Calcio Debate: Should Milan And Gennaro Gattuso Part Company?

For those who believe that football signifies a war, Gennaro Gattuso is the perfect embodiment of a warrior. The muscular body, the flying kicks, the challenges and the tackles, the serious intimidating face, the inclination to pick up a fight with the referee, the occasional red card all conveniently make him 'the terrier in the park.'

But a warrior is not ever-lasting and in any case football is not a war - it is much more than that. Eventually a day comes in the life of a warrior when he has to put his hands up and surrender and for Gattuso that fateful, inevitable and cruel time has come.

At least Leonardo thinks so. Which is why the Milan coach has persistently kept the 31-year-old out of his starting lineup of late, which in turn has infuriated the player to such a degree that he recently burst out issuing a play-me-or-I-quit notice.

The question is whether 'Ringhio' is justified in claiming a place in the team week in week out.