In his Serie A career (1972–1986), Selvaggi played for Ternana (1972–74), A.S. Roma (1973–74), Cagliari (1979–82), Torino (1982–84), Udinese (1984–85), and Inter (1985–86), also playing with Taranto (1974–79), and ending his career with Sambenedettese (1986–87).

[1] Selvaggi represented the Italy national under-21 football team twice in 1980, scoring 2 goals.

With the Italy national team, he earned 3 caps in 1981, making his debut in a 0–0 home draw against East Germany on 19 April.

He was a member of the Italy team that won the 1982 World Cup under Enzo Bearzot, but he never played a match in that event.

[2][3][4] A small, quick, dynamic, mobile, and hardworking centre-forward, he excelled at making attacking runs off the ball, and at playing off his team-mates during build-up plays.