What’s a footballer to do after hanging up the boots? For the 2006 Italian World Cup champions, the gigs vary from management, coaching, and media to, in some rare cases, still playing (well, until recently—looking at you, Gigi). Let’s look at where Italy‘s golden generation stands in 2025.
Gianluigi Buffon
Perhaps no one embodies the spirit of football more than Gianluigi Buffon, who made over 500 appearances for Juventus and 176 for the Italian national team. He briefly retired in 2018, only to return with PSG for a season, then rejoin Juventus to partner with Cristiano Ronaldo.
In 2021, Buffon returned to Parma, where his Serie A journey had begun nearly three decades earlier. He played until age 45, finally retiring in 2023. Buffon now serves as the head of delegation for the Italian national team, returning his legendary presence to Azzurri duty in a leadership role off the pitch.
Francesco Totti
Totti was 30 years old when he lifted the World Cup, but he played another decade for Roma, ending with a staggering 786 appearances and 250 goals. The Eternal Captain briefly served as a club director but parted ways with Roma after clashes with ownership.
Today, Totti runs a football agency and remains a beloved media figure. He has resisted the lure of coaching, preferring to work behind the scenes and maintain his deep ties to Rome.
Andrea Pirlo
The midfield maestro with the velvet touch earned 116 caps for Italy and collected six Serie A titles and two Champions League wins across spells with Inter, Milan, and Juventus. He capped his playing career with New York City FC in 2017.
Pirlo made his coaching debut with Juventus in 2020–21, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa but departing after one season. He then took charge of the Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük and later Sampdoria in Serie B. As of 2025, Pirlo is currently unattached and exploring his next coaching opportunity.
Gianluca Zambrotta
The pacy full-back played 217 times for Juventus before joining Barcelona post-Calciopoli, and later returned to Serie A with AC Milan. He officially retired in 2014.
Since then, Zambrotta has dipped into coaching, starting as player-manager at Chiasso in Switzerland and following stints in India and China. He also opened a gym in Como and remains involved in youth football initiatives.
Fabio Cannavaro
Cannavaro, captain of Italy’s 2006 squad, was immense during that tournament. He anchored a defense that kept five clean sheets, earning him the Ballon d’Or that same year. He earned 136 caps over four World Cups but never won a Serie A title.
Cannavaro transitioned into coaching with stops in China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In 2022, he returned to Italy with Serie B club Benevento, but his spell ended in early 2023. He remains respected in coaching circles and is frequently linked to national team roles.
Fabio Grosso
Grosso, who scored the decisive penalty in the 2006 final, had spells with Inter, Lyon, and Juventus before retiring in 2012. He began coaching in the Juventus youth system and later took senior roles at Bari, Hellas Verona, Brescia, and Sion.
After guiding Frosinone to promotion in 2023, Grosso took over Ligue 1 side Lyon. However, the stint was short-lived, and he left in late 2023. As of 2025, Grosso is weighing up his next move amid offers in both Italy and abroad.
Gennaro Gattuso
Gattuso, the enforcer of Italy’s midfield, was more grit than glamor, and his coaching career has reflected that fire. After ending his playing days at Swiss club Sion—where he was also player-manager—he coached at Palermo, OFI Crete, Pisa, AC Milan, Napoli, and Valencia.
In 2023, Gattuso joined Marseille but parted ways after a tough start to 2024. Known for his intensity and honesty, Gattuso is currently on a coaching break but remains in demand.
Luca Toni
The towering striker who terrorized defenders at Fiorentina and Bayern Munich retired in 2016 after a final stint with Verona. He briefly worked as Verona’s sporting director and has since appeared regularly as a pundit in Italy, offering sharp commentary and insight with trademark humility.
Alessandro Del Piero
Juve’s iconic No. 10 spent 19 years with the Bianconeri, winning six Serie A titles and standing by the club through the Calciopoli relegation. With 91 caps and 27 goals for Italy, Del Piero was always a clutch player on the big stage.
Since retiring in 2014, Del Piero has thrived in media. He’s worked as a pundit with Sky Italia and ESPN FC and opened a soccer-themed restaurant in Los Angeles. Fans still dream of him taking a leadership role at Juventus, but no official move has materialized yet.
Marco Materazzi
Forever etched in World Cup history as the man who provoked Zidane’s infamous headbutt, Materazzi played five more seasons with Inter after the tournament, winning the 2010 Champions League under Mourinho.
He later became Chennaiyin FC’s player-manager in India, leading them to an Indian Super League title. Though now out of management, he occasionally resurfaces in ambassador roles and media.
Daniele De Rossi
The youngest player on Italy’s 2006 squad, De Rossi went on to have a storied career with Roma, making 616 appearances and winning two Coppa Italia titles. He ended his playing days with Boca Juniors in 2020.
After a brief stint coaching SPAL, De Rossi was appointed interim manager of Roma in January 2024 following Mourinho’s dismissal. Under his leadership, Roma has shown fight and cohesion, and as of 2025, he continues at the helm with a long-term deal rumored to be in the works.
