Cristiano Lucarelli

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Cristiano Lucarelli

| image = Lucarelli 2011 (cropped).jpg

| upright =

| caption = Lucarelli in 2011

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1975|10|4}}

| birth_place = Livorno, Italy

| height = 1.88 m

| position = Forward

| currentclub =

| years1 = 1992–1993 | clubs1 = Cuoiopelli | caps1 = 28 | goals1 = 5

| years2 = 1993–1995 | clubs2 = Perugia | caps2 = 7 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 1995–1996 | clubs3 = Cosenza | caps3 = 32 | goals3 = 15

| years4 = 1996–1997 | clubs4 = Padova | caps4 = 34 | goals4 = 14

| years5 = 1997–1998 | clubs5 = Atalanta | caps5 = 26 | goals5 = 5

| years6 = 1998–1999 | clubs6 = Valencia | caps6 = 13 | goals6 = 1

| years7 = 1999–2001 | clubs7 = Lecce | caps7 = 59 | goals7 = 27

| years8 = 2001–2003 | clubs8 = Torino | caps8 = 56 | goals8 = 10

| years9 = 2003–2007 | clubs9 = Livorno | caps9 = 146 | goals9 = 92

| years10 = 2007–2008 | clubs10 = Shakhtar Donetsk | caps10 = 12 | goals10 = 4

| years11 = 2008–2012 | clubs11 = Parma | caps11 = 45 | goals11 = 16

| years12 = 2009–2010 | clubs12 = → Livorno (loan) | caps12 = 28 | goals12 = 10

| years13 = 2010–2012 | clubs13 = → Napoli (loan) | caps13 = 12 | goals13 = 1

| totalcaps = 498

| totalgoals = 200

| nationalyears1 = 1996 | nationalteam1 = Italy Olympic | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1996–1997 | nationalteam2 = Italy U21 | nationalcaps2 = 10 | nationalgoals2 = 10

| nationalyears3 = 1997 | nationalteam3 = Italy U23 | nationalcaps3 = 2 | nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2005–2007 | nationalteam4 = Italy | nationalcaps4 = 6 | nationalgoals4 = 3

| manageryears1 = 2013 | managerclubs1 = Perugia

| manageryears2 = 2013–2014 | managerclubs2 = Viareggio

| manageryears3 = 2014–2015 | managerclubs3 = Pistoiese

| manageryears4 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs4 = Tuttocuoio

| manageryears5 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs5 = Messina

| manageryears6 = 2017–2018 | managerclubs6 = Catania

| manageryears7 = 2018 | managerclubs7 = Livorno

| manageryears8 = 2019–2020 | managerclubs8 = Catania

| manageryears9 = 2020–2022 | managerclubs9 = Ternana

| manageryears10= 2023 | managerclubs10= Ternana

| manageryears11= 2023 | managerclubs11= Ternana

| manageryears12= 2023–2024 | managerclubs12= Catania

}}

Cristiano Lucarelli ({{IPA|it|kriˈstjaːno lukaˈrɛlli}}; born 4 October 1975) is an Italian football manager and a former player who played as a forward.

Club career

Lucarelli was born in Livorno, Italy.

A journeyman striker, he had stints with eight different teams (including a brief run in Spain with Valencia) before signing with hometown Livorno in 2003. While playing for Torino the previous season, he attended a match that saw Livorno emerge victorious and earn promotion to Serie B, and he was among a throng of fans who rushed the pitch afterwards in celebration. He made an immediate impact in Livorno's return to Serie A in the 2003–04 season, scoring 29 goals in 38 matches and instantly winning a place in the hearts of Amaranto fans.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/07/sezioni/sport/calcio/calciomercato-13-lug/calciomercato-13-lug/calciomercato-13-lug.html|title=Cristiano Lucarelli allo Shakhtar Donetsk|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=13 July 2007|access-date=4 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=301577.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160509142531/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=301577.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 May 2016|title=Money can't buy Lucarelli|publisher=UEFA|author1=Paolo Menicucci|date=13 May 2005|access-date=4 February 2016}} He won the Golden Boot Award as Serie A's top goalscorer the following season, with 24 in 35 matches as Livorno finished in eighth place.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11870/2337694/lucarelli-top-of-the-charts|title=Lucarelli top of the charts|publisher=Sky Sports|author1=Nadia Carminati|access-date=4 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/340888/livorno-not-interested-in-selling-lucarelli|title=Livorno 'not interested in selling Lucarelli'|publisher=ESPN FC|date=29 August 2005|access-date=4 February 2016}}

A rarity in the football world in terms of club loyalty, he rejected several better-paying offers from other Italian and European clubs (among them a €3 million offer from Zenit Saint Petersburg in July 2006) to remain with Livorno. He was once quoted as saying, "Some football players pay a billion for a Ferrari or a yacht; with that money, I bought myself Livorno’s shirt. That's all."{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/blogs/livorno-keep-red-flag-flying-italy-358079|title=Livorno keep the red flag flying in Italy|publisher=World Soccer|author1=Greg Lea|date=30 November 2014|access-date=4 February 2016}}

He scored his 100th Serie A goal as part of a hat-trick in a 4–1 defeat of Catania on 1 April 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/03/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata-30/livorno-catania/livorno-catania.html|title=Lucarelli è l'anima del Livorno Il capitano festeggia i 100 gol in A|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=1 April 2007|access-date=4 February 2016}}

Lucarelli's seemingly perfect relationship with the team soured after a conflict with club president Aldo Spinelli arose over the firing of coach Daniele Arrigoni in March 2007, during which he openly stated his desire to leave. It became permanently damaged a month later when Lucarelli received a frosty reception from supporters after a sluggish 1–1 home draw with Reggina, with many fans going as far as to accuse Livorno of match-fixing. Lucarelli, hurt by the fans' criticism, reiterated his plans to leave Livorno at the end of the season.

In May, he was quick to snuff out rumours of a move to Serie A rivals Fiorentina and continued to remain ambiguous about his future with Livorno, claiming that he would decide by 6 June; five days later, Lucarelli announced that he would be staying home for next season due to a lack of offers from other teams, despite fresh rumours about Palermo, Parma and Sampdoria being interested in his services.

However, on 13 July, Lucarelli agreed to join Shakhtar Donetsk for £6 million, signing a three-year contract worth £2.8 million a season, thus becoming the first Italian to play in Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/sep/18/europeanfootball.sport1|title=Shakhtar Donetsk are hoping money talks in Europe|work=The Guardian|author1=Jonathan Wilson|date=18 September 2007|access-date=4 February 2016}} {{citation needed span|text=The news resulted in a flood of negative responses from fans on his official website. He replied to the furore at a press conference, "I am going, but I didn't hold a gun to anyone's head... Shakhtar signed me for a figure that was below the buy-out clause of my contract. That means the club made its considerations and thought that £6m was good for a player going on 32."|date=July 2013}}

Lucarelli scored his first European goal for Shakhtar in their 3–1 third qualifying round return game of the 2007–08 Champions League against Red Bull Salzburg on 29 August 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01c5-0ea9275c49b5-67f28079b2b6-1000--lucarelli-justifies-donetsk-decision/|title=Lucarelli justifies Donetsk decision|publisher=UEFA|author1=Pavle Gognidze|date=19 September 2007|access-date=4 February 2016}}

On 15 January 2008, Lucarelli was sold to Parma for ₤4 million, and he signed a three-and-a-half year, ₤1.2 million contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/2008-as-it-happened-274438|title=2008 as it happened|publisher=World Soccer|date=22 December 2008|access-date=4 February 2016}} His younger brother, Alessandro, joined him at Parma for the 2008–09 season. His time at Parma did not prove to be particularly successful, as he scored only four goals in 16 matches in the remaining half of the 2007–08 season, with his side being ultimately relegated to Serie B after a long struggle with results. He also opted to stay with Parma for the 2008–09 season, aiming to contribute to bringing the team back in the topflight. During the first part of the season, he initially served as the club's captain and played 19 games, scoring a total of eight goals; however, on 5 February, ahead of the team's away fixture against Ancona, he was ultimately left out of the first team after leaving a training session early. He was subsequently featured intermittently throughout the second half of the season. In total, he only made 29 appearances for the club throughout the season (out of a possible 42), scoring 12 goals.{{cite web|url=http://parma.repubblica.it/dettaglio/lucarelli-sazzuffa-con-pisanu-lascia-lallenamento:-e-fuori/1586304|title=Lucarelli s'azzuffa con Pisanu lascia l'allenamento: è fuori|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=5 February 2009|access-date=21 May 2017}}

In July 2009, Lucarelli completed a much-publicized comeback at Livorno on a loan move from Parma; he had already played for Livorno from 2003 to 2007.{{cite news |url=http://www.livornocalcio.it/notizie/notizie.php?id=3791 |publisher=AS Livorno Calcio |language=it |access-date=16 July 2009 |date=15 July 2009 |title=Ufficiale: Cristiano Lucarelli al Livorno |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724020031/http://www.livornocalcio.it/notizie/notizie.php?id=3791 |archive-date=24 July 2009}}{{cite news |url=http://www.fcparma.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1854:cristiano-lucarelli-ceduto-al-livorno&catid=1:news&Itemid=2 |publisher=Parma FC |language=it |access-date=16 July 2009 |date=15 July 2009 |title=CRISTIANO LUCARELLI CEDUTO AL LIVORNO |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701182104/http://www.fcparma.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1854%3Acristiano-lucarelli-ceduto-al-livorno&catid=1%3Anews&Itemid=2 |archive-date=1 July 2015}}

In June 2010, after Livorno's relegation to Serie B and the end of his loan, he returned to Parma, who continued in Serie A.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/node/1578|title=Lucarelli ready for Napoli comeback|publisher=Football Italia|date=23 December 2010|access-date=4 February 2016}}

On 21 August 2010, it was announced that he had been loaned to Napoli.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12962_6328420,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=22 August 2010 |title=Lucarelli loaned to Napoli }} After two seasons with the club, he announced his retirement after the end of the 2011–12 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/06-07-2012/nesta-montreal-di-vaio-inter-blitz-brasile-lucas-911751925849.shtml|title=Modric al Real, Nesta a Montreal El Kaddouri, alleanza Milan-Juve|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=6 July 2012|access-date=4 February 2016}}

International career

Lucarelli was capped six times for the Italy senior squad between 2005 and 2007, scoring 3 goals;{{cite web|url=http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=1741&squadra=1|title=Lucarelli, Cristiano|publisher=FIGC|language=it|access-date=4 February 2016}} he was also a member of the team that took part in the 1996 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/atlanta1996/matches/round=197143/match=32222/index.html|title=Atlanta, 1996: Mexico - Italy (1 - 0)|publisher=FIFA.com|access-date=4 February 2016}} His aforementioned debut was during a 2005 friendly tournament in the United States and Canada, where he scored his first international goal in a 1–1 draw against Serbia and Montenegro at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on 8 June.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer-friendly-in-toronto-ends-in-stalemate-1.565021|title=Soccer friendly in Toronto ends in stalemate|publisher=CBC|author1=JOHN F. MOLINARO|date=9 June 2005|access-date=4 February 2016}} He was left off the Italy roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup,{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2006/05/sezioni/sport/calcio/nazionale/conferenza-stampa-lippi/conferenza-stampa-lippi/conferenza-stampa-lippi.html|title=Lippi ha fiducia, nonostante tutto Convocato Buffon: "E' sereno"|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|author1=VALERIO GUALERZI|date=15 May 2006|access-date=21 May 2017}} but was recalled by new coach Roberto Donadoni – who had briefly coached Lucarelli at Livorno earlier in the year – for a friendly against Croatia on 16 August 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Sport/2006/08_Agosto/12/nazionale.html|title=Ecco la prima Italia di Donadoni|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=13 August 2006|access-date=21 May 2017}}

Due to a rash of injuries among the Azzurri, Lucarelli was summoned for a pair of June Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania and the Faroe Islands.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/05/sezioni/sport/calcio/nazionale/convocazioni-far-oer/convocazioni-far-oer/convocazioni-far-oer.html|title=Euro 2008, Inzaghi torna azzurro nelle gare contro Faroer e Lituania|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=28 May 2017|access-date=21 May 2017}} He came on as a substitute for Filippo Inzaghi in the 58th minute of Italy's narrow 2–1 victory over the Faroe Islands on 2 June 2007,{{cite web|url=http://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/sport/articoli/articolo364485.shtml|title=E' piccola Italia ma grande Inzaghi|publisher=TGcom24|language=it|date=2 June 2007|access-date=21 May 2017}} but did not play in a 2–0 defeat of Lithuania on 6 June.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/06/sezioni/sport/calcio/nazionale/lituania-italia/lituania-italia/lituania-italia.html|title=E' nata una stella, Quagliarella a Kaunas due gol da ricordare|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=6 June 2007|access-date=21 May 2017}} Lucarelli also substituted for Inzaghi in the 65th minute of a Euro 2008 qualifying match against France on 8 September 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/Primo_Piano/2007/09_Settembre/08/Italia_Francia_0809.shtml|title=Italia e Francia si annullano A San Siro vince la tensione|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Gaetano De Stefano|date=8 September 2007|access-date=21 May 2017}} He scored his first brace in Italy's 2–0 friendly win over South Africa on 17 October.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2007/10/sezioni/sport/calcio/nazionale/italia-sudafrica/italia-sudafrica/italia-sudafrica.html|title=Lucarelli, due gol nel finale e l'Italia batte il Sudafrica|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|date=17 October 2007|access-date=21 May 2017}}

Coaching career

Lucarelli became a youth coach at Parma for the 2012–13 season. Charge of the club's second most senior youth side (the Allievi Nazionale), composed of players aged between 15 and 17 years.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsbook24.net/?action=read&idnotizia=52140 |title=Parma, orari e nuovi allenatori del Settore Giovanile - Sportsbook24 |access-date=3 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222080411/http://www.sportsbook24.net/?action=read&idnotizia=52140 |archive-date=22 February 2013}} He left Parma in June 2013 to accept an offer to become the new head coach of ambitious Lega Pro Prima Divisione club Perugia, only to be sacked before the start of the season due to disagreements with the board.{{ cite news |url=http://www.ilmessaggero.it/umbria/calcio_caos_perugia_camplone_subito_in_campo_lucarelli_addio_laquosituazione_paradossaleraquo/notizie/318584.shtml |publisher=Il Messaggero |language=it |access-date=9 August 2014 |title=Calcio, caos Perugia: Camplone subito in campo. Lucarelli addio: "Situazione paradossale" |date=24 August 2013}} He then returned into management in October 2013, to become the new head coach of Viareggio, still in Lega Pro Prima Divisione.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanazione.it/livorno/sport/calcio/2013/10/30/974421-lucarelli-livorno-viareggio.shtml|title=Cristiano Lucarelli è il nuovo allenatore del Viareggio|publisher=La Nazione |access-date=9 August 2014 |date=30 October 2013}} He then left the club in June 2014 to accept an offer from newly promoted Lega Pro club Pistoiese.{{cite news|url=http://www.uspistoiese1921.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1464:ufficiale-secondo-colpo-grosso-della-pistoiese-cristiano-lucarelli-nuovo-allenatore-|title=SECONDO COLPO GROSSO DELLA PISTOIESE. CRISTIANO LUCARELLI NUOVO ALLENATORE |publisher=US Pistoiese 1921|date=12 June 2014 |access-date=9 August 2014}}

In October 2016, he was named the new head coach of relegation-struggling Lega Pro club Messina.{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzamercato.it/lega-pro/messina-cristiano-lucarelli-sara-il-nuovo-tecnico/ |title=Messina, Cristiano Lucarelli sarà il nuovo tecnico |publisher=Gazzamercato|date=17 October 2016 |language=it |access-date=22 June 2017}} After guiding the club to safety during a period of serious financial struggles followed by a club takeover, Lucarelli and Messina mutually parted company by the end of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/lega-pro-serie-d/lega-pro/2017/06/06-26819825/calciomercato_messina-lucarelli_e_ufficiale_l_addio/ |title=Calciomercato Messina-Lucarelli: è ufficiale l'addio |publisher=Tuttosport|date=6 June 2017 |language=it |access-date=22 June 2017}} A few days later, he was announced as new head coach of fellow Sicilian Lega Pro club Catania.{{cite news|url=http://www.lasicilia.it/news/catania/88831/serie-c-cristiano-lucarelli-e-il-nuovo-allenatore-del-catania.html |title=Serie C, Cristiano Lucarelli è il nuovo allenatore del Catania |publisher=La Sicilia|date=15 June 2017 |language=it |access-date=22 June 2017}}

In July 2017, Lucarelli was appointed Catania's new head coach. After one season in charge, he left the club to become the manager of Livorno, but he was sacked on 7 November due to a poor start in the 2018–19 Serie B season.

On 22 October 2019, he was hired by Catania once again.{{cite press release|publisher=Catania|url=https://www.calciocatania.it/article.php?id=36452&l=|title=Cristiano Lucarelli nuovamente alla guida del Catania|date=22 October 2019|language=it|access-date=23 October 2019|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127072731/https://www.calciocatania.it/article.php?id=36452&l=|url-status=dead}} On 29 July 2020, his Catania contract was terminated by mutual consent.{{cite press release|publisher=Catania|url=https://www.calciocatania.it/article.php?id=36978&l=|title=Cristiano Lucarelli si congeda dal Catania: "Con amore per il club e nel rispetto dei suoi sforzi"|date=29 July 2020|language=it}}

On 8 August 2020, he joined Ternana in Serie C.{{cite web|publisher=Ternana|url=https://ternanacalcio.com/cristiano-lucarelli-e-il-nuovo-allenatore-della-ternana-calcio/|title=Cristiano Lucarelli è il nuovo allenatore della Ternana Calcio|date=8 August 2020|language=it}} Under his tenure, Ternana were crowned Girone C champions, winning promotion to Serie B on 3 April 2021 with still four games in hand.{{cite web|publisher=Corriere dello Sport - Stadio|url=https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/lega-pro-serie-d/lega-pro/2021/04/03-80479663/festa_ternana_e_in_serie_b_cavalcata_trionfale_per_lucarelli|title=Festa Ternana: è in Serie B! Cavalcata trionfale per Lucarelli|date=4 April 2021 |accessdate=5 May 2021|language=it}}

After guiding Ternana to safety in their first season return to Serie B, and despite a positive start to the 2022–23 Serie B season, Lucarelli was dismissed on 26 November 2022 following a negative string of results;{{cite web |language=it |publisher=Ternana Calcio |date=26 November 2022 |accessdate=28 November 2022 |url=https://ternanacalcio.com/cristiano-lucarelli-sollevato-dallincarico-di-allenatore-della-prima-squadra/ |title=Cristiano Lucarelli sollevato dall'incarico di allenatore della prima squadra}} he was appointed back at the helm of Ternana on 27 February 2023, following the resignations of Aurelio Andreazzoli.{{cite web |language=it |publisher=Ternana Calcio |date=27 February 2023 |accessdate=28 February 2023 |url=https://ternanacalcio.com/tornano-sulla-panchina-delle-fere-cristiano-lucarelli-ed-il-suo-staff/ |title=Tornano sulla panchina delle Fere Cristiano Lucarelli ed il suo staff}} After not being confirmed by the end of the season, Lucarelli was hired for a third time on 14 July 2023, following a change of ownership and the early departure of Aurelio Andreazzoli, who was originally expected to be the new manager for the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |url=https://ternanacalcio.com/cristiano-lucarelli-torna-sulla-panchina-delle-fere/ |publisher=Ternana Calcio |date=14 July 2023 |title=Cristiano Lucarelli torna sulla panchina delle Fere |language=it}} He was however dismissed once again on 6 November 2023 after a negative start to the season.{{cite web |language=it|date=6 November 2023 |accessdate=6 November 2023 |publisher=Ternana Calcio |title=Cristiano Lucarelli ed il suo staff sollevati dall'incarico |url=https://ternanacalcio.com/cristiano-lucarelli-ed-il-suo-staff-sollevati-dallincarico/}} Just a few days later, on 14 November, Lucarelli agreed to return to Serie C club Catania, signing a contract until 30 June 2026 with the Sicilians.{{cite web |language=it|date=14 November 2023 |accessdate=14 November 2023 |publisher=Catania FC |title=Cristiano Lucarelli alla guida del Catania |url=https://www.cataniafc.it/blog-detail/post/214684/cristiano-lucarelli-alla-guida-del-catania}} He was removed from his coaching post just a few months later, on 7 March 2024, after failing to improve the team results, leaving Catania just above the relegation playoff zone, despite having successfully led the Rossazzurri to qualify for the Coppa Italia Serie C finals.{{cite web |language=it|date=7 March 2024 |accessdate=7 March 2024 |publisher=Catania FC |title=Comunicato Stampa |url=https://www.cataniafc.it/blog-detail/post/224586/comunicato-stampa}}

Outside of professional football

=Personal life=

Cristiano's younger brother, Alessandro, is also a former footballer, who played as a defender in the Serie A league (also sharing a few seasons together with Cristiano while at Livorno), and most notably captaining Parma.{{cite web|url=http://www.calciomercato.com/news/alessandro-lucarelli-difensore-con-i-fiocchi-573038|title=Alessandro Lucarelli: Difensore con i fiocchi|publisher=Calciomercato.com|language=it|date=22 July 2011|access-date=21 May 2017}}

His son Mattia (born 1999), a full-back, followed in his father's footsteps, also playing for Livorno himself during the 2022–23 season.{{cite web |language=it |accessdate=12 December 2022 |url=https://www.iltirreno.it/livorno/sport/2022/07/11/news/il-livorno-ingaggia-il-figlio-di-cristiano-lucarelli-ecco-mattia-nel-nome-del-padre-1.100050889 |publisher=Il Tirreno |date=11 July 2022 |title=Il Livorno ingaggia il figlio di Cristiano Lucarelli: ecco Mattia, nel nome del padre}}

=Business ventures=

On 16 July 2010, Lucarelli became a share-holding partner of Carrarese; he initially owned 50% of the club's shares, along with Gianluigi Buffon and Maurizio Mian.{{cite web|url=http://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/sport/2010/07/17/news/finalmente-accordo-fatto-si-parte-1.1967696|title=Finalmente, accordo fatto: si parte|publisher=Il Tirreno|language=it|date=17 July 2010|access-date=3 September 2014}}

=Passion, political views and controversy=

Lucarelli's passion for his home club often resulted in many questionable incidents.{{cite web|url=https://insunandshadow.com/2011/12/14/political-footballers-xi-striker-cristiano-lucarelli/|title=Political Footballers XI: Striker Cristiano Lucarelli|publisher=In Sun and Shadow|date=14 December 2011|accessdate=25 October 2023}} The May 2005 issue of Calcio Italia reported that he had paid for a bus that brought a cadre of travelling Livorno fans back to the city after they had been arrested for rioting. He has the Livorno logo tattooed on his left forearm and his jersey number, 99, was an homage to left-wing ultras group Brigate Autonome Livornesi, which was founded in 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/cristiano-lucarelli-my-secret-vice#:HEELMAufoB12sA|title=Cristiano Lucarelli: My Secret Vice|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=6 March 2008|access-date=4 February 2016}}

He was also of an increasingly rare breed of Italian footballer who openly brought his politics onto the pitch; his goal celebration consisted of a dual clenched-fist salute, a gesture made famous by the Communist party.{{cite web|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2011/01/02/italia/cronache/lucarelli-il-goleador-rosso-che-i-compagni-non-amano-piu-duKh6Y2KbQUxEQgd0lGs5I/pagina.html|title=Lucarelli, il goleador rossoche i compagni non amano più|publisher=La Stampa|language=it|author1=Andrea Scanzi|date=2 January 2011|access-date=4 February 2016}} He has openly stated that he is a supporter of communism.{{cite web|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/01/27/lucarelli-and-di-canio-the-communist-and-the-fascist/|title=Lucarelli and Di Canio: the communist and the fascist|publisher=These Football Times|date=27 January 2015|accessdate=25 October 2023}} One of his mobile phone ringtones was Bandiera Rossa, and he once declared, “We Livorno get no favours from the referees because we are Communists!”, but later retracted this statement.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/di-canio-top-10-political-1798130|title=Political footballers: Paolo Di Canio and 10 other players who have nailed their colours to the mast|publisher=The Mirror|author1=Dan Silver|date=2 April 2013|access-date=4 February 2016}}

{{Quote box

| quote = Lucarelli, the supporter who became a Livorno player and icon, even had his mobile phone ring to the tune of The Red Flag.

| source = The National[http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/livorno-fans-see-red-all-the-time Livorno Fans see Red – all the Time] by Ian Hawkey, The National, February 5, 2010

| width = 35%

| align = right

}}

He is a staunch admirer of Che Guevara, whose face is frequently displayed on Livorno fans' banners and T-shirts during matches.{{cite web|url=https://moderngame.co.uk/post/cristiano-lucarelli-livorno|title=Cristiano Lucarelli: Livorno's Maverick|publisher=The Modern Game|date=21 February 2013|accessdate=25 October 2023}} This first came to the fore in 1997, when, after scoring for Italy's Under-21 side, he celebrated by pulling his shirt over his face to reveal a shirt bearing Che Guevara's image. Despite his insisting that it was not a political gesture, he was consequently blackballed from the national team for several years until Marcello Lippi called him up as a starter for a friendly in 2005.

Lucarelli met Guevara's daughter, Aleida Guevara, after the 2004–05 Serie A season; one subject of discussion was the possibility of Livorno travelling to Cuba to play a charity match, but it never came to fruition.{{cite web|url=https://breakingthelines.com/historical/cristiano-lucarelli-how-a-political-enemy-became-italys-best-goalscorer/|title=Cristiano Lucarelli: How a Political Enemy Became Italy's Best Goalscorer|publisher=Breaking the Lines|date=21 September 2020|accessdate=25 October 2023}}

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{cite web\|title=Cristiano Lucarelli » Club matches\|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/cristiano-lucarelli/2/\|website=worldfootball.net\|access-date=25 February 2018}}{{NFT player\|id=13034\|accessdate=}}
Division\|\|Apps\|\|Goals\|\|Apps\|\|Goals\|\|Apps\|\|Goals\|\|Apps\|\|Goals
Cuoiopelli	1992–93	Nazionale Dilettanti	28	5			0	0	28	5
rowspan="3"\|Perugia	1993–94	Serie C1	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
1994–95	Serie B	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
colspan="2"\|Total\|\|7\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|7\|\|0
Cosenza	1995–96	Serie B	32	15	0	0	0	0	32	15
Padova	1996–97	Serie B	34	14	1	0	0	0	35	14
Atalanta	1997–98	Serie A	26	5	4	1	0	0	30	6
Valencia	1998–99	La Liga	13	1	0	0	7	2	20	3
rowspan="3"\|Lecce	1999–2000	rowspan="2"\|Serie A	30	15	4	2	0	0	34	17
2000–01	29	12	4	2	0	0	33	14
colspan="2"\|Total\|\|59\|\|27\|\|8\|\|4\|\|0\|\|0\|\|67\|\|31
rowspan="3"\|Torino	2001–02	rowspan="2"\|Serie A	30	9	0	0	0	0	30	9
2002–03	26	1	2	0	4	1	32	2
colspan="2"\|Total\|\|56\|\|10\|\|2\|\|0\|\|4\|\|1\|\|62\|\|11
rowspan="5"\|Livorno	2003–04	Serie B	41	29	1	0	0	0	42	29
2004–05	rowspan="3"\|Serie A	35	24	4	1	0	0	39	25
2005–06	36	19	3	3	0	0	39	22
2006–07	34	20	1	0	7	5	42	25
colspan="2"\|Total\|\|146\|\|92\|\|9\|\|4\|\|7\|\|5\|\|162\|\|101
Shakhtar Donetsk	2007–08	Premier League	12	4	0	0	9	4	21	8
rowspan="3"\|Parma	2007–08	Serie A	16	4	0	0	0	0	16	4
2008–09	Serie B	29	12	1	0	0	0	30	12
colspan="2"\|Total\|\|45\|\|16\|\|1\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|46\|\|16
Livorno	2009–10	Serie A	28	10	2	0	0	0	30	10
rowspan="3"\|Napoli	2010–11	rowspan="2"\|Serie A	9	1	1	0	1	0	11	1
2011–12	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
colspan="2"\|Total\|\|12\|\|1\|\|1\|\|0\|\|1\|\|0\|\|14\|\|1
colspan="3"\|Career total\|\|498\|\|200\|\|28\|\|9\|\|28\|\|12\|\|554\|\|221

=International=

National team	Year	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan="3"\|Italy \|2005	2	1
2006	1	0
2007	3	2
colspan="2"\|Total\|\|6\|\|3

Managerial statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Nat !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="8"\|Record
{{Tooltip\|G\|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip\|W\|Games won}} !{{Tooltip\|D\|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip\|GF\|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip\|GA\|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip\|GD\|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}
align="left"\|Perugia \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|24 June 2013 \|align=left\|24 August 2013 {{WDL\|1\|0\|0\|1\|for=0\|against=1\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Viareggio \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|30 October 2013 \|align=left\|12 June 2014 {{WDL\|23\|6\|4\|13\|for=20\|against=33\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Pistoiese \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|12 June 2014 \|align=left\|9 February 2015 {{WDL\|27\|7\|9\|11\|for=29\|against=44\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Tuttocuoio \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|18 June 2015 \|align=left\|26 April 2016 {{WDL\|36\|10\|10\|16\|for=25\|against=39\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Messina \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|18 October 2016 \|align=left\|15 June 2017 {{WDL\|32\|12\|9\|11\|for=33\|against=38\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Catania \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|15 June 2017 \|align=left\|4 July 2018 {{WDL\|43\|25\|8\|10\|for=80\|against=38\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Livorno \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|6 July 2018 \|align=left\|6 November 2018 {{WDL\|12\|1\|3\|8\|for=9\|against=20\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Catania \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|22 October 2019 \|align=left\|29 July 2020 {{WDL\|27\|12\|10\|5\|for=29\|against=25\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Ternana \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|8 August 2020 \|align=left\|26 November 2022 {{WDL\|95\|52\|20\|23\|for=185\|against=122\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Ternana \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|27 February 2023 \|align=left\|21 June 2023 {{WDL\|12\|2\|3\|7\|for=11\|against=19\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Ternana \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|14 July 2023 \|align=left\|6 November 2023 {{WDL\|13\|1\|3\|9\|for=10\|against=17\|diff=yes}}
align="left"\|Catania \|{{flagicon\|Italy}} \|align=left\|14 November 2023 \|align=left\|Present {{WDL\|17\|6\|5\|6\|for=21\|against=15\|diff=yes}}
colspan=4\|Career total {{WDLtot\|338\|134\|84\|120\|for=452\|against=411\|diff=yes}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|Nat

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="8"|Record

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}

!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}

!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}

align="left"|Perugia

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|24 June 2013

|align=left|24 August 2013

align="left"|Viareggio

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|30 October 2013

|align=left|12 June 2014

align="left"|Pistoiese

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|12 June 2014

|align=left|9 February 2015

align="left"|Tuttocuoio

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|18 June 2015

|align=left|26 April 2016

align="left"|Messina

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|18 October 2016

|align=left|15 June 2017

align="left"|Catania

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|15 June 2017

|align=left|4 July 2018

align="left"|Livorno

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|6 July 2018

|align=left|6 November 2018

align="left"|Catania

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|22 October 2019

|align=left|29 July 2020

align="left"|Ternana

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|8 August 2020

|align=left|26 November 2022

align="left"|Ternana

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|27 February 2023

|align=left|21 June 2023

align="left"|Ternana

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|14 July 2023

|align=left|6 November 2023

align="left"|Catania

|{{flagicon|Italy}}

|align=left|14 November 2023

|align=left|Present

colspan=4|Career total

Honours

=Player=

Perugia{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/cristiano-lucarelli/4143/|title=C. Lucarelli|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=4 February 2016}}

Lega Pro Prima Divisione: 1993–94

Valencia{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/cristiano-lucarelli_prs4792/person.shtml|title=Cristiano Lucarelli|publisher=Eurosport|access-date=4 February 2016}}

Shakhtar

Napoli

Coppa Italia: 2011–12

Individual

Serie A top-scorer: 2004–05{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/italtops.html |title=Italy - Serie A Top Scorers |author1=Roberto Di Maggio |author2=Igor Kramarsic |author3=Alberto Novello |date=11 June 2015 |access-date=2 December 2015 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031163443/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/italtops.html |archive-date=31 October 2015}}

=Managerial=

Ternana

References

External links

{{Official website|url=http://www.cristianolucarelli.it/}} {{in lang|it}}
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpX6hku3Ojc HistoriasDeFútbol. Episodio 4 "Lucarelli el ragazzo de la 99"]

Category:Living people

Category:1975 births

Category:Footballers from Livorno

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Italian men's footballers

Category:Italy men's international footballers

Category:AC Perugia Calcio players

Category:Atalanta BC players

Category:Valencia CF players

Category:US Lecce players

Category:Torino FC players

Category:US Livorno 1915 players