For the Captain Regent of San Marino, see Alessandro Mancini.
Alessandro Faiolhe Amantino (), best known as
Mancini () (born
August 1, 1980 in
Ipatinga, Brazil) is a professional
football player, currently playing with
A.S. Roma of the
Italian Serie A. In the 2005-2006 season, Mancini put in some sensational performances after the injury of club captain
Francesco Totti, helping the club to qualify for the
UEFA Champions League.
Many fans of Italian football and indeed of international football have questioned Mancini's omissions from the Brazil national team. New coach
Dunga has called-up several players from the Brazilian league yet Mancini has been consistently over-looked.
Mancini is an extremely versatile player, having played at right-back, right-midfield and winger, attacking-midfield and even as part of a front three. This versatility has seen him cement his place in Roma's first XI and put in some sensational displays over the past two seasons. However, Mancini rarely plays in defence anymore and has been getting considerable game time playing on the left side of midfield and attack. He is famous for his mazy dribbling and superb pace.
His place in the side came under speculation during the 2006-2007 season after falling out with club legend
Francesco Totti and the arrival of Swedish international winger
Christian Wilhelmsson from French team Nantes. This was furthermore fuelled by the rumours of the impending departure of
Luís Figo from Internazionale, who are believed to have acquired a first option on Mancini for 12 million pounds as part of the David Pizarro transfer. These speculations ultimately proved groundless as Mancini continued to be a key figure in the Roma team throughout the season.
Mancini scored a sensational goal against
Olympique Lyonnais in the 2nd leg of the 1st knockout round of the
UEFA Champions League 06-07, performing a total of 5 stepovers in front of Lyon's dazed defender
Anthony Reveillere before smashing the ball into the top corner of the net.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N19h4N7o4Q0
Mancini has recently been linked with a move to
Liverpool F.C. This was reported by a number of sources. On 21st of June 2007 it was reported that
Roma had rejected a bid believed to be €19million (£12.7million) from
Liverpool F.C. for
Mancini. On
July 13 Mancini's agent Gilmar Veloz claimed that there has been interest from
Liverpool F.C. and that he has spoken with
Rafael Benitez. On
July 16 Rafael Benitez rubbished the rumours and revealed
Liverpool FC’s interest in the
A.S. Roma winger was over.
Currently rumours stand that Mancini, his agent and Roma are in talks about a possible contract renewal. It is believed that for Mancini to stay Roma must break the salary cap they have set for all their players (excluding Totti).
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has now said that he is determined to land Mancini The Brazil international has since fallen out with Roma coach Luciano Spalleti in spectacular style and his agent, Gilmar Veloz, has been instructed to find him a new club during the transfer window.
Liverpool will face competition from Lyon for Mancini - but they can offer bigger wages. Benitez will be prepared to pay around £8m to land the 27-year old South American.
