His family moved to South Africa in the late 1960s, where the Cuttitta brothers, including older sibling Michele, started to practise rugby.

After the return to Italy, Massimo and Marcello started to play at a more serious level at L'Aquila Rugby.

Cuttitta made his debut for Italy in 1990 against Poland and went on to gain 69 caps, scoring six tries and captaining the side 22 times.

He played in the first game for Italy in the inaugural Six Nations, in 2000, which his side won 34–20 against Scotland.

[2] Cuttitta died in hospital in Rome on 11 April 2021, having been admitted with symptoms of COVID-19.