Andrea Bertolacci
A technically gifted midfielder whose career journeyed through Italy's top clubs, marked by flashes of brilliance and persistent injury battles.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Italian professional footballer·Birthday: January 11·Millennials
Biography
Andrea Bertolacci's football story is one of early promise, high-profile moves, and a relentless struggle with fitness. Hailing from Rome, he rose through the youth ranks of his hometown club, Roma, displaying a refined left foot and intelligent midfield play. His potential triggered a series of transfers among Serie A's notable teams, including Genoa, Milan, and later Cagliari. A standout season at Genoa earned him a major move to AC Milan, but his time at the San Siro was derailed by injuries that stifled his rhythm and impact. Known for his passing range and ability to dictate tempo, Bertolacci's career became a testament to resilience, as he continually worked to reclaim his form at various clubs, including in Turkey, demonstrating the fragile nature of a footballer's trajectory at the highest level.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Andrea was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Andrea Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Andrea's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Made his Serie A debut for AS Roma in 2010 after progressing through the club's prestigious youth academy.
- Transferred to AC Milan in 2015 for a reported fee of 20 million euros following an impressive season with Genoa.
- Represented the Italian national team at multiple youth levels and earned two senior caps in 2014.
- Won the Coppa Italia with AS Roma in the 2007-08 season as a youth player, though he did not feature in the final.
Did You Know?
He is a childhood fan of AS Roma, the club where he started his professional career.
Bertolacci has a distinctive tattoo of a wolf on his right arm, a symbol often associated with Rome.
During his time at Genoa, he formed a effective midfield partnership with Danish player Andreas Granqvist.
He played for Fatih Karagümrük in the Turkish Süper Lig after leaving Italy.
“My left foot is my signature, when it obeys me.”
