Andrea Fortunato
Encyclopedia
Andrea Fortunato was an Italian
football
player who played as a left-back for Juventus and, on one occasion, the Italian national team
.
Born in Salerno
, Fortunato was one of Italy’s most promising prospects in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. The emerging young talent enjoyed a successful yet very short spell in Italian football before tragedy struck. He started his career in 1988 as a left-back with Como at the age of just 17. The young player from Salerno played 16 times in his first season with the Lariani, who were relegated to Serie C1. It was here where he established himself, with his consistent performances throughout the season, catching the eye of the bigger clubs – most notably Genoa. It was the Ligurian side who signed Fortunato in 1991, but he was immediately loaned to Serie B side Pisa for the 1991-92 season.
After an impressive spell the full-back returned to the Grifoni to team up with Christian Panucci
, who was another bright star impressing Coaches around the peninsula. In his first year in the top flight Fortunato did enough to grab the attention of Juventus boss Giovanni Trapattoni
, who brought the star to La Vecchia Signora. The left-back was an instant hit in the famous No 3 black and white jersey which belonged to the great Antonio Cabrini
during the 1980s.
Fortunato became famous for his endless running and fine left foot, which he would use to provide accurate crosses for the likes of Roberto Baggio
and Gianluca Vialli
. His most important attribute was that he loved being a team player, both on and off the pitch. His charm and great personality won the hearts of many, so much so that Arrigo Sacchi
, the ex-Azzurri tactician, described him as “a revelation of Italian football” and called the Juve star to make his one and only international appearance against Estonia on September 22, 1993 in Tallinn. Fortunato took Paolo Maldini’s place and played alongside the legendary Franco Baresi
in a game the Azzurri won 3-0. The left-back showed striking similarities to Maldini and he was in Sacchi’s plans for the 1994 World Cup.
However, in a sad twist of fate, the player suffered an unexplainable loss of form and was subsequently dropped from the Giro Azzurro after doctors announced that he had a rare form of leukaemia in May 1994. Yet after a bone marrow transplant he made a full recovery and was picked by Marcello Lippi for Juve’s clash with Sampdoria on February 22, 1995.
Everything seemed to be going well, but Fortunato caught pneumonia and was never able to recover – he died on 25 April 1995 on the eve of Italy’s game with Lithuania
in Vilnius
. The Azzurri won and dedicated the victory to him. Just before he died he had said: “I never thought walking around could be so great.” That season Lippi’s Juve went on to win their 23rd League title, which is known as Fortunato’s Scudetto. As well as the championship dedicated to him he also won the Italian Super Cup.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who played as a left-back for Juventus and, on one occasion, the Italian national team
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...
.
Born in Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
, Fortunato was one of Italy’s most promising prospects in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. The emerging young talent enjoyed a successful yet very short spell in Italian football before tragedy struck. He started his career in 1988 as a left-back with Como at the age of just 17. The young player from Salerno played 16 times in his first season with the Lariani, who were relegated to Serie C1. It was here where he established himself, with his consistent performances throughout the season, catching the eye of the bigger clubs – most notably Genoa. It was the Ligurian side who signed Fortunato in 1991, but he was immediately loaned to Serie B side Pisa for the 1991-92 season.
After an impressive spell the full-back returned to the Grifoni to team up with Christian Panucci
Christian Panucci
Christian Panucci is a retired Italian footballer. He was a member of the Italian national team. Panucci is a right back, but can also play as a centre back.-Early career:...
, who was another bright star impressing Coaches around the peninsula. In his first year in the top flight Fortunato did enough to grab the attention of Juventus boss Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni , sometimes known as "Trap" or "Il Trap", is an Italian football coach and former player, considered the most successful club coach in the history of Serie A. As a player he was part of Italy's squad at the 1962 FIFA World Cup....
, who brought the star to La Vecchia Signora. The left-back was an instant hit in the famous No 3 black and white jersey which belonged to the great Antonio Cabrini
Antonio Cabrini
Antonio Cabrini is an Italian football former player. He played left-back, mainly with Juventus. He won the 1982 FIFA World Cup with the Italian national team....
during the 1980s.
Fortunato became famous for his endless running and fine left foot, which he would use to provide accurate crosses for the likes of Roberto Baggio
Roberto Baggio
Roberto Baggio is a retired Italian footballer. Widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of his generation, Baggio won both the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993. He is the only Italian player ever to score in three World Cups. He is also one of the top 5 all-time...
and Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli is an Italian football manager and former player. Since retiring, he has gone into management and punditry and is a commentator for Sky Sport Italia....
. His most important attribute was that he loved being a team player, both on and off the pitch. His charm and great personality won the hearts of many, so much so that Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi is an Italian football coach. He is best known for his success coaching Italian teams, particularly with Milan where he won back to back European Cups as coach in the late eighties where he was head coach of the Italy national football team . He was twice manager of A.C...
, the ex-Azzurri tactician, described him as “a revelation of Italian football” and called the Juve star to make his one and only international appearance against Estonia on September 22, 1993 in Tallinn. Fortunato took Paolo Maldini’s place and played alongside the legendary Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi is an Italian football youth team coach and former player. He played as a sweeper and spent his entire career with Serie A club AC Milan, acknowledged as one of the greatest defenders ever to play the game. Baresi was nicknamed "Piscinin", Milanese for "Little one"...
in a game the Azzurri won 3-0. The left-back showed striking similarities to Maldini and he was in Sacchi’s plans for the 1994 World Cup.
However, in a sad twist of fate, the player suffered an unexplainable loss of form and was subsequently dropped from the Giro Azzurro after doctors announced that he had a rare form of leukaemia in May 1994. Yet after a bone marrow transplant he made a full recovery and was picked by Marcello Lippi for Juve’s clash with Sampdoria on February 22, 1995.
Everything seemed to be going well, but Fortunato caught pneumonia and was never able to recover – he died on 25 April 1995 on the eve of Italy’s game with Lithuania
Lithuania national football team
The national football team of Lithuania is under the auspices of the Lithuanian Football Federation. It played its first match in 1923. In 1940, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union; the country regained its independence in 1990 and played their first match as a new nation against Georgia on...
in Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
. The Azzurri won and dedicated the victory to him. Just before he died he had said: “I never thought walking around could be so great.” That season Lippi’s Juve went on to win their 23rd League title, which is known as Fortunato’s Scudetto. As well as the championship dedicated to him he also won the Italian Super Cup.