Antonio Lopez, known as Totò, was born in Bari, on January 17, 1952.
He started his youth career with his hometown team Bari. He made his debut for the "Galletti" (The Cockerels) in 1971 in Serie B. He played with the Biancorossi for two years with 29 league appearances and 3 goals.
In 1973 he joined Pescara in Serie C. The "Delfini" (The Dolphins) won promotion to Serie B in his first year. The following year the Adriatic coast team came 10th in Serie B. In his two years at the club Lopez played regularly getting 67 games and scoring 7 goals.
In 1975 he moved to Lazio in Serie A. He stayed in the capital for five seasons. He played under Giulio Corsini, Tommaso Maestrelli, Luis Vinicio and Bob Lovati.
In his first season he played 23 league games and 9 in Coppa Italia and Lazio came 13th.
In his second season he played less, only 6 league games but Lazio finished a positive 5th.
In 1977-78 he had his most regular season, playing 28 league games, 3 in Coppa Italia, 4 in the UEFA Cup and 6 in Intertoto. He also scored his one and only League goal for Lazio, away at Napoli. Lazio finished 10th.
The following year he made 14 league appearances and 2 in Coppa Italia. Lazio came 8th.
His last year at Lazio was marred by the Totonero betting scandal. Lazio managed to stay up despite losing their star players in March but were subsequently punished for their alleged involvement and sent down to the "purgatory" of Serie B, along with Milan. It was also the season of the Vincenzo Paparelli tragedy, the Lazio fan who was killed by a flare shot from the Roma fans end, on October 28, 1979. Back to football Lopez played 7 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia.
With Lazio down Lopez moved to Palermo in 1980. He played three good seasons in Sicily. In 1981-82 the Rosanero narrowly missed out on promotion to Serie A and Lopez won the prestigious "Guerin d' oro" for best Serie B player, the Guerin Sportivo being one of, if not the most important, sports magazines at the time. In total Lopez played 101 league games for Palermo and scored 8 goals.
In 1983 he went back to his hometown of Bari. He played two seasons and the Biancorossi won back to back promotions from Serie C to Serie A under Bruno Bolchi. Lopez played 59 games with 3 goals.
Lopez then ended his career in 1985-86 in Taranto, still in Apulia, but in C1. Here again he won promotion with the "Ionici'' (The Ionians) up to Serie B. He played 25 games for the Rossoblu.
So that ended Totò 's career. Not an élite one but not without satisfaction. Five years in Serie A with Lazio, a promotion with Pescara, two promotions with his Bari and another with Taranto.
As a player Lopez was a midfield playmaker. He was a number 10 even if at Lazio he often wore the number 8 jersey. He was a skilful player with good feet and had the ability to set up goals even though he was not particularly prolific himself. He was also hardworking and athletic. He was a regular feature of the late 70's Lazio, with his classic 70's moustached look.
Since retiring Lopez has run a well-known bar in the tennis area of the Foro Italico. A stone's throw away from the Olimpico of his old playing days.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup | Intertoto Cup |
1975-76 | 32 | 23 | 9 | - | - |
1976-77 | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
1977-78 | 41 (1) | 28 (1) | 3 | 4 | 6 |
1978-79 | 16 | 14 | 2 | - | - |
1979-80 | 11 (1) | 7 | 4 (1) | - | - |
Total | 106 (2) | 78 (1) | 18 (1) | 4 | 6 |
Sources