Goal.com 50: Antonio Di Natale (25)

After hitting 29 goals in 2009-10, Antonio Di Natale went one step further in 2010-11. For although he just missed out on matching his previous season’s goal tally, his 28 strikes helped guide his Udinese side to a richly deserved place in the Champions League playoffs.

While the Stadio Friuli side won admirers across Europe, with its young, explosive first-team squad turning in some scintillating attacking play, it would have had no hope of reaching the prestigious top four spots without the input of its inspirational skipper.

"Antonio Di Natale is an example to all players in the manner and professionalism in which he works." - Francesco Guidolin

‘Toto’ himself was also struggling, and by mid-November he had hit only two goals – one of them a penalty – from a total of 41 shots in 10 games despite Udinese’s gradual recovery. But after missing out on a midweek trip to Catania, he was recalled for Lecce’s visit to the northeast the following Sunday and promptly struck a hat-trick which injected some confidence back into both the striker himself and into the club.

Within two weeks, he was grabbing another treble. This time, it was high-flying Napoli which he put to the sword, striking with a magnificent dipping shot from range and later finding the net direct from a corner kick. Now the Udine side was starting to believe in itself, with coach Francesco Guidolin believing his troops were ready to do “something great” thanks in part to the “manner and professionalism” of the 33-year-old’s performances.

As the Zebrette’s belief went through the roof, so did the goal tallies. The new year was welcomed in with 13 goals in four games, with Di Natale registering in victories over Chievo, Genoa and Inter, as well as grabbing an excellent double in a memorable 4-4 draw away to eventual champions AC Milan. Weeks later, the striker was awarded the 2010 Best Italian Player award at the Oscar del Calcio for his performances and goals in the previous calendar year.

The Bianconeri's great form continued as it recorded a wonderful 13-game unbeaten streak which featured 35 goals, with 15 coming from the team's ace marksman alone. Braces against Cesena and Cagliari were put into the shadow by a third hat-trick of the season in the stunning 7-0 away victory against Palermo, which featured a sensational opening goal by Di Natale when he stole a yard on his marker to send a header across keeper Salvatore Sirigu from Pablo Armero’s left-wing cross.

Now able to boast 130 Serie A goals, Di Natale recently stated he wants to break the 150 barrier in the coming season. With his form over the last couple of years allied to his hunger and his team’s increased potential, he could yet grab a third successive top scorer’s crown, too.