This could be the last season as a professional footballer for Fabio Quagliarella and Stephen Kasiewicz picks the striker’s best goals ahead of Sampdoria‘s Serie A opener against Milan.
The Italy striker marked a historic milestone with a moment of typically effortless panache.
The enduring symbol of Sampdoria scored his 100th goal for the club with an exceptional combination of style and technique as the Blucerchiati overcame the second tier Alessandria in the Coppa Italia.
The century strike was an instance of irrefutable class, a tilt of the boot using the pace of Manolo Gabbiadini’s left wing cross to lift the ball high into the net.
An intentional flick of precision timing that summed up an attacker with an inherent natural ability to produce spectacular goals. It was another to add to an already astounding highlight reel.
In a back catalogue that includes outrageous chips, audacious volleys, emphatic penalties and backheel flicks that defy gravity, the seemingly ageless forward has no equal.
Even as he approaches 40 Quagliarella still makes the impossible seem routine and the improbable a joyous reality.
Entering his seventh season for Samp, the well-travelled striker still possesses the ability to leave fans dumbstruck with awe while celebrating incredible strikes with a cheeky, knowing grin.
Milan visit the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in the final game of the opening round of Serie A fixtures knowing that Quagliarella is more than capable of adding to the ton he has already notched for the Blucerchiati.
Many masterpieces hang in the gallery of the grandmaster of extravagant goals. Yet one captures the very essence of the venerated forward’s Sampdoria career.
The flamboyant backheel flick against Napoli on September 2, 2018 in Genoa was arguably Quagliarella’s finest. Indeed it can be considered one of the best ever scored in the Italian top flight.
Rarely are such goals scored from distance, yet the veteran made it look ridiculously easy. It took just a split second for Quagliarella to make a pristine connection in mid-air to divert the ball beyond the stranded David Ospina in the Napoli goal.
A thing of beauty that left the Samp Tifosi open-mouthed and holding their heads in disbelief, it will be forever remembered and warrants many repeat viewings.
Two others deserve notable mentions, although selecting a top three from such a high-quality collection is definitely subjective. Quagliarella had a particular fondness for Chievo and registered a remarkable 50-yard volley at the Bentegodi Stadium in his first season with Samp.
Goalkeeper Lorenzo Squizzi had strayed from his line and the eagle-eyed forward punished him with a thumping hit. Squizzi was badly caught out on April Fool’s Day 2007 as the forward’s perfectly measured shot sailed over his head and into the net.
Another stunning backheel from near the penalty spot on Boxing Day 2018 showcased his extravagant touch and skill. Finding an inch of space in a crowded box, Quagliarella almost had his back to goal as he deftly looped the ball into the bottom corner. Chievo were again dazed into submission as the man who has already been immortalized in song was serenaded by home fans in the Gradinata Sud.
The 38-year-old alchemist will surely deliver more golden moments this season as Samp begin the new campaign on home turf against Milan this evening.
The Blucerchiati fans would hope the game doesn’t mark Quagliarella’s last season as a professional footballer as, when Sky Sport Italia asked him whether this will be his last campaign he replied: ‘Come back to ask it in January.’