Ignazio Abate

Ignazio Abate, born on 12 November 1986, is an Italian professional football coach and a former player who played as a full-back. Today, he serves as the head coach of Serie B club Juve Stabia.

Though he began as a winger, Abate was also able to play as a wide midfielder, wing-back, and sometimes even as a centre-back. As a player, he was known for his energy, speed, and his ability to run forward with the ball on the right side. During his best years, he was one of the fastest players in Europe’s top leagues.

Abate started his career with a small club called Rescaldina before joining the youth system of Milan in 1999. He made his professional debut for Milan in 2003. After spending several years on loan to different Italian clubs, he returned to Milan and helped the team win their 18th Scudetto in the 2010–11 Serie A season. He played for Milan for ten years, making 306 appearances before retiring as a player in 2020. In 2021, he began coaching in Milan’s youth program.

Abate also played for the Italy national team. He was part of the team that reached the final of UEFA Euro 2012 and won a bronze medal at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He made his first appearance for Italy in 2011 and scored his first international goal against Germany in 2013.

Early years

Ignazio Abate was born in Sant'Agata de' Goti. His father, Beniamino Abate, was a former Italian goalkeeper and is now a coach with the Milan youth academy.

Club career

Ignazio Abate began his football journey with a small club called Rescaldina and joined AC Milan's youth team in 1999. He made his professional debut in 2003 during a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria. He also became the youngest player ever to appear for Milan in the UEFA Champions League at just 17 years old.

Abate was loaned to several clubs between 2004 and 2007, including Napoli, Piacenza, and Modena, where he gained valuable experience. In 2007, he made his debut in Serie A while playing for Empoli. After Empoli was relegated, AC Milan brought him back, and he became a regular player for Milan. He was known for his speed and good defensive skills, helping Milan win important titles.

Abate became a key player for Milan, often starting as the right-back. He made many appearances for the team and even captained Milan for the first time in 2014. In 2019, after many years with the club, he played his last home match for Milan, receiving a warm tribute from fans for his dedication and hard work.

International career

Abate played for Italy's youth teams before making his debut with the Italian under-21 side in 2006. He won the 2008 Toulon Tournament and took part in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Abate made his senior international debut for Italy in 2011. He was part of the Italian squad that reached the final of UEFA Euro 2012. He also played in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, where Italy won a bronze medal, and was in the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Managerial career

On 2 July 2021, Abate became the coach for AC Milan's under-16 team. In the 2021–22 season, he led them to the league final, but they lost to Roma. On 5 July 2022, he was promoted to coach the under-19 team.

On 21 June 2024, Abate became the main coach for the Serie C club Ternana. He was briefly dismissed and then rehired in February 2025, but dismissed again in April after a loss to Lucchese.

On 18 June 2025, Abate was named the new head coach of the Serie B club Juve Stabia.

Personal life

Ignazio Abate and his wife Valentina have three sons. Their names are Matteo, Andrea, and Benjamin. The couple got married on June 18, 2015.

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Abate goal.

Honours

Ignazio Abate earned several important awards during his career. With AC Milan, he won the Serie A in the 2010–11 season and the Supercoppa Italiana in both (/wiki/2011_Supercoppa_Italiana) and (/wiki/2016_Supercoppa_Italiana).

Playing for the Italy U-21 team, he helped win the Toulon Tournament in (/wiki/2008_Toulon_Tournament). With the Italy national team, he was a runner-up in the UEFA European Championship in (/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012).