Enrico Albertosi
Encyclopedia
Enrico "Ricky" Albertosi (born 2 November 1939) is an Italian former footballer
who played goalkeeper for the Italian national team
in the 1966 World Cup and the 1970 World Cup.
Born in Pontremoli
, Albertosi made his debut for the national team in 1961, a 4–1 victory against Argentina
. His final international game took place in June 1972, when Italy drew 1–1 with Bulgaria
.
In 1970 Albertosi was involved in the so-called "Game of the Century
", when Italy played Germany
. Despite conceding three goals in this match Albertosi won praise for a string of acrobatic saves. He later appeared in the 1970 World Cup Final, where Italy became tournament runners-up as they lost 4–1 to Brazil
.
Albertosi was an unused squad member in the 1962 World Cup and the 1974 World Cup. He was similarly an unused back-up goalkeeper at the 1968 European Football Championship, which Italy won. In all he played 34 times for the national team.
At club level Albertosi represented Spezia
, before making his debut in Serie A
for Fiorentina
in 1959, playing in a goalless draw with A.S. Roma
. Albertosi represented Fiorentina until 1968, winning a European Cup Winners' Cup and 2 Coppa Italia
. He later transferred to Cagliari Calcio
where he won the 1969–70 Scudetto. He later won another championship medal with AC Milan (1978–79), along with another Coppa Italia (1977).
Albertosi was involved with the Italian "Totonero" betting scandal of 1980 and was ultimately suspended for 2 seasons. After winning the 1982 World Cup in Spain, the Italian football federation let him play again. He ended his career playing for Elpidiense (Serie C2), aged 44.
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...
who played goalkeeper for 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...
in the 1966 World Cup and the 1970 World Cup.
Born in Pontremoli
Pontremoli
Pontremoli is a small city, comune and bishop's see in the province of Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy. Literally translated, "Pontremoli" derives from "Trembling Bridge" , with the commune having been named after a prominent bridge across the Magra.Pontremoli is situated in the upper...
, Albertosi made his debut for the national team in 1961, a 4–1 victory against Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
. His final international game took place in June 1972, when Italy drew 1–1 with Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
.
In 1970 Albertosi was involved in the so-called "Game of the Century
Game of the Century (football)
The semi-final of the 1970 FIFA World Cup between Italy and West Germany is known as the "Game of the Century" . It was played on 17 June 1970 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City...
", when Italy played 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....
. Despite conceding three goals in this match Albertosi won praise for a string of acrobatic saves. He later appeared in the 1970 World Cup Final, where Italy became tournament runners-up as they lost 4–1 to Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
.
Albertosi was an unused squad member in the 1962 World Cup and the 1974 World Cup. He was similarly an unused back-up goalkeeper at the 1968 European Football Championship, which Italy won. In all he played 34 times for the national team.
At club level Albertosi represented Spezia
Spezia Calcio 1906
Spezia Calcio 1906 is an Italian football club, based in La Spezia, Liguria. Founded in 1906, the team's colors are black and white. The club's home ground is Stadio Alberto Picco.-1944 scudetto:...
, before making his debut 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...
for Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
in 1959, playing in a goalless draw with A.S. Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
. Albertosi represented Fiorentina until 1968, winning a European Cup Winners' Cup and 2 Coppa Italia
Coppa Italia
The Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
. He later transferred to Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari Calcio is an Italian football club based in Cagliari, Sardinia. The club was formed in 1920 and currently plays in Italian Serie A, having spent a large part of recent years mainly in Serie A and Serie B....
where he won the 1969–70 Scudetto. He later won another championship medal with AC Milan (1978–79), along with another Coppa Italia (1977).
Albertosi was involved with the Italian "Totonero" betting scandal of 1980 and was ultimately suspended for 2 seasons. After winning the 1982 World Cup in Spain, the Italian football federation let him play again. He ended his career playing for Elpidiense (Serie C2), aged 44.
Italy
- UEFA European ChampionshipUEFA European Football ChampionshipThe UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
: 1968
Fiorentina
- Coppa ItaliaCoppa ItaliaThe Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
: 1960–61, 1965–66 - UEFA Cup Winners' CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
: 1960–611961 European Cup Winners' Cup FinalThe 1961 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between Fiorentina of Italy and Rangers of Scotland. It was the first UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final and the only time that the final was played over two legs. The first leg was played at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow and the second leg...