1. Leadership and Attitude
In addition to his hard midfield work and aerial skills, Ambrosini is a leader. He is constantly seen organizing his fellow team mates in the midfield and instructing them to get back and defend or to move up the field. Moreover, he is always urging his team on and encouraging them to force the issue and not give up. Even when Ambro is not playing, one can always see him getting up from the bench and shouting directions and encouragement to his squad. Ambrosini faced many injury obstacles throughout his career. He missed both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups due to physical problems. These set-backs would have scarred many players and changed their career path. However, Ambrosini was able to weather the troubles and become a valuable player for both club and country. He represented Italy 35 times and appeared in EURO 2000 and EURO 2008. Among the national team games he played was the EURO 2000 final in which Italy lost to France in extra time. To conclude, it is sad to see Ambrosini leave Milan. It marks the end of an era as he was the last of his generation within the current squad. The team that had won all those trophies in the first decade of the 2000s is gone Maldini, Nesta, Inzaghi, Gattuso, Seedorf, and now Ambrosini. His departure also marks the end of the loyal servant player it is rare to have a footballer stick with a squad for so long and work his way up from youth to captain. While there are still some around such as Romas Francesco Totti, these cases are rare. The next Milan captain will not follow in the tradition of a long serving veteran marking the departure from the old ways of the sport into the new quick-fix era of big money football. It wouldve been wonderful to see him retire with Milan, but the squad didnt want to renew Ambrosinis contract. Even though he is 36 years old, Im sure wherever he goes; Ambrosini will provide a great deal of experience, leadership, and discipline to the squad. West Ham is the rumored destination and I believe the fans will love him youre just not going to find a player with the skills, personality, and dedication of Ambrosini anymore.