Top facts about Sebastiano Rossi, the Best AC Milan Goalkeeper ever

Sebastiano Rossi started his professional career at Cesena before he joined

in 1990. Physically powerful, talented with elegant reactions, he was known as the goalkeeper of the ‘Invincibles’.

One of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that he beat Dino Zoff’s record for the lengthiest unbeaten run with his 929 successive minutes without conceding a goal. In his 12 years at AC Milan, Sebastiano Rossi lifted five Serie A trophies, three Italian Supercoppas, a UEFA Champions League, a European Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup.

Top Facts about Sebastiano Rossi, the Best A.C. Milan Goalkeeper ever

Sebastiano Rossi was born on 20 July 1964. He is an Italian former football player who played as a goalkeeper.

One of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that during his 21-year professional career, he played in 346 Serie A matches, most particularly playing for A.C. Milan in 12 seasons with which he could win 12 major titles, including five Italian league and the 1994 UEFA Champions League.

Sebastiano Rossi at a glance

• Date of birth:

  20 July 1964

• Place of birth:

  Cesena, Italy

• Age:

  57 years old

• Height:

  1,98 metres

• Citizenship:

  Italy

• Position:

  Goalkeeper

• Current status:

   Retired

• Joined:

  1 July 2003

Sebastiano Rossi professional football career

Sebastiano Rossi started his professional career at his hometown's team, 

, in 1979, at the age of 15. In 1982–83, on loan, he played his first games as a senior football player with A.C. Forlì in the Serie C1, being backup in a relegation-ending season.

After he played on two more loans, Sebastiano Rossi returned to Cesena for the 1986–87 season. He only missed five matches as the Emilia-Romagna team promoted to Serie A, and he retained first-choice status in the next three top division seasons, with the team finishing 12th in 1989–90 season; he made his debut in the tournament on 13 September 1987, in a home game against 

.

Sebastiano Rossi at A.C. Milan

After his debut season in Italy's top league division, Sebastiano Rossi was noticed by A.C. Milan, and moved to the Rossoneri (also called the Dream Team) that dominated Italian football for much of the 1990s.

In his first season he backed up Andrea Pazzagli, but the veteran goalkeeper left A.C. Milan to join Bologna F.C. 1909 in the ensuing summer.

Sebastiano Rossi then shortly fought for starting duties with Francesco Antonioli, before becoming Milan's undoubted first-choice goalkeeper, being part of a defensive line that included, among others, Mauro Tassotti, Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and Paolo Maldini, considered as one of the best defensive units of all time. 

Nevertheless, unlike the above-mentioned defenders, Rossi was not selected to play for Italy in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, who was the manager of the Italian national team during this World Cup, selected the three goalkeeping spots to Gianluca Pagliuca, Luca Marchegiani and Luca Bucci.

Under Arrigo Sacchi, Sebastiano Rossi received two international call-ups by the end of 1994, but failed to make even a single appearance for his country, although several commentators regarded him as a possible alternative to the then first-choice goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca. He was still able to to have a successful club career under the coaching of Fabio Capello, as the Invincibles went on a 58-match unbeaten run and won four Scudetti during five seasons, as well as the UEFA Champions League in 1994.

After their 1996 Scudetto triumph, A.C. Milan suddenly declined afterward, finishing 11th in 1997 and tenth in 1998. In the same time, Sebastiano Rossi's own professional career declined and saw him battling Massimo Taibi for the top spot.

During the 17th week of the 1998–99 season, A.C. Milan were leading 

 2–0 when they conceded a late penalty. After Hidetoshi Nakata converted the penalty, teammate Cristian Bucchi was struck from behind by Rossi while retrieving the ball from the back of the goal. Sebastiano Rossi was sent off and later was punished with a five-match ban.

After beating out newcomer Jens Lehmann, who left the club after playing only five matches, for the number-one jersey in 1998–99, Sebastiano Rossi was finally usurped by newcomer Christian Abbiati, who had replaced him in the Perugia match.

Sebastiano Rossi at Perugia and his retirement

One of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that after the 2001–02 season Sebastiano Rossi moved to Perugia, who were facing a goalkeeper crisis at the time. Sebastiano Rossi contributed somewhat as the team retained its top level status, and then retired at the end of that single season at the age of 39.

Sebastiano Rossi made his final appearance for

at the San Siro, in a testimonial match for Demetrio Albertini, who was his teammate for eleven seasons. Then, Sebastiano Rossi worked as goalkeeper coach in the team's youth department.

Sebastiano Rossi style of play

Regarding Sebastiano Rossi style of play, it is worth mentioning that he was a tall, aggressive and bodily strong goalkeeper, who was known mostly for his self-confidence and command of the area, as well as his handling and skill to come off his line to collect crosses and high balls, due to his height and goalkeeping skill.

One of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that he was also well-known for his vocal presence in goal, and his talent to organise his defence. Due to his good reactions, quickness, power and solid positioning, he was also an actual shot-stopper, and, despite his height, was talented flexibly and capable of getting to ground quickly to parry shots, which made him skilful at saving penalty kicks. 

In spite of his aptitude, Sebastiano Rossi was at times criticised for his unstable, proud and controversial character, though, which led him to pick up several cards throughout his career, as well as his tendency to commit infrequent costly mistakes, which, along with his height and strength, earned him the nickname "l'ascensore umano" (the human lift).

In spite of the fact that Sebastiano Rossi was not the most naturally skilful goalkeeper with the ball at his feet, he possessed solid ball skills as well as a deep goal kick, and was also famous for his distribution, as well as his pace when rushing off his line, which made him very effective in Milan's zonal marking system, and assisted his team to maintain a high defensive line.

Sebastiano Rossi records

One of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that he held the record for the longest streak without conceding a goal in Serie A history. In an 11-match period, from 12 December 1993 to 27 February 1994, Rossi kept a clean sheet for 929 successive minutes before being beaten by a long-range shot by U.S. Foggia's player Igor Kolyvanov. 

Sebastiano Rossi surpassed the previous record set by Dino Zoff in 1972–73 by 26 minutes. Also and his own record of lengthiest consecutive minutes without conceding a goal was surpassed by Gianluigi Buffon on 20 March 2016, by 45 minutes.

Sebastiano Rossi also holds the record for the fewest goals conceded by a goalkeeper during a single 34-match Italian league season, with only 11 goals.

One of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that with 330 matches for A.C. Milan, he is the team's second-most capped keeper of all time, behind only Christian Abbiati with 380 games for the club.

Sebastiano Rossi controversies

One of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that he was arrested on 7 and 8 May 2011 after assaulting and hitting with a fist to the mouth of a sergeant of police in plain clothes in a bar in the center of Cesena. 

He was immediately released, and was sentenced to monetary penalty instead of a sentence to 56 days of imprisonment for injury and resistance.

On 31 July 2014, as part of an investigation related to drug dealing in Emilia-Romagna, Sebastiano Rossi was investigated together with 17 other people for possession of cocaine.

Sebastiano Rossi personal life

In this part, we have a look at Sebastiano Rossi personal life.  

Sebastiano Rossi relationship:

One of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that he is now single. As of 2021, Sebastiano Rossi is not dating anyone. According to our information Sebastiano Rossi had at least one relationship before. He has not been engaged before. Sebastiano Rossi does not have a girlfriend right now.

Sebastiano Rossi’s zodiac sign:

It is interesting to know that Sebastiano Rossi zodiac sign is a Cancer. Dates of Cancer are from 21 June to 22 July. Those born during the period of the zodiac sign Cancer want to be needed. They have a excessive desire to feel loved and respected in every part of their lives. This is needed so that they can improve a sense of safety and personality. They are nurturing, helpful, healing, sympathetic, and completely loving. However, they can be dependent, indirect, moody, inactive, and aggressive.

Sebastiano Rossi birthday:

one of the top facts about Sebastiano Rossi is that at the time when he was born, the world’s population was 3,273,670,772 and there were an estimated 115,215,976 babies born all over the world in 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson (from Democratic party) was the president of the United States of America, and the number one song on Billboard 100 was "Rag Doll" by The 4 Seasons Featuring the "Sound of Frankie Valli".

The Year of the Dragon:

It is worth mentioning that Sebastiano Rossi was born in the Year of the Dragon. People with Chinese zodiac Dragon sign are typically a group of people who are energetic, intelligent and emotional.

They can obviously tell right from wrong. Their powers are conclusive, inspirational, generous, sensitive, determined, and romantic. But they can also be unconventional, insensitive, fiery, biased, and idealistic. Their lucky numbers are 1, 7, 6, and lucky colours are gold, silver, hoary.

Baby Boomers Generation:

Baby Boomers are the 76 million people who were born between 1946 and 1964. The baby boomers were born during the post World War II. They excluded and redefined old-fashioned values. Sebastiano Rossi was born in the middle of Baby Boomers Generation.

Sebastiano Rossi birthstone:

Sebastiano Rossi birthstone is Ruby. Red rubies are symbols of harmony and peace. Their beauty tells about strength and dignity of character. It was believed to defend its wearer from evil. Usually, the ruby has been considered by ancient Hindus as the "king of gems"

Sebastiano Rossi birth flower:

Finally, Sebastiano Rossi birth flower is Larkspur. Larkspurs symbolize positivity and affection. They come in a extensive range of exciting colours including indigo, purple and pink.

Sebastiano Rossi net wealth:

 The Italian football player, Sebastiano Rossi’s net worth is between 100,000 to 1 million dollars. It is very difficult to estimate his wealth accurately due to the fact that some celebrities keep their personal life private.

Sebastiano Rossi honours

Club

Milan

• UEFA Champions League in 1993–94 season

• UEFA Super Cup in 1990 and 1994

• Intercontinental Cup in 1990

• Serie A in 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99 seasons

• Supercoppa Italiana in 1992, 1993, 1994

Individual

• A.C. Milan Hall of Fame

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