Serie A Football News – Modena-based firm Panini, which produces collectable football stickers, started the poll to elect the most loved footballer in the peninsula last December as they launched their 2008-09 collection. More than 200,000 people took part by voting on the official website or by phone.

Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero was the overwhelming winner, as reported by Turin-based daily Tuttosport.

‘Alex’ received 9,916 votes, relegating team-mate Gianluigi Buffon into second place. Inter star Zlatan Ibrahimovic came in third, in front of Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi and Milan ace Kaka.

The votes were then assembled to create an ideal starting XI with a 3-4-3 formation.

Here’s the line-up: Buffon (Juventus); Maicon (Inter), Chiellini (Juventus), Gamberini (Fiorentina); Kaka (Milan), Hamsik (Napoli), Cristiano Doni (Atalanta), Nedved (Juventus); Lavezzi (Napoli), Ibrahimovic (Inter), Del Piero (Juventus).