serie a

In August of 2017, N.R. and L.C. finally finished the game, having reached the year 3000.

In the early nineties, Parma underwent a remarkable transformation from a lower-league side to European marauders. Their collapse was similarly spectacular, and was symbolic of an era of decline in Serie A.

In the mid nineties, before football coverage had reached saturation point, Sgorio brought Welsh viewers an embarrassment of European football riches.

Though he is little known on these shores, Paolo Sollier remains a counterculture icon in Italy. While his football often flew under the radar, his far-left politics certainly did not.

Having made his breakout at Euro 96, Pavel Nedved’s blond mop became an iconic feature of Serie A. He was fiercely loyal to Juventus and his own intense brand of football, and for that we induct him into The Cult.

Before they were winning titles and going a season unbeaten at Arsenal, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were struggling in Italy. Here’s how they shook off their Serie A woes to become icons of the Premier League.

Zdenek Zeman remains one of Italian football's most iconic coaches, renowned for his commitment to attacking tactics and a life-long rebellious streak. He is currently attempting mission impossible: to save Pescara from relegation to Serie B.

It is often taken as a truism that no man is bigger than the club, but Diego Maradona's stint at Napoli challenges this. During a glorious and at times chaotic seven years in Naples, Maradona brought a whole city under his spell.

Edgar Davids was an all-action defensive midfielder who spoke his mind, didn't take any shit, and became an icon in wraparound goggles. For his attitude, his football and his tinted shades, he earns a spot in The Cult.

This week's addition to The Cult wrote his name in football history as a prolific goalscorer for both club and country. It was for this reason that Gabriel Batistuta became better known as "Batigol".

Nicklas Bendtner once held ambitions to be amongst the greatest strikers in the world. Now, he could be on his way to Nottingham Forest. So where did it all go wrong?

For players like Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere, the senior loan provides a final chance at redemption. That said, it could also be the beginning of the end.