A life as a “Golden Boy”. With the number 10 on his back he made half the football world fall in love. Almost twenty years of loyalty to Milan, the team of his life, with which he played for most of his career, apart from the initial interlude in Alessandria, the club of the city where he was born. Then the many emotions with the National. Gianni rivera today he turns 80.
One of the legends of Italian football is being celebrated these days. And the mind inevitably travels, to retrace his exceptional footballing career: 3 Italian championships won with the red and black jersey, 2 Champions Cups, 2 Cup Winners' Cups and an Intercontinental Cup, in addition to the success with the Italian national team at the 1968 European Championships. In December 1969, the number 10 of the red and blacks was also awarded the Golden Ball (the first Italian to win it). Gigi Riva came in second, just 4 votes behind.
Gianni, on the pitch, was a midfielder that today we would define as “modern”, skilled in distributing the game, as well as in proposing himself forward as an attacking midfielder: a godsend for the attackers he played with, who knew perfectly well that the class of the “Golden Boy” could certainly send them to the goal with ease. But he too, the vice of scoring, has always been in his blood. Like that time, we were in the 1972-73 season, when he graduated top scorer of Serie A with 17 goals, ex aequo with Pulici and Savoldi.
Rivera: “Gravina knows it, I am available to be Italy’s coach”
“I would say that I can be satisfied with what happened to me. - he has declared Gianni rivera in an interview given to the press these days – I started thinking about it when they first wished me a happy birthday. Even though I don't like taking stock, for me age doesn't exist: Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney still give concerts, there's a gentleman my age in the White House and a certain John Glenn, at 77, went back to the moon. I, who have reached the threshold of 80, would like to coach".
Here, right on his important birthday, is the most sensational statement: “I even told it to Gravina – Rivera continued – I am available to be the Ct. Tavecchio (former president of the FIGC, ed.) he had thought of me after Ventura: but I didn't have my license yet and the coaches were against it. Costacurta told me I had no experience, but I had been a coach on the field for twenty years. With a group of friends we were already ready to take over Bari, but then they didn't sell anymore".
Devil (it's really the case to say it, given his past at Milan) of a Rivera, at 80 years old he still has plans and for the future he seems to have clear ideas: “The first thing to insist on is technique – he warns – athletic preparation is also important but technique comes first. Of course, I wouldn't let my national team play going back: looking at some teams today, it makes you think they've changed the rules".
Then the memories inevitably travel towards the National team: “I still can't explain why they prevented me from playing the game that could have made me a protagonist, the one against Brazil in Mexico '70, at least the second half. Mazzola was already untying his shoes during the break, when Valcareggi told him to continue. Yes, I still think about this today with a hint of regret”. For him, however, life begins at 80. Happy birthday to one of the greatest Italian footballers of all time.
Article published on 18 August 2023 - 10:48
