[3][4] In a professional career which spanned two full decades, he mainly represented Fiorentina and Inter Milan (eight and nine seasons respectively), winning a total of 15 trophies combined.

The following season, he was praised particularly for his saves against Valencia in the Champions League quarter-final, leading football pundits to nickname the Mestalla "La Plaza de Toldo".

[16] Toldo briefly regained first-choice status in February 2006, following his signing of a contract extension (until June 2009[17]) and a slip in form by Júlio César, not before rumours linked him both to Palermo, Milan and Fiorentina.

[18] In June 2010, it was reported that Toldo would retire from football after winning a Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble during the 2009–10 season,[21] since the club had also signed a new backup goalkeeper, Luca Castellazzi.

[22] At under-21 level, Toldo made eight appearances for Italy between 1993 and 1994; he was notably a member of the side that won the 1994 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, making a crucial save in the semi-final shoot-out against hosts France.

[25] He helped his country to a runner-up finish at Euro 2000, keeping three clean sheets, contributing to the elimination of both host nations (Belgium and the Netherlands) in the process.

During the semi-final against hosts Netherlands, he saved one penalty in regulation time, and stopped two more in the successful shootout;[26][27] he was named man of the match for his performance.

[40] Although in his youth he did not particularly enjoy facing penalties,[41] he later made a name for himself as a penalty-saving specialist throughout his career;[42] he also stood out for his composure, personality and mentality in goal.

[36][43][44] In spite of his large stature, and his strong and imposing physique, he was an excellent shot-stopper, who was known for his ability to get to ground quickly and easily to parry low shots;[39][45][46] however, unusually for a goalkeeper of his height, he was less effective at coming off his line to handle crosses and high balls.