Born in Switzerland to Italian parents from Paglieta, Chieti, Abruzzo, Di Matteo, 44 began his career with Swiss club Schaffhausen, before joining Aarau in 1991. He won the Swiss league with the club before he moved to Italian club Lazio in his motherland. A midfielder who could play as a anchor man or as a attacking threat Di Matteo played 87 appearances for the Italian capital side.
During this time, he earned his first Italian cap as he played the deep lying role for the country. Three good years at Lazio earned him a €4.9m move to Chelsea.
His Chelsea career highlight came in the very first season as he steered the club to a FA Cup win after scoring with in 42 seconds of the kick-off of the final against Middlesbrough. Di Matteo's goal was the fastest in a Wembley FA Cup final until the record was only broken by Louis Saha for Everton in 2009.
But it was his bad luck that he had to retire so early, after he sustained a triple leg fracture in a UEFA Cup tie against Swiss side St. Gallen and did not play for the next eighteen months. He gave up on hopes of returning from this injury in February 2002 and retired at the age of 31.
Club information
Current team
Schalke 04 (Manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1988–1991 Schaffhausen 50 (2)
1991–1992 Zürich 34 (6)
1992–1993 Aarau 33 (1)
1993–1996 Lazio 87 (7)
1996–2002 Chelsea. 119 (26)
Total 323 (42)
National team
1994–1998 Italy 34 (2)
Teams managed
2008–2009 Milton Keynes Dons
2009–2011 West Bromwich Albion
2011–2012 Chelsea (assistant manager)
2012 Chelsea
2014– Schalke 04
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