. A combative and intelligent holding midfielder, Tommasi shone as Fabio Capello guided Roma to their last Scudetto in 2001.It was not just on the club stage where Tommasi tasted success.
The former Verona prospect was a member of the Italian under-21 side to win the European Championship in 1996, and he went on to earn 25 senior caps.READ MORE: Six sports stars who turned to politics as ex-Roma ace becomes mayorHowever, it was a bold stance taken off the pitch rather than his tenacious performances on it which saw Tommasi lionised as a modern hero of Italian football.
The midfielder even received a papal blessing for his remarkable decision to turn down a lucrative contract offer in favour of far more modest terms.It was in a pre-season friendly against Stoke City in the summer of 2004 where Tommasi suffered a potentially career-ending injury.
The Italy international suffered a rupture of his cruciate ligaments in his right knee following a challenge from Gerry Taggart.At the age of 31, many feared it could bring the curtain down on Tommasi's playing days.
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