central defender or Left back. He is well known for his poor disciplinary record and rough tackles, which have earned him a reputation as "being something of an uncompromising hardman"; he currently holds the record for the greatest number of red cards received in Serie A. However, he has also been described as "skillful on the ball and calm under pressure", and a "wonderfully talented and intelligent footballer". His international reputation is one of a man who was "fearsome, immovable and essential, in a back line that conquered Italy and Europe."

Montero was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, into a footballing family; his father is former Uruguay international Julio Montero Castillo. As a child, Paolo had to maintain good grades at school, otherwise his father would not allow to him to attend football practice. As a professional, Montero played for Peñarol and Atalanta prior to joining Juventus in 1996. It was here that he achieved great success with the club, winning four scudetti with the Turin club, which he left in 2005; Montero was believed to have been Zinedine Zidane's best friend during the pair's time together at Juventus.

After his tenure at Juventus, he moved to Argentinian club San Lorenzo.

Honours

European Honours Award Club Year
Intercontinental Cup Juventus 1996
Champions League Juventus 1996
Italian Super Cup Juventus 1997
Serie A Scudetto Juventus 1997
Champions League
(Finalist) Juventus 1997
Champions League
(Finalist) Juventus 1998
Serie A Scudetto Juventus 1998
UEFA Intertoto Cup Juventus 1999
Serie A Scudetto
(Runners-up) Juventus 2000
Serie A Scudetto
(Runners-up) Juventus 2001
Serie A Scudetto Juventus 2002
European Super Cup Juventus 2002
Italian Cup
(Finalist) Juventus 2002
Serie A Scudetto Juventus 2003
European Super Cup Juventus 2003
Champions League
(Finalist) Juventus 2003