Alessandro Altobelli
Encyclopedia
Alessandro Altobelli is a former professional Italian football
er.
Nicknamed Spillo ("Needle") for his slender build. Altobelli was one of the most effective Italian forwards of the late 1970s and 1980s. Following spells at Latina (Serie C) and Brescia
(Serie B), he was signed by Internazionale, for whom he played 466 times, scoring 209 goals (128 in Serie A
) and contributing to his team's scudetto of 1980. For Italy
he was capped 61 times, scoring 25 goals: the most notable of which is the third goal in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
final, won by Italy against West Germany
. He became the second ever substitute to score in a FIFA World Cup
final (after Dick Nanninga in 1978 and with Rudi Völler
being the only one to repeat this feat ever since in 1986). Altobelli also played at Euro 80
, the 1986 FIFA World Cup
, and Euro 88
, where he played as team's captain. He made 4 sub appearances scoring just after coming on in a 2–0 win over Denmark in the group stages.
He is currently a sports analyst for the Al Jazeera
sports channel, with Cesare Maldini
.
Football in Italy
Football is the most popular sport in Italy. The Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup 4 times , trailing only Brazil . Italy's club sides have won 27 major European trophies, making them the most successful European nation in the subject of football...
er.
Nicknamed Spillo ("Needle") for his slender build. Altobelli was one of the most effective Italian forwards of the late 1970s and 1980s. Following spells at Latina (Serie C) and Brescia
Brescia Calcio
Brescia Calcio , known simply as Brescia, is the largest football club in the Lombard city of Brescia, where it was founded in 1911.In the 2009–10 season, in the return leg of the Serie B playoff final, they defeated Torino 2-1 at home , returning to Serie A after a 5-year absence...
(Serie B), he was signed by Internazionale, for whom he played 466 times, scoring 209 goals (128 in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
) and contributing to his team's scudetto of 1980. For Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
he was capped 61 times, scoring 25 goals: the most notable of which is the third goal in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
final, won by Italy against West Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
. He became the second ever substitute to score in a FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
final (after Dick Nanninga in 1978 and with Rudi Völler
Rudi Völler
Rudolf 'Rudi' Völler is a German former international football striker, and a former manager of the German national team...
being the only one to repeat this feat ever since in 1986). Altobelli also played at Euro 80
1980 UEFA European Football Championship
The 1980 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was held in Italy. This was the sixth European Football Championship, which is held every four years and endorsed by UEFA. With eight teams competing, the final tournament took place between 11 and 22 June 1980...
, the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
, and Euro 88
1988 UEFA European Football Championship
The 1988 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was held in West Germany. West Germany won the right to host the tournament with five votes ahead of a joint bid from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, who gained 1 vote, and a bid from England. It was the eighth European Football...
, where he played as team's captain. He made 4 sub appearances scoring just after coming on in a 2–0 win over Denmark in the group stages.
He is currently a sports analyst for the Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera is an independent broadcaster owned by the state of Qatar through the Qatar Media Corporation and headquartered in Doha, Qatar...
sports channel, with Cesare Maldini
Cesare Maldini
Cesare Maldini is an Italian football manager and former player. He played as a centre back and spent the majority of his career with AC Milan. Maldini also represented Italy at international level in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. His son Paolo, also a defender, previously held the record for the...
.