Massimo Ceccaroni (born 15 August 1968) is a Swiss former professional footballer who played as a defender or midfielder.
[2] Ceccaroni scored his first league goal for his club on 7 October 1992 in the home game at the St. Jakob Stadium.
[4] Nearly one year later, during Basel's 1993–94 season, on 11 September 1993, in the derby against local rivals Old Boys, Ceccaroni scored his next league goals.
Ceccaroni rushed down the right wing, staying remarkably close to the side line all the way, and after having run more than 50 meters he crossed the ball very high to the middle.
[6] During this season, under head-coach Claude Andrey, Ceccaroni's teammates were the likes of Swiss international goalkeeper Stefan Huber, defenders Reto Baumgartner, Marco Walker and Samir Tabakovic, the midfielders Mario Cantaluppi, Martin Jeitziner, Admir Smajić and Ørjan Berg and the Swiss international strikers Dario Zuffi and Philippe Hertig.
[8] Because Basel did not renew his contract, Ceccaroni retired from professional football and joined local amateur side SC Dornach so that he could complete his trainer diplomas.
As nine-year old Ceccaroni joined FC Basel and as nineteen year old he advanced to the first team.
On the other hand, also because he never scored a goal in the top division during his entire professional career, not even then when he took his only penalty.
In the 4th minute of stoppage time GC goalkeeper Stefan Huber brought down Basel's goal getter Jean-Michel Tchouga in the penalty area and was then shown the red card.
Oliver Kreuzer, Basel's designated penalty shooter, lays the ball down, but then the spectators intervene.
The game is deep in stoppage time, Basel lead 1–0 and are preparing to take over the top of the table.
Alltough the ball lands before Ceccaronis's boots and although he nails it into the net via the lower edge of the crossbar, but – oh dear – referee Stuchlik had already blown his whistle.
[9] After his retirement from professional football he joined amateur side SC Dornach for three seasons.
Since 2017 he is on Board of Directors of the FCB Holding AG and since January 2020 general manager sports project India, Chennai City FC–FC Basel.
Ceccaroni, whose parents are from Italy, was born in Basel and grew up in the quarter Saint Johann.