Sammarinese footballer
Roberto Di Maio (born 21 September 1982) is a former professional footballer who played as a defender. Born in Italy, he played for the San Marino national team.
Di Maio became the oldest player to make his senior international debut in UEFA competition, aged 40 years and 193 days, in a Euro 2024 qualifier match against Northern Ireland in March 2023.[2]
Club career
On 30 August 2010, Di Maio joined Nocerina for an undisclosed fee.[3]
On 12 August 2013, he left Lecce for L'Aquila.[4]
On 5 June 2024, at almost age of 42, he announced his retirement from the pitch, aiming to a training career.[5]
International career
Di Maio was born in Naples, Italy, but had indicated that he would be likely to accept a call-up for San Marino national football team if asked.[6] He would eventually earn his first international cap for San Marino on 23 March 2023 in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Northern Ireland, at the age of 40, after waiting the prerequisite 15 years for naturalized citizens who cannot claim ancestral roots to be eligible for La Serenissima. Di Maio had begun the naturalization process during his first stint with San Marino Calcio. His first cap made him the oldest person to make his senior debut in UEFA competition.[7]
Personal life
De Maio married his wife, Cristina, in 2012, and after ten years of marriage qualified for Sammarinese citizenship.[2] He works as an academy coach for the San Marino Football Federation, coaching the country's Under-17s team.[2]
Career statistics
- As of 17 November 2023
References
External links
