Luigi Martini known as "Gigi" was born in Capannori (Lucca), on June 15, 1949.
He started playing football in his hometown team Lucchese. In 1966-67 he made 3 appearances in Serie D for the Rossoneri and then 27 the following year.
In 1968 he stayed in Tuscany but moved to Siena in Serie C. He stayed one season with "The Robur" (The Strength) and played 34 games with 2 goals.
In 1969 he moved to the Tuscan coast and joined Livorno in Serie B. He stayed in Leghorn two seasons playing 63 games with 2 goals.
In 1971-72 he came to the capital to play for Lazio. The Biancocelesti had been relegated to Serie B but, under fellow Tuscan and new manager Tommaso Maestrelli, intended going straight up again. "Il Maestro" transformed Martini from a midfielder into an attacking left full-back and Lazio were successful in their promotion quest. Martini played 34 league games with 1 goal (Reggina) and 9 games in Coppa Italia.
The following year Lazio went very close to the title but ultimately fell short and came 3rd. Martini played 29 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia.
The 1973-74 season was Lazio's masterpiece. A team divided in clans and considered a crazy gang came together on match days to produce fantastic performances and stunned Italy by winning the Scudetto. They also won both derbies. Martini was a protagonist making 28 league appearances, 6 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Novara) and 4 in the UEFA Cup.
The year after the title Maestrelli started to have problems with his health and battle with cancer. Lazio were unable to repeat the previous year's feat and came 4th. For the last five matches "Il Maestro" was too ill to go on the bench and was replaced by Bob Lovati. Lazio were also banned from Europe following the incidents during and after the previous year's UEFA Cup game against Ipswich Town (crowd trouble, brawls on pitch etc but all caused by a shocking ... and drunk referee). Martini had a steady season with 29 league games and 2 goals (Torino, Milan) and 4 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Pescara).
The 1975-76 season was a difficult one for Lazio. They started the season under Giulio Corsini but then after eight games Maestrelli returned, seemingly having got over his health issues. Lazio however struggled and at one point seemed doomed to relegation which they then miraculously avoided on the last game of the season. Martini had a solid season playing 25 league games with 2 goals (Fiorentina, Ascoli), 6 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the UEFA Cup.
In 1976-77 the team had a new manager, Luis Vinicio. Maestrelli's health deteriorated and he sadly passed away on December 2 1976. A never forgotten and marvellous human being and Lazio' s most popular coach in history. It was not the only tragedy to hit Lazio as on January 18 their blond midfielder Luciano Re Cecconi was shot to death in a jewelers, a possible prank gone wrong but more likely just a tragic misunderstanding . "Cecco" and Martini were inseparable friends. Back to the current season, Lazio had a good one and came 5th. Martini, despite losing his close friend, played 24 league games with 3 goals (Bologna, Milan, Torino) and 3 in Coppa Italia.
The following season Vinicio stayed on but was then replaced by Bob Lovati after 24 games. Lazio ended up 10th, in mid-table. Martini played less regularly; 15 in Serie A, 2 in Coppa Italia and 1 in the UEFA Cup. His friend and teammate's death was starting to take its toll on Martini's passion for football.
The 1978-79 would be his last with Lazio. It was a decent one for Lazio with an 8th place under Bob Lovati. Lazio also won a derby after three years with a late Aldo Nicoli goal. Martini played 19 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia.
At 29 and never having really got over Re Cecconi's death he followed one of his other passions, flying. During his career he had got into parachuting and even convinced Re Cecconi to try but now he wanted to actually fly airplanes. He got his license and became an Alitalia pilot.
He did play a few more games of football in the States; 7 games for Chicago Sting in 1979 and 14 for Toronto Blizzard in 1981. However he mainly concentrated on his new flying career.
Years later in 1996 he went into politics while still keeping his air pilot job. He was elected in parliament with the right wing Alleanza Nazionale party. It had never been a secret that he was politically to the right but despite some myths he was the only member of the 1974 Scudetto team to be oriented that way or to be particularly interested in politics.
From 2009 to 2011 he was president of the ENAV board of directors, in charge of air traffic control.
As a Lazio player he has his place in history set in stone. As a member of that unrepeatable 1974 feat and the crazy gang who pulled it off, led by the balanced and wise Maestrelli. Martini was a good, athletic left full-back who could defend well but also push forward on the wing. He was a dynamic, untiring, hardworking player and extremely reliable.
He played 255 games for Lazio with 10 goals. He also got 1 Italy cap but it is with Lazio that he will always be remembered, in the immortal "Campioni d'Italia" team of 1973-74.
Lazio career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup | Intertoto Cup | Anglo Italian Cup |
1971-72 | 42 (1) | - | 34 (1) | 8 | - | - | - |
1972-73 | 33 | 29 | - | 4 | - | - | 2 |
1973-74 | 39 (1) | 28 | - | 7 (1) | 4 | - | - |
1974-75 | 33 (3) | 29 (2) | - | 4 (1) | - | - | - |
1975-76 | 34 (2) | 25 (2) | - | 7 | 2 | - | - |
1976-77 | 27 (3) | 24 (3) | - | 3 | - | - | - |
1977-78 | 24 | 15 | - | 2 | 1 | 6 | - |
1978-79 | 23 | 19 | - | 4 | - | - | ​ |
Total | 257 (10) | 169 (7) | 34 (1) | 39 (2) | 7 | 6 | 2 |
Sources