There's a few I could list:
When I was younger I was a hotshot winger, and I idolized David Beckham, and Luis Figo.
Gattuso, embodies something near and dear to me, I've never seen a player with greater drive and determination then him, his skill-set is highly underrated as well. There's not a single player I'd love to have alongside me more than him.
However, for me, there is only one.
Francesco Totti.
When I read people's "he's so overrated, he plays at a second-tier club" comments, I have to laugh. Its called loyalty folks. He refused an offer to join Milan's youth setup as a young kid. What Totti has done for Roma, is astounding, most caps, most goals in the clubs history, and took them to their first scudetto in almost 20 years.
Not to mention, his incredible footballing ability. People seem to forget that he kept Del Piero out of the Italian team. The way he's chipped so many keepers, deftly maneuvers through hordes of defenders and plays incredible balls through to teammates. His unbridled passion, commitment and quirkiness make him my favorite footballer of all time.
Some of the best goal celebrations ever, especially the "6 unica" one, not to mention the one where when his wife was pregnant, and he laid on the deck, and pushed the ball out from underneath his shirt, to simulate child birth. The "I've purged you guys again" one against Nazio. He also sucks his thumb as an ode to his baby.
He's an ambassador for UNICEF and has written some joke books for charity, in order to help raise money for needy kids.
I plan on naming my first born son Francesco as an homage to him.
