Mauro Icardi Biography: Early Life, Career, and Personal Life
Mauro Icardi is a professional football player from Argentina who has gained fame for his impressive career as a striker. Born on February 19, 1993, in Rosario, province of Santa Fe, Argentina, Icardi has become one of the most talked-about footballers of his generation. He is known for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities and has been recognized as one of the best strikers in the world.
Icardi started his football career at a young age and quickly made a name for himself in the sport. He has played for several notable clubs throughout his career, including Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and currently, Galatasaray. He has also represented the Argentine national team and has been serving as the captain of Inter Milan since 2015. Despite facing several controversies and scandals throughout his career, Icardi has remained a prominent figure in the football world.
This article will provide a comprehensive biography of Mauro Icardi, including his early life, career beginnings, rise to fame, international career, controversies and scandals, career achievements, personal life, legacy, and frequently asked questions. By the end of this article, readers will have a clear understanding of Icardi’s life and career, as well as his impact on the world of football.
Key Takeaways
- Mauro Icardi is a professional football player from Argentina known for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities.
- He has played for several notable clubs throughout his career, including Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and currently, Galatasaray.
- Despite facing several controversies and scandals throughout his career, Icardi has remained a prominent figure in the football world.
Early Life
Mauro Emanuel Icardi was born on February 19, 1993, in Rosario, Argentina, to Juan Carlos Icardi and Analia Rivero. He was raised in his hometown until he was nine years old. In 2001, Icardi’s family was forced to migrate to Spain because his father couldn’t find a job in Argentina.
In Spain, Icardi began his football career with Vecindario in Gran Canaria, where he scored over 50 goals in their youth categories. He then moved to Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, where he played for a year before joining Sampdoria’s youth team in Italy.
Icardi’s family struggled financially during his childhood. His father worked as a butcher and restaurant manager, while his mother was a housewife. Despite the financial difficulties, Icardi’s parents supported his football career and encouraged him to pursue his dreams.
Growing up, Icardi idolized Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, a former Brazilian footballer who played as a striker. He also looked up to Gabriel Batistuta, a retired Argentine footballer who played as a forward. Icardi’s passion for football and his determination to succeed helped him overcome the challenges he faced during his early life.
Career Beginnings
Mauro Icardi began his footballing career at a young age, joining the Spanish team “Vecindario” when he was just nine years old. He quickly established his talent by scoring more than 500 goals in the club’s various youth divisions.
Icardi had offers from a variety of teams, including “Real Madrid,” “Arsenal,” and “Liverpool.” However, in 2008, he formally joined “Barcelona” and passed through La Masia, the youth system of the La Liga club, before moving to Serie A club “Sampdoria” to begin his professional career in 2012.
During his time at Sampdoria, Icardi quickly made a name for himself, scoring nine goals in 22 appearances during his debut season. His impressive performances caught the attention of several top clubs, including “Inter Milan,” who signed him in 2013.
At Inter Milan, Icardi continued to impress, quickly establishing himself as one of the top strikers in Serie A. In the 2014-15 season, he finished as the joint-top scorer in the league with 22 goals, helping Inter Milan to a fourth-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
Rise to Fame
Mauro Icardi’s rise to fame began at a young age. He was born on February 19, 1993, in Rosario, Argentina. When he was nine years old, he moved to the Canary Islands with his family.
Icardi began his football career with Vecindario in Gran Canaria, where he scored over 50 goals in their youth categories. He then moved to Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, where he spent one season before moving to Sampdoria in Italy.
In 2011, Icardi made his debut for Sampdoria in Serie B and helped the team gain promotion to Serie A. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in Italian football, scoring 10 goals in his debut season in Serie A.
In 2013, Icardi signed for Inter Milan, where he continued to impress with his goalscoring ability. He won the Capocannoniere award for being the top scorer in Serie A in the 2014-15 season, scoring 22 goals in 36 appearances.
Icardi’s performances for Inter Milan attracted interest from top clubs around Europe, and in 2019, he signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan deal. He made an immediate impact, scoring two goals on his debut against Strasbourg. PSG were impressed with his performances and signed him on a permanent deal in 2020.
Since joining PSG, Icardi has continued to impress with his goalscoring ability and has helped the team win multiple trophies, including the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France.
International Career
Mauro Icardi has represented the Argentina national team in several international tournaments. He made his international debut on October 15, 2013, in a friendly match against Uruguay. He scored his first international goal on September 4, 2014, in a friendly match against Germany.
Icardi was not included in the Argentina squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but he was called up for the Copa America in 2015. He made his first appearance in the tournament in the quarterfinals against Colombia. He scored his first goal for Argentina in the semifinals against Paraguay. Argentina went on to reach the final, but lost to Chile on penalties.
Icardi was not included in the Argentina squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but he was called up for the Copa America in 2019. He made his first appearance in the tournament in the group stage match against Colombia. He scored his first goal of the tournament in the quarterfinals against Venezuela. Argentina reached the semifinals, but were eliminated by Brazil.
Overall, Icardi has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for the Argentina national team.
Controversies and Scandals
Mauro Icardi has been no stranger to controversy throughout his career. Here are some of the most notable incidents:
- In 2013, Icardi was involved in a dispute with then-teammate Maxi Lopez over Lopez’s ex-wife, Wanda Nara. Icardi and Nara eventually married, and Lopez has since publicly criticized Icardi for his behavior.
- In 2015, Icardi was stripped of the Inter Milan captaincy after he wrote in his autobiography that some of his teammates had refused to give him the ball during a match. The move sparked outrage among Inter fans, and Icardi was eventually reinstated as captain.
- In 2016, Icardi was involved in a feud with Inter teammate Marcelo Brozovic, which reportedly led to a physical altercation between the two players.
- In 2018, Icardi was left out of Argentina’s World Cup squad, with some reports suggesting that his behavior off the field may have played a role in his exclusion.
- In 2019, Icardi was involved in a dispute with Inter Milan over his contract, which led to him being frozen out of the team for several months.
Despite these controversies, Icardi remains one of the most talented strikers in world football. While his behavior off the field has sometimes been questionable, there is no denying his ability on the pitch.
Career Achievements
Mauro Icardi is one of the most successful footballers of his generation. He has won numerous titles and individual awards throughout his career. Here are some of his most notable achievements:
- Serie A Top Scorer: Icardi won the Serie A top scorer award in the 2014-15 season, scoring 22 goals for Inter Milan.
- Coppa Italia Top Scorer: Icardi was the top scorer of the Coppa Italia in the 2017-18 season, scoring 5 goals for Inter Milan.
- UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: Icardi was named in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season in the 2014-15 season, after scoring 7 goals for Inter Milan.
- Footballer of the Year: Icardi was named Footballer of the Year in Italy in 2018.
- Serie A Team of the Year: Icardi has been named in the Serie A Team of the Year twice, in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
- Inter Milan Top Scorer: Icardi is the fifth all-time top scorer for Inter Milan, with 124 goals in 219 appearances.
- Galatasaray Top Scorer: Icardi has started his career with Galatasaray with a bang, scoring 8 goals in his first 8 appearances for the club.
Icardi’s achievements demonstrate his exceptional talent and consistency as a striker. He has been a key player for every team he has played for, and his impressive goal-scoring record has earned him a reputation as one of the best forwards in the world.
Personal Life
Mauro Icardi was born on February 19, 1993, in Rosario, Argentina. He is of partial Italian origin through his paternal ancestors named Icardi from Piedmont and Da Mezan from Venice. He grew up in a poor family and had a difficult childhood.
Icardi is married to Wanda Nara, who is a model, television host, and football agent. They got married in 2014, and they have two daughters together. Nara was previously married to Icardi’s former teammate, Maxi Lopez, and the relationship between the two players has been strained ever since.
Icardi is a devout Christian and has several tattoos related to his faith. He is also known for his love of fashion and has been featured in several fashion magazines. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing video games, and listening to music.
Despite his success on the field, Icardi has faced controversy off the field. In 2018, he was stripped of his captaincy at Inter Milan after a dispute with the club’s ultras. He also faced criticism for his behavior during his time at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was accused of being disruptive in the locker room. However, he has remained a popular and successful player, and his fans continue to support him both on and off the field.
Legacy
Mauro Icardi has left a lasting legacy in the world of football. He is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the game, and his goal-scoring record speaks for itself. Icardi’s ability to find the back of the net consistently has earned him a place among the elite players of his generation.
During his time at Inter Milan, Icardi was a key player for the team. He scored 124 goals in 219 appearances, making him the seventh-highest scorer in the club’s history. He also helped the team win the Serie A title in the 2018-2019 season, their first in nine years.
Icardi’s success at Inter Milan earned him a move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he has continued to shine. In his first season with the club, he scored 20 goals in 31 appearances, helping PSG win the Ligue 1 title. He has also been a regular for the Argentina national team, scoring 9 goals in 19 appearances.
Off the field, Icardi is known for his philanthropic work. He has supported various charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). He has also been involved in campaigns to raise awareness about issues such as child poverty and education.
Overall, Mauro Icardi’s legacy is one of excellence on the field and a commitment to making a positive impact off the field. His goal-scoring prowess and dedication to helping others have earned him a place among the most respected and admired players in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What clubs has Mauro Icardi played for in his career?
Mauro Icardi has played for several clubs throughout his career. He began his footballing journey at the youth teams of Vecindario and passed through La Masia, the youth system of La Liga club Barcelona. He then moved to Sampdoria in Serie A to begin his professional career in 2012. After two seasons at Sampdoria, he joined Inter Milan in 2013. He played for Inter Milan for six seasons, scoring 124 goals in 219 appearances. In 2019, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain on loan, and the move was made permanent in 2020. Currently, he is on loan at Galatasaray.
How much does Mauro Icardi earn?
Mauro Icardi is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. According to reports, he earns around €10 million per year. However, his salary may vary depending on the club he is playing for and his performance.
What is Mauro Icardi’s height?
Mauro Icardi is 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall.
What is the latest news on Mauro Icardi’s transfer?
As of October 2023, there is no news on Mauro Icardi’s transfer. However, it is worth noting that he is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Paris Saint-Germain.
Why is Mauro Icardi not playing for Argentina?
Mauro Icardi has played for Argentina, but he has not been a regular member of the national team. He made his debut for Argentina in October 2013 but has played sparingly since then. He was controversially left out of Argentina’s final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
What is the club history of Mauro Icardi?
Mauro Icardi began his footballing journey at the youth teams of Vecindario and passed through La Masia, the youth system of La Liga club Barcelona. He then moved to Serie A club Sampdoria to begin his professional career in 2012. After two seasons at Sampdoria, he joined Inter Milan in 2013. He played for Inter Milan for six seasons, scoring 124 goals in 219 appearances. In 2019, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain on loan, and the move was made permanent in 2020. Currently, he is on loan at Galatasaray.
