Unlike my previous selections, which have been based on mostly objective reasoning, this team is very much based on nostalgia. I was luckily enough to visit Scilly, including Palermo, as a teenager. I remember seeing a huge, metal plaque of the eagle crest of Palermo for sale in a side street of the city and wishing I’d picked it up, even to this day. My summer there was also the summer of PES 6, Fifa 2007 and Palermo becoming the ultimate cult team of the late 2000s and 2010s. Under the freewheeling ownership of Maurizio Zamparini, they seemed to be stacked with either young, exciting talents destined to become true stars of the game, or wayward players who just couldn’t quite fit in at the biggest clubs. This reflects a very specific time in the history of this wonderful club.
Salvatore Sirigu
Now back at the club in 2025, Sirigu debuted for Palermo in 2006 and after a few seasons out on loan in the lower leagues became Le Aquile’s number one. A modern goalkeeper with excellent reflexes, he provided some instant stability after the club had lost some of its defensive stalwarts over the previous seasons. He mixed the ability to pull off the instinctive reflex saves with the confidence to command his area aerially and vocally. A hallmark of his career, he was also an excellent saver of penalties, which spoke to his reading of the game. He was instrumental in the clubs run to the 2010/11 Coppa Italia final, and with this team definitely leaning more towards the attacking side, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to show off his full array of skills.
Andrea Barzagli
Palermo seemed to excel for a spell in excellent value deals. Barzagli was signed for under 5 million euros from Chievo in 2004 and formed a mean defence during the city. Whilst Palmero were rightly lauded for their attacking talents during this era, Barzagli was part of a defensive unit which included Cristian Zaccardo and Fabio Grosso. This trio were part of Lippi’s 2006 world cup winning squad, a sign what an impact this ‘provincial’ club was having on Serie A. Whilst Barzagli is associated with Juve, he had an extended spell in Scilly and all the qualities which brought in global acclaim came to the fore. His Composure, leadership and consistency, aligned with his impressive pace allowed the creativity to flourish around him.
Jaiver Pastore
El Flaco seemed to have the opposite career arc of some of the other players in this list. Whilst Barzagli, Sirigu and Toni had greater success and recognition after making a move, it could be argued Pastore didn’t make quite the impact elsewhere as he did at Palermo. In Sicily he was a wonderful player maker; rangy and elegant, he was the fulcrum of Delio Rossi’s side that achieved a 5th place finish and reached a Coppa Italia final. Capable of operating centrally or out wide, he was justifiably viewed as one of the hottest young talents in Europe, especially after his final season, where he hit double figures for goals. He wasn’t a flat-track bully either. He scored and assisted during his time at Palermo against Juve, Milan, Inter and Roma. Although he picked up plenty of trophies after his big money move to PSG, he never seemed to quite play with the freedom or generate the type of excitement his two seasons in Scilly generated. That version, gliding and jinking around a five-a-side pitch, would be a treat to behold.
Fabrizo Miccoli
Miccoli seemed in danger of not quite fulfilling his potential when he arrived at the club in 2007. Prolific in the lower leagues, he’d struggled for consistency or game time at Juve, Fiorentina or Benfica. His move to the island was the perfect fit. Miccoli apparently idolised Maradona, splashing thousands to buy Maradona’s seized earing in 2010. Perhaps that piece of jelewry had the power of divinity, because Miccoli had more than a shade of the Argentine in his play. Miccoli was small in stature but exuded charisma, and was talismanic as a captain leading from the front. Regularly prolific, he had power and finesse in both feet. Bicycle kicks, curled shots, tap ins, in the box, out the box. He was deadly from any range. But he could also create, and was maverick dribbler and passer in the most positive way possible. Fleet of foot and of mind, he could also score from set pieces, and not just free kicks. He also picked up a few direct from a corner. A club icon, there aren’t many players better suited to the small pitch game than the “Maradona of the Salento”.
Luca Toni
Just like Miccoli, Toni’s career was looking slightly wayward by the time he arrived in the city. He’d already had seven clubs and had found success more in the lower leagues, save for one good season at Brescia in Serie A. Yet he really exploded at as a goal scorer in Palermo, setting him up for his long, late-blooming career. Physically imposing at 6’4 and strongly built, he was of course excellent at hold up play and with his head. He was a wonderful reader of the game, and could use his size and weight to bully and manoeuvre defenders to crate chances for himself and his team mates. Never quick or particularly adapt as a dribbler, it never mattered. If a team mat could create half a chance, he’d finish it. His play was also marked by his desire to work hard and also a palpable love and passion for the game, and above all, scoring goals. His iconic celebration was always accompanied by a smirk and a look of disbelieving joy. Seeing him be the focal point for this tricky but lightweight team might invoke the same reaction.