Beppe Bergomi

Beppe Bergomi was one of the best defenders of his generation. In twenty years of activity he won a scudetto (1988-89), a Coppa Italia (1981-82), Supercoppa (1989) and three UEFA Cups (1990-91, 1993-94 and 1997-98) all with Inter. Plus a World Cup, the legendary Italy win of 1982.

Source Wikipedia

Giuseppe Bergomi was born in Milan on December 22, 1963.

He began his career in the Settalese youth team then moved to Inter in 1977. He debuted in the first team in a Coppa Italia match against Juventus on January 30, 1980, when he was just 16. A year later came his first Serie A match at Como. He went on to make 757 appearances and 28 goals with the Nerazzurri in 20 years and was captain from 1992 to 1999. He is the player with most games in the UEFA Cup/Europa League (96) and second for total appearances in the Coppa Italia (119) behind Roberto Mancini.

He played 7 games for Italy’s Under 21s and was called up by Enzo Bearzot for the World Cup in Spain in 1982. The Azzurri had struggled in the First Group phase and had qualified for the second group phase in second place with three points. They were then paired with Argentina, the holders, and Brazil, the hot favourites. Both the Azzurri and Brazil beat Argentina and faced each other in one of the most exciting games of all time, the legendary Italy Brazil 3-2 which was played in Barcelona in Espanyol's small Sarrià stadium. Italy scored early with Paolo Rossi, but Socrates equalised shortly after. Rossi scored again, but after half an hour Fulvio Collovati got injured. Bearzot told Bergomi to get ready and he went in. Brazil equalised again in the second half with Paulo Roberto Falcao but Rossi made it three and Italy qualified for the semis where they beat Poland 2-0 with a Rossi brace. Bergomi played in the semi-final and also the final against West Germany which Italy won thanks to Rossi, Marco Tardelli and Alessandro Altobelli. Bergomi was the second youngest to win a World Cup, behind Pelé.

In total Bergomi played 81 games for Italy with six goals. He was in the squad also for the 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups, with a third place at Italy 90.

Once he stopped playing he became a manager for youth teams but has made a career in punditry and is one of the main second voices for Sky Italia.

Nicknamed Zio (Uncle), he was a ruthless man marker, very similar to his Italy teammate Claudio Gentile. A great defender, one of the best Italy has ever had.

Sources

Wikipedia