• Enjoyed a spectacular debut season with Juventus after a decade at rivals AC Milan, inspiring the Bianconeri to the Serie A title undefeated; he started 37 of the 38 matches, providing 13 assists and three goals.

• Maintained his inspirational form for Italy at UEFA EURO 2012, where he was voted man of the match on three occasions – against Croatia, England and Germany – as the Azzurri upset pre-tournament predictions to reach the final; he was one of four Italy players selected in the UEFA Team of the Tournament.

• Added the Italian Super Cup to his roll of honour as Juventus won 4-2 after extra time against SSC Napoli, the team that had denied La Vecchia Signora a domestic double in the final of the Coppa Italia three months earlier.